Mutter's Spiral (The Milky Way Galaxy): Sontar - Training Pit RD-22
The general looked down expectantly at the soldiers all vying for the position of Captain. Below him, the pit was a chaotic mess of soldiers fighting each other. The general nodded in approval as one soldier broke the leg of another. Satisfied that most of the soldiers in the pit were worthy fighters, as the failures were already dead or broken, the general spoke. "Soldiers!" he barked.
The soldiers immediately stopped what they were doing and stood at attention. The one with the broken leg struggled to get up, refusing to show pain. The general nodded in approval at the soldier's determination. "Excellent, soldier. Do not show weakness or pain or our enemies will take advantage of it. However, because of your defeat on the battle floor, you are unfit to move up to the position of Captain. Don't worry, soldier, you will still get to partake in glorious warfare on the front lines! You are dismissed."
Without a second glance at the wounded soldier, who hobbled out, the general surveyed the others."There is one final test. To meet and defeat a worthy foe upon the field of battle! I have already gone through the databases and have selected an enemy for each of you. You will take ten soldiers and will face your target in glorious battle! Should you fail, you will bring dishonor upon your genetic batch. Succeed and bring honor to yourselves and the glorious Sontaran Empire." the general glanced over the soldiers again as screens slid up in front of them.
The soldiers examined the individual readouts on the screens. "I have a question, sir" One of them said, glancing over his screen.
The general turned. "Knowledge is power and power brings defeat to our enemies. Ask your questions, soldier."
The soldier turned to the general, twisting the screen so the general could see the picture of five humans in odd uniforms. "Who are they, sir? There is no information on them. And they seem to lack armor or weapons of any kind. Do they have some sort of energy shields or abilities that negate the need for armor and weapons?"
"Indeed," the general replied as proudly. "Know your enemy. Very good, soldier. They are known as 'Sailor Soldiers'. Once, there were many of them all across the galaxy. They were some of the most formidable foes our Empire ever faced. Then THEY were invited to the most glorious of all wars, the Last Great Time War. A great many of them died and as such, the survivors are expected to be formidable opponents. Rejoice in this soldier, for their defeat will bring you and Sontar great honor!"
"We have fought them before, sir? Are there any records of the glorious battles so that I may learn from them?"
"What is your name, soldier?"
"Trax the Devastator, four thousand three hundred twenty six kills, sir. Third Sontaran Battlefleet."
"Well, Soldier Trax, Sontarans have never had the pleasure of meeting these particular foes in glorious battle," the general admitted. "Nor do we have much information on these individuals in particular. However, other species and armies have had the honor of facing them. Thus far, these 'Sailor Soldiers' have reigned undefeated. Your impressive record is the reason this enemy was selected for you. You will find all the holo-vids you require in the History of Warfare Hall."
"I look forward to killing them for the glory of Sontar, sir."
The general felt a bit of pride towards the soldier. Why shouldn't I? he thought. He was cloned from my genetic template. It was the closest a Sontaran would ever come to parenthood. Still, the general pushed his feelings away. "I think you will do quite well, soldier. Quite well indeed."
