I don't own Star Wars, George Lucas does. Not making any money off of this, please don't sue, but feel free to read and review.
"THE BUNKER"
It's merely the span of a single lifetime since hell was last visited upon the galaxy…...
PROLOGUE: 6 ABY
An unfinished section of tunnel carved through bare earth, braced with pit-props and shored with timber. Rubble and wood and construction equipment were scattered all around. Dim work-lights were strung along the roof, but barely illuminated the tunnel. An emergency generator clattered away somewhere deeper in the tunnels.
At the junction of a dark side-tunnel, two COMPNOR guards, a sergeant and a corporal were working furiously, hammering huge lengths of timber across the mouth of the side tunnel, gradually sealing it off. Their noses and mouths were masked against the dust by grimy cotton scarves, but their unease was plain to see. As they continued to work, a COMPNOR private emerged from the gloom of the main tunnel, jogging towards them. He slowed to a halt when he joined his two comrades, and began to quickly fill them in. "That's the last of them. Everybody else is out."
The Sergeant glanced around at the Private, but didn't stop working. "Put a face mask on, you kriffing idiot!"
The young Private seemed impatient and cavalier. He ignored the comment and simply wiped the sweat from his neck, gesturing curiously at the side-tunnel. "Look, when do we find out the big secret? What's the panic? What're we supposed to be afraid of?"
The other two exchanged a glance. The Corporal answered first. "Never you mind! Just give us a hand to finish up. Quick!"
The Private joined in reluctantly, and they hoisted another thick plank into place, holding it in position while the Corporal hammered a nail through one end. A slow creak permeated the tunnel, and dust began to spill from the roof. The Corporal carried on regardless, nailing the other end. But the Private was still inquisitive, "Nobody out there's got a clue what's going on. Why're we doing this?"
"Because we've been ordered to! Isn't that enough for you?" The Sergeant barked.
Another plank was lifted into place, and the barricade was nearing completion... then the distant clatter of the generator faltered. The lights dimmed, then brightened again as the generator returned to its previous steady rhythm. The two NCO's froze, holding their breath - looking at each other with speechless expectation. The generator spluttered again - terminally, this time.
They let go of the plank, and it crashed to the floor. Scrabbling for their glowlamps, they started to panic. The Private watched bemused as the other two cursed under their breath. The generator noise was now on a rapid downward curve, slowing and dying. The lights were going with it... and a solid, shocking blackness droped on them with sudden silence. Their torches were on but the beams were feeble, struggling to penetrate the darkness. The Sergeant couldn't help himself, "By the Emperor!" His voice echoed away into the darkness.
The Private shruged, "The generator's just out of fuel. What's so..."
"Shhh!" The Corporal silenced him. A pause ... then, from the side-tunnel, came a new noise: A faint scuffling sound.
They automatically shined their glowlamps at the barricade, their fear tangible now, affecting even the young Private, whose cocky expression of disdain was rapidly dropping from his face. The Sergeant's voice was tight, "It's happening! Just like they said!"
"What is it? Is someone in there?" The Private asked.
But the other two were already backing away along the tunnel in horrified disbelief. The Private began to follow after them, his nervousness growing by the second... the scuffling getting louder..."For the Emperor's sake, what is it? What's in there?"
But the other two turned and ran. And as his composure finally crumbled he ran after them, the Private looked back over his shoulder one last time, his face now betrayed an expression of sheer terror...
B
Frontlines, Usnia, Senex Sector, Mid-Rim 6ABY
Densely packed pine trees in all directions. Snowflakes fluttered down silently from a steel-grey sky.
An Imperial Army supply HAVT-B5 slowly crawled along a dirt road which cuts through the forest, engine racing and wheels spinning as it slithered through the river of mud churned up by a hundred tanks and vehicles long gone. Accompanying it were a score of army troops and stormtroopers, breath plumed in the frosty air. Some trudged alongside the juggernaut, offering a shoulder occasionally to straighten it as it fishtailed through the slush. The remainder followed twenty yards behind. Each was sagging under the weight of helmet, equipment and sodden body suits. Their armor marked them as regular Stormtrooper Corps, but their coats carry the black and silver cuff-bands of an 'elite' Legion.
