The sounds of the AV-7 Cannons firing boomed as a blonde woman walked past the line of ten Cannons bombarding the capital city of Chaleydonia. Her steel blue eyes glaring at the city and the Rebels within. Army Command has issued orders on taking the planet of Christophsis from Rebel hands. The 8th Imperial Army Regiment, made up of soldiers from different units across the Imperial Army, volunteered for the mission.
The 8th Imperial Army Regiment. A semi-autonomous organization similar to the Stormtrooper Corps. It's creation was due to one Colonel's need for an army of her own and through rather questionable methods, that would've had her court martialed if she hadn't blackmailed the right people, achieved it. As long as the Emperor or Lord Vader hasn't voiced any concerns or displeasure and with the string of success they had achieved in the war, they pay the Regiment no mind. The numbers of the Regiment is as high as a single Imperial Army Battlegroup, rivaling that of the Stormtrooper Corps. Speaking of which, the Corps and the Regiment are in good terms to the point that the Corps is willing to supply the Regiment with Stormtroopers.
The combat elements of the 8th Regiment for this mission, however, include three Mechanized Infantry Companies, one Artillery Brigade, one Stormtrooper Company handpicked from the 4th Legion, one Walker Company, and one Recon Company. Though the majority of the Regiment consisted of Army Troopers or Mudtroopers or Mud Skulls or whatever people call them nowadays, Recon Company was made up entirely of Scout Troopers. A number of Stormtroopers were also attached to the Mechanized Infantry Companies. Command of the Regiment falls to one High Colonel Koleen Margath with Major Kato Van Zandt as her second-in-command.
Blonde hair tied into a small bun. A pair of piercing steel blue eyes and a large scar running across the bridge of her nose due to a rather violent altercation with her former CO back when she was a Lieutenant. Shame that he was shot in the back of the head during one of their battles against the Rebel Alliance. Truly a loss to the Galactic Empire. Clad in an olive drab Imperial Army Officer's uniform with the addition of a cape that matched her uniform's color. She also wore a tight fitting version of the Officer's pants with a thigh holster strapped to her right hip. A DT-29 Heavy Blaster Pistol secured in it.
The Colonel was also flanked by two specialized Stormtroopers. Storm Guards. Perks of having connections to the Corps and blackmail material. Storm Guards are Stormtroopers conditioned to be loyal to her and her alone. They wore the standard Stormtrooper Armor but with the addition of gray armor plating on the chest. They wore Tank Commander helmets, red pauldrons with an ammo pouch, black kamas, survival packs and two holsters attached to their utility belts which held a pair of RSKF-44 Heavy Blasters. The visor of their helmets were dark red in color and they also had a single red streak that ran across the center of the helmet, mirroring the position of the Colonel's scar. All of her Storm Guards looked like this. No one can discern them but her and the Guards themselves. Wielding powerful TL-50 Heavy Repeater each, her Storm Guards were formidable in the field and defending their Commander.
Koleen reached the line of K79-S80/a or the Assault Troop Transport, a larger and more heavily armed and armoured version of the normal Imperial Troop Transport. In addition to it's heavier arsenal and increased durability, it can also hold a single platoon of Army Troopers and provide fire support and cover for the infantry as well. Four transports were assigned to each of the three Mechanized Infantry Company. One of the Army Troopers watching the bombardment was Captain Rima Aki.
After the retaking of Kashyyyk, the Lieutenant was finally promoted to Captain. Looking at the city with her arms crossed and an ever present cigarette between her lips, Rima couldn't help but wonder if there would be anything left of the city. The bombardment has been going on for nearly two hours now and the Colonel still hadn't ordered for the Artillery to stop. The Captain finished the cigarette before stomping it out on the ground and straightening when the Colonel approached.
"If we're lucky, there won't be any damn Rebels left in the city by the time the Artillery's done."
"Don't count on it, ma'am." Rima replied "These Rebels are sneaky bastards. They're bound to be there when the rest of the Regiment moves in."
"Yes. Expect light to medium resistance, Captain. Colonel."
