"One more thing which may be of interest..."

"Yes?"

"An operative stationed on Talzenadar IV sent images further along the network... where another operative checked them against people known or suspected to be part of secret projects of interest-"

"-Is this leading anywhere?! Do you have useful information or simply a story?!"

"...projects of interest... and decided that the image of the female of our people matched that of an operation whose intent is still unknown from almost eighteen cycles ago".

sounds of paper rustling and printed images being passed around

"See? She has aged, most certainly, but so have we all. The likelihood that she is the same one that was rescued from site fifteen before it was destroyed by a nuclear explosion is far too high to ignore".

"There is a young man with her. An extremely large young man indeed"

"See the general report into site fifteen... I attached a summary of the projects suspected to have been conducted there before the explosion. None of us know if any of these were resumed at the same location after the facility was cleaned out and rebuilt".

sound of pages turning more slowly

"Oh...that project. We have a confirmed location for that project... even if we did not get to find out until after the original site was destroyed".

"An operative on Scarras Prime carefully searched as many information archives as they could reach. While the information found was not completely clear or reliable... when we analysed the images of suspected participants in this project, one of the composite images produced matched that of the young man to a degree that there is 72% probability of them being one and the same".

sounds of a number of male and female Kalish talking softly and rapidly for some momens

"Find out about the young man carefully. Find out where he and the woman live. Do not make any move to apprehend them... but listen for anything they may say that may give us any clues at all about their involvement in the project or in any other issue of concern to us".

"The report lists both of them as being seen in the company of several people wearing the insignia of the unit known as the Irregulars which is based there. The people wearing the black heavy armour seen in the security footage from site fifteen also have this insignia on their armour. The report notes that when Irregulars were close by they were never able to approach within three hundred metras and were forced to observe at a distance over oculars and other surveillance equipment... and even then were unable to record audio due to the Irregulars in question carrying antisurveillance devices".

"Observe them both carefully. If these Irregulars consider the woman of our people and the young man to be people of interest then they may attack our operatives if they feel them to be a threat to them or the woman or young man - but just in case any of our people meet them and talk to them, then they should report back at the earliest possible opportunity with everything they have learned".

loud Kalish voices in the distance, sounds of pulse fire, Scarran voice over a megaphone ordering people to disperse

"Instruct anyone the police haven't killed already to disperse. They should return to their families or home dwellings by the most secure routes - and we should leave now before the police find us as well".


"It's been two and a half monen since this insurgency got off the ground..." General Lazarus said as the senior officers gathered on the bridge "...and while we've made some headway we're no closer to ending it now than we were before".

"We did manage a full and successful evacuation of the stadium after the Games..." Karroch reminded him "...and see all the spectators safely back to their cruise ships and other spacecraft".

"We did" Lazarus confirmed, nodding once "Prob'ly the first and last time anyone will ever see Black Omega operating openly in public, too! Did anyone get pictures?"

The Scarrans in the room took a few microts to translate Lazarus' slang before Trannak nodded and replied "Not all of it... but yes, we have video in the archives. Many of the Black Omega present then are still on the ground now. One of them, none of us know who, obviously commed back to the Marshal on Scarras Prime for instructions... so when the Scarran delegation left, they remained".

"What's the situation like dirtside right now?" Harrigan asked.

"The first line of spotters and artillery sites have been destroyed" General Tareg replied "Tactical command have been moving steadily on the dark side and Bloodstar command have been doing so between the South and the port, assaulting any new sites of interest as they move. Progress has not been as quick as we like due to having few to no armoured combat or fast attack vehicles".

"You've called in enough CAS missions, though" Lazarus replied, grinning a bit.

"We've needed all of them" both Rulok and General Tareg replied in turn, before Rulok added "We've no ground-based artillery and no one's thought the fighting so far warranted the use of any of the destroyers. Apart from that, we're losing time making sure we plug all the holes we find in the walls and alleys that let insurgents move around as they please - though they're still managing to do so anyway, if not so often and not in large groups".


Several Black Ghosts entered the underground room, where there was a large holotable with various things marked on it.

"Not goin' well" the one woman present spat "We've seen fewer local Security units, that's true... but I'm thinkin' they been redeployed around market street an' closer to industrial sites and the North. We've had to fight Irregulars... and in large numbers, too. What's with that? Last reports we saw stated they didn't have the capability to mount mass infantry actions like these".

"Casualties?" Towle asked.

"If you mean ours..." she replied "... we got the numbers right now... tho we been getting fekkin' hammered. Last attempt mine made at getting through to that wholesaler an' setting up a lay-up point for future ops... anyone with stripes on their sleeve got plokked before we saw the buildings an' senior NCOs didn't last much longer. Can't get trainees on foot or light vehicles close enough to see what's there".

"Then they's got some o' those green guys?" a very scruffy Black Ghost said while he tried to shave around his facial injuries "Skulkings or whatever they's called? Their version of us lot?"

"Skulkers" Towle corrected him, though he nodded and added "Not good to see they got both extreme-range snipin' rifles and the people to make best use of them. So far we don't know if there's just an observation post there or if it's a forward operations base. We'll have to slip a few people in on foot, or a fast vehicle, tonight and find out".


"It took you long enough to come and find me..." a female Sebacean, neatly dressed, said with only minor distaste when the Scarran gang leader strode into the room with his aide, plus Troll and Skroloth "But right now we all have problems, and mine are allied to mister Prooy - even though their gang's the one led by that disgusting Charrid half-breed that makes all those synth drugs".

Her discussion was interrupted when Troll asked Skroloth if he knew who that might be and if he had pictures, but since Troll spoke in English the woman had no clue what he was saying.

"What is that... man... saying?!" she snapped "I would have thought these Irregulars... yes, I know who you're with... could speak in a civilised language!"

The Scarran gang leader grunted before muttering at Troll in Scarran.

"Gettin' images, miss" Troll said eventually "Few of you lot down here's got warrants out... if we can make a bit extra on haulin' this guy in dead, alive, or somewhere in between then we'll do that".

"That one!" she snapped, pointing to an image Troll presented.

"Gonna make some good coin off 'im, assuming you survive" the Scarran's Charrid aide replied " 'E's got warrants out in eight systems... plok, sectors... one of which doubles the fee if 'is 'ead's not attached to 'is body".

"Do what you like with him" the woman replied "Especially if he's made to suffer... but I want his skilled workers. Territories nearest me if we can get them, but I'll live without that if I get key workers off him".

"You know the deal we made..." the Scarran warned, growling a little.

"There's enough for you, for me, and the other three to get a share" she replied, waving her treblin hand in dismissal and trying not to shake in fear "Just so long as I get first pick".

The Scarran thought about that.

If she doesn't know about some of the other resources he has he decided then that's her problem! Even if she takes his best drug manafacturers for herself, I'll make sure these Irregulars secure the key ingredients and some of his other resources for me! Either she has no clue what a bulk lander can hold and move at speed or she's simply not thought to find out - as long as we can reach his prime stash sites, I'll see to having these Irregulars carry away what I want, before any of my allies of convenience find out what's there, back to my own safe places!

Remembering what little he did know about the Irregulars, he resolved not to provide landing sites too close to any buildings he felt irreplaceable.


Harek, Kamiel, and the six members of Kurlun's A-team blinked back into existence about a hundred metras away.

"Let's get outta here before uncle Troll realises we're gone!" Harek called, grinning a bit "I'm sure there's more stuff to do, places to see, people to kill... so how about we go find some, yep?"

Kurlun grumbled briefly in Harek's direction before nodding and saying "Five momens. Eat, render such first aid as is necessary, then we move. You, Irregular... we need aerial surveillance. We must find either the local leaders providing the muscle for this insurgency, or whoever's providing military leadership for them".

Harek grinned again and commed the Havoc.

"I am here, Harek!" Feltano said, on the bridge "You are well? Might I be able to help you?"

"Funny you should say that..." Harek replied "Get me pics of sectors 20-30 down South... mark out all the usual fun stuff... add any of those big houses or other good spots the movers an' shakers might call home, too".

"In progress!" Feltano called happily, glad to be able to exercise his skills in a real mission as he issued commands by physical keyboard, virtual HUD, and cybo-link headset "Downloading to your comm... now!"

"Big man Cap'n K too, mister" Harek added "Unless he's turned it off, you should be able to get his comm ident - though you might want to scramble it, it's prob'ly routed through the embassy"

Kurlun nodded, grunted, then turned his long-range comm function back on - Feltano called "I see it!" as soon as this happened and added Kurlun's comm to the call just long enough for him to get the data as well before breaking the connection.

Kurlun signalled for his team to come closer - once the closest-range secure links registered as active, he sent the data to them as well.

"Kamiel, memorise every tiny detail!" Kurlun hissed "Since we have you with us, I'm going to use you - all of us are relying on you not to plok this up, mister!"

The A-team troopers watched as Kamiel's eyes flickered back and forth as he searched the data and the map Harek had provided, though they laughed a bit when a spectral hand appeared and signalled his readiness to proceed.


"Harek and the Hierarchy special forces with him, uncle Commander..." Feltano told Harrigan when asked "have separated from uncle Troll and uncle Skroloth and their local allies. They are proceeding deeper into the South, and I believe they intend to continue nullifying targets of interest until they run out of targets or this insurgency is over, whichever comes first".

"Sitrep" Harrigan called to the other officers "How're we doing elsewhere?"

"We've had one or two setbacks" General Lazarus admitted "but nothing we can't deal with. We've got maybe fifteen Reapers stuck here for repairs, so if you need close air support we'd better send Strykers".

"Some of our boys an' girls got clipped a bit?" Harrigan asked in surprise "Where? Didn't think the bad guys had heavy triple-A".

"I marked those areas on the map I sent to Harek, uncle Commander" Feltano called, from the navigation desk "Should I comm him and ask for him to scout those locations for us?"

"Bloodstars?" Harrigan asked General Tareg "What's new on your front?"

