Chapter 65
Purging
There was a general feeling of unease as the students had been waiting on Wynn for close to an hour now. A few of the braver or more accurately stupider recruits were muttering about wanting to just leave and go for breakfast. The instructors lined up in front of the platoons were also starting to show signs of irritation.
Wynn strode from the instructors quarters and approached the parade. The hall echoed as the students snapped to attention. Instead of his usual walkthrough and inspection Wynn stopped in front of the formations
"Today is a self study day, all are restricted to their rooms, the refreshers and the mess hall. Onasi, Starwind, Lashowe, Young and Mekel stand firm, the rest of you are dismissed. Do not tempt my patience today by being out of bounds." Wynn snapped out
The parade broke apart, none daring to mutter about the oddness of their orders, the largest group making their way to the mess hall.
Wynn walked closer to the five still standing at attention in the parade hall. He stopped and looked them over before nodding his head.
"Fall out and follow me." He ordered
Wynn led the way to the instructors residences, he veered of to the left and went up a passage between the quarters and the gaurd station. He led the way past what Terri guessed were the troop barracks and deeper into an area the students never saw. He came up to a double door made of starship grade metal. Producing an identity card he handed it over to one of the sentries on duty. The trooper swiped the card through a reader on the wall terminal. A green light flashed and the sentry returned the card and got to attention as the doors slowly opened.
Inside the room it was a hive of activity. Banks of terminals were set facing several large holoscreens. Overhead it all a hologram showed a galaxy map, Several green, blue and red markers pulsed on it, showing up to date information on the galactic theatre. Sectors were marked to show to show whether a sector was controlled or in enemy hands, blue being neutral.
Wynn led the group to a glass cube overlooking the data centre. He sat himself down behind a desk and looked at the five recruits standing in line before him.
"Do you know why I brought you here?" Wynn demanded
"I would never presume to question your intentions, Master." Mekel said smarmingly
"Considering we are in an operational hub and the kid is here, a test of some sort that does not rely on force knowledge." Terri answered
"Surely not, she barely knows how to sense the force never mind use it." Mekel heckled Melissa
Wynn nodded at Terri and shot an unimpressed look at Mekel. He leaned forward at his desk and steepled his fingers
"You underestimate recruit Young at your peril, while you were deluding yourself about your importance and position, she did a great service to the academy."
"How so, Master?" Lashowe asked
"All in time, Lashowe, all in time" Wynn replied enigmatically
He stood up from the desk and turned to face the workers in the data centre. He hid an amused smile as Young made a pornographic and obscene gesture towards Mekel, indicating what she thought of him, the reflective quality of the glass coming in useful again. More amusingly was the anger Mekel produced at the humiliating gesture, the fact that the other three gave maliciously amused looks at Mekel compounded it.
"If only she was not so far behind. She would be a good replacement for Bann." He thought to himself.
Shelving that though for later use, he studied galactic map for a moment. A few pulsing beacons indicating combat operations being door to the centre opened and five junior officers followed a Major as they entered the facility. The officers made their way towards the turned to face his students
"Once you are dismissed you will be taken to an office, in there you will find a terminal and the details of your assignment. You will be granted full access to all the data this facility contains. You have five hours to complete it. Each of you will have access to a junior officer to help you complete the task." He said
"That is a generous amount of time." Terri replied, suspicion underlying in her tone
"Master, may we know the reason for this exercise?" Dustill asked
Wynn nodded to his current apprentice
"There will come a time that you will need to coordinate and direct operations that does not require the force, I wish to see if any of you are capable of leading complex operations. A Sith does not solely rely on the force as a crutch as the Jedi is want to do. The late Darth Revan taught them that lesson repeatedly. Learn from her and from their failures."
"We will heed your wisdom." Mekel replied, sycophantically
Young repeated her earlier gesture to Mekel in his presence, Wynn delighted in the impotent rage coursing through Mekel
"Dismissed, Young stay a moment." He ordered
Wynn sat down at his desk and studied the young woman standing before his desk.
"Why are you antagonising someone with more force training as yourself?" Wynn asked
"He might have more training but he has two fatal flaws that I will exploit to the fullest before I eliminate him." Melissa replied
"What would those be?" Wynn asked curiously
"He is a sycophant with a superiority complex mixed with an inferiority complex." Melissa replied
"And you concluded this how?"