The two women scowled at the sound of the nasally voice. The duo turned as a man in his late-40s approached the two. Just by looking at his armor, it was obvious the man was an ISB Agent. But he wasn't just any ISB Agent. He was a high-ranking one that was sent by the Bureau to keep an eye on Koleen and Van Zandt. Especially the latter since he had executed an Bureau Agent that was assigned to command his battalion for incompetence, costing him more than half his unit. This made the Bureau keep a close watch on the Major but most Agents feared that they would be executed as well if they so much as do something Van Zandt didn't like. He had done it before after all as did Koleen. This particular Agent, Senior Agent Varen Aiber, had no fear of the two and was chosen as the best option to watch them.
Next to Agent Aiber was Agent Liv Kovak. Commander of the Bureau Enforcers attached to the Regiment. Young and arrogant from the looks of it. At least in Koleen's eyes. The true purpose of the young woman, however, was that the battle was to test her leadership skills in commanding the Enforcers and the Bureau Stormtroopers. Agent Aiber was also there to monitor her progress. Until the battle begins, however, he will keep an eye on Koleen and Van Zandt.
"Colonel. Captain. I'm here with Agent Kovak to inform you that her Enforcers and Stormtroopers would be the ones to first enter the city. No need to get your hands dirty. I assure you that these Agents and Troopers are the best the Bureau has to offer. So I kindly ask that you pull your Troopers back and let them handle it. I'm confident it won't be long."
'I'm smiling right now but I'm very fucking furious, you little coil of shit.' Koleen thought to herself before she begrudgingly agreed.
"Excellent." Aiber then turned to Agent Kovak "I will now leave this to your capable hands. Surely the artilleries would have taken out most of the Rebels by now and you would only have to take out the remnants of their forces. Good luck."
Koleen glared at the back of the man's head, wishing she was aiming her blaster at him right now. She shook her head and took a deep, calming breath before ordering the Artilleries to cease fire. She was going to see how effective the 'best the Bureau has to offer'. Koleen faced the young woman as said young woman was having a losing battle of glares with the Captain who had a newly lit cigarette in her lips.
"Oi, you two. That's enough. Agent Kovak, you're up."
"Of course, Colonel."
The two watched the younger woman leave before Rima scoffed.
"Bunch of pricks."
"I won't argue with you there. Come on, let's go see how terribly the bint would fuck up."
~Line Break~
And fucked up she did.
As soon as the Bureau forces entered the city, they were quickly ambushed and transmission was cut off. On the side, Agent Aiber ground his teeth before angrily turning to the Colonel who was eyeing the hologram of the city showed on the holotable. Yes. It wasn't his fault. No. It was theirs. Kovak didn't follow his orders right and this Army whore didn't bombard the city with enough artillery. Yes. He was not at fault. Lord Vader cannot blame him for someone else's fault. No, he cannot.
"This is your fault, you Mud Skull whore!"
This actually caught the Colonel off-guard. Her Storm Guards, on the other hand, quickly aimed their TL-50s at the Bureau Agent but refrained from pulling the trigger unless the Colonel ordered them to or Agent Aiber makes the first move.
"What the bloody hell are you talking about!?"
"You didn't thin out the Rebels like you were supposed to! If the Bureau were given authority over this mission, we would've finished it sooner!"
'He's gone off the deep end. Wait... is he blaming me for his and the bint's failure? Why that fucking... '
With a sneer, Koleen marched over to the Agent and grabbed him by his uniform shirt before punching him across the face. Aiber grunted in pain and fell back to the holotable. She quickly grabbed him by the shirt once more and punched him across the face again and again. Koleen was furious. After his so called 'best' fucked up and lost almost everyone, the bastard had the audacity to blame them for it. How where they at fault? They were the ones who bombarded the city nearly nonstop. Softened the bastards up for an easy kill. She didn't know how the 'best' managed to fuck that up but they did anyway. Koleen had enough of punching the pompous prick and slammed him against the side of the holotable. The Agent fell to the ground on his side before Koleen kicked him in the gut and ordered her Storm Guards to lock him up in one of the transports.
"You want a job done properly, you call the Army or the Stormtrooper Corps. Not the Bureau." Koleen stated as a pair of her Storm Guards roughly dragged him away. Van Zandt watching everything from the side with approval and amusement "And take his weapons and armor off along with his belt. It's hard to run with your pants falling down."
"Splendid idea, Colonel." Van Zandt began "Now to more important matters. How should we proceed with this little mishap?"