"We're good" Tareg replied "Like tactical command, we've suffered some casualties but we've slowed our assault only long enough for Reapers to collect those people and bring them back for treatment. The enemy should be feeling the loss of their street muscle in our area of operations... but they'll feel the loss of almost twenty Black Ghosts more".

Talannah turned when General Tareg said that, asking "Black Ghosts? PK spec-ops? Did any bear patches or tattoos identifying their unit or carrier of origin?"

"Almost all of them had had them" Tareg replied "but it looks to the medical staff as though those patches of skin were surgically removed and replaced with artificial substitutes, which tells me it was done in a hurry - most likely just before they were deployed".

"If you have prisoners..." Talannah added "I'll give careful authorisation for mental interrogation... get mister Altur to help if you need him. Even if Amara would agree to assist, we need her helping the medical staff".

"Not as many as we'd like..." Tareg revealed "but we have some. I'll get started as soon as we get their stasis coffins to the maximum security cells".


"We've lost some of our own?" Towle said in surprise "It was going to happen at some point, no plan ever survives contact with the enemy unchanged... but how many?"

"First line of spotters near the port...to start with" a woman said after she was called in "Maybe half were taken prisoner and the other half are KIA. Establishment Night Watch are responsible for most of that, but they likely had Irregulars' support at some level - and that area's the only one where we've seen them bring a capital warship of any size into atmo for close-support".

"The locals they had with 'em?" Towle asked next, though he grumbled and spat his chewing spice on the floor when she told him "Dead, far as I could tell. They ain't taking many locals for interrogation".

"Anyone there?" a very rattled Souther voice called over the comm "We just been jumped by a bunch of them Irregulars! Your boys an' girls were targeted the microt they got us - then they gakked all the rest 'cept maybe three including me!"

"Find a good spot to hide" one of the other Ghosts replied "We'll come and get you. For plok's sake I hope you remembered your escape and evasion training, mister, because right now you're going to need it to stay alive!" before signalling for two Ghosts to leave the bunker to find the man before the Irregulars or local Security did.


While the gang member had the initiative and made the most of it by running, the Irregulars' unit he'd barely escaped from alive took an extra momen or two to call the sighting in.

"I hear you... " Rulok assured them, from the bridge of the Havoc "Just checking to see if there's anyone close by who can support you...".

"Harek friend is not far away, uncle captain" Feltano called, after which he brought up the locations of both Harek and the Irregulars' squad on one of Rulok's screens "He will need to run fast, but with care should be able to join with our squad or trap the target between them".

"Heard that, Cap'n Rulok!" Harek called the microt the call came through to him "Got a few temporary helpers with me, doubt they'll mind helping out - hopefully we can sandwich the target between us!"

"I'll leave it to you, then" Rulok told Harek "Get this right, mister Harek - you've not had a lot of command responsibility testing yet, but this is the job at hand and you're in the right place. No plok-ups - people's lives depend on you and so might the war!"

Harek immediately discommed and rumbled briefly, after which he made contact with the squad in pursuit of the Souther.

"That man knows the territory an' he's fast" the squad NCO told Harek "He's got a slight edge in speed, he was fast to begin with and he's dumped his heavier gear - but we'll get him!"

"How about this?" Harek suggested "Try an' steer him my way - you don't have to catch him unless you want to, though. Make him run fast enough so all he's thinkin' about is keeping ahead of you and not on whatever E&E plan they made him learn. Force him to run as fast as his body can take him, make him so exhausted and in fear of his life he bolts right where we need him without pausing to think too much!"

"Tricky..." the NCO, an arctic-world Charrid from Tactical Command, replied "But we can do that. Force him to concentrate on running fast enough to think he's staying ahead of us, but don't give him enough space to be clever, yes?"

"That's it" Harek confirmed "Talk to Feltano topside if you need to - he's still on nav desk, he can guide you in if you need that".

"Well?" Kurlun grumbled "Sounds like you were given new orders, mister! What are they? Where are we needed?"

Harek took less than a momen to update Kurlun on the plan - Kurlun immediately passed it on to his A-team troopers before telling Harek "Well, you're on point! Lead the way, get us where we need to go - and NOW! Kamiel, I want you up next, and you'd better keep up, too!"


Two Black Ghosts came out of a concealed tunnel.

~That way!~ the most senior signalled to his comrade, before hissing "There's four possible tunnel entry points that way".

"Maybe two good enough to be useful" came the reply "We'll get closer an' see if that Souther calls in for directions - I'd prefer it if he's actually got a good memory an' doesn't require us to tell him anything, but there's not many down here that showed those kinda skills".

The two Ghosts stayed out of sight and ran as fast as they could while staying quiet. Both of them were glad there was little active combat this far South, but knew that with the state of the war now starting to turn against them it wouldn't stay that way for long.


In one particularly heavily fortified mansion down South, several gang leaders along with two more Black Ghosts were discussing strategy.

"No, it ain't good" Towle reminded them "We can salvage this sorry situation but we're likely gonna take a few lumps an' bumps doin' it. We can't get in 'round the back, our scouts keep getting taken out... an' our flanks are getting' rolled up, though thankfully not too quick... which leaves one other opt- yes?!"

"We go 'ard an' fast right up the middle, then" one Souther, smelling of liquid fuel and vehicle lubricant, interrupted "Lead off with me an' mine, we's the best at that, we's got good fast cars an' trucks with good guns on - we'll smash right through the checkpoint, set up shop just North an' bring in some big boom-boom on slower trucks before you guys start diggin' in an' we move on. What you Ghosties think? That gonna work?"

"Despite your lack of discipline..." Towle's current second in command snapped "... and not waiting for permission to speak... I'd say that's what we need to do. We need to establish a base of operations North of the checkpoint, however that's done. We get far enough an' we can make a run for admin HQ and either force a surrender or slow 'em down by makin' 'em evac the governor to that big ship up top".

Towle looked over at the Souther who'd made the suggestion and started thinking.

He's got a talent for mobile warfare Towle decided If we all get out of this alive, I'm going to give him his chance to come with me an' mine so we can get him trained up properly. Then we can send him places he can do more good.


Ghost was sitting in the local field position just north of the checkpoint when one of the Security troopers out laying explosives stopped stock-still and listened.

"Talk to me..." Ghost urged.

"Hearing vehicles, mister" the woman replied "Only just, mind... so I doubt that's an attack force coming in..." but got no further before a burst of pulse fire from a Souther's improvised combat vehicle cut her in half.

"Incoming!" one of the other troopers called, running out to drag his former comrade's body to one side behind the sandbags "Someone call for support!"

"Doing that now" Ghost replied.

"We're getting hit all along the treblin flank" came the reply from Security HQ "Don't yet know if the enemy's testing our readiness or if they're actually going to try and break through. Couple of spots could use reinforcements - so if that Irregular with you can get more of his people to help him, then we can move you".

Further talk was cut off by two of the Security troopers firing tak-5 rockets at the first vehicles they saw. One swerved, barely managing to see the puff of smoke when they were fired upon - the other couldn't get quite far enough and got flipped over, though two of the three Southers inside it scrambled out and leapt aboard other vehicles before they could be targeted.

"We got a bunch of angry Southers heading our way!" Ghost called, checking the approaching force through his scope "Looks like the checkpoint's been blasted all over the road, we'll not be seeing anyone stationed there again - but local Security wants to move the squad with me and use them to reinforce another position. Can you get anyone down here to help me out a bit?"

"Workin' on it, mister..." Harrigan told him "Can you hold it together for a while?"

"Just don't leave it too long, big man" Ghost replied "I got enough ammo for my rifle to last a while, Security won't be able to take the remaining rockets or explosives with 'em so I got that too... but while I'm good I'm not invulnerable".

"Just hang in there, mister" Harrigan replied "I'll get reinforcements to you... but at this point I can't tell you when that will be".

Here it goes, then Ghost knew I gotta hold this spot on my own for a few. I got some water, I got food... an' that's all. Harrigan's going to send help, but neither him nor me know when it'll get here before telling the Security troopers "OK, this is what's going to happpen. You're getting moved to reinforce some of your buddies elsewhere who're having a bit of trouble. I'll stay here a bit till the big man gets Irregulars down here to make this place a liittle easier to hold. Shouldn't take too long"

I hope Ghost added in the privacy of his own mind.

"You sure you're going to be good here?" one of the troopers asked "We don't mind staying here if that's where we're needed".

"Doing this stuff's why the governor pays us big piles of currency" Ghost replied "That's why we're here".


"Foot to th' floor!" the Souther in the lead vehicle shouted, after which the entire force surged forward.

"Serious number of vehicles incoming!" Ghost called over the comm, after which he fired a rocket "Made a mess, holding 'em back for a while... would be nice to have a few friends on the way...".

Several vehicles lost crew as Ghost started sending shots their way with his rifle, but even the most dense Souther could tell Ghost wouldn't be able to hold his position for long on his own.


"We lost a few..." a voice told their leader, who was alongside Towle, a little later "Just a small force there, though - but my spotter's seen Irregulars' uniforms".

"An important propaganda victory if we can get them, sir" one Ghost hissed in Towle's ear "Dead or alive! We show that on broadcast an' maybe then it'll persuade the undecided to give our people the chance an' not them lizards in orbit or their friends!"

"If we can get 'em, sure" Towle replied, nodding ever so slightly "If we can do that without compromising our primary objective, we will".


"Looks like your boys an' girls are taking care of business, then" the Scarran gang leader said, rumbling softly "Good! I'll get my soldiers moving too - just give me comm codes so we can get help if we need it" while his ally, a female Sebacean known locally as Mistress Lonn, was looking the other way.

Troll grinned and did that, after which he bellowed as loudly as he could before grinning and shouting "I WANT ALL THE BEST NASTY BOYS AN' NASTY GIRLS READY TO ROCK IN TEN! TIME FOR US TO MOVE!"

Skroloth grinned when he saw the look on Troll's face.

"Just remember..." Skroloth said "...these gangers don't have our training or experience, mister".