"He wants to be seen, to be acknowledged and considers himself to be more superior than he is, when he gets slapped down both complexes kick in, making him vulnerable. His superiority complex will trigger unthinking anger as an insult can not stand, his inferiority complex will cause him to want to gather numbers of those weaker than himself to enact his will as he is at his core a coward."
"Explain." Wynn demanded
"After yesterdays parade I saw his face when he was looking at Starwind and Ubisi, he was incensed and at the same time terrified. I concluded that he persuaded that five to attack them for the insult of being used as a human shield by Ubisi and having been knocked from his position in the top five. With me knocking him down another slot he lost position again and as such he must be removed." Melissa explained
"You have more prestige than him, why do you feel you need to eliminate him?" Wynn continued
"He can not be trusted behind my back, yes I am ahead of him for now. I know he is already planning to regain his position. Sooner or later he will try to have me eliminated, it is better that I get rid of him on my terms than his." Melissa replied
"I see that you have learned an essential lesson for being Sith. A true Sith is always in danger from those below him."
Melissa nodded at this. Wynn pointed to the door where a lone lieutenant was standing on attention waiting on her
"You are dismissed recruit." He said
As the door opened behind her Melissa spun around and walked to the exit, the Major stood to the side as she passed him. Stepping outside the cube she turned to face the last junior soldier spun to face Melissa and threw a crisp salute at her. Melissa resisted the urge to reply in kind
"Lieutenant Grace Paig." She introduced herself, dropping the salute
"Melissa Young." Melissa replied
"Shall we move to your office, Lady Young?" Paig asked
" Melissa, I am going to need your help to succeed. As such we are equals for now." Melissa insisted
"As you wish, Melissa." Paig replied uneasily
"Lead the way, just make sure the route take us past what passes as a commissary here. We are going to need food and a lot of caf for the following five hours." Melissa replied
Inside the cube Wynn switched off the external listening devices before looking at the Major
"A curious beginning would you not say." Wynn remarked
"I assume that is the recruit that has Mercer praising her graces in the barracks?" The Major replied
"That is her." Wynn nodded
"I would say she is of to a good start. She acknowledges that her knowledge may be incomplete, As a junior female officer Paig does not get a lot of respect, by making her feel more important she made sure of Paig's loyalty and assistance." The Major answered
"A fair point. And by feeding her she maintains that loyalty." Wynn remarked dryly
"I believe that is more due to teenage physiology, she acknowledges she will need sustenance to keep going, which is something the commissary caf alone will ensure."
Paig was confused by the Academy student she was assigned to, The others in her training cadre had spoken about the arrogance and disdain that they experienced from the Academy recruits. Yet this one treated her as an equal while maintaining a proper chain of command. More confusing to her was her insistence on helping to carry the piles of food she requested from the commissary, though elevating three trays while carrying two carafes of Caf was showing off in her opinion. She compounded that by using her abilities to manipulate the controls to the office. She stood by the door as the recruit turned on the terminal and read the assignment parameters after the terminal booted up.
Melissa wanted to smile at the confusion she was sensing, as she read the assignment before wanting to facepalm as she read what was expected to do. Her success had come back to bite her in her cute ass. She waved Paig closer.
"I need you to read this as well." She said
"Mam, we have already been given the basics regarding your assignment." Paig replied
"Recite your orders for me." Melissa stated
"We are to assist you in planning the capture of several high risk suspects, we are to act as advisors should you require it and as assistants to gather whatever information and equipment you may require. You are to be monitered to prevent you from accessing restricted information inadvertently." Paig recited
"How much access would I have to the holonet should I required to search for information on it."
"Nothing more than would be acceptable for school or college level research."
"And of course everything will be logged and tracked." Melissa finished
"Naturally, Mam."
Melissa took a pastry from a plate and started snacking on it as she thought about her mission parameters
"Help yourself." Melissa invited Paig
Pulling her datapad out she started noting down ideas as she was eating. Paig was uncomfortable standing to one side a plate in hand. Melissa poured a cup of caf and swallowed the dark brew with a grimace
"I have tasted better tasting engine cleaners." She muttered
A smile flickered on Paig's face for a moment. Melissa decided to start
"First of I need a full list of available personal and their planets of origin, where they were stationed before here, any specialist training they might have and lastly how many are male or female." She started
"I will need to contact Major Willesin for authorisation for that." Paig replied
"Then you will probably need authorisation as I need an idea of what is available in the armoury and the medical stores, Secondly I will need to know if and how many technical personell I have access too should I require equipment to be made or should I have need of technical support." Melissa continued
"Anything else, Mam?" Paig asked
"That will do for now, more things might pop up later but we will deal with that." Melissa answered
She turned to the terminal and accessed the holonet, behind her Paig quickly left the room as she set off to complete her tasks.
