Beskad arrived at the barracks. It was on a Federalist military base. Kheshigan soldiers stood guard as the republic commandos were brought through the front gates in the back of a speeder truck. Beskad looked at them. They packed A280 blaster carbines. Wore green plastiod over their chests. Their heads were covered by standard army helmets not full face like clones. They looked tired and worn and yet still keen as they watched the trucks enter, seemingly scanning them with their eyes.
Beskad wondered what it must have been like to be at war for fifteen years. He imagined it probably made one bitter and numb. Death becoming a normalcy, killing becoming a normalcy, war itself was nothing out of the normal for these people. How can a world become peaceful when it's so used to war. He thought to himself.
As they unloaded he heard a few soldiers on patrol laughing. He saw them walk by. He could tell one told a joke to the other.. They spoke in their native tongue as they continued to laugh. They walked by the commandos as they were unloading. They waved.
"Valiant heroes of the republic." One said in a near shout, "I see you have come to join our delightful little war. Make yourselves at home."
"Sure thing. Where's the nearest cantina it's not home till I'm too drunk to shoot straight." Martial said back to them as they walked by.
"No need for a cantina. I got a few bottles of liquor hidden away under my bunk," one of the soldiers said, "Just ask and I'll have you so drunk you'll forget you were born."
"Sounds like a great time," Martial replied with a bit of a laugh.
Beskad shook his head as the patrol men moved on. They entered their new barracks. Warlock squadron quickly made themselves at home. Four bunks provided and foot lovers to store equipment. Te'Anila laid his armaments out on the bed. Beskad looked at the PLX launcher, det packs, and grenade launcher.
"Man gotta say all I'm missing is an E-web. Other than that I'm ready to party. Where's the kriffing enemy."
"With your brains," Jaster began, "You'll get blown up ten seconds in to a fight against something that can actually think."
"Jaster," Beskad said and looked over.
"I'm going to get some rest." The sniper said back, rolling his eyes and taking a hint.
Keep it professional. He thought to himself. He did not need the events of the first training session to play out in real combat. Jaster stayed in his armor as he laid in the bed. The man wasn't convinced they wouldn't see combat. His instincts typically weren't wrong. Beskad nodded and concluded to keep his on as well. He thought about getting rest. After all one could never be sure if he'd have another opportunity to do so. But the sergeant didn't want nightmares creeping in so he simply took a seat on his bunk. Te'Anila went out about a minute later. But Martial was still awake sulking on the side of his bunk. Didn't take a Jedi to figure out what was on his mind.
"You miss her already?" Beskad said, "Vod it hasn't even been twenty four hours."
"No, but I just felt like the time was so short. I'm thinking about contacting her."
"How?" Beskad asked, seeing that as an impossibility.
"I can mess with the comms a bit. Channel through to her frequency."
"Marsh don't," Beskad said firmly, "I need you focused on the operation. Not to mention that's a risk. Enemy picks up signal activity between you and here even if it's encrypted they can….."
"Ya you're right she calls while we're embedded behind the lines and boom. We're hit by a missile. Maybe I can get a civilian comlink and keep it in a safe area here in the base."
"Maybe, but you get caught you could get both you and her in trouble. You really want Zel getting into trouble because she's calling a soldier in a classified operation she shouldn't even be aware of?"
Martial sighs again, "You're kriffing right." He lays on his back, "This whole things tougher now."
Beskad wanted to say shouldn't have gotten yourself involved with a civilian. Shouldn't even have formed any kind of romantic entanglement. That was doomed to complicate matters. The sergeant could not see himself doing so no matter how much he was attracted to someone. Martial justified his decision; the man was practically being tortured now.
"Yeah," Beskad said instead, "She probably misses you too."
"How's that supposed to make me feel better!"
"It's not. It's supposed to make you do your job. Tell me about her. I've never actually met her."
Martial sighed and smiled beneath his helmet as he reminisced. He leaned back and stretched his behind his head.
"She's the most serene thing I've ever met." He began, "She's got this aura about her when she talks smiled and laughs makes me feel warm and calm."
Beskad raised an eyebrow Zel wasn't Martial's first. Usually the Corporal began with looks not how his lover made him feel. Fierfek this really is serious.
"Galaxy ain't so bad when I'm around her." Martial says, "No offense Sarge I like you and all but it's hard to forget the war and enjoy life fully."
