+++

Jag's flight and the Interceptor Squadron flew over the city. Taking a chance, they were only at about half the altitude called for in high flight observation. Nothing happened after their first pass but on their second the artillery vehicles started directing fire up at them.

"Scatter formations. Keep it erratic and don't get hit."

With most of the squadron breaking up and farther away from the fire sources, Jag heeled his fighter over and dove towards the ground, Tarth sticking right with him. Unwilling to waste a good chance for a strafing run, Jag fired lasers at the source of some of the ground fire. Before they could hit, both his and Tarth's laser bolts winked into nothingness at a familiar distance from the ground. Pulling up and putting all power to engines the two pilots soon rejoined the rest of the squadron.

"Everyone stay at altitude and continue to dodge fire."

He switched back to the Command Frequency the General had called him on. "Fel to General Richardson."

"Go ahead Fel."

"We just made a run at one of their artillery. We didn't get a very good look at it but they are definitely shielded."

There was a long pause then the General asked. "The same kind of shielding as their ships use?"

"The same. It could take a lot of firepower to remove them."

"That's a problem. I'm sending you a Gunboat squadron, do what you can. There will be a Corvette in firing position to hit those targets from medium altitude in five minutes, but their gunners arn't so good. There are buildings surrounding those enemy positions with human life signs. They're being used as shields from our ground forces. Do something about that as well will you?"

Jag calculated numbers and forces then replied. "I need two Assault shuttles and a Sentinel. Any fire the other squadrons could direct toward the targets would help."

"Fine you've got it, just get the job done."

+++

Jag orbited above the combat groundside waiting for his forces to reach attack positions.

"All fighters direct fire at the westernmost artillery setup. Gunboats, fire one missile apiece at the roadway twenty meters north of the target."

As soon as the fighters opened up, two Assault Shuttles and a Sentinel dropped to the deck from their waiting position and screamed in towards the west side of the city.

Laser and Ion cannon fire from twenty eight vehicles converged on the enemy position. As usual many of the lasers disappeared and return fire in the form of Plasma licked at the shields of the less maneuverable Gunboats. Most of the concussion missiles were ignored though, and they hit the street with a large explosion, throwing up a fireball the size of the buildings around it.

Illuminated by the explosion Jag could see that the enemy weapon was a large lumbering creature almost as tall as an AT-AT. The large bony ridge along it's back served at the mount for the plasma weapon which appeared to be grafted to it. Then the explosion and shockwave swept under the tiny voids it had been using for defence, tearing into it's hind and flank. The creature's back end dropped but it kept firing, scoring a hit on an Interceptor and then a Gunboat that couldn't get out of the way in time.

The Imperial fighters could no longer direct mass fire at it, being forced to dodge fire not only from the wounded beast but the other three in the city as well. Then the Assault shuttles swung around a corner in the city streets. Their Light Turbolasers, normally used for tackling resisting ships tore through the wounded back side of the monster, burning through it until beams came out the front of it's armoured hide.

"Direct fire at the other artillery beasts to keep them distracted." Instructed Jag. "I'm going down for a closer look at the dead one and the hostages."

The Sentinel Class landing craft hovered between buildings until it reached the burning smouldering hulk of the dead monster. The three vehicles set down and directed shields above them should any fire come their way. Stormtroopers charged from the landing ramps and entered the buildings. No sooner had they entered then the strobing flashes of blaster and stun shots flashed from the entrances.

Moments later the Troopers backed out of the buildings and headed for the safety of the shuttles. A horde a humanoids charged out after them, some armed most not. They looked a great deal like humans except for strange calcifications and growths on them. Some appeared to have growths farther along than the others, looking almost like armour. The Stormtroopers formed a firing line two deep around the shuttles, overpowering the humanoids while the shuttle crews brought their weapons to bear.

Jag punched up the General. "Fel to Richardson."

"Go."

"Recommend that you implement planetary quarantine procedures. The humans that were supposed to be in the buildings have strange growths. They appear to be parasitic but there's no way to be sure right now. They are attacking out troops without any regard to their own safety, most are unarmed."

"That's going to make things tricky. Capture one, I don't care how, we'll have to study some. Do you believe that the rest of the humans we detected will be like this?"

"There is no way to be sure sir other than to take the other positions."

"Figures. Capture one and pull back. Don't bother with the other artillery."

"Aye sir."

Jag swung his fighter around and poured laser cannon shots into the attacking mob, trying to cut it off from the buildings. At the same time contacting the trooper commander to capture some of the mutated looking humans for study.

A man in a modified space trooper suit grabbed an opponent and backhanded him into unconsciousness before lifting and carrying him back to a shuttle. Another was shot with several stun beams and tackled by three regular troopers. All the while the laser cannon from both the shuttles and Jag's cycled, putting more energy into the mass trying to exit the building, turning the pavement and Ferrocrete molten. Jag was grateful he wouldn't ever have to find out what it smelled like out there.

Then the Troopers were back aboard their shuttles, the landing ramps going up and the vehicles backing away. Without a second thought, he fired a pair of Concussion missiles into the base floor of the building, bringing the five levels above it telescoping down and into the street. He kicked the Tie backwards on repulsors just enough to avoid the falling debris then turned and followed the shuttles until they were out of the city.

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