***Intercepted Transmission***
Received: SD 3-09-10105/05
1130.Hours
*Transmission Intercepted*
THI_..IS..DELT_..S_V_N_..C_LL_NG..BAS_! ..D_ ..YO_ HE_R ME..B_S_!..WE ARE.PI_NED D_WN WITH THE SH_PM_NT OF N_W D_TA DI_CS! HAR_O_NE_S AND TL__LAXU IN T_E AT__CK_NG F_RCE!.. R_QUEST..REI_F_RC_MENTS I_MED__TLY!..WE NE_D..H_LP! REP_AT..WE N_ED H_L—
*Transmission Lost*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
0400.Hours SD 3-10-10105/05
Arrakis
Inside of Habbyanna Erg…
"So, now you see the reason why we must go to Grid 19 dash 3, which was determined by triangulating the transmission's source. The Executrix wishes us to capture those data discs and escape with an Atreides prisoner, preferably of rank higher than a Lieutenant. We go at 0445 hours. Any questions? Good. Go and prepare your close range weapons. Also bring a couple of long-rangers, since we'll be dealing with Atreides Snipers and Harkonnen Flamers. You're dismissed." Korba announced to his people. "Oh, by the way, we'll be bringing along enough D-4s for 3 platoons."
0450.Hours
Few could tell if an assault craft were moving or not, it was so smooth and quiet, it seemed like you were just sitting on a stationary object.
As they approached the insertion point, Korba transmitted to all of the assault craft, "We're going to be at the IP in 5 minutes. A and B on the ground with me, C, D and E in the D-4s. We'll have enough for A and B as well, but…." Korba stopped. "Vermilion Hells! Make that all platoons into the D-4s," he concluded, since the long-range scanners revealed a larger conflict than he had thought.
All spread across the liquid mélange crystal display, were masses of red and blue, moving and flowing like a huge orchestral performances of concertos, filling up the screen, with the occasional light winking out to show the unit's demise.
"OK, troops, I know we weren't trained for this kind of combat, but we do have an oath to fulfill to the Executrix." Korba swallowed. "All right men, to me! For the Executrix!"
0430.Hours
Arrakis
At the IP…
"Sir, are you sure we should go into this combat? I'm not sure if the Executrix would like us to do that…" "Don't worry. Remember how we still have the prototype neural dampening device…! Team C, do you still have the neural shield emitter?" Korba's voice transmitted over the intercom system. "Yes sir, this is Sweep. Neural shield displays full charge and is ready to go." "All right! Everyone into the D-4s, except platoons D and E. D should be able to handle the shield neutralizers as well. Over and out."
Psshh… chhkt-ssh… bzzzzt-bzz chkk. The ramps of the transports opened as one, to reveal the new D-4s and the prototype weapon.
"All right, men. We're 10 kilometers from the battle site, and I want us to prep for engagement now. All assigned platoons rig up the rest of the D-4s for CPU control and get into your tanks! Warm up those guns! D and E, how are you doing with loading that thing into that APC? There's a couple more APC s right…there! All right men?" "SIR YES SIR!!!" They yelled as one. Anyone could sense the amount of tension in the process of preparing to get into battle…
"Then let's move!"
5 minutes after the IP…
"There! All stop. All D-4s: spread out to protect this site. Report all engagements as soon as you're engaged. D, set up neural shields, E set up the dampening device outside of the neural shield perimeters."
"OK, since you're done, E, get into the D-4s and report back. D, hustle up and get the energy shield neutralizers on-line." "Sir, it's ready." "Set timers to coordinate with each other in 3 minutes. All units, this is Black Raven! Fall back to neural shield perimeters! Devices on in 3 minutes! …"
Harkonnen Viewpoint, same time
"Attack groups 1,2 and 3, fall back and- Hey! What is that!!?" The general just saw the new color markers indicators flash on in a haze of azure-green light. "Damn! Just what we need, an Ordos attack force…Just my f&%$ing luck!" "Sir, a technician said, with a calm look on his face, "The Ordos are just staying where they are, I don't think that we are in any trouble."
"That's good news," The general continued in a more normal tone, "Continues with our previously designated attac-" The general stopped suddenly, and gripped his head and shrieked in a pitch so high, that was previously thought that only trained female singers could reach it.
Around the general, his subordinates and technicians succumbed to the pain.
The general was in a state of pain so severe, he could actually feel each and every nerve ending disintegrate, but not before each sent a shock of pain.
In his head, his last thought before the black ness was, 'The Ordos have a new weapon… Must warn Baron… Urk…'