EN-2525, headed up the group of stragglers, as he reached into his ration-bag and pulled out a half-eaten bar of chocolate. He popped a piece into his mouth, and chomped it wearily. Following in his wake were EB-4135, SC-6661, KR-2839, BA-0005, HE-6464, unit medic FR-4077, and the C.O., LT. Krupps.
EN-2525 felt chatty, "They'll be heading on to Bucans without us, at this rate."
EB-4135, moved with a lithe, cat-like alertness despite his tiredness, he threw EN-2525 an idle sideways glance. "What's your hurry?"
SC-6661 snorted and butted in, "Well, it's not to win any medals, that's for sure."
EN-2525 ignored SC-6661's comment, and responded to EB-4135's question. "What's the hurry? Have a guess."
"The women."
"The Emperor's balls, no! They're like Naboo women, coarse hair and wide-pored skin. Next guess."
HE-6464, older than the rest, a veteran, chiped in. "Surely not the booze or the spice?"
EN-2525 shook his head, "Nah! Nexu's piss, all of it. Any more?" EN-2525 looked around, but nobody else was interested except KR-2839, who was looking to him eagerly for the answer. EN-2525 glanced around once more, then sighed in defeat. "Only two good things ever came out of Usnia: one's the trade route to Imperial Center, and the other..." EN-2525 snaps off a chunk of chocolate, and tosses it back to KR-2839 with a wink and a warm smile. KR-2839 quickly tore off the remaining wrapper with nervy fingers.
"Chocolate!" EN-2525 cocked his head appreciatively.
"Got it. You can say what you like, but they make damned good..." A blaster bolt smacked into EN-2525's throat, blowing a chunk out of his neck as it exits. The sound of the distant blaster shot followed a second behind.
Almost simultaneously, a demolition charge exploded under the juggernaut ahead, taking the legs off the accompanying army troops. The front end of the vehicle heaved into the air and crashed back down in a smoking ruin. The group scattered as a hail of sniper bolts rained down. HE-6464 caught a bolt in the leg, as he and EB-4135 headed forward and left off the road; BA-0005 took a gully several meters back, also to the left. The other four stormtrooper stragglers dove right. The rest took cover as best they could.
EN-2525, paralyzed, dropped to his knees in the mud. Hands at his throat attempted to stem the stream of blood. His jaw tried to speak, but only produced gurgles. He was hit again, in the shoulder, but still remained upright.
KR-2839 screamed, "Get him out of there!"
But all attention was focused forward as the rest of the unit swung into action in unison, settling behind cover to return blaster fire with well-practiced precision. With bolts spitting down all around, it's was all they could do to stay put... while their legless, dying comrades screamed in the roadway ahead of them.
HE-6464 and EB-4135 snuggled into cover across the road, HE-6464 drug his injured leg painfully. Shock and confusion showed on their pale faces. EB-4135 asked, "How bad's the leg?"
HE-6464 simply shoke his head, more concerned about EN-2525, who was still propped up on his knees in the kill-zone. "We need to give 2525 some covering fire, see if someone can get to him."
"Angle's wrong from here. Sniper fire's coming from up left somewhere."
"What about retreating to that gully back there ...?" HE-6464 asked. Someone burst through the bushes suddenly behind them, and their blasters were half turned in response before they realized it was BA-0005.
"We've got to move! They're coming up from behind."
EB-4135 looked around, alert. "I don't see any..."
"I tell you they're coming. It's a trap!"
HE-6464 and EB-4135 cast a concerned glance over at their stricken comrade, then EB-4135 made a hasty decision. "Alright. Let's find cover forward."
