A/N: In my typical style, this chapter kept growing out of control. So, I decided to divide it in two and give you part of it now and save the rest for later. As always, reviews are greatly appreciated!

Spoiler Warning: For Star Fortress if you have completed it.

Taking Down the Fortress

Zane's POV

"Zane!"

"Zane?!"

Theron?

"Zane!" My head throbbed in time to the loud, panicked voice shouting my name. "Damn it Zane! Answer me!"

I wanted to answer him but I couldn't. The Exarch's landing had rocked the platform and sent me flying. I'd landed hard against the durasteel deck, my helmet clad head snapping back and slamming into the floor. I held on tenaciously to consciousness, barely. Unfortunately, all I could do was watch as our enemy charged me, hitting me a second time and sending me flying again.

My flight was halted by the wall encircling the raised platform, slamming into it with bone breaking force. All the air was forced from my lungs and fiery agony ripped through my right side, from shoulder to hip. I blacked out when my headed collided with durasteel a second time.

"He's crumpled at the base of the wall where the bastard tossed him," Koth said. From the tone of his voice, I could tell he was busy keeping the Exarch's focus off me. "He hasn't moved since."

"Zane please," I could hear the note of worry for me in Theron's voice, "Answer me."

The vice enclosing my ribcage released its hold a little bit. Taking a tentative breath I drew in a small mouthful of air into my starved lungs but it quickly rushed out again when a sharp pain stabbed me in the back, ripping a moan of pain from my throat.

Relieved that I was had some noise, that I was alive; Theron directed the group, "Keep the bastard away from the Major."

"Almost got him!" Samgir shouted, drawing attention away from me.

I still couldn't move as the pain radiated along my right side. I was pretty sure the last collision had dislocated my right shoulder and broke my collarbone. Worse, I worried the stabbing pain in my back was a broken rib.

With a last blast of light and sound, the fight came to an end. I heard a body fall to the floor and the Exarch said, "Your death…comes…next," as he died.

Wow! He may be right! At that very moment my death didn't feel far off!

"Nice takedown," Theron said, though I could still hear the apprehension he didn't voice, "Get out of there so we can go someplace less..explody."

I was surprised to feel hands gently rolling me over into strong arms. Koth's worried face swam into view. "Please, please please," he softly said.

Steadying myself and bracing against the pain, I drew in a tiny breath and whispered, "Koth."

"He's alive," the pilot assured everyone listening.

"Thank the gods!" Theron said.

"We need to get out of here," Samgir shouted from near the door, having not bothered to check on me.

"His shoulder is obviously badly separated," Koth said, swiftly surveying my body for injuries. "I'd guess a concussion with the way his head hit, damn good thing he was wearing that helmet."

"Can you get him up?" a female voice I didn't recognize, asked.

"Not any choice," the Zakulan answered, helping me sit up. "Either I get him up or we die here."

"This should help," the female voice said again, as I felt the stab of a hypospray pressed against my neck and a Twi'lek face swam into view.

"Let's go Ashe," Samgir called motioning the healer to join him.

Ash'dani, that's it, the young healer that joined us for the Star Fortress run. The other voice was her partner and the reason I'm lying on this floor.

"Get your ass over here and help!" Koth shouted at the younger trooper.

"But," he started to say but the pilot cut him off.

"Now!" Koth ordered. "We don't leave a man behind!"

"But…" I could hear the fear in his voice.

This time it was Theron over the comms that yelled at the kid, "Now soldier! Help your partner or don't bother coming back!"

He slunk over and kneeled down next to Koth. "What can I do?"

"Help me get him up," the pilot ordered, as he carefully slung my left arm over his shoulder and wrapped an arm around my waist.

Without warning, Samgir grabbed my right arm and tried to raise it up and put it over his shoulder.

My vision swam, darkening around the edges and I couldn't stop the shout of pain the unexpected movement caused. Koth's hold was the only thing keeping me up.

"Idiot!" Koth shouted, "Let go of that arm!"

Panicked, the soldier did exactly that, allowing my injured arm to fall against my side and another spike of agony to rock my worn body.

"Gods," I moaned, trying to reel in the pain and failing miserably. To add to my problems, my stomach started to roll and the need to vomit grew.

"Fuck," I groaned. "Helmet…off!" I said, urgently, quickly losing the battle.

Reaching out, the Twi'lek quickly hit the catches, released my helmet and took it off. Just in time too. I tried to pull away from Koth but he kept his arm around me, supporting my weight, as I leaned over and vomited on the deck. Without his support, I'd fallen face first to the floor.

As I continued to retch, it aggravated the pain in my back, and caused me to throw up again. It was a viscous circle of pain and sicking up until I was dry heaving. It left me a wrung out mess, hanging from Koths's hold.

"Done?" the pilot asked.

All I could do was nod my head.

Managing to pull me up on his own, Koth kept a strong hold on my worn out body and ordered Samgir, "Don't touch him again. Just grab his cannon and cover us."

"Yes sir," he answered, standing, picking up my cannon and slinging it across his back. He turned and checked the area for anyone trying to sneak up on us.

"Ashe can you grab his helmet and gear?"

"Got it, sir," she said immediately, picking up my stuff "We need to get him to the shuttle."

Nodding as he asked me, "Ready?"

"As I'll ever be," I managed to answer.

My world tilted on its axis and I nearly passed out, when Koth hauled us both to our feet. We stood there swaying for a long second. Reaching out, he wiped something from my chin. Glancing at his gloved hand, I was surprised to see it was blood and from his reaction, so was Koth. "Damn," he cursed.

"What?" Theron asked, the concern evident in his tone.

"Nothing," Koth said, wiping the blood on his leg armor. "Let's go."

We made it to the elevator, as quickly and carefully as we could. When the doors opened, we all piled in. I leaned against the wall behind me and Samgir pushed the button for the hangar deck, where Theron and the shuttle would meet us.

Explosions racked the dying fortress as, the doors opened and we continued down the hall, ducking falling debris as we went. Rounding the last corner, we could see the shuttle come in for a landing. Suddenly the doors on the other side of the huge room opened and troopers started shooting at us. Dropping to a knee, Samgir leveled his rifle and started picking off the enemies.

"Go! Get the Major onboard!" he shouted between shots.

"Will do," Koth said, staggering under the weight of me and my armor as we hurried toward our waiting ride.

Running and stumbling towards the shuttle, we closed the gap. As we got closer, I noticed they hadn't actually landed. Instead hovering with the ramp lowered about six to eight feet off the deck. I tried to take a deep breath but like I had a durasteel band around my chest. Trying to clear the fog from my thoughts, I readied for the jump on board. There was no way around it, this was going to hurt.

"Jump Zane!" Koth ordered me, letting go of my arm.

I jumped at the same moment that the pilot gave me a shove. Still, I barely caught the edge of the ramp and it was all I could do to keep hold of it, while the pain coursed through my body anew.

"Hold on!" Theron ordered, just as I started to lose my grip. His hands grabbed me and dragged me inside the shuttle, lying on the floor panting for breath, world spinning, and covered in a fine sheen of sweat.

He pulled Ashe'dani in next, followed closely by Koth and Samgir. The Twi'lek knelt down next to me, as the Zakulan and blonde human stood behind Sullustan pilot and watched us leave the exploding space station…