After five hours passed the recruits were instructed via terminal message to load their plans onto datapads and hand it to their aides then shut down their terminals and wait. Melissa took of her tunic top and dropped to the ground and started going through an exercise regiment to pass the time.
Wynn was going through his usual administrative tasks as Wellison and two captains were assessing the assignments of his students. Three datapads were quickly discarded, A muted discussion broke out between the officers as they were discussing the merits of the last two. Wynn signed out of his terminal and coughed to draw their attention.
"Have you decided which assignment is the most plausible." He asked Wellison
"We have, Master Wynn, but we have a few serious questions to ask before we finally commit to what we believe to be the best option." Wellison replied
"Which recruits plan have you rejected and why?" Wynn asked
"Mekels first, he wishes to sweep through the sites listed by himself and a squad to act as prisoner escorts. His plan is arrogant and simplistic with a high possibility of getting himself and his squad killed, not adding that it would warn the targets after the second raid has concluded." One captain spoke after Wellison nodded to him
"Noted." Wynn spoke with a frown
"Onassi and Lashowe both failed to consider the ramifications of their plan. Both advocate brute force methods, Lashowe's suggest unleashing ordinance in a civilian area eradicating the threat, using that high civilian casualties are guaranteed, the damage and risk to our officer academy and students are just as high. Onasi's method would result in significant casualties on both the targets and our forces. Both have ignored the potential gain in capturing the targets alive for questioning." The second captain spoke
Wynn nodded and motioned for Wellison to continue
"Starwind has taken into account for civilian damages and casualties, her approach is more pragmatic operating on a basis of acceptable losses. She also wishes to maintain a minimum of thirty percent capture of targets for interrogation. All in all a fairly simple but efficient plan." Wellison stated
"Which leave Young." Wynn stated
" Her plan is viable. But I wish to understand her reasoning for several points." Wellison replied
"Then go get her and she can explain herself." Wynn shrugged
Wellison motioned for one of the captains to go and fetch the said student. Wynn motioned to the tablet in Wellison's hand and the man hurriedly brought to his desk. Wynn read through the summary of the voluminous file the pad contained. He laid the datapad down after he finished
"I see what you mean with wanting clarification." Wynn said
"Sir, if she can explain to your satisfaction I will be adding my voice to having her transferred should she fail her training here." The last captain spoke
Melissa found herself standing in front of Wynn's desk as the man read through the datapad in his hands. The three officers were sitting to the side of the room in silence. Wynn looked up after finishing his reading
"An impressive piece of work for five hours effort." He said
"Thank you, Master." Melissa crisply answered
Wynn nodded to Wellison who cleared his throat
"We do have some serious questions recruit." Wellison stated
"I am at your disposal. Sir." Melissa replied
"I wish to know why you advocate placing the assault teams in isolation and subject them to various body scans pre mission?" One captain started
Melissa got to parade rest before responding
"I have various reasons for this. First I will address the reason for isolation. As we all know both this facility and the officer academy as well as the settlement has been successfully infiltrated. At this point we do not how far the rot has fully gone. By keeping the units in isolation and observation we prevent the targets being warned and possibly catching more targets should they try to warn their compatriots if there are any traitors in the capture units." She explained
"Why the full body scans and physical examination of the capture teams?" Wellison asked
Melissa took a breath
"I would refer you to the cultural information I added to my report. From the data I obtained I found that marking your body with scripture texts is mandatory for all who follow their belief system." She said
"How is this relevant?" Wynn asked
"I am operating on the belief that for successful infiltration they must have a way of disguising their markings especially if they are in a barrack setting. The question I asked is how long has this infiltration been going on and how far has it spread. Just because we have knowledge of some of them does not mean we know of all the cells they may have. The scans and examinations if done properly will unmask any we do not know off in our facilities, I would further propose that said exams be extended to cover all personell in the facilities." Melissa said
"I noticed that in your report you stated that the targets are from a patriarchal and male dominated culture, why advocate searching female personell as well?" The second captain asked
"The evidence gathered so far suggests all the targets are human male, however I believe we will be complacent to take it at face value and assume that they will not stoop to using females as they are considered inferior." Melissa answered
"A logical precaution." Wynn added his input
Wellison nodded
"Please explain why you wish for your plan to be executed early morning?" He asked
"Again various reasons. It allows for the units to get into position with minimal chance of detection by the targets. Those on guard will be tired and completing their watch, those taking over will be waking up and still not be fully alert. Secondly it minimises civilian interference as mostly no civilians will have reason to be active at this time." Melissa answered
"Which is why you suggest capturing any civilians moving about during the operation. I assume it is that you do not wish to have them alert the targets."A captain spoke
"That is correct, sir." Melissa replied
Wellison shifted in his chair
"Why do you emphasise live captures and covert movement above going in force?"