They jumped to it and moved forward through the trees, blaster rifles pointed in readiness, HE-6464 limped along as best as he could. But they had barely gone ten yards before an E-WEB opened up from somewhere to the front right of them, its bolts chopped into the tree trunks all around them, forcing them back. "Fierfek!"
BA-0005 and EB-4135 ran for cover, but HE-6464 tripped...As bolts kicked into the snow around him, HE-6464 shouted for help involuntarily...
C
Slumped in the kill-zone, EN-2525 was on automatic pilot. Despite his appalling injuries his free hand struggled to open the flap on his holster, to get to his SE-14 blaster pistol. He just managed it when two more bolts chopped into him, smashing into his left arm and abdomen. He slumped back on his haunches with a gurgled moan, but miraculously, still stayed upright.
KR-2839, SC-6661, Lieutenant Krupps, and FR-4077 huddled deeper behind cover as a sustained fusillade of bolts rained down around them. SC-6661 shouted angrily, "Emperor's Ghost!" KR-2839 was making no attempt to return fire, simply staring impotently at EN-2525, who had somehow summoned the strength to shuffle around towards them, vainly trying to inch his way to cover.
FR-4077, meanwhile, his helmet bearing the green, circular decals of a field medic, averted his eyes so as not to look upon the stormtrooper he couldn't help. Lieutenant Krupps was looking around for options. "We're dead if we stay here! 6464! 0005!"
No reply.
"Where are they?" SC-6661 growled.
The sniper fire abated momentarily. But then something small, ovoid and black sailed gracefully out of the trees towards them, splashing heavily into the mud beside EN-2525.
"Thermal Detonator!" The stormtroopers hit the dirt, but KR-2839 was frozen in horror, his eyes locked with those of EN-2525. The detonator exploded with a sharp, shattering blast, taking EN-2525 with it.
And KR-2839 was caught in the shock wave...
Silence.
D
A forest clearing. It was later. Darker. Dusk was falling with the snow. A few brief moments of perfect stillness in the picture-postcard scene, far away from the action. Not even the distant thud of blasterfire could be heard any longer.
Then EB-4135, HE-6464 and BA-0005 stumbled through the trees. EB-4135 scanned the forest ahead with exhausted eyes, his blaster held ready at his side, his free arm supporting the accident-prone HE-6464. HE-6464's leg, by now, was soaked with crusted blood. His face was creased with pain, but still he kept watch left and right, pistol in hand. BA-0005 brought up the rear. He was edgy, scanning the trees behind them with blaster rifle aimed. A few more steps, and EB-4135 paused to catch his breath. He whispered, just loud enough for BA-0005 to hear. "Wait a minute."
BA-0005 crouched and waited, still covering the rear. Untangling himself from HE-6464, EB-4135 crept forward and took up a position beside a tree several meters away, studying the forest ahead through macrobinoculars. After a moment, he lowered the macrobinoculars triumphantly.
"Bunker!"
Anti-Walker Bunker 'FRIEDA'
The steel-shutter of a narrow observation loophole slid open suddenly. A glint of eyes in the darkness beyond. Three meters to the left, in a second loophole sunk into the camouflaged duracrete face of the bunker, the twin barrels of a combined anti-walker cannon/E-WEB swiveled into action, taking aim. There was the heavy metallic click-clack of a blaster being cocked. A muffled voice shouted from inside ...
"Stay where you are!" a challenge erupted from the bunker.
"Don't shoot! Comrade!" EB-4135 yelled, down a shallow snow-covered slope, on a frozen dirt road which dog-legged through rows of duracrete tank-traps, the three approaching stormtroopers stopped dead in their tracks. EB-4135 waved his blaster wearily, a dirty white handkerchief tied to the barrel. He called again, cautious, "We're coming in. Alright?"
No reply from the bunker.