"They know the ground" Troll countered "They'll know the best ways to move here. They'll fight for it or die trying... oh, I won't just throw 'em in a meat grinder, but they'd better step up an' do their part or I'll get very angry with 'em".

"Try not to get all my best street soldiers killed, Irregular..." Mistress Lonn snapped "I need them to enforce my law and my rule in my territories".

"I'll bring back as many as I can" Troll replied "But this is the job at hand and your guys are here... there's no if's, buts, or maybes, they will be right there beside me every step of the way. I'll make sure of that".

"Get going, then" she eventually decided "I expect that Scarran has told you what I want - see that you get it for me and you will be rewarded".

"OK, then..." Troll called "Someone get me a map... we're need to find out where all the fun stuff is...".


Ghost took aim through his scope... and several hundred metras away, a Souther with a very fancy hat, covered in braid and fancy decorations, got most of his head blown off despite the armoured glass in front of him and fell out of his vehicle.

"They're slowing down..." Ghost advised Harrigan, back on the Havoc "But not stopped. I'm trying to make sure destroyed vehicles block the route and slow 'em down, but there guys are better than I thought and it's not slowing them down as much as I'd like".

"Keep at it" Harrigan encouraged him "You're doin' good. I'm moving people around right now, should have a few to send down to help you before too long. We gotta get ready to make our major offensive too".

"I hear you" Ghost replied "Running a litttle low on ammo, but it'll do for now - just get the first wave down to bring me some".


"That's it!" the Souther's leader called over their own comm "Do like they said in trainin', get trucks to push the wrecks outta the way if you can't roll 'em there. Keep movin' hard an' fast like you been taught!"

"We lost some of the best boys an' girls" came one reply.

"I know" came the irritated reply "I can hear more on this comm than your whining, mister. Than man with the chewing spice problem told us 'speed is life' an' he's right! Keep movin' quick an' you'll be good" before he decided he wouldn't mind too much if the man complaining became a casualty of war as soon as possible.


Ghost saw what was happening. He held off firing for a few more momens... then pressed a button on his comm, which detonated charges on both sides of the street.

"Route's blocked!" one driver called back.

"Go 'round!" came the reply "Use them side streets we been told about - if they go where map says they go, we should come out right on top of that fekkik callin' the pain on us! Let's see how good he is then!"


"We have troopers standing by" Captain Karath reminded Harrigan "Captain Zarithak and I can contribute five regiments each without compromising our ability to maintain combat readiness aboard our own ships".

"Get them into PA right now, then" Harrigan decided "an' ready to drop. Once the situation north of the checkpoint is resolved we'll secure that location and drop right there in pods. By the time you've sorted that out I should be able to get some artillery support from somewhere, which we'll need since using main guns is gonna be too messy".

The call to arms went across both dreadnaughts, with more than a few troopers flying in from the support vessels as well.

"We will be ready" Captain Zarithak's security officer told everyone "Everyone take a little while to make sure your suits work as they should, and that you have any emergency supplies you need to reach safety should that be required. While the War Commander's units will be leading, they will depend on us to help them eliminate objectives throughout the South End - the gang members have been well armed and well trained, we hear, but so far have shown little ability to be able to counter high-speed armour like our suits".


"Taken a few hits" Ghost hissed as he patched himself up "Still able to fi-PLOK! ENEMY CLOSE ABOARD! FAST VEHICLES COMIN' OUT OF STREETS ON BOTH SIDES!" before grabbing a rocket and firing.

"I know I have only just gained my rating in these new enormous kind of Stryker, sir..." one Kalish said a little mournfullly to his commander "but I request being sent down to retrieve this hoo-man called Ghost. He is a skulker like me, and I must show both the other hoo-mans and the rest of our new friends I am willing to do my very best on their behalf".

"Get aboard, then" came the reply "Get your crew ready. Looks like Tactical Command will be on intervention drop, so be ready to hear from them when they arrive".


Ghost continued to fire at any target he could see. He brought down many enemy vehicles and people, but before too long enemy numbers began to tell - and he was mortally wounded by a number of shots hitting all over his chest and neck from several vehicles.

"We got 'im!" one of the Southers called over their comm "Only one guy - but 'e was one of them Irregulars! We got an' Irregular!"

"Good" came the reply from Towle's first officer "Nicely done! Don't get complacent, they'll come in force before long - so get dug in an' be ready".


Harrigan bowed his head briefly when he heard the sounds of Ghost's death over his comm, but not for long.

"Look, father Commander!" Harek said, pointing "If the enemy secure that location, won't it be a good place for them to attack the central sectors or even the North End?"

"Not quite, Harek" Harrigan replied to his son "But they can move on the governor's place if they're quick an' fast - go get Gen'ral Tareg to get our drop troops all suited up, mister".

Once this new got as far as Rekketh, he immediately called in to the bridge and requested the chance to go with the landing party to secure Ghost's location for further drops.

"You got NCO rank, mister" Harrigan reminded him "Grab a squad, clear off the bugs, make sure we can both get Ghost's body back here an' start landing troops to fortify that position".

"This way, specialist trooper Rekketh" a Kalish said when he recognised the huge Scarran coming towards him "You will be going aboard my craft for this mission. I am told we will retrieve casualties and secure the location for further missions".

"That's right!" Rekketh replied "Let's get going fast!"

"My craft is ready, my crew is ready" the man replied, nodding "When you and your squad are strapped in then you will be ready and we can proceed".

The takeoff was held up for a momen or so when Sturk ran onto the flight deck and leapt aboard, but he called "ALL OK, PUNCH IT!" as soon as the hatch was sealed.


The Southers knew they didn't have much time, even thought they didn't know what Harrigan might send to attack them - so while a number of them surrounded Ghost's remains a few more called in their fellow gang members and had them bring truck-mounted artillery and other equipment.

"We's comin', we's comin'..." one complained when he was told to hurry up "This big stuff don't move like your buggies, we gonna take a few to get there".


"They're actually askin' us?!" the Scarran commanding officer at the Hierarchy sector of the port asked in disbelief when the call came from Proconsul Tolchen.

"They just about begged, to be honest" Proconsul Tolchen replied, grinning only a little bit "They want mobile artillery ready to move, and we have what they know best and in the numbers they need. It'll be worth having the kinglovers owe us a favour or two, so get your Juggernauts moving along with any units for outer security you think you'll need. Just don't leave our sector of the port undefended - the Establishment's not too far off".

"The Irregulars..." the unit commander told his officers with some relish "...need our big guns to secure a deployment zone and forward operating base - which likely means they're prepared to move in force on the ground. Fun though it might be, we will not be dropping rounds on their heads when we can get away with it - I have orders from the Proconsul himself that says we do what we do best. The Pronsul says that we share the same enemy the Irregulars do, since the current governor seems to like our people more these days. Best we keep it that way".

Officers shouted those under their command into readiness. Juggernaut mobile artillery vehicles, along with their support vehicles and Scorpion battle transports, made formation and got ready to move.

"Let's go!" their commander called over unit comms "I have our target location - it'll take a while to get there, so if we get going now then those Irregulars will be dropping to clear it for our arrival!"


"We hear you also" Captain Sobbok replied when Proconsul Tolchen called "Black Omega is ready to assist in putting this problem down for good as well. My Flaming Skulls should be all we need, but I'll bring both my Grand Protectors as well as the Storm Lords and the three Cloudwalkers just to make sure".

"Our commander on site will appreciate your healers, Captain" Proconsul Tolchen replied "even though he might not know how to make sure of anyone else you have. Uness you need to reinforce security for the target zone, you will go forward with the Irregulars and continue the offensive into the South. Who you send is up to you... but we must be seen, for our people back home if no one else, to be making a contribution".


"Nice..." Harrigan said, grinning "We can use that kind of help! Tell your Flaming Skulls to be prepared to get stuck in at the front lines as soon as my guys land! As long as your field comms are like ours, we should be able to talk to you!"

"As you say, uncle Commander" Amara said when she was told "I am not needed for medical purposes right now - should I be prepared to provide mental communication links for the South-bound offensive?"

"Find a good spot to sit with food an' drink on hand" Harrigan told her "Get support staff to do your fetchin an' carrying - hey, we can get Crichton an' his crew to do stuff for you! Well, all except that Interion Jool, we need her elsewhere".

Aeryn looked a little wary when she was told what Amara would be doing, Sikozu even more so.

Whether I like it or not Sikozu decided This Amara is at least partly one of my people. However unsettling I may find hybridisation, she treats me well and so do these others here. While they continue to do so, the chances they may be prepared to assist my people's struggle for freedom increase. Therefore I will assist them in any way I can.

~((approval))~ Amara told Sikozu by mentalism ~Your own tasks will not be hard. Beyond simple communication, you will not be involved with mentalism at all. You and the others in Moya's crew only need to bring me food or drink when I need it and ask for it, you will not be going into combat this time~

"We are all relieved about that" Sikozu replied, putting her concern about her thoughts being read so easily aside "Since you have Kalish ancestry, it is only proper that I should assist you as you support your friends with the use of your skills" and smiled just a little when Amara bowed very slightly and briefly in response.


The Kalish pilot smiled as he tipped the nose of his Stryker 3 over and headed towards the planet as fast as he felt he could handle.

"Our flight goes well" he told the Tactical Command troopers, plus Sturk and Rekketh, on his drop deck "As long as all goes well, we will approach from the North at the lowest safe altitude - our close-approach gunners should be prepared to fire on any targets of opportunity as soon as we are on final approach".

"This would be a good time to seal your suits, sir" Sturk told Lirak "The War Commander said we actually get Hierarchy forces coming to help - but we have to clear off the landing zone before they get here. We go quick and get it right first time and this won't be a problem".

"Hah" Lirak snorted "We'll have everything neat and clean as you please by the time they get off their eemas and get over there. Whoever and whatever else is coming to assist us, I need you and Rekketh to be ready at all times for heavy support".

"I'm always ready, Captain" Sturk assured Lirak, grinning "I have one of those new guns, Rekketh does too - we have everything we need".


