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Post by LucianG on Mar 31, 2007 9:37:25 GMT -6
Brie
Captain Lazant realized for the first time just how badly his ankle hurt. It had been feeling better, but the climb down to save Stargazor had made it worse. He tried not to limp but couldn't really help it. He started to concentrate on the pain, it was better than thinking about what was about to happen.
Lazant could count the number of people that he liked AND respected aboard the Callisto on one hand and still have fingers left over. At the top of the list was Major Brie. He knew that Brie wanted to be the one to tell Charybdis about Amy's "condition." He intended to tell Charybdis that, but would Charybdis listen? Probably not, he doubted that the Lt. Col. would care enough about what Brie wanted to respect her wishes. If ordered he would have to tell what the problem with Amy was. He would fail to mention that it was an improvement.
The only hope that Lazant had at the moment was Major Brie. She could tell what had happened, how important he had been in saving Stargazor's life. Brie was his friend, but she was closer to Charybdis. But Charybdis had disappointed her in the past, had doubted her authority because of Amy, the whole ship knew that. He hoped that she would return soon.
* * *
Charybdis
I arrived on the bridge with Lazant in tow. He was limping pretty badly, but I had hardly slowed for the journey back up to the bridge.
Commander Sheba noticed the micron we entered. "Colonel, Captain, in here" she motioned. She went into the war room and we both followed.
I was hoping that Sheba would take to grilling Cpt. Lazant pretty good, but I also wanted a good crack at him too.
"Captain, what is the situation down on the planet? We need to know what we are dealing with," Sheba asked pointedly.
Lazant began to speak...
* * *
Stargazor
As the life of Stargazor was in the hands of the medic team, his mind was a different story. Stargazor was in a very dark place but far o way there was a bright light witch attracted him to it.
As he walked slowly towards it he could hear the medical team shouting “We are loosing him people”! “Common ensign, fight back”!
Just before Stargazor wanted to enter the bright light he stopped and looked behind him…. There in mid air he could see this colonial helmet. Somehow the helmet attrackted his attention as if he had to put it on, as if it mend something..
As he put the helmet on outside something happened.
The voice again spoke but this time “That’s it ensign, he’s fighting, he wants to live”!
* * *
Lucian
Captain Lazant sat in the chair with his foot propped up. Doc BKJ was working on it, but despite the pain, he wasn’t thinking about it in the least. He had given Commander Sheba and Lieutenant Colonel Charybdis his report on the events leading up to and through his excursion to Axces Gamma. He’d told little of the situation with Lieutenant Amy since he’d known little, having seen her only briefly, but he had assured them both that she was alive and appeared, in the short time that he saw her as he dealt with Ensign Stargazor’s injuries, to be in good health, though her appearance was somewhat…strange. He assured them that Major Brie would be able to give a better accounting of that end of the mission on her return.
Commander Sheba had looked disapproving throughout the debriefing, but Lieutenant Colonel Charybdis had looked like the cat that had swallowed the proverbial songbird. After all this time, he had finally given Charybdis the ammunition that he needed to destroy his career, and Charybdis seemed to be relishing it. Lazant had argued the point that the Trainer “borrowed” by Ensign Stargazor had been assigned to the Callisto’s Training Academy, Lazant’s command, and that his pursuit of his assigned equipment in the recon ship was the only reasonable course of action that would give anyone on the Callisto a chance of catching up with him. He’d used an appropriate command authorization, which Charybdis had disputed, and had been given clearance to launch, which Charybdis again said was only because he had placed improper pressure on Flight Specialist Geenie to allow him to launch without getting authorization from senior Bridge personnel.