"Yeah I hear what you're saying and I understand," Beskad said with nod, "Zel' s on Coruscant. Not too far from here. We fail, the CIS is there. Think about Zel and this new home you found. That's why you have to fight Ner'vod. There's life for you beyond war that won't exist if we lose."
Martial looked at Beskad. He didn't say anything, just formed a hard straight look. Then slowly nodded his head in agreement. Gun fire exploded. Anti air weaponry to be precise. It pounded from the base. Sirens blared. Jaster and Te'Anila snapped up.
Beskad was on his feet in seconds as anti air fire continued to stream. Then everyone could hear a loud electronic roar begin to grow as it approached. The anti air fire grew more intense. There were sharp whooshes.
"BRACE!" Beskad shouted.
Everyone dropped to the ground. Then boom! The ground beneath them shook. Beskad grinded his teeth. First air raid he experienced his heart raced. Now he was ready for it and just kept himself on the ground as more explosions erupted and shook the ground beneath him. Anti air fire kept pounding. Then there was silence.
Beskad's communicator began to chime. He reached over on his gauntlet and pressed the release. It was channeled to the whole platoon frequency.
"Platoon," it was Dral's voice, "Cities under attack."
"No osik." Chieftain snarled.
"We're getting word of a massive ground advance. Apparently they've pressed into the our skirts and they're advancing fast." Dral continued to talk ignoring Chieftain, "I can't stress the importance of making sure Captain General Timurid is alive and moving him to a safer position. I also got a call from Cyrus while the bombing was going on. He's evaucting the intel base and destroying documents. We need to provide him cover and assistance. We're splitting up platoon!" Dral said, "Zen! Colosus! You're with me we're headed to the Captain General's quarters. Warlock! Cavalier! Go cover Cyrus's shebs."
"Yes sir." All the sergeants responded in near unison.
Beskad was up in an instance. The rest of his squad followed suit having heard their orders. Everyone was quick to get a good grip on their weapons and charge out of their quarters from the barracks and into the city as the war broke out across the city.
A speeder truck with an open bed swooped up to the barracks. Inside there were two drivers both uniformed federalist soldiers. Beskad jumped in back, his squad following. He rested in back as Jaster climbed next to him across from Martial. Te'Anila seated himself across from Beskad. No one said anything at first.
"Alright!" Errant Cavalier squads tech specialist exclaimed as he climbed in back with Chieftain, "Finally get some action going around here."
"I was a little worried this whole op might be nothing more then just sit around and look pretty," Jaster said agreeing with the man.
"Well Jast they'd never have you do that. You'd be bad at, because you ain't pretty." Martial teased him and got a few laughs.
"Go kriff yourself Marsh we've got the same face." Jaster shot back.
"Yeah but you don't know how to wear it."
Before it could continue the speeder took off. They flew back out of the base and on to the road going through a niehborhood positioned on a hill that over looked the base. Beskad laid back he could hear the sound of blaster fire erupting in the distance. He could thunderous books quake in the distance, artillery. Then explosion cracked.
"Manda," Galaar Cavalier squad's demo said looking over and ahead, "You see the size of those plooms. What shells do you think they're using."
Te'Anila looked over. Beskad did as well. They heard the crack of artillery and the rounds whistled in the air. Then boom they saw plums of fire rise in the horizon. Beskad frowned, he couldn't help but wonder how many people were killed in each explosion and how many were civilians. And if they would eventually be subjected to shelling.
"If I had to guess. They're using heavy rounds." Te'Anila said, "Just look how the shock wave kicks up around then."
"Kriff you're right," Galaar said, "Those things are designed to down cruisers. That's a bit much for taking a city."
"They're trying to crush the federalist resolve." Chieftain commented, "No such thing as too much force."
Beskad couldn't help wondering why the shells weren't hitting anywhere near them. Why was the emphasis on civilian areas. Surely they did some kind of recon before launching an operation and would target military installations. Civilian neighborhoods and shopping outlets just seemed senseless. Of course the Captain General had forces deployed through the city incase of an attack. Yet still the base would have been a more valuable target.
The sounds of war grew louder as they grew closer to intel base. Beskad thought he could hear fighting going just in the next block. An explosion thundered and the ground shook beneath them.
"They're pushing hard," Chieftain said, "Think they'll topple the city in a night?"