Several troopers followed the Stryker 3's approach as it screamed over their heads.

"Looks like those Irregulars are getting serious, then..." the first officer decided "I don't know what that craft is, but it's clearly well-designed if it can carry troops and mount heavy weapons".

"It's a kind of Stryker, anyone knows that" his superior reminded him "Not one we know, but who cares about that - we'll get to see if it works, and everyone in sight when stuff happens gets to file a contact report about it for military intelligence when we're done here as well".


The Kalish pilot smiled at how lucky he felt to be one of the first to fly a craft like this one in combat, before activating the cloaking shield.

"Final approach" his copilot whispered on the comm, dim blue lights coming to life on the drop deck "We are coming in cloaked, so do not rise to your feet or risk making noise other ways until the drop ramp opens. You will be leaving this craft via the bow drop ramp once the landing zone has been cleared".

"Copy that" Lirak whispered back on his comm "We're all sealed up, everyone's good to go - Sturk and Rekketh are on their feet already, they know they're heading out as soon as they got room to jump".


The improvised combat vehicles had formed a ragged perimeter around Ghost's body by the time the Kalish pilot saw them, so the news was passed along to Harrigan.

"Use them under-turrets, mister" Harrigan replied "This sorta thing's what they're for. You should have the new big gats in there too - you know, the huge multibarrel guns that fire really big bullets. I want a full report on how they go when you get back, this is the first time ours get to fire a shot in anger".

"We have the new guns, you are correct" the Kalish replied "I must go now, War Commander - we are in attack range now" before discomming and turning the cloaking shield off.


A number of the leading gang members were standing around and looking at Ghost's gear when one screamed and pointed skyward - very briefly, before the close-approach turrets spun up to speed and starting spitting out huge shells very fast indeed. The gunners first targeted all the vehicles they could see which were armed, and as soon as they started firing the drop ramp was lowered.

Rekketh immediately breathed fire on the largest gathering of people he saw, incinerating both them and the vehicle they were using as cover.

Just as effective as I'd hoped Rekketh decided and on top of that the blaster barrel of this new gun is powered by my change as well!

Sturk also breathed fire whenever he head the opportunity, while those in powered armour killed anyone not found or killed by Sturk or Rekketh.

"Site is clear" Lirak called to Harrigan "Or at least it will be half the street stops burning. Anything not riddled with high-yield slugs from the Stryker has either exploded or is on fire".

"To the Irregulars holding the target area..." a voice announced "Allies from the Hierarchy are now approaching - we'd prefer not being shot at".

"We know about your artillery forces coming in, whoever you are" Lirak replied, but the voice added "I am Captain Sobbok of Black Omega, and I bring combat mentalists to support ongoing war missions against the insurgency".

~I hear you, uncle Captain~ Amara told Lirak when this was passed back to the Havoc ~If you look at him, then I can see through your eyes and make contact. Please inform all your troopers that I will now do my best to link your force together by mentalism so you have secure communications at all times~

Captain Sobbok twitched a little when this happened, but smiled briefly before saying ~A good and firm communication link, whoever's doing this. I don't know how strong you are, but if you're strong enough to get the mental images I transmit then you can link in my Flaming Skulls as well as the Storm Lords, Grand Protectors, and Cloudwalkers as well~

~((smug pride))~ Amara replied a little later, when all the Black Omega mentalists present were linked in ~See? I can do it. I am in orbit and I can still do it. You are now linked together for communication purposes with all forces participating in this offensive~

Sturk's hearing picked up mechanical noises on the edge of his range, so he called "Heavy vehicles approaching from the Port! Looks like Hierarchy armour's coming!"

"They're supposed to be coming, Sturk" Lirak reminded him "They will hold this area as a forward operating base, while our forces continue South".


"That's real good, Dad..." Harek whispered into his comm when Kurlun was looking the other way "I can just see the mark-3 now it's decloaked! We still haven't caught that guy who bolted yet, but we're close".

"Just get it done, son" Harrigan replied "Stay with the plan - push him hard enough so he can't think an' run at the same time. Maybe then we'll find out where their leaders are hiding".

"We're doing that, Dad" Harek assured his father "Leave this to me".

Harek then called the Irregulars' squad also involved in the pursuit.

"We can actually see him, if not well" one of the troopers told Harek "He's dropped all his gear, he's running as fast as he can - he's keeping up quite a pace, though he doesn't look like he can do it much longer".

"Where are you?" Talannah asked the Irregulars in the pursuit - when she marked their position and the suspected position of both the target and Harek, she nodded and gave new orders.


"Can't make..." the Sebacean wheezed, running for his life "...p...ppp...point..one... not point one. Headi...heading north to point... ff...ff..four".

"Not the best option" one of the Ghosts on retrieval duty replied "but it'll do. Keep going and don't die, we'll be there waiting".


The Irregulars squad in pursuit passed this news to Harek.

"Right where we want them!" he replied happily "Me an' my happy helpers will reel him in an' catch him good... well, put the fear into him enough to make him cough his lungs up before he falls in his bolt hole when we can see him, anyway".

Kurlun snorted at Harek's attempt at humour, but nodded and barked "More speed! We're on schedule but not where I want us! More speed" before grabbing Kamiel by the shoulder and telling him where the Irregulars' squad helping them was before adding "Try and find their NCO and triangulate the enemy's position, Kamiel - and get it right the first time, too".

~If you must~ the NCO replied ~I may not be a mentalist but my will is strong and while you might be good you're not that good. So just get on with it~

Kamiel did just that, pleased that the NCO had actually seen the man in question - he picked up the man's growl when he copied the mental impression to his own mind, but dismissed it before triangulating the man's position as he said he would and passing the position on to both Kurlun and to Harek as well once Harek lowered his deadlock.

"If we get to that junction, Cap'n K..." Harek suggested "...in the next ten momens, anyway... we should see him run right past us! As long as everyone stays quiet, we should be able to ambush him nice an' easy and really push him out to the edge...".

"We will" Kurlun confirmed "Push him to the very edge of his tolerance, push him into making mistakes so he does our work for us".

"This means..." Harek called to the A-team members "...we need to start running and not stay at this light jogging pace...so let's get started...".

Harek and Kurlun both grinned when they heard the troopers mutter and grumble, while Kurlun decided This strange young man clearly believes in using his full tolerances to fulfil his orders and making sure others do the same. He does not instil motivation as I do, but that doesn't matter as long as we get the results we need.


The man actually screamed when Harek caught sight of him and shouted "Coming to get you mister... ready or not...".

Kurlun snorted in amusement before directing his troopers to new positions for maximum visiblity, but also told Kamiel "Now you've seen him, track him with your hypersense - and don't use too much power and give away that you're tracking him, either. He might be as blunt as a rock, but some people can still tell they're being tracked even if they don't know where you are".

"In progress" Kamiel replied, now floating a metra or so above the street and keeping position beside his Captain by mentalist flight "I am communicating this to all your troopers as well, Captain. We can all see".


Two Ghosts climbed out of a concealed tunnel entrance and moved into position at the edge of an alley.

~Wait here~ the senior of the two signalled ~Keep watch for hostiles~.

The other Ghost didn't signal back but raised his rifle and scanned the street through his scope.

Kamiel saw this at the edge of his own hypersense.

"Captain..." Kamiel said "To approach closer we will need you to use your special skills and hide us from normal sight. I cannot do this for you, I lack this capability".

"You, Irregular" Kurlun told Harek "You'd better be able to turn off whatever's stopping mentalism again, because if you can't we'll lose our target for good".

"I can do that, sure" Harek replied, grinning "If we need it. If I want to...".

"Just do it and don't argue" Kurlun snapped back "We have to make a physical link between all of us, I can't hide people or things unless we do".

Harek grinned when Kurlun used his mentalism and everyone partially dephased - then Harek started running even faster, causing more grumbles and mutters as the other troopers fought to keep up.


~Incoming!~ the Ghost on overwatch signalled ~Target in sight!~

His superior just nodded, noting the Souther wouldn't last much longer at the pace he was going - the man did, in fact, fall over less than a metra in front of him before wheezing "No time to... d...die. Must ... r...reep...report". and getting back up.

"That's right" the Ghost told him "Report first, die later - now let's get out of sight before those Irregulars catch up with us" before following the other Ghost and half-dragging the Souther until he found his footing again.

"Wait..." Kurlun whispered to Harek "Let them think they've succeeded... the wind's blowing our scent towards them, and while they chance they'll smell us is slim it's something best avoided".

After a momen or so, Kurlun ceased using mentalism to hide everyone, drinking an entire canteen of energy drink and electrolytes before nodding and saying "Kamiel, follow the Irregular and find out where those three went. Everyone else, watch our backs - who knows if other gang members or even Black Ghosts come this way".

Kamiel activated his hypersense again, but it was Harek's thermal vision that picked up the tunnel cover in the ground. Kamiel lifted it gently with mentalism before putting it to one side before calling Kurlun forward and showing it to him.

"Tunnels..." Kurlun said "Simple if time-consuming... the Irregular should call his superiors and both pass this information on as well as request new orders".


"We're doing good too, big man" Troll explained as he fired on more gang members "I'm sure we're being sent to our new friends' biggest problems first, but we don't mind that - an' the Scarran's even got a few of his own guys spotting for us".

"Hierarchy artillery is set up, Troll" Harrigan told him "Don't know if anyone's got tagging beams down there, but I know you can do that with your stuff - so if you need big guns just call it in".

"How nice, let's test that right now..." Troll replied.


"Satlink's showing targets designated!" a Hierachy spotter called from their terminal "Just two right now, but visual's showing thick reinforced walls and a fortified residence!"

"ONE ROUND, TEN GUNS!" the Hierarchy officer shouted "GO!"

The heavy guns let off ear-splitting cracks as they fired.

"Shells got positive lock!" the gunner called, and six microts later Troll called "Right on target, very nice! That mansion's nothing but a pile of dust an' a hole in the ground - we'll take a quick look an' find something else to test you all on!"