Lazant had learned much about himself and others in the past yahren. His developing friendship with Major Brie, in particular, had been a big help in opening his eyes to his own faults. This time, he decided to listen to that small voice that he, in his vanity, had often ignored in the past. He’d not been belligerent, he’d not blamed others, and, almost gritting his teeth to say this in front of Charybdis, he finally said he was sorry for any of his actions that were not appropriate. He had said that he felt as if he had been doing his duty as best he was able under the circumstances. When asked if he had anything else to say, he had considered telling about his part in the rescue of Ensign Stargazor, thinking that it might help turn the tide that seemed to be against him, but in the end, he’d decided that it would only make matters worse. If it came from Major Brie, even later, it would be much more effective than if it came from him, since coming from him, it might sound like he was a daggit begging for forgiveness. He had said he was ready to accept whatever punishment they decided to bestow. In time, he thought to himself, that tide would turn and he would get another chance, possibly even that chance he needed to turn the tables on Lieutenant Colonel Wonder Boy.
In the end, Commander Sheba had ordered Lazant to seek medical attention. She’d told him that he was not to leave the Callisto again without direct authorization from either herself or Lieutenant Colonel Charybdis, or others to be named by them. Lieutenant Colonel Charybdis would take the situation under advisement, and additional appropriate actions would be taken. After being told to assume his normal duties, for now, he had been dismissed. He had turned to exit the room when Commander Sheba said, “Doc said Ensign Stargazor is struggling. She hopes he will make it.”
“Me, too, Commander,” Captain Lazant had replied. “Me, too.”
As he hobbled out of the room, Lazant had felt as if Charybdis’ stare was burning into his back. Now, sitting there with Doc, Lazant wondered when Charybdis’ hammer would fall, and what it would entail.
* * *
Needless to say, Commander Sheba didn't think it had gone quite as well as Lazant did. Then again, she had the benefit of speaking with Colonel Charybdis after Lazant had hobbled away to the Med Lab.
After a short, but very frank discussion, Sheba said, "Colonel, we've both known for some yahrens that Captain Lazant is not the command material that we seek for our higher level positions in the Colonial Military. He's entirely too willing to stab others and then climb over their dead bodies to get ahead. While that may be of benefit in some circumstances, one does not achieve command of a Battlestar in that way. In time, he may change, as he gave the appearance of doing today, but then again, that may never happen. Still, he is useful at certain tasks, and he is quite good at them. His punishment is up to you, but I'm sure you will keep that in mind in making your decision."
* * *
Charybdis
"Commander, if I may" I interjected after Sheba had finished.
"As I'm sure you've noticed lately, there has been a lot of trouble with the new recruits coming out of Cpt. Lazant's training academy. Just thinking of Ens. Finky and Ens. Teri comes to mind. Their attitude and level of responsibility, or the lack of it, is reprehensible. It's no wonder with a leader like Lazant that these new recruits are coming out of the academy like they are. To begin with, I suggest a full and thorough study and evaluation of Cpt. Lazant's activites as head of the Academy onboard the Callisto, conducted by an objective party such as Flt. Officer Solan for example. Someone who is not connected with a squadron preferably and who had no connection with Lazant."
Sheba was listening intently. I continued, "The study is to take into account all methods and training procedures currently used and the effectiveness of these methods on the actual service records of his recruits which enter the service. We need to know if he is indeed capable of training our recruits."
Sheba didn't like the possibility of manpower being taken away from other more pressing things, but she agreed. "Alright, make it so, Colonel. But get input as to who should be doing the study." I nodded.
I had more to say, "I'll think about more personal punishment for the Captain, but I must say, Commander, it's about time that someone needs to be made an example of with these matters. I can understand a young Ensign or Lieutenant with a hot head, but chasing after stolen equipment or not, there is no excuse for a Captain in the Colonial Military, especially one whose main responsibility is to be training these new recruits ,to be acting in this way. I don't intend to take it easy on him."
Sheba seemed a bit hard to read, but she was commander of a battlestar and punishment had to be firm according to regulations. Only problem was, in this case, no one was sure of what the regulations exactly were. Lazant was a good Warrior, but he had too much hiding, too much gray area in his life to really trust. She secretly agreed that something had to be done about him...