EB-4135 set off again anyway, half-dragging HE-6464 up the slope. BA-0005 followed a few paces to the rear, still watching the trees behind them. The barrels of the heavy blasters followed them from the bunker as they approached. The huge bunker was sunk into the tree-covered hillside. The three stormtroopers make their way up the slope and along the side wall, stumbling occasionally in the snow, or on the hidden ropes of the camouflage netting.
At the rear, a deep trench led to the entrance. This was overlooked by another loophole in the wall of the entrance As they struggled down the crude steps into the trench, the steel shutter of this loophole grated open to watch them. EB-4135 arrived first at the heavy durasteel door, and kicked it. "Open up, stang it!"
For a moment the three of them waited in silence and stillness, EB-4135 looked up at the Aurabesh lettering molded into the duracrete above the door. It read 'FRIEDA'. Sound of bolts slammed back, and the door swung open. EB-4135 stood aside to let HE-6464 hobble through first.
HE-6464 was barely inside before he was pushed roughly against the wall, a blaster pistol at his throat. "Hey! What the...?"
And everybody froze.
HE-6464 was staring back into the face of another Imperial soldier - a reserve COMPNOR veteran. This was Mirus, an old man with crazy eyes and a crazy demeanor. An old, livid wound was visible on his forehead, and he looked ill. "Who are you?" He ripped open HE-6464's utility belt, checking his ID-tag. "Let me hear you speak."
"HE-6464. 13th StormGrenadiers Legion."
EB-4135 growled, "Let him go, old man!"
Mirus barked at BA-0005, "You! Say something. Why are you here?"
"We were ambushed. Now take it easy!"
"Ambushed?"
HE-6464 stared him down, "It's a bit late to be asking questions, Private. Put the gun down." Mirus blinked, his eyes slowly lost their crazy gleam. "The blaster!"
Mirus finally backed off. Everybody breathed again. HE-6464 rubbed his throat, cursing silently.
As if his mind had suddenly changed gear, Mirus looked at the other three stormtroopers as if seeing them for the first time. He stroked his old head wound unconsciously. "I'm sorry..." The others looked at him warily, unsettled by his radical change in temperament. "We were warned, you see. About rebel infiltration units."
"If you weren't sure about us you should never have opened the door." EB-4135 slammed and bolted the door behind them. (They're in a short, T-shaped passage: To their right, a small flight of steps led down to another durasteel door; to the left, the Gas Lock which led deeper into the bunker) Mirus shuffled sheepishly for a second, embarrassed at his behavior, then gestured for them to follow. "This way."
Mirus led them through the gas lock. "What happened to you, again?"... then turned right through the gas-proof doors into the main corridor.
"Ambush. Rebels." EB-4135 answered. Doors in each wall of the corridor led to the Generator Room and the Crew Room. Straight ahead is the door to the Anti-Walker Blaster Room. Peering around it curiously was a second COMPNOR volunteer, an Imperial Youth. This was Newman; young, almost a boy. Mirus snapped at him, "Keep watching the front!"
Newman disappeared out of sight as Mirus led the others right again, into the Crew Room. Bunks. Lockers. Pin-ups. Military mottoes painted on the walls. Small stove. Emergency Escape. The three newcomers slumped down onto the bunks near the stove. A bit of warmth and comfort. The relief spread across their faces, but this only accentuated their pain and exhaustion.
HE-6464 stretched out his injured leg. "Ahhh! Fierfek!"
Meanwhile, Mirus hovered nervously, occasionally coughing. "How far away did all this happen? The ambush?"
"Three, four kilometers."
"But the front-line is supposed to be thirty-odd kilometers away."
HE-6464 snorted, "That's what we thought." One by one, they light up cigarros. "Emperor knows what the Rebels were doing there. Probably don't even know themselves."
BA-0005 was studying Mirus's reaction. "They might be coming this way." Mirus turned pale. He looked at the other two for confirmation. "Will they?"
EB-4135 shrugged again, "Maybe. They were behind us for a while, back there. All they have to do is follow our tracks in the snow."