"Sir, the more captured alive the more we can learn. By having the targets simply disappear will cause confusion and fear in any we do not know about. By trying to find where their compatriots are, they will out themselves." Melissa explained
She gave a shrug
"To be honest if we want a show of strength a public execution is more powerfull a statement than leaving bodies lying in the halls and streets in my opinion. People will fear what the intelligence service is capable of, and the wilder the rumour being spread the more fear it will generate."
Wellison looked at Wynn
"I have no further question, Master." He stated
Wynn motioned to Melissa to step to the side. Pressing a switch on his desk service he drew the attention of the waiting junior officers waiting outside the cube. He motioned for them to enter the cube. The five junior officers came in line and came to attention. Wellison got to his feet.
"Paig fall out and stand next to your assigned recruit. The rest of you go and collect your recruits."
The cube was rapidly filling with bodies once all were gathered in it. Wynn motioned for Wellison and the officers to step out. Wynn prowled in front of the five in front of him
"I am disappointed, I expected a higher standard from my students." He stated softly
None answered him
"Or was this a deliberate attempt to make me look weak before the rank and file of this facility." Wynn hissed
"Never master Wynn." Mekel blurted out
Mekel dropped to the floor as force lightning played over his body
"I do not recall giving permission to speak!" Wynn shouted
The lightning cut of leaving Mekel lying in his vomit and urine on the ground. Wynn stopped in front of Melissa and Terri.
"Lucky for all of you. Two showed to be more competent than the abject failures of the rest. Barely so." Wynn snapped out
The two singled out stared ahead of them.
"Young, you have succeeded where your peers have failed. Again I have to ask myself where are we failing when the youngest and most inexperienced can outmatch those that have supposedly been trained."
Wynn spun and moved to his desk
"Young, you have won the privilege of overseeing your plan being implemented. You have twenty four hours to complete it. Wellison and his troops are at your disposal as are the four in here with you. Let them learn from your example. And let me make myself very clear. Failure is not an option." Wynn said coldly
Wynn turned his attention to the remaining standing three and the prone Mekel
"As for you. Young acts with my authority. Any attempts to undermine her in any form will be severely punished, if not by her then by me. Any defiance of her orders will see you being executed. Any questions Young?"
"No master Wynn." Melissa replied
"Get out of my sight. Mekel, you will clean your mess before leaving."
Major wellison and the captains followed the four out and went to stand by the five junior officers. Terri turned to Melissa
"How do we address you for this operation?" She asked
Melissa noticed that the officers focused their attention on hearing that question
"It would be pretentious to give myself a military rank or having everyone call me lady. So group lead or director will do." Melissa replied.
There was a barely discernable relaxing in the soldiers postures on hearing her answer. Melissa turned to the Major.
"Major, how quickly can we have the capture teams assembled?" She asked
"The troops are already on alert level two." Wellison replied
"Do you have a copy of the operational plans?" Melissa asked
"I do." Wellison answered
"Can you disseminate it to all assembled here?" Melissa continued
"On your orders, director." Wellison responded
"Please do so." Melissa ordered
Wellison started typing on his datapad and moments later a multitude of chimes let her know that the order had been processed,Melissa turned to the two captians
"I never got your names." She stated
" Hecker and Koich." One answered
"Hecker can I ask you to gather the medical staff and equipment we need for phase one? You can take Onasi with you to help expedite the process. Onasi, study the plan as you go. Koich take Starwind And Lashowe to technical and start seeing to special equipment we need. Study the plans as you go as well"
The two officers detached with their escorts after saluting the Major.