* * *
Brie
Major Brie had yet to find Amy. She knew that she probably wouldn't be the one to find her, Teri was searching in the direction that she thought that Amy had gone. At the moment Brie felt like the only thing to do when Amy was found was to stun her, restrain her, and drag her back to the Callisto. She knew that was an extreme, but something she would do if necessary. Her plan was to find Amy, head back to the vipers, take Amy in the trainer, then Najin could take hers and continue his mission, Teri could take Amy's and continue hers. That meant there would be too many vipers back at the water shuttles, but Brie would leave instructions with Teri for Hawke to find someone to pilot the extra one.
Brie wondered if Lazant was yet back at the Callisto. She was worried about Stargazor, worried also about Charybdis. He was going to be hard on Lazant, deservedly so she supposed. But she wanted to be the one to tell Charybdis about Amy. She thought back for just a micron to yarhens ago, when Charybdis had told her that her husband was missing. He knew then that he had to be the one to tell her. Although the circumstances were different, she strongly felt the same way. She needed to be the one to tell him.
It was hard to not think about how messed up things had become because of Ensign Stargazor's actions. If he had just listened to her and followed orders none of this would have happened. There probably would have still been a rescue mission, but one that was properly done. She hated the fact that Ensign Stargazor was hanging between life and death, prayed that he would make it, but when he did recover she was going to make sure that he didn't get off easy. There was no excuse for what he had done.
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Post by LucianG on Mar 31, 2007 9:37:49 GMT -6
Nefeteri
"Excuse me,"Teri didn't want to break Bries train of thought but she felt this was very important."Brie I thought I saw something dart between the rocks."
"Which way," Brie still in contemplation looked.
"Over there. Should I go and check it out? I'm sorry if I disturbed your train of thought."
"Yes and take Najinn with you. Be careful...we don't to lose any more." Brie was still thinking about Stargazor...and Amy.
* * *
Amy
I scampered away while the strangers were checking out the metal bird. It had emerged from below the ground, thanks to me and my underground friends! I slipped out of sight, then climbed up a small dune in order to spy on them. I peered through some green thick stalks that grew in abundance all around the area.
What strange people they were! They wore so much clothing. Odd that they covered themselves up so much, and their faces had no paint! And yet, as I watched I noticed the similarities between their clothes and the tattered bits of cloth that I wore. Wasn’t the collar of mine the same as theirs? The color was certainly the same. I felt a tiny bit of connection with these people, but I felt a stronger one from the people below. I needed to find a way back to them, for my future was not with these strangers and their metal birds.
I slid back down the dune, creeping away. I felt the heat of the sun, felt it warming my skin. I took deep full breaths, enjoying the freedom. Freedom from what, I wondered? I could not remember much of anything, just suddenly being here, yet I felt a tugging somewhere in my mind, the feeling that I had been cooped up and restricted somehow. Whereever it was I had once been, I knew that I loved the open space, loved the freedom! I ran on, my feet padding softly on the warm sand, the beads in my hair jangling together and making little tinking sounds.
Rounding another dune I stopped suddenly. I could have sworn I heard something. A voice calling out to me. There it was again! Yet it came from within my head, not through my ears. As I glanced around, gradually I could feel myself being taken over by some outside force. I climbed another dune and slowly sat down.
I sat, trance-like, and saw the image of my tribe leader appear from nowhere. I reached out to touch him, but could not feel him. Yet I smiled. He had found me! He began to speak, and I did not like what he had to say. No. NO! What he was saying wasn’t true! I did belong with him! With all of them! I did belong! I began to fight the trance, struggling to break free.
With one final burst of energy, I felt my blood begin to tingle again, like it did when I concentrated on the one called Lazant, and when I helped make the metal bird reappear. The tingling peeked in a mix of anger and ecstasy as I burst through and out of the trance. As I blinked and recovered my bearings I could see around me that the dune had been blown apart in all directions outward from where I sat. The image of the leader was gone. I sat breathing heavily, not liking what he had told me one bit.
The fury began to build up in me again, but this time it was nothing but anger. I felt a scream rise up in my throat, and I released it with all the frustration built up inside me. I suddenly looked around, knowing that the strangers probably heard my cry. I scrambled down the remains of the dune, running blindly. I had no home! I didn’t belong with the strangers, and the ones I wanted to be with wouldn’t allow me back. Again the frustration began to build, but I bit down hard on my quivering lip to keep myself silent. As teeth cut through the skin, I could feel a trickle of blood begin to run down my lip.