"Surprisingly, our little Agent is still alive and kicking. She locked herself up in one of the apartments in third street. I want one Mechanized Infantry Company to extract her and have the rest move along the city to take out any Rebels they can find but let the Walker Company move in first."
"Understood, Colonel. I'll have them ready but we shall wait for your arrival before we advance."
"Thank you, Major."
Van Zandt saluted before taking his leave. Koleen watched him go before turning to another pair of Storm Guards.
"I want the Guards keeping an eye on that fat prick at all times."
"Yes, Colonel."
"Very good. Now, where are my weapons?"
"Here you go, ma'am."
Koleen nodded her thanks as one of the Storm Guards handed her a DC-17m ICWS configured into it's sniper form with the addition of a blaster sling. Another Storm Guard handed her a pack that contained the other attachments for the weapon as well as it's grenades.
"Thank you. Now if you'll excuse me, gentlemen. I'm going to change."
Without another word, the Colonel left and entered her personal Troop Transport. The two Storm Guards moved to the door and flanked it from both sides, waiting for their Colonel to finish. A few minutes later, Koleen stepped out of the Transport. She wore an Army Trooper Armor over her BDUs while also wearing a large, grey trench coat. The shoulder pieces of her armor were placed on the coat rather than on her Officer's tunic and attached to the rest of her armor. She also had pieces of reinforced Stormtrooper thigh plates protecting her legs while synth-lined leather boots helped protect her feet from stray blaster bolts. On her head was a headset comlink with a holographic visor that was linked to the sights of her weapon. Koleen slung the DC-17m on her shoulder before making her way towards the front lines. Her Storm Guards not far behind.
She passed by the towering forms of the six modified AT-ST Mk.III Walkers of the Walker Company. The triple barreled heavy laser cannon on the right 'cheek' stayed while the one on the left was replaced by a heavy missile launcher that is proven to be very effective against Rebel armour and structures. There was also a gunner stationed on the mounted E-Web turret on the top hatch of the Scout Walker.
"Walkers, advance to the city and escort the Troop Transports. Major Van Zandt. Who's the Company you've assigned to rescue our little Bureau Agent?"
"A Company, Colonel. I believe Captain Aki will see the objective through."
"Very well then." Koleen faced the Army Troopers "Alright, you sods. Let's get this over with but first."
She pressed a button on her comlink headset.
"Artilleries. Give the buggers another good kicking."
"But what about the Bureau Agent, ma'am." A random Trooper asked.
"Well... " Koleen shrugged "Let's just hope she found a building with a sturdy roof."
Suddenly, her headset beeped and she answered the call.
"Come in. Is anyone out there? This is Agent Liv Kovak. My men are dead and dying! Agent Aiber, send reinforcements! We are taking cover inside the third floor of the apartments in the residential district. Need reinforcements! I repeat. Need reinforcements!"
"This Colonel Margath. Agent Kovak." Koleen responded "Your superior is... indisposed of at the moment. Don't worry your pretty little head, Agent. The Army's here to save your arse. Margath out."
Koleen then turned to the Artillery.
"That's enough, lads." She then faced her soldiers "Alright. Let's do this, you lazy buggers."
~Line Break~
"They're inside!"
"Shoot them. Don't let them get through!"
Agent Liv Kovak dragged the wounded Stormtrooper inside one of the apartment rooms while the remainder of the Bureau Stormtroopers fired their weapons down the corridor. She set the Stormtrooper on the ground only to see that he wasn't moving so she took his helmet off and found he was staring blankly at the ceiling. The Agent cursed before going outside and firing her E-11 at the advancing Rebels. It didn't help that the Army decided to continue their bombardment while they were still in the city. She knew she never should've trusted Aiber. Follow my lead, he said. Do whatever I tell you on the comlink, he said. Now look where that got her! Surrounded by Rebels with only a handful of Stormtroopers left while artillery pounded everything else around her. The Enforcers with her were the first to gain casualties and none of them survived once they managed to take shelter in the apartment building.
"Keep firing!"