"Is there a mission control room we can use or a secure room" Melissa asked Wellison
Wellison pointed to a door set in a far wall. Melissa nodded her thanks. She turned to the five junior officers.
"I need the five of you to study the plan and dissect it. I want to know if there are any errors in it or if I miscalculated any component in it. That being said if you have any suggestions or improvements tell me or the Major. Major I will need the same from you. First question by starting the isolation will it have any detrimental effects on the normal operations of this facility? The last thing we need is suspicion being raised by guards and staff not rotating as usual, or later on over tired staff that has been at their stations too long." Melissa started, leading the way to the indicated room
She stopped by one of the sentries standing by the door leading to the cube
"Please send recruit Mekal to us once he is done." She ordered
The sentry shot a look at Wellison who nodded.
"Of course, mam." The sentry replied
Lights flickered on as the door to the room opened. Several terminal screens lined the walls. Melissa turned to Wellison
"This room is secure?" She asked
"It is, though I should add Master Wynn is able to monitor us in here." Wellison answered
"I expected no less. Could you answer my first question?"
"We have sufficient personell for regular operations, the once placed on alert is not due for active service for two days. We operate on a two day, two night, four off rotation." Wellison replied
Melissa turned her attention to Paig
"Can you display the briefing on one monitor for everyone to see, then I will need two monitors dedicated for communications. Furthermore I will need up to date plans of Dreshdae, the Academy and the officer academy."
"Will do director." Paig replied
Melissa placed her comlink down on a table followed by her datapad
"As of now we are in com blackout, all datapads and comlinks will be bagged and tagged. Nothing leaves this room. The only person allowed outside communication is the Major. This order includes myself and the other recruits from the Academy. Major if you would please brief the officers on the true nature of the targets."
The door to the room opened and Mekel swaggered in. Brusqly he pushed two officers out of his way to move to the front. Melissa stared him down
"All communication devices on the table, now." She stated
" You are not in command of me…" Mekel began
He dropped to the floor in agony, hands covering his crotch. Melissa released her force grip slightly
"Do I have your attention now, Mekel?" She asked softly
Eyes tearing Mekel nodded. He grimaced and bent forward more when she increased her grip.
"Words. Use them." Melissa snapped
"Yes." Mekel gasped out.
"Let me make myself clear, this is the chain of command, Darth Malak, Master Wynn, Mistress Bann. Myself, the major, the captains, the other recruits, the lieutenants, the troops. The mynock shit covering the ships in the port, then you. The only thing I want to hear from you is Can I take your plates back to the commissary or can I proceed to clean here. Challenge me I will see if it is possible to castrate someone through their rectum. Now get up. Go to the commissary and bring back food and drinks for everyone, oh and if you think to try anything to the food or drinks you will be taste testing everything."
Mekel slowly got to his feet. Melissa tapped the table where her comlink and datapad laid, the order clear, Mekel slammed his devices onto the table. Melissa flicked a lazy finger at the door before turning her back on him.
Melissa turned to face the group of officers as Mekel stumbled out walking bow legged.
"My apologies for that. I know that display was highly unprofessional and I will endeavour to regain your trust. Ladies and Gentlemen, the clock is ticking let us get going. Major the floor is yours."
Terri cornered Melissa some time later as they were getting ready to get the troops organised. She motioned to where the operational orders were displayed on a central monitor
"You know if this scheme of your works it may very well become standard operating procedure for the Empire." She remarked
"Does it mean you sandbagged your assignment?" Melissa asked
"No, just mixed what I knew from standard police and marine protocols. Should have guessed miss steal a cruiser would excel at this too." She said softly
"I guess I may have taken this a bit too seriously, but when I read what I could about these Schutta's …" Melissa trailed off
"You decided they deserved to be gang kriffed in the ass by a Gamorean colony." Terri finished
"A bit." Melissa conceded
Terri shifted a bit
"Why is Mekel trying to kill with you his glares?" She asked
"I destroyed what little credibility he had left with the soldiers. And yes I know it is a gamble but I suspect he would have come gunning for me sooner rather than later. By keeping him angry I am trying to keep him from plotting." Melissa answered
"You think he instigated yesterdays entertainment?" Terri responded
"I am dead certain of it."
They broke of as Wellison moved closer.