* * *
Brie
There was a sound, a scream. Brie knew that it had come from Amy. The voice was the same, yet so different. What had happened to her?
Rushing in the direction of the scream, Brie was beat by Najin and Teri. The pain was obvious on Najin's face. Brie knew how much he loved her, how when Najin had been on the verge of death it was his love for Amy that had brought him back.
They could see Amy from where they were standing. She was running away from them. She didn't want to go back, but staying on Axcess Gamma wasn't an option. Amy was a colonial warrior, whether she knew it or not.
Amy hadn't reacted at all to Ensign Teri, she didn't seem to recognize her connection to Najin. But for a moment Amy had realized that Brie was something to her. Brie wanted to try to use that.
Sending Najin to the left and Teri to the right, Brie ran straight to Amy. She called her name several times, then Amy turned. Brie took her own weapon and laid it on the sand. She held up her hands for a moment, then held one of them out to the girl who used to be one of her closest friends. "Amy," she said again. Realizing that Amy had also reacted to her tears before, Brie let go of her emotions. "Amy," she repeated one more time, tears coming more easily than usual for Brie, "please. You can trust me."
Najin and Teri stood ready on the sides, lasers set for stun.
* * *
Lucian
"Welcome, Colonial Warriors! For almost twenty-four yahrens, we chased across the heavens in the Caprican Questar. When we finally run out of luck, you arrive! We thank you for coming to our rescue!"
"I'm Captain Cain, and you're...?
"Excuse me, sir! I'm Frazeer, Third-Officer of the CQ," said the man. Cain estimated that he was around 40 to 45 yahrens, and he had the gaunt look of one who had lost weight unwillingly. In fact, all of the survivors looked pretty thin.
"I was in charge here," said Frazeer. "Our Captain and the other officers were killed by the ghosts that inhabit this hellhole soon after we were stranded here. When you you take us away?" His anxiousness was obvious and most of the others were nodding and showing the same pleading look.
"Ghosts?" asked Lt. Kris. "You really think ghosts would have laser pistols?"
"The ghosts have stolen things from us. They have forced us out of two hideouts already, leaving us with very little. We have to guard our cave and be very secretive when we return from searching for food."
"Ghosts don't leave footprints," said a female voice in the back.
"Shut up, Ari'," whispered another woman, just loud enough for Justin to make out the words. "These Warriors are here to save us. Don't blow it."
"Our people will pack our few belongings and be ready to go within a half centar," said Frazeer to Captain Cain, again with the pleading look that he just wanted to get away. Cain nodded in agreement.
"What about the others?" asked Ari'. "Are we just going to leave them?"
"They're dead! We've told you that over and over. When are you going to get it through your thick skull? The ghosts took them. They're gone! Forget about them, and thank the Lords that you are rescued!" Frazeer stomped away.
Ari', a pretty young woman in her late 20's, stood with her hands planted on her hips glaring after Frazeer. "Coward!" she said under her breath before turning to seek out the Warriors.
* * *
Stadia
Stadia listened to the conversation before stepping out into the open with her men. Stadia ponders a moment and then steps out of the shadows. “We can save the survivors taken by the aliens. It wont be easy if they have the ability to cloak their attacks. We have one thing that this enemy doesn’t and that’s guile.” Everyone startled and turned. Some holding weapons and others preparing to run. “Lt. Stadia! Where did you come from?” asked a stunned Captain Cain. “I was just flying around the neighborhood and thought I would come and see what the fun was.” Everyone nervously laughed. “Seriously sir. I think we can get the other survivors out. I think if we go in and should we need to, we can lay down suppression fire to hold the enemy in place while we get the survivors out. The girl can show us the way into the area.”
* * *
Lucian
"You're right, Lieutenant, but we're going to need some intelligence on the area. So far, all we've got are some fair topo maps Skyler shot, and I don't know if they even cover the area where we'll need to go. His Viper's equipped with a stereoscope, so we could use it to shoot the area where we'll be going in more detail. Miss, what was your name?"