The Kalish pilot took off more carefully before heading for orbit.

"Our fallen comrade has been retrieved, War Commander" the Kalish pilot reported when Harrigan came to see "A number of other living casualties were retrieved also".

Harrigan's treblin hand went up, so the Kalish stopped talking while Harrigan was on the comm - eventually he discommed and said "Looks like we're just about ready. Dropzone is secure, artillery is good - don't go anywhere, we might need you"


Towle got back to his own bunker just as an alert sounded.

"The assault on the Irregulars' position was countered" a Souther, badly injured, reported "They opened up with an airstrike, after which they dropped a kill team to secure the area - which they led with two of the biggest combat bioloids I ever heard of! Right now they put Hierarchy units with big guns there, but I'd say they got more heading in... they 'ave too, seein' em. What the hezm-" before his head seemingly exploded for no reason.


"Spotter nullified" a woman, with a small tattoo of a skull surrounded by flame on her forehead, announced.

"Good!" Captain Sobbok replied happily "Grand Protectors... you'll be needed to heal casualties from the offensive here, this location is primarily for support so you get oversight on what goes on here! Storm Lords... float high and keep a good watch for enemies and incoming fire! Cloudwalkers... terminate any targets found, but be prepared to follow the offensive Southward and nullify higher-value targets if need be!"

Sobbok then got on the comm to Harrigan.

"The site is ready! The drop may proceed!" he called.


Irregulars forces grinned and yelled happily when they heard the drop sirens.

"First wave, into your pods!" Harrigan shouted over the comm to his own ship and the two dreadnaughts "Everyone... once you drop, clear off the main site and move back so they next wave's not landing right on top of you. Every time a full regiment has dropped, I'll pass out targets and you can get moving!"

"Standing by!" the Havoc's duty deck officer reported.

"Standing by" a Kalish on the Sunbuster added "Ready to proceed".

"Standing by, ready to drop!" an eager Charrid reported from the Hierarch's Bane "Waiting for the second wave to get ready so I can go too!"

Harrigan flicked his hammond hand down, calling "DROP! DROP! DROP!" over all channels - and the first drop pods launched.


A member of administration staff in the governor's headquarters slipped away and found a spot outside before calling on a scrambled channel and saying "Those Irregulars are dropping combat forces! Any positions North of the checkpoint may soon become untenable!"

"How long do we have?" Towle's first officer asked warily, then spat on the floor when the Sebacean replied "Already dropping - they're not using Strykers, some kind of high-speed device that holds a few people at a time" before discomming hurriedly.

"Irregulars are using drop pods, sir" he told Towle, interrupting a comm call "Deep-cover agent just called it in. Since it took a few momens for the call to come in, first wave's likely already hit dirt by now".

"Pull our Ghosts and local units..." Towle replied "...back to our secondary lines of defence. It's going to take a while to come up with a plan since we don't know what the Irregulars dropped - or if the Hierarchy or the other major or minor powers are helping them beyond the artillery we've seen already".


Captain Sobbok grinned when the first drop pods impacted hard little more than fifty metras in front of him.

"Good, good!" he called to the troopers as they emerged, after which he directed them to where they should form up - he grinned more when he saw they were wearing powered armour before sending a brief video report back to Proconsul Tolchen.

~So the Irregulars are sending the heaviest units they have interest~ the Proconsul replied, once he figured out Sobbok was holding the link ~Good! approval Kinglovers they may be, but this shows they're willing to nullify this insurgency using any means necessary! I was wondering, for a while, if being kinglovers made them lose their nerve...~

Once the Proconsul asked him to cut the connection, one of the Flaming Skulls asked ~Requesting we go with the first units at the head of the offensive, sir! We might not have a safe zone for artillery - which makes our pyrokinetic mentalism the next best thing!~

~We will do this~ Sobbok replied to all the Flaming Skulls - which got many happy thoughts in response I don't know if the Irregulars are using non-standard communication protocols, I will comm and ask - then we can move off!~

Harrigan grinned and told Amara "Go on... link them in as well. We're keeping count for the archive, Amara... so we and any future mentalists we have know what the record is you set...".

Amara giggled a bit before scanning the drop site.

~There is a pyrokinetic stonewalker there, Commander! ((excited interest))~ Amara told Harrigan ~Might they be a Hierarchy representative?~

~Check their brow for tattoos~ Harrigan told her ~You should remember what you need to look for, you saw the Marshal and General Kruzek before~

Amara projected the small tattoos for Harrigan to see, adding ~The stonewalker is indeed a Hierachy representative, uncle Commander - he is from the group known as Black Omega, and the section in it known as the Flaming Skulls, led by General Kruzek~

~Link them in too~ Harrigan added ~Every last Black Omega trooper you can find. Save the rest of your capacity for our troopers, there's a lot to drop~


The Black Omega troopers were all very surprised when Amara linked them in and more than slightly wary as well - until Sobbok said ~The Irregulars clearly have a very strong mentalist, skilled in communication telepathy, whom they have deployed to assist us! We will have strong and clear communication to all forces dropped... well, all those their mentalist can link to without giving themselves a stroke, anyway...~

~I am strong ((smug pride))~ Amara boasted ~and I have the control to provide clear communications between all dropped forces. Watch and see~ before she scanned for Harek's presence while pullling water and food cubes to herself from a small pile Crichton put on the floor.

~Here ((love, praise))~ Harek called when he felt Amara make contact ~Feeling a lot of people on the link right now, Amara... you make sure you give any orders you need to and make people get you stuff to stay healthy ((concern)). Big man K's here too, he's a mentalist - but since you're likely using stealth mode he can't read it but may know you're talking~

Amara warily linked Kurlun and the other A-team troopers in as well, including Kamiel - Kamiel was extremely surprised but pleased, and as soon as he felt a solid link he sent video of the tunnel entrance to her.

~I see~ Talannah said ~It explains how the insurgency moved forces comparatively rapidly while remaining undetected from orbit. I do not know if they have tunnels big enough to move vehicles, but we can detail units to look for them~

~My Flaming Skulls will do that!~ Sobbok insisted ~All of us have good hypersense and we know what to look for - we will find these tunnels and burn them out! At word of your leader, we will remote-view through the eyes of others if they find tunnels for us and we are not close by!~

~If people find these tunnel entrances and wish you to do this, they will declare so over this communication type~ Talannah decided ~Both the War Commander and I are needed elsewhere, we cannot make tactical decisions like that every time they are needed~


Once the latest mansion had been cleared out, Troll called in for orders and to report the Scarran gang leader wanted cargo lifted out and was prepared to pay.

"If he wants cargo lifted, we can do that" Lazarus replied "Just remind him of our rates by craft class".

"Done that, Gen'ral" Troll replied "He said he wants a bulk lander, he wants to put it on retainer, and he says once his ally has moved on ahead of us he wants a few things sent to his safe place first and the rest to what I'm thinking are pre-arranged dropsites for his temporary friends afterwards".

Lazarus spliced in a bulk lander pilot to the call, after which he cut his own connection.


Amara heard the comm traffic to Troll, and knowing that Skroloth was with him linked the pair of them in as well.

~Nice... ((praise))~ Troll called, before doing his best to shout ~Everyone having fun out there?! ((mild excitement))~ mentally. He received many mental laughs along with a number of brief reports, all of which he seemed pleased to hear.


The Peackeeper deep-cover agent made their way back inside the administration headquarters - only for one of the governor's bodyguards to find them.

"Stop!" he called "Present your clearance and ident!"

She took off as fast as she could, meeting the sole other Disruptor - quick hand signals were passed, and the pair of them headed out to the street and prearranged escape points where vehicles were placed.

One got past the guard and left - but a rumbling laugh and a "Well, well, well... something for me to do, indeed. You will come with me".

"I will not" he replied, trying to run around the speaker.

Councillor Shuljek grabbed the Disruptor by her neck and lifted her off the ground, after which he threw her up in the air before firing a stasis blast from a pistol his hands could now barely hold before catching her again.

"Prisoner for transport to maximum security confinement" the councillor called to the Havoc "A spy for our enemies. They were equipped with a number of useful if basic augmentations, which makes me believe they are a Disruptor. I request a doctor be made available to remove them before she is interrogated".

"I'm sending our standby ship to retrieve you both" Lazarus told him, before telling the Kalish pilot to take off and passing over the councillor's location.


"Deep cover agent called in again, sir" Towle's first officer announced "Guard stumbled onto them in admin HQ! One agent got out but the other one's gone".

"Where?" Towle asked.

"The agent heard voices, but wasn't close enough to hear what they said in detail" the first officer replied.

"Taken prisoner, then" Towle said "If they couldn't use their fail-safe, then we got a problem. Well, another problem beyond hordes of Irregulars dropping from orbit".


"Looks like the Black Omega are scanning for tunnels, big man K" Harek told Kurlun "You wanna wait for 'em to get to this one?"

"No" came the reply "We are here now, why should we wait? Besides that, Kamiel could use more training opportunities - which is why he heads in first".

Harek shook his head before jumping inside the tunnel - Kurlun just grumbled before doing the same and ordering his troopers in behind him. The tunnel was cramped for about a hundred metras or so - after which it got more spacious, enough so for four people to walk side by side.

Clearly made well in advance of the currrent insurgency Kurlun decided Does that Irregular know that? Have they experienced smaller insurgencies recently? Even if they were as much as a cycle or two in the past, they may have been test missions for this tunnel system! Whatever else happens, the tunnels must be sealed off from the outside world and filled up with whatever waste rock and industrial sealant can be had.


"Hmm..." Sobbok grumbled as the Flaming Skulls headed Southward "Looks like Captain Kurlun found a tunnel while operating behind the lines - but he doesn't feel like waiting for us, since he ordered his people into it!"

"Plenty for us to do anyway, sir..." one of the others replied, while following the mental communications in his mind "Looks like the first wave's now landed and moving out - and more are still inbound!"