"Director, the troops are assembled." He said
Melissa approached the four platoons that were standing at parade rest. She stopped a few feet from them. She paused for a moment and examined the emotions they were passively pushing into the force. She was aware of the officers and other recruits lining up behind her. Mekel staring daggers at her back. She gave a wry grin
"I know what you are thinking. What the hell does the officers and the uppity students want with us on our off days? I have got much more important things to do like whack of to newest copy of Twi'leks and Zeltron vacation adventures."
A few muffled snickers broke through
"Do well with your assignment and you will be back to doing just that after a few long hours. But first let me tell you why you are here."
Melissa started pacing through the lines.
"Somebody somewhere screwed up and we are the lucky bastards and bitches to clear this up. There are terrorists in this Academy, the officer school and in the town. No this is not an exercise. They were going to waltz into your barracks to blow you the hell up. Now we get to screw their plans and get to give them the surprise."
She made her way back to the front of the lines.
"But before you get the full details we are going to spend some quality time with the medical staff to make sure that there are none of those animals mixed up with all of us. We will start with me, the officers and the recruits behind me going first. Once we are done and you know you can trust the one behind your back we get to tell you how we are going to screw them over. And for those wondering the answer will include why you brought camping gear inside the complex."
Wellison was standing still in the command centre as Melissa took her place beside him, several monitors showed the camera footage from the capture teams as they moved into position. She felt the presence of Wynn and Bann from where they stood on the command podium behind her. The operators assigned to the mission were sitting still at their terminals. Melissa took a deep breath and toggled the microphone set she had on her head
"All units, we are green. I repeat we are green. Mission is a go. Alpha strike position one."
In Dreshdea Terri motioned her squad forward. The incongruous feeling of leading a group of Sith soldiers still incongruous to her. She noticed movement on the roof close to her and for a moment saw HK as itbriefly made itself visible. She tapped the tech assigned to the squad on the shoulder and pointed to the environmental unit attached to the residential structure. The tech quickly attached a bottle and pressure hose to the unit and opened the valve. The bright blue gas ran up the clear tubing of the hose and started pumping into the unit, The squad sergeant was timing the operation. At the forty second mark he tapped the technicians shoulder and the bottle valve got closed. Terri lit her balded and cut a square in the wall of the unit, she pulled the block out and the troopers entered, Moments later they were pulling still forms from within the unit, The sedated forms were quickly secured and black bags were placed over their heads after a medical tech obtained blood and saliva samples for biometric matching
" Looks like a bomb factory in there." The sergeant reported
" Did we get them all?" Terri asked
"Clean sweep, the director was right the door was mined to hell and back again."
Terri opened her comlink. She levitated the block back in place and the technicians quickly microwelded the squires back into position
"Alpha strike. Position one clear, moving to position two." She reported
"Proceed as planned, Alpha strike."
Melissa turned her attention to the second set of monitors, These showed the inside of the officer training academy
" Bravo and Charlie, are you in position?" She demanded
"Bravo ready." Dustill reported in
"Charlie in position." Lashowe followed
"You are green, bring them in."
Melissa felt Wynn approaching her, she did not turn her attention away from the monitors. From the persistent malice on her right she knew Mekel was back in the room. The tinkle of glasses and cups marked his approach with a hovertrolley filled with drinks for the operational crews. She lifted a hand in a stop motion to him, as she did not want any distractions to her support staff at the moment. She frowned as she noticed Charlie has stalled
"Charlie, why have you stopped?" She demanded
"Thermal suggests Target is awake." Lashowe replied
"Link up and display." She ordered
The thermal image showed a figure hunched over a work bench. Melissa took a moment to consider her options
"Charlie distract target and terminate once he is away from the bench." She ordered
" How shall I distract the target?" Lashowe asked
"Pretend it is an early morning booty call and you got the wrong room." Melissa ordered
Wynn stopped next to her and studied the monitor. Melissa muted her mike.
"I can not take the chance of the target arming a device, better lose a mark, than have him get a chance to set of a charge by doing a breach." Melissa explained unasked
"I assume that is what you meant with orders being subject to rapid change in your briefing." Wynn remarked
"Yes Master. A lesson I learned as a bounty hunter is that no plan stays unchanged while in motion. There will always be something that changes the parameters."
"In the military we say no plan survives contact." Ellison remarked on her side
They saw another thermal image entering the room. The first jerked and dropped suddenly.
