Vendetta Squad
Squad Members:
Jatne Vanvarius (Best)
Nickname: Sir (Jatne vod)
Age: 26
Gender: Female
Species: Human; Mandalorian
Squad title: Vendetta Squad Leader
Armor Style: Neo-Crusader
Armor Color: Black
Weapons of Choice: Retractable Gauntlet Blades, Sniper Rifle, Twin Heavy Pistols, Assault Rifle (all customized)
Vadim Caden (Proving, Arguing; Fighter)
Nickname: Cakara (Night Stars)
Age: 26
Gender: Male
Species: Human; Mandalorian
Squad Title: Intelligence Gatherer, Blade/Sword Master
Armor Style: Neo-Crusader
Armor Color: Black and Blue
Weapons of Choice: Assault Rifle, Daggers, Throwing knives, Twin Swords
Salvador Xerxes (Savior; King)
Nickname: Talverd (Blood Warrior)
Age: 25
Gender: Male
Species: Human; Mandalorian
Squad title: Ordinance Master
Armor Style: Crusader
Armor Color: Green and Gold
Weapons of Choice: Double-Sided Vibroblade, Ripper, Disintegrator, Assault Rifle
Saam Yuislovia (No Idea)
Nickname: Beskarkot (Mandalorian Armor) (Strength)
Age: 25
Gender: Male
Species: Human; Mandalorian
Squad Title: Hand-to-Hand Specialist
Armor Style: Crusader
Armor Color: Black
Weapons of Choice: Four Mandalorian Blasters, Two Vibroswords
Abhay Daemyn (Fearless; Loyal)
Nickname: Baatir (To Worry)
Age: 24
Gender: Male
Species: Human; Mandalorian
Squad Title: Medical Expert, Mechanic
Armor Style: Neo-Crusader
Armor Color: Blue and Green
Weapons of Choice: Poison Darts, Assault Rifle
Ladimir Decker (Digger of Ditches)
Nickname: Venaliit (Venvhett) (Future Farmer)
Age: 16
Gender: Male
Species: Human
Squad Title: Trainee
Weapon of Choice: Quarter-Staff, Ship Turret
Chapter 1
"Oya!" Salvador Xerxes and Saam Yuislovia yelled in unison as they went running through the forest of Kashyyyk. They leaped over roots and swung around trees as they followed their prey in hot pursuit. Dirt was kicked up and grass was flattened as the fully armored men moved through the low lands of Kashyyyk.
A blaster shot went sizzling by Saam's ear but a second one bit Salvador in the shoulder and he lost his footing. Seconds later, he was back on his feet and following Saam again.
"Sir, we're in pursuit," Salvador reported through his helmet's comlink.
"Good, keep following and avoid your own trackers," their boss, Jatne, said. As if to prove the importance of her words, another volley of blaster fire went whizzing through the trees from behind them.
"Hukaat'kama!" Saam yelled as he leaped over yet another root. "Speed up! We haven't got all day!"
"I'm working on it!" Salvador pulled a metal object from his belt and stuck a sharp end of the device into a tree.
"Well, work faster! Venvhett could have got it done by now!" Saam yelled into the comlink as Salvador and Saam continued racing through the woods, both the hunters and the hunted.
"Hey, I heard that!" Ladimir Decker, otherwise known as Venvhett, answered over the com channel from the ship.
"Ouch, that one hurt, Saam," Salvador said. "Get ready!" In the background the sound of Salvador's counting could be heard over the com. "3… 2… 1!" The device stuck in the bark of the tree exploded with a magnificent display of flames, engulfing most of their pursuers.
"Kandosii!" Salvador yelled in triumph. "Only a few more left. You want them, Saam?"
"Sure, but keep an eye on our target for me while I remove the eyes of our friends behind us."
"Did you take your meds today, Saam? You know what Sir says about how important your meds are," Salvador cockily stated.
With a rough shove Saam made his way past Salvador and hid behind a tree to wait for the rest of the men. Within seconds they he could hear them scurrying about, trying to get over the roots and underbrush of Kashyyyk. By listening carefully he picked out two men; one approaching the tree he hide behind and another was scrambling around meters away.
With close to no sound, Saam pulled out his twin blades and slashed at the nearest man. With precise movements Saam was able to disable the man by cutting in between his armor plates before giving him a chance to raise his blaster. In a fluid motion he sheathed his blades and drew a Mandalorian Blaster. He leveled it at the chest of the remaining man and pulled the trigger.
Less than ten seconds after the fight had begun, Saam was bounding after Salvador and their next target.
"So, boss, are you going to tell us what we're after or are we just out for a stroll through enemy territory?" Salvador asked. He could hear Saam closing in so he slowed his pace to let him catch up.
"I think she just wants us out of the house," Saam drawled sarcastically. "We've been bad boys, Salvador."