BA-0005 studied Mirus. "How many troopers do you have?"
Mirus nervously stroked the wound on his forehead. "Just one." The three newcomers stiffened, alert. The relaxation drained from their faces, to be replaced once more by tension.
HE-6464 jerked a thumb back down the corridor. "You mean that youngling?"
"Everybody else was sent forward. They even took our supplies."
EB-4135 smacked a fist into his knee, "Sith-spit."
"Is it like this all along the line, now? Just Reserves?" HE-6464 asked.
"I don't know. I think so. There's not supposed to be any fighting here!" Mirus responded.
"Someone forgot to tell the Rebels." HE-6464 growled.
EB-4135 faced the old man, "You'd better get on the comm to Area Command." Mirus turned to leave, fretting. EB-4135 called after him. "What was it you said before, about infiltration units?"
"Rebels in stormtrooper armor. Sometimes they..."
"We know what they are. What about them?"
"We were just told to be on the lookout for them."
"Well, don't shoot at anyone until you know who it is. There may be others coming, from our unit." Mirus nodded and left. EB-4135 snorted derisively. "I don't believe it! KYounglings and sick, crazy old men left in charge."
HE-6464 nodded, "That's what it's come to, alright. Been falling apart since Endor." A moment of brooding silence. HE-6464 got out his first aid kit and saw to his leg. EB-4135 got up and smelled the caf pot on the stove. Ersatz! He pulled a sour face, but poured a mug-full anyway and passed it around.
BA-0005 continued where they'd left off. "So, if the Rebels attack again, it'll be up to us."
EB-4135 looked at him, "They won't necessarily come after us. They might have other priorities." But he doesn't sound as if he quite believes it. And it's clear from their faces that neither do HE-6464 0r BA-0005. EB-4135 stared for a moment into his caf mug, then raises it in a tired, ironic toast, "Well. Happy Empire Day!"
Suddenly Mirus was shouting from the Gun Room, "Someone's coming!"
A small group of stormtroopers flited cautiously between the trees at the bottom of the slope overlooked by the bunker. Three, maybe four of them. E4135 watched them. "Ours, alright. What's left of them."
BA-0005 held out his hand for the macrobinoculars, "Can I see?"
EB-4135 was peering out through the loophole. He passed the macrobinoculars to BA-0005, then turned to Newman at the heavy blaster. "What's your name?"
"Newman, sir." EB-4135 looked around, (The room is dim, lights out because the loophole cover is open) 4.7 cm blaster cannon/E-WEB; ammo boxes; door to the Ammunition Room; not much else. Behind him, Mirus was on the wall-mounted hyperwave radio, ad-libbing terse, monosyllabic comments and replies. HE-6464 was leaning expectantly in the doorway. EB-4135 turned back to Newman and indicates the huge blaster, "Are you alright with this?"
Newman nodded with a hint of defiance, "I used to be on a anti-airspeeder Flak unit on Araxes."
EB-4135 was quiet for a moment, looking sadly at this overconfident youngling who should be back at home with his family. He gestured at Mirus and continues, "Did he explain to you what's going on? What's his name?"
"Mirus. Yes, sir."
"Alright. Keep the blaster trained on the trees. Just in case." Newman nodded.
"This isn't like shooting at airspeeders. If you have to fire, use short bursts."
Another dismissive, slightly annoyed nod, and Newman put his eye back to the blaster sight. Mirus hung up the radio. He was even more agitated, now. "They just said to let them know of any developments. That's all!"
EB-4135 grinned ironically, "Great!"
They heard the sound of indistinct shouting from outside. BA-0005 spotted them, "They're out of the trees. Coming in."
The four stormtroopers were now dodging between the duracrete hovertank traps, waving towards the bunker. One of them was being helped along by the others. BA-0005 watched their approach, "Krupps; 6661, and 4077. Can't see who they're dragging. Is it 2839?"