Liv grit her teeth as she pulled back inside the room when the Rebels concentrated fire on her. Fortunately, this gave the Stormtroopers the opportunity they needed to get in clear shots. The Troopers managed to kill a majority of the Rebels before they decided to fall back, leaving the Imperials a small breather from the fight. When Liv sat down on the bed did she realize that the artilleries have stopped and made her way to the window. She looked down the street to see the column of Troop Transports with Mark III Scout Walker escorts. The Troop Transports stopped and the Army Troopers inside disembarked before making their way into the building they were in.
The Agent let out a sigh of relief before leaning her forehead on the glass window. She wasn't ready to lead after all. Not with Aiber in command. She heard blasterfire down the corridor followed by a stream of curses.
"We're friendlies, you stupid Bureau asshats!"
Liv poked her head out of the room to see a squad of Army Troopers walk out from the corner of the corridor. The one on the front was a woman of short stature with short brown hair tied into a tail and two short black streaks ran horizontally on her cheeks. She wore a headset comlink similar to the Colonel but without the holographic HUD. The woman was clad in the standard Army Trooper armor with the grey BDU shirt's sleeves rolled up above the elbows. In her hands was a black E-10R Blaster Rifle.
"Sergeant Jayce Luxem. A Company. 8th Regiment. The Colonel sent us to save your asses. We got a Troop Transport waiting for you down there to send you back to the CP."
"Understood, Sergeant."
Without another word, the Bureau Agent and Stormtroopers followed after the squad of Army Troopers. They entered the elevator and patiently waited for the lift to reach Ground Floor. However, as soon as the doors opened, they were met by the sounds of blasterfire, explosions and shouting. Jayce was quick to jump into action and ran to take cover behind one of debris outside next to an Army Trooper.
"What the hell happened?"
"Rebel forces just took out one of the transports, ma'am. They got an AT-AP set up down the end of the street!"
Jayce peeked out of her cover and looked to where the soldier said the Walker was set up. There she could see Rebel infantry building a makeshift barricade in front of the Walker using various debris and other miscellaneous objects they could find before setting up two M-45 Repeating Ion Blasters behind the cover and opening fire on the group. One of the Mark III Scout Walkers fired it's heavy laser cannon at the Rebels but the AT-AP's Heavy Mass-driver Cannon shot off the left leg of the Scout Walker after the Ion Blasters weakened it's joints. The Scout Walker fell on it's side, disabled. The second Scout Walker, however, was ordered to pull back and find a way to flank the AT-AP by Rima who was taking cover behind the wreck of the Troop Transport.
Rima threw the spent cigarette away before grabbing the Army Trooper next to her by the shoulder. After being thrown away by the explosion, her comlink was crushed as well as her holoprojector so she had to rely on someone else for comms.
"Tell the Colonel we're taking heavy fire from Rebel forces within the city. One of our Troop Transports is destroyed. Tell her we are evacuating the Bureau Agent and Troopers but will stay behind to cover their retreat."
"Understood, ma'am." The Army Trooper pulled out his comlink "Colonel Margath. Colonel Margath. This is A Company we've- "
Rima turned back to the Army Trooper and saw a massive hole on the side of his helmet. She looked up to the building adjacent to the apartment and saw blaster bolts coming from thre fourth floor.
"Hostiles on the fourth floor. Open fire!"
The Army Troopers behind aimed their blasters at the building and opened fire just as the Captain ordered. Red blaster bolts shot up to the building while a mix of blue and red blaster bolts rained down on the Imperials. One of Rima's shots managed to hit one of the Rebels in the head and the body fell four stories down. The Captain got a good look at the body and saw that the man was a Christophsian Rebel. This made the Captain narrow her eyes.
'So the planet's true allegiance is to the Alliance then.'
"Rima!"
Rima quickly turned to the voice to see Jayce and the Bureau Agent they were sent to rescue dive to cover next to her.
"This area's too hot! We need to extract Kovak now."
"Get her in one of the Transports and make sure it leaves the city as fast as possible. The remaining transports will stay here and provide cover and support." Rima ordered before looking at two transports that proceeded to form a sort of barricade. The heavy laser cannon installed on the top of the transport let loose a hail of blaster bolts at the advancing Rebel infantry. Rima turned back to the two and looked at Kovak.
"You get your ass into that transport and get the hell out of this city. We'll stay here and cover your retreat." Rima shook her head as she moved to shoot the Rebels "You Bureau asshats better be grateful for this."