"What kind of question is that?" Beskad replied to his fellow squad sergeant, "We're here. And we're not going to let them."
They arrived back at the intel base. Beskad was first out and approached the building. He noticed the security contractors were gone. He batted an eyebrow.
They entered the build and saw the intelligence officers and analysts fast at work. People were running around between cubicles. They were smashing their fingers against holo keys then moving data cards into boxes. Those boxes quickly shoved into someone else's hand who ran towards the back probably to a speeder.
"Gentlemen!" It was Cyrus's voice, "Thank the force you're here."
The intelligence Chief walked towards them. Somehow maintaining a cool smile as he approached even as an artillery round exploded next to the building and the whole place shook glass even broke. Beskad had respect towards the man in the instance considering how even the hardened republic commando sergeant tensed up.
"Diadochi took all my paramilitary officer to go hold off the ACG a long side some Kheshigan soldiers." Cyrus continued, "I don't know how much time that'll buy us. So I need you to help us wipe the computers. At this point it's too dangerous to try and save anything."
A Pantoran analyst seated next to Cyrus at a desk froze upon hearing that. He looked at the intelligence chief with the most disheartened look that Beskad had ever seen on someone's face.
"I know you've spent years compiling all that information. I know you risked your life to personally collect a lot of it. But I'm sorry Gyn you've gotta delete all of it. You want your fellow case officers getting executed?" Cyrus said taking a second to talk to the man personally.
Gyn frowned but nodded his head understanding. He looked very pained as he began destroying the files. Beskad felt bad for the man. Destroying your hard work was a sacrifice; it might not have been as drastic as giving up your life. But it surely still hurt one deeply and right now had to be done for the greater good.
"Station Chief," Martial spoke up, "I could hack into your servers and upload a computer virus that'll clear everything so you can get your guys out of here faster."
Cyrus looked at him, "Thank your corporal. I'll make it easier for you and just give you access to our system. My username's Cyrus republic intel 45680 password jtyo4589. I will be changing both of those when you're done."
" that stand for something or just random?" Martial asked as he took off his helmet cracked his fingers and took a seat at a console plugging in his data pad.
"First real love. She was an Echani duelist I met during a little operation on Eshan."
"Huh," Martial said as he began his work, "Must have really cared about her if you made your government password her name."
"Yeah, that's why I left her," Cyrus said, "My work life was putting her through hell. Disappearing for months on end and not telling her where I've been or what I've been doing. It wasn't healthy for her. Suppose that just makes it more ironic."
"Suppose it does," Martial said, lacking a smile, "And….done."
"Noooooooooooooooooooo!" An agent seated several rows behind them shouted in horror as he watched all of his work disappear.
"ALRIGHT!" Cyrus shouted, "Everyone out. We've trained for this exact scenario. You've made your plans got your contacts. Get the kriff out here and to Altai. I'll meet you there after I handle a few more things here. Do not be a hero you see some in danger, leave them. Your only priority is to get to Altai and set up shop there so we can continue operation. Am I understood?"
"Yes, station Chief." Was the resounding reply. He then turned to Beskad, "Well if I knew your guy could just delete everything I wouldn't have requested two squads of republic commandos. Sorry for wasting your time."
"Martial, take that as a compliment," Beskad said, "You just made it so non of us had to do our jobs. Anything else need assistance with."
"Nope," Cyrus said as he walked over to a locker punched a code in and removed a westar carbine he slung over his shoulders.
"Wow, where are you off to sir."
"My housekeeper is a single mother with three kids. This is no place for her. I kinda gotta go get her out."
"Wait, didn't you just tell your guys not to be heroes."
"See that's the thing about us civilian supervisors. We don't follow our own orders." Cyrus said with a slick smile as he flipped off the safety and heard the weapon charge up, "I'll tell Diadochi we're all good while I'm on the way. Thank you gentlemen, your lieutenant should be happy you're freed up."
Cyrus ducked out of the building. Beskad smiled under his helmet as he laughed to himself. Cyrus was an interesting one. Beskad looked forward to working with man more assuming he survived his little side quest.
They made there way back outside towards the speeder. Beskad immediately got on his communicator, channeling a call to Dral's frequency. It chimed for exactly one second.
"Lieutenant Dral'Alor speaking." Dral spoke.
"Dral we're done. Where do you want us."