"Call out to them." EB-4135 ordered.
BA-0005 opened his mouth to shout through the loophole...blaster fire burst from the distant trees. BA-0005 and EB-4135 instinctively ducked, grabbing their blasters.
"E chu ta!"
Mirus scrambled back to the gun and pushed Newman out of the way to take over. BA-0005 worked the bolt on his E-11, aimed through the loophole and fired towards the trees.
The four newcomers were yelling incoherently as they scrambled up the icy slope, under fire from an unseen enemy. Bolts were coming from the trees kicking into the snow around them. singing off the duracrete tank traps. They were in the open, sitting mynocks! FR-4077 was dragging the injured KR-2839. Krupps was pushing them along with one hand and firing blindly towards the trees with the other. SC-6661 brought up the rear, laying down a covering fire as he backed up the slope.
SC-6661 was hit. He shouted involuntarily and stumbled; but a second later he was up again, still firing. A bolt deflects against the side of FR-4077's helmet. He shouted a string of incoherent curses. All this happens in the space of six seconds.
BA-0005 squeezed off another bolt. EB-4135 shouted at Mirus; "What the hell are you waiting for?"
"I can't see the enemy!"
"Just fire!"
The E-WEB exploded into action. The noise within the confined duracrete space was incredible. BA-0005 fired again, finishing his clip. He pulled away from the loophole. EB-4135 took his place instantly, firing. Newman broke open a new ammo belt for the E-WEB. HE-6464 finished loading tibanna into a blaster magazine and tosses it to BA-0005. "They're coming around the side!"
BA-0005 slammed the clip into his blaster rifle. "I'm alright here. Go!"
EB-4135 pulled away from the loophole and BA-0005 smoothly took his place, firing immediately. HE-6464 caught on straight away and followed EB-4135 out of the room. EB-4135 raced for the rear. HE-6464 hobbled behind him. "I'll get the door."
They piled into the Gas Lock. EB-4135 branched off right. HE-6464 went left, around the dog-leg to the main door..
EB-4135 was at the loophole in an instant. Checked outside. Shouted through to HE-6464 "Clear!"
HE-6464 pulled open the door just in time for the new arrivals to spill inside, almost falling over each other. He slammed the door shut behind them. They collapsed against the wall and sank to the floor. For a few moments they said nothing, catching their breath and gradually realizing they're still alive. FR-4077 leaned back with his eyes closed, pale and trembling, and hugging his plastoid helmet to his chest. Lieutenant Krupps wiped his face with a handkerchief, and looked uneasily around the cramped space, pulling open his collar.
HE-6464 took a look at KR-2839, who was semi-conscious and obviously in the worst condition. "What happened to the others?"
SC-6661 struggled back to his feet painfully. "Take a wild guess!"
Krupps stared at HE-6464, "Who else is here?"
"4135 and 0005."
SC-6661 started to chuckle ironically, but it emerged as a breathless cough. He looked at his wounded side, then suddenly kicked the wall in a violent, cathartic release of tension.
The E-WEB was still booming. The air was thick with ozone. BA-0005 was trying to shout over the noise. The blaster stopped momentarily. "... enough! Hold fire!" Another short burst, and the blaster stopped again. Empty tibanna shells rattled down the collection tube. Sudden, complete silence.
Mirus was glued, rigid, to the blaster sight of the E-WEB. BA-0005 cautiously peeked through the loophole. "That might hold them for a while."
Krupps entered and took in the scene. He threw a glance at BA-0005, then addressed Mirus. "Are you in charge here?"
Mirus and Newman straightened to attention. "Yes, sir."
Krupps headed immediately for the loophole, and BA-0005 stepped aside to give him access. He turned for the door, but Krupps called him back, "BA-0005!"
BA-0005 stopped where he was and waited patiently, whilst Krupps studied the scene outside. He turned to Mirus, "You've been on to Area Command?"