Captain Karath's units were the first to make contact with the insurgents in force, running in close where the enemy vehicles couldn't turn their weapons to follow them fast enough before either firing their own weapons at close range or ripping the light vehicles to pieces.

"Two injuries only" Captain Karath told Harrigan "Larger pulse cannon at almost point-blank range. Suit systems were reported as still functioning and the trooper refused evacuation, so the assault continues".


"Have Irregulars reached our first fall-back positions yet?" Towle asked.

"Not yet, sir" another Ghost replied "Once that Souther recovered enough to talk, we made him report everything he saw - looks like he got reports from others, looks like the Irregulars are spreading out for maximum coverage and trying to roll everything up at once".

"So we've got some time but not a lot" Towle decided - after thinking for a while, he said "Set mines, set traps - load parked vehicles with explosives, leave charges hidden under the roads, collapse buildings to block streets, you know... all the usual stuff. We have to slow them down - especially since we don't know if their commando forces operating behind the lines have found anything we don't want them to find!"


Amara was totally amazed, though excited and pleased, when she had linked every last trooper of the drop force together.

~((excitement, awe, thanks))~ Amara told everyone, before rumbling over the link and telling everyone ~I am ready to proceed. You should proceed to carry out any orders your commanders have given you. Should you find out useful and interesting things, or require help with any number of other things, I will hear and and call others to help you as required~.

Interesting... Kurlun decided That Irregulars mentalist is far stronger than anyone else I have ever met, Captain Saban Targoth included - I'm lucky they are concentrating on other things, or I'd likely be heard no matter how hard I try not to be! Still, if we have such power available then it should be used for our benefit, and secure lines of communication is one of the most vital things we need!

~I hear...I see~ Amara told him eventually ~I see the tunnel through your friend Kamiel's eyes, Captain - it is well constructed and even has small lights at intervals along its ceiling, did you know that? Kamiel reports the air is stale but breathable as well, which means the ventilation is good if not great. Kamiel also reports communication units on the walls, along with smaller numbers of monitor cameras watching those units - I have been masking their output for you, you will not be found. Your own link is smooth and clear and strong, I can find you again easily should I learn things you need to know~


The artillery troopers listened to the battle reports delivered by mentalism, pleased whenever successful hits were reported - especially when secondary explosions were part of these reports, telling them that supply stockpiles had been hit. They had to stop firing after a few arns in order to resupply, but no one minded much since they were all still alive and uninjured.


"A very long tunnel..." Harek replied "... and this part's big, too - looks like they'd brought vehicles or supplies through here. Look, rails".

"Flatbed cars for transporting heavy vehicles or major supply caches" one of the A-Team troopers replied "We'd best not walk down the middle of the tracks like this. Up on those narrow walkways on hammond side, everyone".

Harek ran as fast as he could as soon as he climbed onto the walkways, which forced everyone else to do the same so they wouldn't get left behind.


~All units dropped ((satisfaction))~ General Tareg reported ~Nice clean drop, too. We're starting to get contact reports, looks like the enemy fell back to preplanned secondary defences - we're taking very few casualties, looks like they weren't trained to deal with powered-armour with the few casualties we have had being blind luck at this point~

~Don't get complacent~ warned Harrigan ~Keep a good watch on their tactics - if it looks like they start learning, especially if they start bringing out more modern gear to deal with our PA, call it in - Genr'l L can send in more Strykers for strafing runs since we haven't seen triple A big enough to take them out~

~I've guided those Flaming Skulls in for precision support a few times already~ Tareg revealed ~Quicker to have them destroy barricades than to do it myself. Most of them don't have much range, I've had to help them hold it together over a remote connection - but it's working~


Captain Sobbok had used Amara's links with his troopers to lift them off the ground and fly them over the battlefield at speed - every so often, she reported they had destroyed a target of interest from the air, a little less often from ground level as well.

"I am watching closely, uncle Commander" Amara said quietly but verbally as well "I am seeing how Captain Sobbok moves others in groups this way. It is very interesting".


In the early arns of the morning, Harek and the A-team troopers were just getting to their feet when Kamiel made a fast stonechange and started sniffing and watching the ground.

~Correct, Kamiel ((praise, approval))~ Amara told him ~I see the faint tracks too. I smell something bad, too - I do not know what it is. Do you or Captain Kurlun know?~

~Chewing spice, I think ((disgust))~ Kurlun replied ~Very faint traces indeed - whoever's chewing that plok hasn't come this way that recently~

~We're getting closer mental image of Harek reaching up through a hatch and punching a nameless Black Ghost's head right off their neck~ Harek replied ~Good, I hate tunnels~

Kurlun sent Kamiel on ahead - it took nearly three arns before he reported back, but when he did he called ~Bulkhead door image of the door. Well sealed. I can see the ground in this area coming through gaps in the construction material~

~How big is it?~ Kurlun asked ~Does the rail system go that way?~

~It does not, Captain~ Kamiel replied ~That system stopped one arn's travel behind me. There was a turning section set into the floor so vehicles could go to and from rails either side of me or back the way we came, sir - but only infantry could come this way~

~We ARE getting close~ Kurlun replied, nodding ~Good. Hold your position and watch the door - if anyone comes out, mask your presence and call it in. We'll deal with it if they come our way~


Progress on the surface was slower than expected, but the Irregulars were making sure to secure any gains they made. Troll was making by far the most frequent use of the artillery support, which his allied Southers appreciated and told him so often - he had to be careful calling in the bulk lander whenever the Scarran gang leader had special things he wanted put safely out of sight, but thankfully that wasn't needed very often.

Harrigan held up a hand on the bridge when Sturk reported roadside IEDs of two kinds.

~Inventive and fairly well-made~ Sturk reported ~Buried charge had contact, prox, and something else supposed to stop people digging it up. Didn't so much as twitch when I did it, though. All EOD techs should be careful - don't use metal tools and don't move too fast and trip the motion sensor. Been hearing a few people call in buildings being levelled ahead of them to block streets and slow us down, too~

~You all have the new-gen flight units~ Harrigan told them ~That means no worries about fuel. They handle a bit weird sometimes, so be careful at slow speed... but if you need to stay off the ground then do so~

Lots of troopers responded happily when they heard that news, with a few practicing low-level flight manoevres - half a dozen even saw insurgents retreating and immediately made low-level strafing runs.


"Kamiel's not far ahead" Harek whispered "Air's pretty clean here, though I think there's a railcar moving down a track not far away from here - I can smell oils".

Kurlun twitched a little before Kamiel said ~You are correct, I am not far ahead of you now. After our last conversation I tried to scan the door - it is thick and strong, but just metal. I can see through it with hypersense~

~Did you hear people?!~ Kurlun snapped ~If so, what did they say?~

~I only heard people one time~ Kamiel replied ~They were not pleased the Irregulars are using powered armour. Several reported surviving insurgents had complained about not being trained or equipped to counter that threat, especially on such a large scale. Reports indicated those insurgents were silenced with violence~


On the surface, Irregulars forces had now made significant progress Southward - but were being forced to come up with new tactics for airborne use of powered armour since not all EOD techs could defuse the bombs while still in their suits. Fortunately Captain Lazarus came up with workable ideas, adapting urban warfare tactics for helicopters - which proved to work well enough, especially on such short notice.


"First line of fallback defences are breached!" a Souther told Towle's first officer over the comm "Those bombs you 'ad us lay got a few, for a while - now they's staying off the ground, boundin' around in their armour like little narls on jumpin' sticks!"

"They adapted" Towle grumbled "and adapted far faster than I'd thought they would" before he called his remaining Ghosts away from the few Southers close by and whispered "Make sure our own tunnels here are ready to use. I hope like plok we don't have to use them on such short notice - but with these Irregulars adapting to anything we throw at them this fast I want our own escape routes ready".

"We gonna take any of the Southers 'ere with us?" one Ghost asked "Couple of 'em ain't too bad, bit of real training might kick 'em into line enough to be Ghosts like us, even".

"Not as many as you think" Towle reminded them "Maybe three or four good enough to be worth the effort. With the hits we've taken so far there's actually enough room in our Harbs to put them now".

Further discussion came to a halt when a nasty-looking Charrid/Sebacean hybrid came on comm and barked "Most of my best street soldiers are now dead... and artillery fire from past the checkpoint has just flattened my home! What are-GET ME OUT OF HERE!" - after which Troll came just inside comm camera range and called "Too late... we got this one! Bye bye..." before the signal was cut.


~You caught him? ((surprise))~ Harrigan asked Troll over Amara's link.

~Barely stopped our local helper from seriously kicking the plok out of him~ Troll replied, chuckling a bit ~But he's still in good enough condition for interrogation, seeing as we got lists of things to ask attached to four of those warrants he's got on him. Wrapping him up nice an' tight in metal bars outta the rubble an' welding it all together now Alphak showed me how he does that ((pride in his son))~

~We got a few we can make some good money off now~ Harrigan replied ~Most of 'em got a decent if not great price on 'em, usually dead - but you brought in the richest bounty warrant so far~

~Skroloth's off ahead with our second local friend~ Troll added ~We got maybe two more flights to make with the bulk lander before we can move on - but that Scarran can make the pace, no probs, even though he gets angry when his Charrid can't always keep up~


"Two entire regiments just blew right past the second and third lines of defence!" a badly bleeding Souther reported, trying to run and use the comm at the same time "I'd say they took them suits up high, then dropped out of the sky right on top of us. The few I got still alive will make it to a safe house... but we're nowhere near fit to fight...".

"They got 'avoc units, then" one of the Southers in the room said "Them lot who move around real fast-like... like me an' my lot do. Lizard mobility warfare guys".

"If you have enough people ready to move then go and hunt them down" Towle decided "Looks like even recent model tak-7 rockets can't track powered armour well, which probably means these Irregulars added a few special tricks of their own to those suits".

"On it, mister" the Souther replied, nodding "Don't you worry 'bout a thing".