"Charlie reporting, Target terminated." Lashowe's voice had turned sultry
"Charlie switch to normal vision and show us what he was working on." Melissa ordered
There was a moment of static and the workbench came into view. A nearly completed jacket lined with explosives came into view. A datapad lying next to it
"Secure that pad and seal the room for cleanup by demolition teams."
Melissa turned to Dustil's monitor
"Bravo, what is your status?"
"Primary and secondary secure moving to remaining targets."
"Good work Bravo and team. Keep it tight and keep it safe." Melissa complimented the team.
Terri's voice came over the link
"Position two secured. Detaching unit two for simultaneous assaults on positions three and four." She reported
"Alpha strike you are cleared to proceed. Dispatching clean up crews once you breach." Melissa replied
Melissa turned to where Paig was seated at a terminal'
"Stand by on prisoner transport units." She gave the order
She turned back to the monitors overlooking the officer academy. Charlie was catching up fast on their progress
"Good work, Charlie, keep it nice and steady we are nearly done." Melissa stated
She motioned for Paig to continue. The lieutenant toggled her comset that was set to a channel for the units under her purview
"All units move in and secure packages."
Terri's voice came back
"Positions three and four secured. Awaiting extraction units."
Melissa turned to the other lieutenants
"Dispatch the demolition squads and prepare for lockdown and room to room checks."
"Yes director" The stated
Melissa turned to face Wynn
"Master, with your permission I would like to begin a security sweep of the Academy." She stated formally
Wynn looked to Bann and nodded his head. In the academy all doors closed and locked down. Yuthara motioned to Wynn that all doors showed as locked.
Melissa turned to Paig
"All units report that packages are secured and en route." Paig reported
Melissa turned her comset to open on all channels
"Alpha, link up with Charlie and start room to room search. Bravo fall back to the academy and initiate your search. All staff switch to respirator units. Captains on my mark initiate riot suppression protocols."
There was a scrabble as all the staff pulled their respirators onto their faces. Mekel furiously searching for his and coming up empty. Melissa nodded to the two captains. They added their command codes to the terminals and white gas started spewing from the airvents all over both facilities. A blast door dropped down and sealed the command center. The vents closed and the whine of an extractor unit came on as the air was pulled from the room. All the people in the room shook their heads in discomfort as the air pressure dropped in the room and their ears felt block. Moments later a hissing sound started as fresh air was being pumped into the room. The captains carefully studied the environmental reading for the room. They gave a motion to Melissa who motioned her acceptance. She was the first to remove her respirator.
" All teams proceed on objective Delta. Suppresion of all secondary targets successful. Keep calm, stay careful and we will be done soon."
Melissa made her way over to an unconscious Mekel and motioned a Medic over. She pointed to the hovertrolley
"I want to know what is in those containers before anyone wakes him up." She ordered
The medic shrugged and started scanning the containers. The scan unit started flashing a red light and she looked at her unit in shock
"Check the other containers as well." Melissa ordered
Wynn cleared his throat behind her.
"You suspected he would betray you." Wynn stated
"When he came in here with food and drinks I did not order I knew, but yes I suspected that sooner or later he would attempt something." Melissa replied
Melissa motioned the two sentries by the door over.
"Is the shuttle standing by?" She asked
"Yes, Mam." One replied
"And the restraints I ordered to be custom made is it here with the microwelder?"
"In the office to your left."
"Bring it."
The two men came back with a cross shaped object and placed it next to Mekel. They went back to the office and came back with a microwelder and four pieces of metal. Melissa rolled Mekel onto the object and spread his arms and legs to fit properly on the structure. Taking the metal strips she welded it into place forming manacles on his arms and legs. Wynn was studying her a neutral look on his face. Melissa stepped back and stomped on Mekels crotch.
Mekel woke to intense pain, he tried to roll into a foetal position but found himself unable to do so. As his eyes started to focus he noted the little bitch staring down at him
"As you can see you failed." She said
He tried jerking his trapped limbs to now avail, Looking frantically at where his arms were trapped he tried using the force to pull the restraints loose but found he could not access the force.
"It is no use, I slipped you a suppressant earlier. I warned you not to cross me. Now I know I promised to castrate you through your rectum, but then I thought about the poor shyracks and how they struggle to get food to feed their young in this harsh environment. Being an animal lover I could not let this stand. So be honoured and comforted by the thought that you are going to help some Shyracks grow up strong and healthy."