Without another word, Rima popped out of cover and fired her E-22. She nailed a Sullustan in the chest before aiming for the next Rebel and shot a Twi'lek in the head. Rima then moved out of the debris and slowly advanced to take cover behind one of the two troop transports. Some of the Army Troopers joining her. Jayce and Kovak watched them for a moment before the Sergeant grabbed the Agent by the forearm and pulled her towards the Troop Transport that was being protected by Bureau Stormtroopers. She roughly shoved Kovak in before running back to join her fellow Army Troopers.
Despite the AT-AP's Mass-driver Cannon, it's gunner seemed to only hit the areas close to the Imperials and not the Imperials. Unfortunately for the Rebels, the Mark III Scout Walker that pulled back circled around the area and was now facing the side of the Rebel Walker. The pilots inside aimed the tri-barreled Heavy Laser Cannon at the infantry while aiming the Missile Launcher at the Walker. The gunner on the top-mounted E-Web turret also aimed at the Rebel infantry.
"Target locked. Missiles away."
A trio of rockets shot out from the Scout Walker's Missile Launcher and sailed through the air before slamming into the side of the AT-AP. The Heavy Laser Cannon and top-mounted turret opened fire on the Rebel infantry below as it slowly made it's way to the Tank Sniper.
"Locked on. Second volley."
Another set of rockets were fired from the Scout Walker and once more struck the AT-AP on the side. The Rebel Walker tried to maneuver around to face the Scout Walker but a third volley managed to finally send it to the ground. Meanwhile, Rebel infantry were mowed down at the combined fire of the Heavy Laser Cannon and the E-Web turret. Some poor, unfortunate souls were crushed by the Scout Walker's foot. The gunner on top let out a manic grin as he shot the red barrels nearby and watched the explosion take out a number of the Rebels. The fiery explosions reflected on the goggles protecting his eyes as he killed Rebel after Rebel with the E-Web. Unfortunately for him, a sniper inside one of the buildings was lining up the sights of the DLT-20 on the gunner. The Rebel took a deep breathe and held it there before pulling the trigger as she exhaled. The blaster bolt sailed through the air and struck the gunner right in the head, leaving a large hole in the middle of his forehead and on the back of his head.
Back to Rima, the Captain saw the downed Rebel Walker and ordered the Army Troopers to move forward.
"Walker's down. Advance!"
The Army Troopers got out of their cover and slowly made their way towards the Rebels, firing their weapons while the Rebel infantry tried desperately to fight off the Imperials on two sides. Army Troopers slowly closed the gap between their forces before the Rebels managed to cripple the remaining Scout Walker with a rocket to gyros. The Scout Walker wobbled a bit before falling unceremoniously down on the ground. A squad of Rebels threw a bag of Thermal Detonators on the hatch before sealing it and ran away just as the detonators exploded, destroying the 'head' of the Scout Walker.
"Don't let up! Don't let up! Keep firing!"
Rima heard Jayce scream as the Sergeant fired her E-10R from atop of a debris. The Captain smirked before advancing towards the Rebels barricade. As they drew nearer, the Rebels stopped shooting but the Imperials didn't. Rima wondered if the Rebels were going to surrender but the answer she received was a big N.O.
Thermal Detonators were thrown over to them and the Army Troopers quickly scattered. Unfortunately, not all of them were so lucky. This managed to keep the Imperials back as the cluster of detonators were thrown at the Army Troopers and the Rebels popped out of cover to return fire. Taking out the Troopers who didn't managed to get to cover in time.
~Line Break~
Meanwhile, Corporal Jim Namba treated an Army Trooper who had half his body burnt when he was caught in an explosion. Beside him, Private First Class Garm Devan provided cover fire with his M-45 Repeating Ion Blaster that he salvaged from Kashyyyk. The Combat Engineer attached a bipod on the end of the weapon and was currently set up on a large piece of debris. Shooting down the Rebels and acted as a Support Gunner.
"Alright, this bacta spray should take care of those burns for a bit." The Medic began as he set the spray down "But you can't fight in this condition. I advise you to get stay out of the fight for now until we can get you some proper treatment."
Another detonator exploded and an Army Trooper was sent flying through the air, screaming. The Trooper landed on his back a few feet away and Jim quickly ran to the Trooper and dragged him back to cover. As he did so, whatever tendons and clothing were left keeping his leg below the knee together was severed and the Medic paused before looking down at his charge and saw he was unconscious. Good. He did not need to have his patient see that.