Once that news worked its way through Amara's links to other unit commanders, two more regiments took off and moved fast for where the Bloodstars powered armour was currently reported as being in contact with insurgents' faster improvised combat vehicles. The insurgent leader on the scene was very surprised when they arrived, but didn't let that paralyse his decision making - so while the Irregulars had the numbers and the skills, not everything went their way, even less so at any appreciable speed.


Harek peeked through the small window set into the bulkhead door - and when he didn't see anyone beyond it he grabbed hold of it before pulling hard and ripping it right off its mounting.

"Damn, that was hard..." he told Kurlun "Someone with at least half a brain put that thing there... that actually needed real effort" before grinning at the A-team troopers and showing off his muscles before stopping when Kurlun started grumbling again.

"Well..." he grumbled, staring at Harek "Now our local helper has opened the door... we'd better move on. Kamiel, you're still on point, so get moving".

Less than ten momens later Kamiel's treblin hand came up, which got Harek running forward to see for himself.

Harek, to Kurlun's surprise, signalled for quiet before pointing up a staircase to another door - Kurlun nodded before scanning the room beyond with his hypersense, after which he started grinning just a little bit and said ~We found something useful! Looks like a command centre - there's Black Ghosts in uniform as well as a smaller number of Southers. Everyone's well-equipped. There's comm gear, generators, and computers!~

~Amara...?~ Harrigan asked.

~I will try~ she replied ~Since I must maintain communication links as well as help in this way I would prefer not to risk translocating more than one person at a time. Who should I sent first and where should I put them?~

Harek rumbled softly and laid out his plan for her - Kurlun re-ordered the deployment list, putting himself in first, with Harek second, his A-team troopers next, with Kamiel last.

~Kamiel...~ Kurlun said, more calmly this time ~I need you...we need you... to form a shield and protect our rear. I don't expect you to hold it for ever - just long enough to get the Team inside, unless you're dead you should be able to bring yourself in after that. Listen, mister... we're depending on you. Lives depend on you doing this right the first time... be assured that even if anyone else dies, I will not and I will then remind you of my displeasure later and at length~


"We have to deploy our reserves, including our remaining Black Ghosts" Towle told his second unhappily "I'd hoped it wouldn't come to this, but those lizards an' their officers mave managed to pull their boys an' girls together and get a serious counterattack launched against us! They've got massive numbers, reports list what I'm thinkin' is several fekkin' regiments in PA - maybe even a whole division for all I know - so they got more numbers than we do as well. Get our Ghosts and best locals out by one of the back ways, and-"

Then the air shimmered in front of the command table - and Kurlun appeared, his sword held firmly in both hands.

"ENEMY CLOSE-AARGH!" Towle's first officer called before Kurlun cut him in half, after which additional A-team troopers starting appearing at key points around the room.

~Additional enemy forces are attacking me~ Kamiel advised Kurlun ~I must ask that the Irregular gifted in mentalism who has helped us thus far help us yet again after this battle is over - the only way I can protect my Captain, his A-team troopers, and myself is to collapse the ceiling between me and my enemies. We cannot leave the same way we arrived~

~I will do that~ Amara confirmed ~To minimise risk I must translocate you to a secure medical facility where I am standing. This means you will be scanned and your weapons temporarily confiscated until our leader gives us permission to relocate you back to your embassy or to another combat zone, should that be needed. Medical care will be provided as well - should anyone need that~

Kurlun definitely did not like that, but grumbled his reluctant acceptance of the plan before crushing an insurgent's mind by pure force.

~Do it!~ he told Amara.

~Collapse the ceiling as you told me you would~ he then ordered Kamiel ~After you have done this, translocate yourself into this room, you can assist me in making sure any computers or papers remain in salvageable condition!~


The forces outside saw the ceiling collapse in front of them, blocking their ability to attack Kamiel completely.

"We gotta move" the most senior Ghost with them decided "If Towle don't get outta there in one piece that puts me in command, you lot - so we go where we been told to go before, and we go and help the rest of your mobility unit".

"Appreciate that, mister" came that unit's leader "This war didn't go anything like well toward th' end, but we'll bleed 'em good for as long as we can".


The A-team troopers kept moving and kept firing single shots or short bursts - thatnks to Amara's help, they always knew where their targets were in relation to every member of their force, so friendly fire was completely avoided even though useful intelligence material was damaged.

"Looks like everyone's dead, Cap" Harek said eventually, after taking a few deep breaths "Didn't get any nicks or cuts myself, but all of your guys except Kamiel are leaking a bit so we'd better call our ride an' get outta here... crap, grab any good stuff here, someone set a charge, this whole place's coming down!"

Microts later, the entire force and all their salvage reappeared one person at a time - in the main sick bay, under the watchful eye of Captain Rulok and his usual two teams along with one other.

"Your welfare will be seen to" Amara told them "But first you must surrender your weapons and gear. It will be returned when you leave. It will help the Captain's state of mind if you do this now".

Kurlun held off ordering this until lockboxes were found - he labelled each one with a trooper's name, and put his own gear and Kamiel's in the last box, after which he put the boxes in a pile where he could see them. He watched and grumbled while a very large young man welded them to the floor and sealed them shut and nodded seriously to Amara when this had been done - after which he stared at Kurlun for several microts and sniffed.

"I look... and I hear your voice... and I smell you... and I match your face to the archives..." Alphak whispered in his usual soft tone "...and now I know you. I have been told about you before. I know who you are. I know why you are here. I have not been given clearance to announce this publicly".

"A young man who takes his orders seriously..." Kurlun replied "A lesson far more people could stand to learn these days. Good" - before watching as Amara sat down against one wall of the sick bay, where to his surprise he saw Crichton and Sikozu.

"Ah, you are here as well... how nice..." Kurlun called to Crichton.

"Shit! Crap!" Crichton called in surprise, spinning around and falling over - Sikozu just shook her head as if to say Here we go again... while Kurlun laughed a bit while Crichton regained his composure and his footing before replying "Yeah, we know the big man here a bit... we stopped off to catch our breath and pick up a few goodies and the next thing we knew people started shooting each other".

"Well, I know you and know you do what you're paid to do" Kurlun replied "and since you're here I'll tell you right now I intend booking passage on your Leviathan for both myself, Kamiel, and my troopers - all of whom you can see - back to my base, which your Kalish can find again even if you can't"

Harrigan stepped inside the sick bay just in time to hear that, so he added "Catch your breath and relax a bit at the embassy once you're done here, all of you - we got some business to do outsystem for a short while an' Mr C here's bringing his guys with us. We'll see you fixed up an' drop you in your port sector once you stop leaking all over the floor an' you get clean uniforms - all except the Cap there. We need to talk to him".

"I am aware of this, sir" Kamiel said, looking warily at Harrigan "I am my Captain's aide, I go everywhere he goes unless he says otherwise. Everywhere".

Lirak stepped forward and looked at Kamiel before removing his helmet.

Ah Kamiel realised The old low-caste officer who first brought my Captain the personal information he needed to see. I expect that, over and above our health, this is why we were brought here and not moved to our embassy.

"Docs..." Harrigan called "Take the A-team troopers away one at a time, check 'em out, fix 'em up so they won't die. No need to ask 'em anything not related to their health, they helped out a bit - it's not like they're gonna be staying long, anyway".

This was done, and Kurlun kept watch by hypersense.

~I can tell you are doing that, Captain~ Amara told him with mild amusement ~You are very good at it, but I also am very good and can see you are using hypersense to watch your troopers being medically examined by our doctors~

~I am~ Kurlun confirmed ~They are MY troopers. I will keep watch over them at all times~

"Well, then... since you're here..." Harrigan told Kurlun "Perhaps we should just get down to business".

"I see the officer who brought me the information" Kurlun replied "if that's the business you mean. The young man you sent with me is here as well - he thinks he is funny, he thinks he has a sense of humour, much like that man Crichton does much of the time as it happens. His attitude is frequently annoying but in spite of that he is good at his job".

"He takes after his Dad in that" Harrigan replied, smiling when Harek rumbled quite loudly "But enough of that for now - we're here to sort out personal business for you. Let's get to it, yep?"

"We will" Kurlun replied "We'll do it now".

Harrigan and Kurlun went over the report again over an arn or so before Kurlun said "That officer of yours let slip he knew my descendant and had met her - and since he is one of your officers I suspect that means my descendant is here as well".

"Yep" Harrigan replied.

"She had better be a credit to her people" Kurlun said, growling a little "I don't expect a hybrid to have inherited mentalism, nothing like that is perfect - but she should be strong in both mind and body. She should be trained. She should have discipline and be professional at all times".

"You should know, Captain" Harrigan replied, grinning a bit "She's the one who's been helping everyone stay in touch during the fighting dirtside. She's been helping out patching people up, too, here an' there".

Kurlun's mind flashed back, sorting out his memories of mental communication during the fighting.

I can tell surprisingly little he decided warily - after which he smiled very briefly and realised My descendant inherited some measure of mentalism, then - hybrid or not - and is strong with it. Good - she's turned out well there, at least.

"While this certainly was not planned..." Kurlun growled "People around me know how I think about many people of other species, and more than a few of my own if it comes to that... my descendant seems to have done well. She has clearly been trained... she has also been well provided for? Her other needs have been met? She does not need to fight for every last thing she needs?"

This is my first papa? Amara realised with surprise The papa of my blood? The one I was told about by uncle Lirak and others?

Amara examined Kurlun's facial features in detail, especially his ridging.

Yes she decided My skin and his are similar enough that I can tell I inherited this and other things from him or one of his bloodline - I would need to deep-scan his DNA to know for sure...

~Do it... if you can ((mild laughter, challenge))~ Kurlun laughed in challenge by mentalism ~I'll make you work for it... but if you really are my descendant, it's nothing you can't handle, even while keeping communications open for the soldiers~.

~Confirmed! ((happiness, pleasure at being tested and succeeding))~ Amara called, while Kurlun's face barely twitched for a microt - before he felt her send a message (which, try thought he did, he couldn't read) and call ~You are my first papa! I know, I deep-scan your DNA, I see!~

"You have disciplined yourself" he told her verbally "In both mentalism and other things. Good. You are training harder and improving your skills? You are respected around this unit and its members? I won't ask if you have a mate, if you're anything like me you probably don't seek any more than temporary companionship and that rarely enough...".