"We haven't reached the Captain General's quarters yet. That was fast," He said surprised, "Head back to the base, if we need back up I'll call back."
"Yes sir." Beskad said sharply. The order conflicted him. On him he relaxed a little the possibility of combat and the loss of a squad mate gone. But apart of hin was disappointed all they would get to do tonight was watch Martial plant a computer virus.
The fighting continued in the back around as the speeder truck lumbered back to base. Explosions rumbled back around the sound of rapid fire blasters ripped in the distance. Beskad grew bored as he launched his back against the side of the speeder.
"Fierfek," Te'Anila cursed, "Is that really all we're going to get to do tonight?"
"I wouldn't talk too soon," Martial replied, "We're being used as a strategic reserve. I'm willing to gamble that they're going to need us soon if the fight is even slightly as intense as it sounds."
"But we could be more useful. We're republic commandos. The best soldiers in the whole galaxy. We should be out there kicking ass."
"We're a dagger," Jaster said, "We strike quickly, precisely, and then swiftly withdraw to leave the kriffer dead on the ground before he can hit back. We charge out their like shock troopers we'll get obliterated. Learn your job blaster brains."
"I know my job," Te'Anila snarled, "And I say we could be out there doing it. Infiltrate deep behind enemy lines and blow something important up. Kill a few of their officers hell call in airstrikes. I ain't afraid to do my job unlike you."
Jaster stared at him and said nothing at first. He was cold silent. Beskad grew worried for a moment. The man laughed, his laugh was shrill and cold as a Hoth ice storm. That made the sergeant more concerned.
"You think I'm afraid," he said still laughing, "You think I'm scared of blaster bolts flying through my body. You think the idea of shrapnel digging into my skin actually sends shivers up my spine? All because I simply understand why we're not being thrown out on to the front lines?" Jaster leaned forward as he spoke, "On the contrary I'm in my element right now. Every one else here probably hears the blaster and artillery shells and is slightly disturbed by the idea people are getting killed right now. Or they're on edge wondering if the artillery will strike us. I bet that frightens you, that you will get killed before doing anything and you're deflecting on me, because you're actually scared. No, Te'Anila you silly little Di'kut. I'm not afraid I'm comforted by it. The one thing I actually fear is what happens to me when it all ends. If I can't kill people anymore what the fierfek am I going to do. No, I want an artillery shell to go off next to me. I want the shrapnel to tear through every fiber in my body and I want to be left on the ground, my guts all over the place, my blood seeping from holes scattered about in a literal bloody mess." Jaster leaned back. Te'Anila didn't reply, "And then I'll lay there and crack a smile and laugh, comforted by the fact I'll never have to know anything other than war." Jaster sat back and relaxed. Te'Anila stared at him for a few seconds and then looked left, breaking eye contact.
"Heads up, look ahead we got a problem." Chieftain said him and his squad had been silent through that whole conversation. He acted as if he wasn't disturbed by what Jaster said, "See the smoke and flames ."
Beskad did. It was directly ahead. He frowned, concluding where it was coming from. His grip on his blaster's grip tightened and he bit his teeth together tightly.
"Fierfek," He spat, "That's the base." He then looked over at the driver and knocked on the window, "Stop at the neighborhood that overlooks the base so we can get a better look before in."
The driver stopped in the small neighborhood. Beskad went to the far end of it where a concrete wall stood that surrounded the whole neighborhood. He switched his DC17M to sniper mode. Then used the sight to get a close look at the base before it. The fire came from the far end of the base. He believed there had been an anti air gun positioned there.
He looked around and he saw men in olive green holding E5s and a few E5c heavy blasters. They had drop packs on their backs but normal army helmets. He could see their faces.
"Fierfek," He cursed again, "The base got hit and taken by paratroopers."
"What the kriff,"Chieftain said in disbelief, "This far behind enemy lines with zero support? How long do they think they'll last. This is a suicide mission for what possible gain."
"Sarge," Martial said, "They got prisoners' looks."
Beskad saw several Kheshigan soldiers hauled out in the open in the center of the base. They were forced on their knees with their hands bound behind their backs. He recognized one of them as one of the soldiers Martial joked with when they got in to the base.
"We can rescue them," Said Martial, "Hit the base from two ends…."
"We don't know how many paratroopers are there. Let me call the Lieutenant first."