She turned to the sentries.
"Make sure the holocameras are properly secured when you set up the feed to be transmitted. I do hate shoddy camerawork when I watch nature documentaries. You have fifty minutes before sunrise and the start of the shyracks day."
Melissa turned to Wynn
"Master in the interest of education may I present a documentary in the mess hall during lunch?" She asked sweetly
Wynn studied her for a long moment before his shoulders started shaking, boisterous laughter started shortly thereafter. He wiped tears of mirth from his eyes
"Any doubt I had if you are ready to be Sith has just been erased. Well done, young one, very well done."
Mekels started shouting and pleading as he was lifted from the floor and the sentries started carrying the frame he was secured to from the room. Melissa turned to the Medic
"Out of idle curiosity, what was in the containers?"
" Axian two fifty, a very virulent weaponised neurotoxin. It is stable in the water it was mixed with, it only becomes active on ingestion" The medic gulped
"I assume ingestion would lead to a messy and protracted death." Melissa remarked
"Yes, mam."
"I need more details." Melissa stated
"Rapid paralysis of the central nervous system, heamorage from all orifices, slow asphyxiation as you drown in your own blood. It has a secondary effect of being spread in aerosol form from the primary target to any in close vicinity" The medic listed off
"How much was in there?" Wynn demanded
"Enough to kill everyone in this room three times over." The medic finished.
Melissa nodded her thanks, her expression turned thoughtfull
"Master, how long has Mekel been at this Academy?" She asked
"This would have been his fifth semester." Wynn looked for confirmation at Yuthara
"And has he been in the top ten since his first semester?" She continued
"No only in his last semester has he shown progress. Wewere considering terminating his participation." Yuthara spoke up
"Then I think I have found the missing link. The one who betrayed this academy. The toxin he wished to use was too virulent to be obtained easily. And why release a toxin in a room with the very people he wished to gain prestige from?" Melissa said musingly
"Unless he was preparing to eliminate any who could trace the infiltrators back to him, you mean. Or make certain he has a decent head start on his escape from this facility" Wynn concluded
Wynn looked to the door where Mekel had been carried from the room
"I am starting to think you have been too mercifull with his final fate." Wynn remarked
"I can always have him brought back to see if rectal castration is possible." Melissa offered
Wynn gave a laugh
"There is cruel and deserved punishment, but what you are suggesting is too harsh even for a Sith." Wynn chuckled
Melissa found herself standing in front of her troops again shortly after sunrise. Not that any of them was able to see it from the confines from the inner academy. She strolled up and down the weary troopers and the assembled support staff
"I demanded the best from you and what did I get?" She asked angrily
None answered her
"A group who exceeded my best expectations." She answered
She motioned to the side and several hovertrolleys were being pushed in by the junior officers. It was laden with food and alcohol
"I asked for your best and I will give you the best I can. Enjoy the spoils of your labour." She waved them to it
The troopers were standing still in shock. Melissa smirked at them.
"Go ahead, I have it on reliable authority that the officers will be otherwise engaged for the next twelve hours. Seems a lot of people have overslept this morning for some odd reason and the security cameras are down due to a technical problem."
She spun around and motioned the remaining three to follow her. The junior officers falling in behind her. The door was closing as she noticed the trolleys being swarmed by the troops, exited cheers breaking out.
Wynn was waiting in the command centre, the monitors showing the feasting and celebrating troopers. He pointed a finger to the images
"Care to explain?" He demanded
"With the exposure of the vermin in their ranks morale will be negative unless corrected. Finding out that they were being targeted by some of their own will have that effect. By giving them something to celebrate a victory they regain that morale and trust in their command structures. Revan had stated in one of her treatises that morale is what makes the difference between a victorious and defeated force. The better the morale the more you can demand from your troops." Melissa replied
Wynn motioned for her to continue
"Today we are showing the benevolent side of upper command. And once the prisoners have all been processed we can show the other side of the credit chip when they get executed. The stern and uncompromising side of authority. A reminder that kindness should not be confused with weakness." Melissa stated
Wynn relaxed slightly and nodded to show that he found the explanation satisfactory. Dustill frowned as he looked around
"Where is Mekel?" He asked
Do not worry about your fellow recruit. He will make an appearance at lunch time I believe." Wynn said with a smile