"Shut it, you two. You've got a mission." The voice of their boss, Jatne Vanvarius, sounded over the comlink transmission. "You are heading into enemy encampment. They have little defenses, but the forest floor has many hiding places and you could be seen at any time. Stay alert. North from your position there is a cluster of buildings. In one of them there will be a ladder. Take that ladder up into the trees. When you get there I'll tell you your next objective. Until then, keep low and move fast. Keep this link clear until I com you. Got it?"
"Why does the link have to be clear? We've got sound proof helmets. They can't hear anything from us," Saam asked.
"..."
"Boss?"
"I just don't want to hear your nonstop talking."
Snickers could be heard from Salvador while Saam was trying an act of innocence, feigning disbelief.
"How could you say that? My voice is wonderful! Do you know how many people would kill to hear me speak their name?" Saam was pushing his luck with Jatne and he knew it.
Salvador was still chuckling as he leapt over a large fallen tree. Saam just barely cleared the obstacles as he continued to speak over the comlink.
"I mean really, boss? How could you not want to listen to me talk?"
"Could you focus on the task at hand, Saam?" Jatne was trying her hardest not to yell at him over the com, knowing it would bother the other squad members that listened in.
A faint sniffle could be heard on Saam's end. "I'll try my best, if you really want me too."
"K'atini, vod!" To Jatne's disbelief she found herself fighting back her own chuckles. "This is pointless. You're up against Trandoshans and they blend in. The two of you need to watch your kama while Abhay and I check the ship scanners for any ship movement through the forest."
The transmission went static as Jatne signed off. Now it was just Saam and Salvador.
"I think I see the encampment up ahead," Salvador said as he and Saam crouched behind a large dirt mound. They quietly scanned the area and saw five guards clustered around a fire in the middle of the small camp. "Let me handle this," Salvador said before chucking two grenades at the Trandoshans.
There was yelling, the sound of a minor sonic boom, and then silence. Saam peeked over the top of the mound to see that three of the five Trandoshans were dead while the other two clambered around in fright, disoriented. "I'll get the last two," Saam whispered before crawling across the ground to reach a nearby bush.
As the two Trandoshans staggered by Saam's hiding place, he jumped out and slammed their heads together. One hit the ground instantly while the other wobbled back before regaining balance. Without a warning the Trandoshan lunged at Saam, claws extracted. With the prowess of an expert, Saam pivoted to his left while swinging the rest of his body around. As the disoriented attacker realized that his prey had evaded his claws, Saam swung his heavily-armored arm down upon the Trandoshan's neck. There was a wet snap noise and the Trando fell to the ground in a heap.
"I could have done that, you know..." Salvador mumbled while standing up from his place behind the mound.
"Yeah, but you'd need your mother to hold your hand."
"Who was it that took out three people? Oh yeah, me. How many did you get? Only two."
"I got two other people back there," Saam said while motioning with his head towards the way they had come. "So the score is four to three." He entered one of the buildings to find a ladder made of vines. After a glance up he noticed how much of a climb he had ahead of him.
"Remember that I set a charge and took out who knows how many before you did. I win, without a doubt," Salvador said while he and Saam climbed up the vine ladder.
"Cut the chatter, you two. I've got new Intel."
"Hey, sir, how're things going on your end?" Saam asked mockingly.
"Everything was fine until I had to talk to you again."
"Ouch, that one hurt."
"You'll live, Saam." There was a metal clanking noise coming from Jatne's end of the comlink. "Right now I need you two to head up the ladder and take out the turret that is positioned at the top. There will be guards that Saam will need to take care of while Salvador places detonators on the turret's neck."
"Neck, sir?" Saam asked.
"The part of the turret that houses all the important wiring and attaches it to the ground, Saam."
"Oh, I get it now. How many guards will I have to deal with?"
"There will be plenty to keep you busy. Try not to get killed."
"Thanks for the advice and your concern, Sir," Saam said sarcastically. "Can't you give me a more accurate number?"
"Not at the moment. The ship's scanners aren't that good. Just know that it won't be easy. You might have to get creative with this."
"Remind me why you aren't here, Sir, with us, where you belong." Salvador continued up the long ladder while speaking.
"Because I have things I need to prepare for."
"That's kind of vague, vod..."
"That is the only answer you are going to get for now. Heads up, vode, you're coming up on the platform where the turret is. I've got to go for now. Finish off the turret and you'll see me real soon."
"Did you hear that, Salvador? Sir is coming to see us!" Saam said in a dramatically cheerful voice.
† Vendetta Squad †
Translations:
Oya – Let's roll
Hukaat'kama – Watch my back
Kandosii – Awesome
K'atini – Suck it up
Vod – Brother, Comrade
Kama – Back
Vode – Brothers, Comrades (plural of vod)
Dar'yaim – Hell
Sheb – Butt, Ass