"Sarge you gotta be kriffing me right now we have to…"
Beskad ignored him, dialing Dral's frequency again. It rang several times over and over again. Then it clicked, "Speak."
"It's sergeant Beskad, enemy paratroopers took the base. They have prisoners how should we proceed."
"How many?" Dral asked coldly.
"I can't tell. From up here it looks like at least a battalion."
"Eight commandos vs a whole battalion. Not the best odds, also not the worst,"Dral said, "Let me explain to you the situation. We've fought our way through three squads of ACG special forces and managed to secure the Captain General. There's currently more enemy commandos holding the kriffing courtyard. I'm planning to blitz through them. Furthermore Timriud deployed most of his forces south to try and stop the enemy offensive. Those paratroopers could mess up one of our operations. Do not let them leave the base. I'll see if I can scramble reinforcements to your positions. Timriud kept his marines in reserve off the base. From there it's your discretion on what to do."
"Well alright," Beskad nodded his head. The communication was channeled to the whole platoon so everyone heard. Beskad was hoping Dral would have said it's not worth the risk don't rescue prisoners. But instead the guy made it his decision. Go kriff yourself Lieutenant. He thought bitterly.
"Right, so we doing this?" Martial asked.
"No," Beskad said, "I won't risk it. There could be way more than a battalion down there."
"We're republic commandos. We could launch diversionary actions. Through some grenades in. Storm the base gun'em down in CQC free the prisoners and get out, we don't need to fight all of them, we just need to rescue the prisoners."
"I made my decision Corporal," Beskad growled.
"But Sarge…"
"No, I gave an order and you're going to kriffing follow it."
There was silence as the commandos dug in and watched. Beskad wasn't willing to risk the lives of his men if it wasn't necessary. He'd lost to many people and he wanted to get through just one operation with out a single death.
One of the paratroopers had his hand on his ear. He was getting a communication from someone his superior. He nodded his head and frowned and said something that Beskad wasn't sure he could simply see the man's lips move through the scope. He seemed to question it. He nodded his head again and when his lips move this time Beskad thought he could read them. Two simple words I understand. He got off his ear piece and shouted at his men in their native tongue as he waved his hand. The paratroopers lined up behind the prisoners with their blasters. They aimed in perfect sync. The prisoners began shouting and pleading for their lives.
"Sarge, come on, they're going to…."
Blam! The bodies all collapsed forward against the ground in near perfect sync. Martial went dead silent. Beskad looked at the bodies slumped on the floor. Smoke rose from the backs of their heads where blaster bolts burned through. The CO looked at what he ordered his men to do. He didn't seem to take pride in it; he was just following orders. The bodies were then seized and dragged away from the execution site.
"We could have saved them," Martial said silently.
An electronic hum simmered above. Two CIS gunships flew over the base. They landed. A loud clang shouted from beneath them. There was more shouting of orders as the gunships then pulled up and flew away. Beskad's eyes went wide as he saw what they dropped off.
"Osik, they have tanks!" Chieftain shouted.
"We can't let those move into action. Beskad they're using the base as a staging ground for a rear guard action! You heard the LT they drew everyone away they're pinned." Martial began saying in a panicked tone, "We need to act now."
"Yes we need to act. But we're not going to charge out there and get blown to bits trying to fight tanks and paratroopers," Beskad ordered, "Te'Anila get the launcher ready and prep the det packs. Everyone else grenade launchers ready. Chieftain take charge of both our squads while I talk to our driver."
"You got it. If they make a move I'll handle it."
Beskad turned to the driver who had since gotten out of the truck. He had a helmet and A280 blaster. No chest armor or a side arm. And Beskad could read the fear in his eyes.
"I'm a driver, I'm just a kriffing driver." He kept muttering to himself.
"Hey soldier, you got a name?" Beskad asked him.
He looked over and after getting his wits together nodded his head. The man wasn't trained or conditioned for infantry combat. He'd probably never fired the rifle. Just moved troops and supplies around and got paid to do it.
"Garl." He said, "Private Garl."
"Private bear with me. We're republic commandos, we'll keep you alive. I promise," Beskad said the man nodded, "I just need to know where you'll think those guys are going to go if they're planning to support the commando raid on the Captain general's quarters or hit our forces in the rear."
"They have to go through this neighborhood it's the fastest way to get to the main road." Garl replied, "Meaning they're going to hit us full…."