"Yes sir."
"That covering fire was bloody late. Who was on the E-WEB?"
Mirus hesitated momentarily, coughing. "I was, sir."
Krupps turned away from the loophole and looked Mirus up and down, taking in his COMPNOR uniform, and noticing for the first time how sick he appeared. "Fierfek! You look worse than us."
Mirus said nothing, waiting for his telling-off. Newman, too was expectant, but Krupps left it hanging in the air. "What other covering fire is there, apart from this?"
"There's an E-WEB nest across the pass, Sir. But nobody to man it."
Krupps nodded to himself. "Alright. I'll talk to Area Command again. In the meantime, if anything moves out there, shoot. Instantly!"
Mirus snapped his heels, relieved. "Yes, sir!" He turned back to the blaster sight, whilst Newman's face betrayed a momentary disappointment and irritation that Mirus was off the hook. Meanwhile, Krupps half-turned to BA-0005. "How long ago did you get here?"
"Just a few minutes before you did." A pregnant pause. "We looked for you."
Krupps turned away again without reply. He looked around the smoky room and suddenly seems short of breath. Face close to the loophole for air, he tugged at his collar catastrophically, and barked an order. "Someone turn on the vents."
E
KR-2839 was helped onto one of the bunks by FR-4077 and SC-6661, HE-6464 followed behind with his kit. Having let go of KR-4077, SC-6661 slumped onto the next bunk, looking down again at his bleeding side. He was still steamed. "Scum! Behind us all the kriffing way. Don't they know when to quit?"
FR-4077 knelt by his side, "Let me see it." FR-4077 tried to look at his wound, but SC-6661 shruged him off angrily, gesturing at KR-2839, "Just get on with pampering him!"
HE-6464 was still settling KR-2839. "He's hurt, 6661. And he lost his friend back there."
SC-6661 wasn't impressed, but dropped the subject. FR-4077 took over the tending of KR-2839, and HE-6464 hobbled over to a bunk at the other side of the room. SC-6661 eased himself back against the wall, taking deep breaths to calm himself and control the pain, a Medal of Valor 2nd class glinted visibly on his body glove. Then he rested momentarily, eying HE-6464. "How many do you think, out there?"
"Who knows? Enough, anyway."
"I reckon two or three snipers and an E-WEB each side of the road. Plus maybe a couple on demolition."
HE-6464 shook his head, "More than that."
"If we hadn't split up, we could've fought it out."
"And got ourselves killed."
"It was ten or twelve rebels at most."
"Yes, and the Emperor knows how many more coming up from behind."
SC-6661 was honestly surprised, "What do you mean? You saw others?"
"I didn't see them, no, but.."
"Then who says?"
HE-6464 shook his head dismissively, annoyed that he'd allowed himself to be drawn into an argument. "Don't start, 6661."
SC-6661 glanced over at FR-4077 momentarily, intrigued, then leaned forward eagerly. "We pulled back without bumping into anyone else. How do you think we got out of there! So. Who reconnoitered all these other rebels?"
HE-6464 remained silent, and SC-6661 suddenly became aware that BA-0005 was standing in the doorway, listening. BA-0005 and SC-6661 glared at each other for a moment, then SC-6661 sniggered, shaking his head contemptuously. BA-0005 stood his ground defiantly. "The Loot wants you up front."
SC-6661 took a small container from his pouch, shook a pill into his hand, and tossed it into his mouth. Then he got to his feet and strolled to the door, pausing just long enough to glare once more into BA-0005's eyes, pointedly and childishly polishing his Medal of Valor with his body glove's cuff, as if to emphasis that BA-0005 didn't have one. And with that, SC-6661 exited.
HE-6464 spoke first "Little bastard!"
