Red Moon Rising
Summary: Our character, Zaknafein Mandalore, has taken command of a small Galactic Marines squad and are moving in on the Rebel base on Yavin 4. When he is posed with a moral decision, what will follow will have major effects on the galaxy at large.
Legal crap: OK, the SW universe doesn't belong to me, I'm merely playing with them for a short while, them putting them back. The name Zaknafein belongs to R.A. Salvatore, so please, Lucas, Sal., don't sue! I'm very poor, believe me! Raze, Gremlin, and Drake belong to me. Please ask before you post this story anywhere other than this site. Believe me, just asking does wonders:D
0600 Hours, Yavin 4
The battered gunship bucked and groaned as it streaked for its landing zone, anti-aircraft missles and laser blasts from groundside turrents turning the cloudy sky into a maze of bright death. The troopers inside gripped the overhead handles for stability, the thick treads on their jump boots preventing them from sliding too much. Blood was pooled over the grated deck of the cargo hold, collecting in small nooks and crannies in black puddles. Acrid clouds of smoke was smelled by every man regardless of their helmet's air scrubbers.
One of the pilots turned and held up two fingers, then faced the forward viewport to keep them alive for a little while longer.
The squad leader turned and yelled into his comlink.
"Two minutes!"
Barely heard clicks and cocking announced the soldiers prepping their weaponry, velcro strips being tugged apart to be strapped on tighter. Even Zaknafein, the current Squad Commander, fiddled with his sidearm for the third time. Checking his chrono, he yelled a second time into his comm.
"One minute! Get those weapons ready!"
One green trooper that had somehow survived his first landing was struggling with his rifle. Zak stomped over, grabbed the rifle, and in no uncertain terms, showed him how to quickly and efficently prep his gear.
Their only warning was the slight wobble in the starboard engine before it belched flames and red klaxons blared out their noisy warnings. Everyone tried to brace themselves as best they could for impact.
A harsh ear-splitting roar echoed throughout the shuttle, throwing everyone against the bulkheads. Flames licked the fore and aft of the craft, and the squad blasted their way out of the death-trap, rifles spitting bright lasers of death at the swarming Rebels. They sprinted towards the thick green forest thirty meters away, blood and gore splashing their grey greaves. Zaknafein took the lead, his blaster shots devestating the machine gunner nest entrenched on their left flank.
After several minutes of life-or-death sparring, the Imperials had finally crossed the churned beach and were nestled in the relative safety of the forest. Two speeder bikes flashed past, their mounted laser cannons making short work of the pesky gunner back on the beach.
Zak motioned for his second-in-command to crawl next to him. He handed him a pair of binoculars to allow him to better see what was currently happening. Speaking via a secure battle channel, the Sargeant spoke.
"Corporal, any ideas on how to get past their defenses, safely, and with as many surviving men as possible?"
The armored man next to him rolled over onto his back and growled. "You'll want to hit the west exit with everything we have. That is their weakest point since they have the majority of their forces pooled at the North trying to repel Vader's troops."
"Thank-you Corporal."
"No problem, Sir."
Risking a crouch, Zaknafein contacted the rest of the squad.
"Alright, listen up. We're hitting the west gate. Raze, Drake, I want you to take your thermal grenades and claymores. Destroy those doors as quickly as possible. I want to be inside before they have a chance to seal those gates."
A chorus of "Yes, Sirs" emitted from vocabulators, accompanied by soft crunches of soil beneath armor and boots. The only sign they had managed to cross the jungle was the occasional swaying of a fuzzy creeper or vine.
"Alright, Gremlin, you're with me. I want you to watch my back as I cover those two."
Zak was acknowledged with the usual 'Yes, Sir'.
Gnats and other small insects found bumped softly against tinted visors as the remaining Marines crawled to take up sniping positions to give Zak and squad cover as they made their move on the door.
Zak and Gremlin crouched behing huge trees, the blackened muzzles of their weapons carefully scanning the hillside for crafty Rebel snipers. Softly at first, then with increasing aggression, some of the palm leaves swayed, attracted both the Imperial sniper's and Zak's attention. A split second later laser blasts ripped into the hillside, sending Raze and Drake diving for cover. Smoke wafted into the air, and small flames betrayed where the bolts had charred the local plant life. As Zak peeked around his tree, an bright laser planted into the bark barely three inches from his right eye. However, the Rebel had just given his position away, and knew it, so he tried to flee. It would have been much wiser to simply stay put. He barely got four meters before Raze cut him down.
The Sargeant watched his two sappers with the air of a hen guarding her chicks as they planted thier charges and fled for suitable cover. Barely six seconds later the gates imploded, showering the Rebels inside with shrapnel, instantly shredding the soldiers within thirty meters.
Zak again took the lead as Raze, Gremlin, and Drake ran for the gates, covered by the Imperials behind them. No resistance was offered as they penetrated the temple. Mandalore felt his comm vibrate against his belt and cursed inwardly. Who would be stupid enough to contact him during a highly dangerous covert mission? Plastering himself against a jutting corner, he reached into one of his many pouches and clicked his commlink on. A seven inch hologram of Lord Vader appeared in his fist. Zak's shock was betrayed by a sharp gasp, audible to his nearby squad.
"Sargeant Mandalore. I trust that you are inside the Rebel's base. You will now deviate from your original plans and proceed to capture several high-ranking members of the Alliance. To assist you in this, the legion of troops in the nearby jungle will form up with you. What you do with them is your call. And, for any reason, do not, fail me."
Zak's helmet tilted in submission. "Your will be done, Lord."