"I train and expand my skills and learn new things" Amara replied, nodding "I am greatly valued here. I have many friends among all the species represented here... the closest of whom is here in this room now".

Kurlun turned in surprise when Harek strode over to her, wrapped his arms around Amara, and lifted her off the floor a few denches while rumbling loudly and happily. Amara saw the signs of battle damage on his carapace and promptly started questioning him about every last detail.

My daughter... Kurlun decided, feeling proud enough to name her as such in his own thoughts by now is powerful, is well trained, is well respected by others - and, it appears, has secured a long-term mate for herself before watching her manner as she questioned Harek about the fighting.

She is curious as Kamiel is curious he decided eventually but she is firm like Scarrans are firm. She clearly will tolerate no excuses from this young man that stop her from finding out what she wants to know. Half-Kalish she may be - but she has inherited MY will and MY personality traits and MY mentalism. Scarran traits. MY traits. She is clearly proud of this, too.

Kurlun strode over to Harek before poking him in the shoulder and barking questions at him concerning Amara.

"I love Harek" Amara told Kurlun, using the Old Scarran word for 'father of my blood' - which Harek had to translate for him "He is mine and I am his, first papa. I am glad to tell you that he intends to make me his mate for life, first papa".

"You will..." Kurlun insisted, staring Harek in the face ".. take care of her needs at all times. You will see my daughter wants for nothing. You see she is well protected. You will put her safety before your own at all times, DO YOU HEAR ME?!"

Harek grinned and lifted Kurlun a fench or so off the ground for a microt or two before putting him down and saying "Think that shook the earwax out of my ears long enough to hear you, Cap'n big man K. Don't you worry about Amara, she's in good hands with me".

"Well..." Kurlun said, calming down a little "While you're far from exactly like me, Amara... you've clearly inherited some of the best things from my bloodline I could give you. Your secondary parents have clearly known enough about what to expect that you received proper training as well. What Kalish narls grow up like I haven't a clue, but as long as your doctors here are pleased then that's no concern of mine".

" I am also a doctor, first papa" Amara replied "A student one, at any rate. I still have one cycle to go until I complete my general training and gain my surgeon's competency rating. In addition to conventional surgical skills, I am skilled in medical mentalism".

Kurlun looked over at Amara in surprise but approval.

"Good" he told her in grudging praise "Not even one person in my bloodline has ever been so much as a featherweight medical mentalist - and here you are, my daughter, and are strong in that skill".

"You may contact your embassy to advise them you are still alive" Darrek told Kurlun "We cannot detach Amara from her current duties until the insurgency is fully nullified - she will not be on constant duty, but will be on standby at all times".

Amara did, however, assist Kurlun in reaching Proconsul Tolchen by mentalism.

~Yes?!~ the Proconsul asked.

~((mental image of Kurlun's face and military ident))~ Kurlun replied ~It's just me, Proconsul. I'm still alive and well, my team troopers are alive and recovering from such injuries they have - we'll be back out and fighting before too many arns have passed, I think~

~Black Omega have assumed lead of the Hierarchy side of ground operations~ Proconsul Tolchen told him ~If you don't have any ideas of your own as to what to do next, contact Captain Sobbok~

~I will do, Proconsul...~ Kurlun replied, mild amusement in his tone ~what I do best. My team troopers, my aide, and I will all head behind the lines and nullify gang leaders and other targets of interest. I don't know if I'll still be getting help from these Irregulars but at least one might come along whether they're ordered to or not~


Once the last A-Team trooper called "All OK..." Kurlun nodded and called "Perhaps someone can now unseal those boxes and give us our gear back?"

"One more thing..." Darrek added, holding up a hand briefly before whispering to Kurlun - Kurlun growled a bit before saying "I can't say I'm surprised by that request... but how that came to be is secret, it is classified... on a need to know basis! Do you need to know or just want to?"

"This is an interesting new thing, first papa" Amara replied, nodding "We have not even seen one person like your aide Kamiel before - one who is both a stonewalker and has the change. That Kamiel has both these things and is a Kalish as well makes it even more interesting to see. Should Kamiel and yourself consent to him being examined, his name will be added to our medical archives as the first to be this way - along with the safe way to perform the procedure on others safely, once you reveal this to us".

Kurlun growled under his breath.

They want to find out the details of this special project for themselves he knew when he heard Amara speak They want to know how I managed to make Kamiel a stonewalker and give him the change without killing him. No one apart from me and my A-team medical detachment has done this before. Now these mercenaries, whose insignia looks suspiciously royalist, want it for themselves.

~I hear, Captain~ Kamiel told him by mentalism ~I do not know if my opinion is important to you on this matter... but surely such procedures as those you conducted on me are secret and not to be told to those who are not your allies? Are these people now your allies?~

~Honestly, Kamiel...~ Kurlun replied ~I don't know. But who or whatever they are, they have given my daughter refuge and training and safety... one way or another that needs to be paid for, and that big one at the back there knows it the way he's grinning at everyone. Since he's not asked for currency to repay what was used to provide for my daughter, it's clear he wants information, don't you think so?!~

~True, Captain~ Kamiel said ~I do not know these people, I do not know if the knowledge of how I came to be as I am will be safe with them... but if you decide that it will not be given to your enemies then I will consent to being scanned and questioned should my consent be required~

"Very well..." Kurlun growled "Since you consider useful information to be a preferred payment over currency for giving my daughter safety and training... I will reluctantly consent to Kamiel being scanned and questioned. Since Kamiel is useful to me, as well as being the first successful test subject, you will examine him while I watch and hear everything. You will explain to him what you are doing at all times, and if he is so much as slightly upset or reluctant then you will stop. He does not have to comply with your orders, he has to comply with mine. To preserve secrecy, the only doctors permitted to examine him will be those in this room - and my daughter, should she wish to"

"You will be safe, Kamiel" Amara assured the wary and slightly frightened Kalish "We will not deliberately hurt you. We will need to scan you, and we will need to question you at length about how you came to be as you are... but you will be safe".

"If you are going to examine me, Amara..." Kamiel decided after a momen or so "then I will accept this. You are my Captain's daughter, if you are like him then I can trust you enough to do this".

"Our Chief Medical Officer or his first officer must also do so" Amara admitted "I am only a student doctor at this point, however much practical experience in some areas I have. At least one of them must supervise - and help, when my own knowledge is not sufficient".
Kamiel nodded, and Kurlun added "The Chief Medical Officer and their second in charge will assist my daughter in examining and questioning my aide. All others except this ship's commanding officer will leave. Now".

When Darrek and the other medical staff looked to Harrigan for orders, he nodded and said "Go on, head off to the flight deck and help with incoming casualties. We'll be good here".

Kamiel was then scanned, several times, with every scanning device in the sick bay - in both his fleshform and stoneform.

Amara smiled when she felt his awe and wonder at being able to do that, telling him ~It is indeed an amazing thing to be a stonewalker, Kamiel. We have a stonewalker here, and despite having known them for some cycles it is still amazing to see them change from fleshform to stoneform and back, as well as move around on their daily business in stoneform~ and making sure she didn't speak Tareg's name nor hint that he wasn't the only stonewalker aboard.

~I see you are scanning me with your mentalism as well~ Kamiel said ~Ittickles just a bit, did you know that? ((brief laughter))~

~I did not amusement~ Amara replied, grinning back at him ~I know ifdeep-scan someone's body they can occasionally feel it... but not that it would feel that way~

He was also questioned in detail over more than an arn, which neither he nor Kurlun liked much, concerning the medical procedures performed on him.

~I am only concerned because these are secret~ Kamiel told Amara ~None but my Captain and his most trusted medical personnel know these things you wish to know~

Kurlun answered the questions directed at him as well, though he liked that even less than Kamiel did - but like it or not, he watched while Amara recorded every tiny detail on a medical terminal.

"Come and see, both of you" she urged when she had finished "Come and see. I must know that I have recorded the exact details of these events as they happened - and only the two of you know for certain if this is the case".

Kurlun grumbled and growled under his breath as he read Amara's notes.

"Good" he decided "I don't know how you'll decide who to test this on, but the donor material should not come from a specialist stonewalker unless there's no other one available. Success requires donor material from a stonewalker with wide-ranging skills and talents - as far as we know, anyway".

Amara hugged her birth father and rumbled, after which she said "I and the other medical staff thank you and Kamiel for revealing these interesting new things to us, first papa. We will all read these notes, then we will discuss how to best transfer them from note form to successful medical procedures".

"You should be able to do that with what I told you" Kurlun replied "I was in the facility as it was done, and I described every last tiny detail for you as you asked me to - despite the fact I'd rather not have told anyone how we did that at all! But your leaders will want something in return for all the resources used in raising you to adult age where you and your skills can be of use to them - and they seem to have decided they prefer information that will help them expand the capabilities of their soldiers to be worth more than currency"

before he turned to Harek and asked "Well, then - since none of my troopers are dead, can we now get our gear back and be transported back to combat?! We may have nullified the leadership of this insurgency, but the gang leaders previously held in check by the Black Ghosts will either seek their own objectives outside the South or try to resolve any pre-existing disputes with each other!"

Alphak didn't say anything, but did unseal the boxes when Harrigan nodded at him.

"My friend Amara" he told Kurlun "will deploy you a short distance outside your embassy with her special skills. Our Commander says that you should now retrieve your equipment and stand in positions where Amara can see you all".

"We will deploy to the firebase where Captain Sobbok established his command post" Kurlun replied, correcting Alphak "We will resupply there before continuing South and conducting war operations. I don't know if any of your own troopers are coming, but we're going down now and I'm not inclined to wait".

Kurlun made all his troopers sound off and nodded when this was done.

"The Hierarchy forward command post, Amara" he told her "That is where my team troopers and I need to go".