BA-0005 changed the subject. "We're going to siege conditions. Krupps wants you to organize a rotation, three-hour shifts." HE-6464 nodded, got up, and departed without further comment. The shocked and injured KR-2839 meanwhile, who had remained semi-conscious throughout, was slowly coming to his senses. Still groggy, he struggled to focus on FR-4077 and BA-0005. "Did ... 2525 make it?"
FR-4077 gently, "No."
He was momentarily confused, then anguish creased his face, as if the memories of what had happened suddenly flooded back. FR-4077 continued, 'It's alright. We're safe, now."
BA-0005 watched as tears drip silently from KR-2839's eyes. Uncomfortable, he, too, departed. Left alone with KR-2839, FR-4077 struggled to find words of comfort. "I... couldn't have got to him, 2839. I'm sorry."
"Nobody tried to help him. Not even me."
FR-4077 didn't know what else to say. Instead, he slumped back and blew out a weary sigh. KR composed himself slightly after a few moments. "Where is this place?"
"Just an anti-walker bunker."
KR-2839 shivered momentarily, suddenly chilled. He glanced around the room, as if sensing something..."It's not safe here."
But FR-4077 was no longer listening; he was studying the fresh bolt-burn on the side of his plastoid helmet introspectively, as if dwelling on the close-shave. So KR-2839 turned his attention again to his surroundings, his gaze finally settled on the square durasteel hatch leading to the bunker's Emergency Escape shaft...
F
Darkness, except for the faint diffused moonlight filtering in through the loophole at which SC-6661 was keeping watch. Mirus and Newman were manning the blaster cannon, while BA-0005, EB-4135 and HE-6464 waited expectantly just inside the doorway. Lieutenant Krupps, meanwhile, was on the hyperwave radio, "... but the situation's approaching critical. - No, we don't know that for sure. - Yes. - Yes, alright." He put down the receiver, exasperated, and turned to the group. "All units are up at the front. No reinforcements available. We're to hold until relieved."
EB-4135 shook with anger, "Hold with what?"
"I doubt they'll attack the bunker. They don't know we're low on ammo, and this time they don't have the element of surprise." Krupps explained.
"They don't need it if there's an armored column heading straight for us." EB-4135 snapped.
Krupps glared at him, flustered and annoyed. There were clearly still tensions between the two surviving halves of the group. "And where's this armored column coming from?"
"The same place they did! We don't know what's going on at the front line."
Krupps retorted, "Command thinks it's either an infiltration unit or an isolated pocket of resistance."
SC-6661 piped in, "And what do you think about that, 0005?"
BA-0005 ignored the mocking tone of SC-6661's voice. "I think there's a lot more out there than we realize."
"Well, that's your story, anyway."
HE-6464 stood up for his friend, "Leave it, 6661. You don't know what you're talking about..."
BA-0005 growled, "Don't make excuses for me. Not to him!"
There was a second of icy tension, then EB-4135 picked up where the conversation left off. "Either way, they must've spotted we've got no covering fire across the pass. And now that it's dark there's nothing to stop them surrounding the bunker."
SC-6661 shrugged, "So what? They won't get in, unless one of you plans on opening the door for them.
HE-6464 faced Krupps, "4135's right. And despite having a Sith Lord here on our side..." (a gesture at SC-6661) "... without ammo, we can't stop them."
Krupps responded, "And I say they won't attack."
"Why? Because it's Empire Day?" EB-4135 snorted.
Krupps opened his mouth to argue, but HE-6464 interrupted: "Loot, you saw the way they came after us. They're not just doing their job, they're trying to be heroes." He held out his wrist, indicating the black, silver lettered legion insignia which they all wore. "And if they do get in, they won't be taking any prisoners."
There was a moment of reflective silence which temporarily humbled the group. Finally, EB-4135 again raised his original point. "So. With the bunker surrounded, what options do we have when the ammo runs out?"
Newman glanced at Mirus, expecting him to say something, but the old man was keeping quiet. He then looked at SC-6661, and summoned up the courage to speak for himself: "There's always the tunnels."
Everybody looked at him.