"Easy, I'll handle the rest, just stay low."
Beskad got back to his squad. He looked forward. He watched as the paratrooper CO spoke to a man he concluded was the armored CO. Beskad turned to Chieftain.
"They gave to go through this neighborhood in order to get to either target fast," Beskad said, "Think I've got an idea if your boys are willing to help out."
"Let's hear it."
"Really what we've got to do is keep them in the base until the Kheshigan marines show up," Beskad said, "They have no clue we're in the niehborhood. I'm willing to gamble we put up a fierce enough resistance. They'll retract not knowing how many troops we've got here."
"Get to your actual plan Beskad."
"Lay a det pack on the road. Set it off when a tank goes over it. Then launch an assault from one of the flanks with one squad. While the other lays down suppressive fire. The assault squad will hit another tank with a launcher. Two tanks out of three their CO would have to be stupid to continue their attack."
"And suppose he is stupid." Chieftain asked, "Because stupid COs are real."
"We retract back into the neighborhood. If he actually thinks it's a good idea to press the attack. We can easily out maneuver the tank using the houses and street ways as cover and destroy it."
Chieftain thinks about for a few seconds. His helmet with its T visor then slowly nodds understanding Beskad's logic.
"You're right that would be really stupid." Chieftain says, "Alright we'll try your idea. My squad will cover while yours sets the charges and takes up position on their flank."
Beskad nods and turns back to his men. He sees Te'Anila knelt down with his backpack searching for a det pack. He takes time to carefully sync with a remote detonator and then nods. All Beskad has to do is angle his head and blaster towards the road for his squad to get to work.
The for commandos sprint next to the road each side surrounded by tall grass. Beskad kept watch on the base as they moved. He then gives a fist signaling his squad stops.
"Te'Anila," He barks, "Set the charges on the road. Martial, Jaster, go across the street set up an ambush point."
Martial nodded and sprints across the street with Jaster. The two men sink low into the tall grass on the other side and disappear. Beskad takes a knee and watches as Te'Anila sets up the set pack. He then snaps up. "Done." He says.
"On me." Beskad orders him.
Both men move several meters back into the grass. Beskad keeps watch on the road and the base remembering where the charge was just set. Everything goes silent. He can feel chills traveling up his spine and makes sure to keep his breathing steady and his heart rate under check.
"Warlocks," Chieftain says, "They're coming to you. You better be in position."
"We're ready." Beskad confirms.
An AAT tank leads the advance from the base. Two others followed behind it. Remembering the plan Te'Anila unslings a PLX rocket launcher from his back and raises it. He then waits, keeping the weapon steady following the center tank. He's not too bad after all. Beskad thought to himself. He then saw several smaller compact speeders following behind the tanks. Each had a heavy blaster turret at the top and could maybe carry a squad of soldiers. Beskad slowly switches his blaster to grenade launcher setting, placing a round in ready to go.
The tank moves over the det pack, unable to see it in the dark. Te'Anila presses the trigger on the detonator back. Boom!
The tank is consumed in eruption of flame and dirt rising up into the air. The commandos helmet's sound filtration system works over time protecting their ears from the thunderous boom. The tank and any one it are then gone. Reduced to a small smoldering piece of metal with flames rising. A scream shouts out in the night. The commander of the tank behind the lead who'd been sitting in the canopy falls out screaming. Metal shrapnel from the blast had ripped through his chest blood leaks in mounds. The other tank stops. Beskad moves his launcher in the direction of one of the compact combat speeders. Te'Anila pulls the trigger back on his launcher.
Smoke foams from behind the launcher as a missile streaks forward and towards the center tank. It hit perfectly at the seam between the canopy and the tank's body. The missile bursts. The force of the explosion caused the canopy to separate from the body. As the explosion grows bigger the tank's metal comes apart. Then boom!
Beskad watched as the second tank went up in flames. The paratroopers are however quick. The heavy blaster turrets begin to snap towards their direction. Beskad fired a grenade from his launcher. It smashes through the window of one of the compact cars and explodes, killing every one inside, smashing the windows. Te'Anila instantly fired off his DC17M in quick five round bursts. Several paratroopers drop. A snap cracks out as a sniper round tears through the head of another gunner from the other end of the road. Rapid fire cracked from that direction as the other two members of Warlock squadron attacked.