Jim set the wounded Trooper next to the first one and quickly cauterized the amputated leg before wrapping it in bandages. Hopefully they could get the Trooper back to the Triage Center for better treatment.
"Medic! Medic!"
Said Medic quickly jumped to his feet and began looking for the one calling. He found a Trooper dragging the upper body of another Trooper towards them. Jim ran to them and quickly dropped to his knees and looked over the wounded Trooper.
"You can save him, right? I mean it's just legs. He's still alive. You can fix him, right?"
The Medic sighed and simply closed the Trooper's eyes as his answer. From what he had gathered, the Trooper was dead before they even reached him. Probably as soon as the explosion took his lower half.
"No. No. No. No!"
Jim shook his head as he rose to his feet and placed his hand on the Trooper's shoulder.
"I'm sorry. He was already dead."
As the young Trooper wept, Jim gave the shoulder a squeeze before making his way back to cover. Garm wasn't shooting at the Rebels anymore and was sitting next to the wounded as blaster bolts pelted the position he was firing from. Jim kept his head low and joined the Combat Engineer.
"Any word from command?"
"Y-Yeah." The Private shakily nodded "Artillery Support inbound."
"Do you think there will be a city left after we're done here?"
"I don't think so. The moment we got out of those transports, almost every building was missing chunks of it or debris and craters spread out all over the roads." Garm replied just as they heard the explosions in the distance "This place would be nothing more than a hole in the ground once we're done."
"And it damn well will be."
The two turned their heads to the newcomer and saw Captain Rima making her way towards them. The Captain sat next to Garm and pulled out a cigarette before the Engineer wordlessly handed her his Fusion Cutter. Rima used the device to lit her cigarette before handing it back to Garm who was resigned to his role as the Captain's personal cigarette lighter. Rima puffed out a smoke before explaining what the Colonel ordered when the Agent safely returned to the CP.
"The Colonel ordered a full retreat."
"Why?" Jim asked. Perplexed at the order.
"We have confirmation that the citizens of Chaleydonia and the people of Christophsis have sided with the Alliance and are therefore considered enemies of the Empire." Rima replied without emotion "Since the whole city is theirs, the Colonel ordered a full retreat so she can have the Artilleries shell the whole city into rubble."
"But... what about the civilians?"
Rima was silent as she stared blankly at the Trooper holding the remaining half of his friend.
"They are enemies of the Empire." The Captain answered without looking at the young Engineer.
Beside him, Jim sighed and took off his helmet before running a hand through his hair. As much as he wanted to defy that order, he can't. The Empire would have him executed if he did. Hell, Major Van Zandt might do it himself. The Major held no sympathy for traitors and if he defied that order to save lives then he would be branded as one. But as much as it pains him to leave hundreds of innocent souls to such a fate... He shook his head and nodded to Rima. The Captain nodded back before ordering A Company to fall back.
Army Troopers stopped engaging the Rebels and pulled back to their transports. This occurred all over the city much to the Rebels confusion. Soldier after soldier returned to their transports or retreated on foot while the remaining Scout Walkers did the same. Soon the whole city was cleared out and the remaining Rebel forces walked out of their defensive positions. Even the Christophsians that were hiding in the buildings stepped out of their hiding spots to wonder why the Imperials suddenly left when victory was within their grasp.
Inside one of the Troop Transports that was heading back to the CP, Garm couldn't help but feel horrible. He signed up to fight Rebels, not this. Was this why the Rebellion started? Because of the brutality the Empire showed it's enemies? If so, then maybe he should... The Private stopped that train of thought immediately and shook his head. No. He wasn't going to think about that nor the city nor it's doomed inhabitants. But the explosions in the distance boomed in his mind as if he was right in the middle of the city. He could hear the screams of the doomed Rebels and civilians even though no one else inside the transport could hear it. Garm could only close his eyes and lower his head.
Meanwhile, Rima stared blankly at the floor of the Troop Transport. She was a soldier of the Empire and their ultimate goal has always been to bring order to the Galaxy even if it means the death of the innocents. Order. Even if it's through death and fear, the Empire will see to it that order is restored and the Rebels that caused this chaos will be brought to justice. A small part in the back of her mind knew that damning hundreds of innocent souls to oblivion was wrong. So very wrong. But as always, a good soldier follows orders and Rima was a good soldier... or at least that's what she tells herself.
~Line Break~
From atop a dirt hill, Koleen watched as the city was bombarded once more by their mighty cannons but this time, there will be no stopping until the city's nothing more than a hole on the ground or they run out of shells for the Artillery. Two Storm Guards stood to the side as they too watched the explosions. She heard someone approach from behind and turned around to see two other Storm Guards escort Agent Aiber to her. The Bureau Agent gave them a look before schooling his features when he turned to Koleen.
"I must say, I have been wrong about you, Colonel. I apologize for the trouble young Agent Kovak has given you and for my... outburst as well."
'Calling me a whore and undermining my authority amongst other things in your little outburst is the least of your worries, Agent.'
"Of course, Agent Aiber. Apology accepted."
Koleen turned away and looked back at the city. Aiber then made his way next to stand next to her and watched the bombardment as well.
"Hm. It seems you are right, Colonel. If you want the job done properly, you call the Army or the Corps. The Bureau have some use of your Regiment in the future."
"Thank you for the compliment, Senior Agent Varen Aiber." Koleen began as she quietly unholstered her blaster "But I'm afraid this will be the last time we'll ever meet."
Koleen turned to the Bureau Agent and shot him on the side of the head. The Colonel watched as the body fell into a heap on the ground. Two Storm Guards quickly moved to drag his corpse away and dispose of it somewhere isolated with the help of the Regiment's Flametroopers.
"Tell me, Agent Kovak. Are you going to report back to your superiors of what happened?" Koleen asked as she looked over her shoulder to see Agent Kovak reveal herself from behind the Troop Transport.
"No, Colonel Margath. I will not. At least not in the way you think."
"Then what will you do?"
"I shall report to the Bureau that Agent Aiber was unfortunately killed by the Rebels when we entered the city. The 8th Regiment had done all they can to save him but Senior Agent Aiber was already dead upon the arrival of the closest Medic. The 8th Regiment then proceeded to avenge a fellow Imperial by bombarding the city after evidence showed that the Christophsians have sworn their allegiance to the Alliance."
"Hm. Safe travels then, Agent Kovak."
The Bureau Agent nodded before turning to leave. Koleen watched her go before spying from the corner of her eye three Bureau Stormtroopers block the Agent's path. The Bureau Troopers raised their blasters and aimed at the Agent, ignoring her demands for an explanation.
'So they are loyal to the late Agent Aiber. Very well then.'
Koleen turned her head to the two Storm Guards at her left and motioned her head at the Stormtroopers.
"Go and kill them, would you."
The two Storm Guards wordlessly nodded before aiming their TL-50 Heavy Repeaters at the Bureau Troopers. Without hesitation, they pulled the trigger and riddled the Bureau Troopers with blaster bolts, much to Agent Kovak's shock. Koleen felt the corner of her lips twitch upwards as the bodies fell and Kovak was left unharmed before turning around and watched as the capital city of Chaleydonia went up in flames. It was horrible, what she had ordered her men to do but this is war. War involved casualties... even civilians. How many bodies of men, women and children had she passed by scattered on the ground as the Imperial Army finished 'pacifying' a city? Did they die from a stray blaster bolt? Explosion? Or did they die because the Empire demanded their deaths? Ever since she was molded by war, death became a common sight. Death of an enemy, a friend... an innocent life.
Memories unbidden came to the forefront of her mind as she remembered looking at the corpse of a Rebel soldier hunching over the bodies of a woman and her infant. Foolish, she thought. A soldier would shield the woman and her child even though the blaster bolts were sure to pierce through his body and to the ones he tried to protect. She remembered ordering the three to be given a proper burial and not be placed among the piles of dead bodies that would be buried together in a large hole on the ground.
Koleen suddenly felt something moist drip down the corner of her eye and wiped the tear away before closing her eyes and willed herself from shedding more tears. No. It was not the time to be emotional. There was no time for that here. Never in the battlefield. Steeling herself, Koleen watched on with a mask of indifference as the city was destroyed before her. She'll have the Probe Droids sweep the remains after though she doubted there will be anything left.