Beskad squeezes his trigger allowing the bolts to spray across the horizon. His grip tight around the weapon limiting and controlling the effects of kick back as best he can. He manages to take out three more paratroopers who'd stepped out of their vehicles.
Two of the compact vehicles rush forward their heavy blasters blaring in both directions. Beskad and Te'Anila both drop. The large heavy bolts streaked right over their heads. Beskad can feel the heat pressing against his skin as the bolts streak over his head.
Both the compact vehicles are hit and smashed by grenades fired from the neighborhood by Cavalier squad. The rounds hit the front engines of the craft. Smashing through the metal caps and then exploding upon contact with the engines. The two vehicles both burst into flames yet continued flying forward for several seconds.
Beskad stands back up with Te'Anila. Several sniper shots snap from the direction of the neighborhood. The remaining paratroopers remain still managing to put the remaining compact vehicles in front of and to the side of the tanks shielding it from further attack.
"Give Em some thermals." Beskad said, grabbing a grenade from his belt.
In perfect sync the two commandos toss them. They popped, shaking up the paratroopers positioned in their vehicles. Beskad then sprints forward clutching his DC17M. Te'Anila next to him. Both men fired quick three round bursts of blaster bolts. The bright blue bolts hit two gunners who drop out of their vehicles. The tank speeds backwards towards the base. The compact vehicles hold position. Beskad feels confused. Why are they letting us surround them, seems stupid. A loud bang sends an instant shiver down his spine. Shrill whistling screams through the air. Beskad looks in the sky to see a bright red object streaking overhead in an arc. Kriffing mortars they've got kriffing mortars. He thought, panicked. The two commandos barely have time to hit the ground as the rounds rain down towards the ground increasing speed as the planets gravity yanks them down. Boom!
Fire erupts maybe a meter from Beskad's position. It's enough for him to the feel the shock wave which carries both him and Te'Anila off his feet. They were thrown meters away hitting their sides. Beskad clenched his teeth hard. "Osik." He spits then instantly gets in his com, "Te'Anila call in."
"Here sir." The demo specialist says as he stands just a few paces to Beskad's right. He looks uneffected.
Flames rise from the neighborhood. Beskad shakes his head and smashes the button on his comlink sending a communication to Chieftain.
"Cavalier squadron. Tell me you're alive."
"We're alive. They mortar several houses we're digging in. I suggest you and your squad fall back. I'm no betting man but if I had to guess what they're going to try it's be…"
A loud war cry sent a shiver down Beskad's back. The commando snapped right and saw six paratroopers running at their position. Blaster fire cracked several bolts pounded all across the sergeant's armor. He stumbled back but managed to switch his DC17M to grenade mode and fired the round at the ground in front of him. Fire rose as shrapnel blew right back at Beskad. There were lots of animalistic screams from paratroopers who'd had the misfortune of surviving the grenade.
"Sarge!" Te'Anila panicked at seeing Beskad shot several times.
He shouldn't have done that. Taken time to concern himself on Beskad's condition. A paratrooper with a very large blade lunged at Te'Anika. He turned last second and was struck in the side of the head by the blade. His armor held the blade actually broke. But Te'Anila went down hard.
Beskad charged forward ignoring the pain that was surging through his body. He wasn't going to lose another man. He formed a fist and ejected his vibro blade from his right wrist. He shoved it hard and deep into the paratroopers neck. Thick red blood splashed against his armor. He took the man to the ground. He looked in his eyes. His scared, panicked, confused, and yet innocent eyes as the soldier struggled to try and get Beskad's knife out of his throat as if that would have saved him anyways. Beskad ripped the blade out more blood gushed. The man spasmed across the ground trying to breath trying to stop the bleeding. Beskad watched as the paratrooper sophisticated on his own blood and died. He turned to Te'Anila the demo setting shook his head getting back up.
"Osik," he spat.
"Private you good?" Beskad asked.
Te'Anila looked at his squad sergeant. The man just saved his life. His armor with the mandalorian colors for service and justice drenched in thick red blood. Some of it was the sergeants. Specifically the red splits near the holes created by shrapnel. Te'Anila didn't say anything knowing the man had adrenaline flowing through his veins and to say something might make him aware of the wounds and the pain could spiral through his body.
"I'm go…." He began before a cold metal clink followed by electric ticking drew his attention east. He saw a thermal detonator. His eyes widened.
Beskad instinctively charged forward and dove into the man. He grabbed him and jumped sending both men down as the explosion broke. Te'Anila grinded his teeth as he felt another explosive shock wave grab them. They tumbled but Beskad kept the demo sergeant towards ground shielding him from the heat. The man was then planted firmly in the ground.
Beskad rolled off. Te'Anila looked over at him. "Kriff, medic!" He shouted over the comm.
There was deep marching and he saw a squad of enemy soldiers rushing towards his position. Blaster fire ripped the men all fell as Jaster and Martial moved in from the side.
"What are you hollering on abo…." Jaster began, "Fierfek!" He shouted seeing Beskad's state.
"Get him up and out of here now." Martial said assuming command instantly, "Jaster, cover our six. Te'Anila, help me with the sergeant."
"Yes sir," they both instantly replied.
Martial grabbed one shoulder and Te'Anila grabbed the other. Jaster then put himself between them and the base waving his blaster in the general direction where the enemy might come from. Everyone's hearts raced as they sprinted across the tall grass.
Cavalier squad kept watch. Sergeant Chieftain made out Warlock squad running back. Fires and bodies layed behind him. He would have chuckled at what republic commandos could do if it weren't the fact they were carrying Beskad. He got a closer look and frowned deeper. "Rang! We got wounded!" He shouted at his squad's medic.
Beskad took several deep breaths. Every part of his body hurt. His heart was also racing. He saw a leveled building with four more commandos standing around it. Then with red stripes he made out Rang. He was laid on the ground. Rang removed his helmet.
"How do you feel?" Rang asked.
"Like osik." Beskad said and that was an understatement. His body was screaming WHAT THE KRIFF DID YOU DO TO ME.
"Good that means you're still alive," Rang said as he looked at the wounds and poured water down Beskad's throat. He took out numerous bandages, bacta viles, scalpels, and pain suppressors and got to work.
Things started to go red. "Stay with me Beskad!" Rang shouted.
Everything faded and faded until black.
"He's lost consciousness!" Rang shouted, "How long until the marines get here. I'm doing what I can but if we don't get him to a field hospital he's done for."
"LT says they're five minutes out!" Chieftain said getting off his com.
Martial looked over and saw the compact vehicles moving out from the base in a spread out formation. Kriffing hell why now? He thought as grounded his teeth together.
"Alright boys, they're pressing hard towards our position." He said, "Prepare for a fight."
Jaster got on his sniper. Te'Anila switched to grenade launcher setting and crouched down in the remains of a leveled house. Martial but together hard as he also took aim. The tank came to a stop and let the compact vehicles stopped. The paratroopers stepped out and broke up into several squads as they began to march into the neighborhood. They were going to clear it house for house, street for street. Martial watched as they approached their location. He fired the rest of his squad joining in. Five men dropped two more and opened fire. Martial through a grenade. It exploded and he got up and charged Jaster next to him, both men firing on rapid setting. The paratroopers fell back. Blaster bolts streaked over head. Te'Anile fired his grenade launcher. The tank charged forward. Martial thought it was over as he stared at the metal Behemoth which turned its main canon. He closed his eyes.
Boom!
He opened his eyes, the tank was reduced to a pile of flames. From its right flank sat a republic tank. Men in dura steel moved in from the side firing their blasters off. The paratroopers fell back. And on top the tank non other than Cyrus who jumped off still holding his westar and approached.
"Heard you were in a bit of a situation," He said, "Thought I'd come and get you out, so I got the para military team and hurried over here after borrowing a tank."
"Fierfek you're a lifesaver," Martial said, "Beskad's pretty banged up."
"Well let's get him out of here then. We'll cover, get him in that truck you used to get here. Have the driver go to Altai. The Jedi attached to the intel team, she can heal him."
"Right, I take it, we gotta stay here."
"Look I love ya but I actually came back because we need to retake the base." Cyrus admitted.
"Right," Martial turned to where they had Beskad, "Get him in the truck, send him to Altai then get your asses back in the fight."
"Yes sir."
Martial watched as Beskad was loaded onto the back of the truck. The back ramp closed and the vehicle zoomed away from the battle. Behind him he could hear the blaster fire and grenade explosions. He slowly turned around, tightened his grip on his blast rifle and charged right back into battle.