"Ari', sir," she said.
"Can you read a map?" When she nodded, he said, "Show me their hideout."
It was well outside the area where they had topographic information, so Cain asked, "Stadia, do you have any Warriors stationed with our Vipers and the shuttles?"
She had left Lieutenants Brik and ThunderWarrior with the two Colonial Troopers left by the first group, so Cain said, "Let's get one of them to do a flyover, shoot the area, transmit it to us, and then, we'll know more about what well need."
A few centars later, Brik's shots rolled out of the LandRam's on-board printer. The shots were quite good, but there was nothing but natural features to be seen. Contour lines at about 2 meter intervals cut across the photos, giving it the illusion of depth.
Ari' looked over the map, found a stream, and began tracing it. Soon, she tapped her finger lightly and said, "Right here. The entrance to their cave is here."
"I guess that would explain THAT then," said Kris staring at the photomap.
"What do you mean?" came from several Warriors at once.
"That!" She set her finger on the map, pointing to a shadow on the ground where there appeared to be nothing to make it.
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Post by LucianG on Mar 31, 2007 9:38:14 GMT -6
JustinB
Before we even should decide whether or not we were going to see if there were any more survivors, there were other things to consider.
"Captain Cain Sir," I said, "before we attempt anything we should consider sending the survivors we have here back to one of the shuttles. The six Colonial Troopers can take a landram back with the survivors except Ari' and Kralyth. They can wait until we have completed the search for the missing CQ survivors. Also we can have Captain Holodoc and Lieutenant Jarrynn at the shuttles ready to deal with any ill or wounded when we return. Black squadron is ready to deploy, but I would feel a whole lot better if we had Viper support."
Kris nodding in agreement said, "Sir JustinB is right we must take care of these survivors first, but it is your call."
* * *
It was unanimously agreed, that before any rescue was attempted the survivors we had found would be taken to the shuttles first. I went up to Frazeer to tell him what was decided.
"Frazeer, you and your people have fifteen centons to be on the landrams. Make sure only essential items are brought." I didn't tell him that we planned a rescue, he didn't have the need to know.
Surprisingly enough everyone was aboard within nine centons. Only a few had brought non-essential items. But when we discarded them they didn't complain. I guess they thought we would leave them behind if they complained to much.
With everyone aboard the three landrams we started the long journey back to the shuttles.
"I hope the way back to the shuttle is uneventful," I said to Kris. From the looks of my fellow warriors, I'd say that’s exactly what they were thinking."
* * *
The one and a half centar trip back to the shuttles was an uneventful one. “Hey JustinB,” a voice came from behind me. It was Rose. “I guess we scared the pogees out of the creatures we encountered.”
“Don’t be so sure, I have a feeling we are going to have it out the next time we meet.” I replied.
Once at the shuttles, the survivors from the cave were taken aboard the Gold Squadron shuttle. Two of the Colonial Troopers were placed inside the shuttle, while the other four took up defensive positions on top of the shuttles which had been placed together. Holodoc was to be stationed in Black One, while Jarrynn was to be in Black Two.
Captains Cain and Skyler, Lieutenants Kris, Stadia and myself along with Ari' and Kralyth got together to discuss the upcoming rescue operation. Once again looking at the map, we tried to decide which way we plan our rescue. Whichever way we took, it was going to take time. In the end, we all decided to follow the stream and follow it to the cave.
For support, Cain and Skyler, would pilot their vipers and give us aerial support if we required. But first they would do a flyover and shoot the area surrounding the cave and transmit them to the landrams before we attacked. On conclusion of the meeting, I briefed the Black Squadron Warriors while Cain and Stadia briefed Gold Squadron.
We set out a few centars after dusk, hoping to be in position by sunrise. Apart from the drivers and myself, everyone went to sleep. I always found it hard to sleep before something major, even at the academy I had the same problem before examinations.
Time had passed and I finally managed to get some sleep. It was short lived as we arrived within 500 metrons from the cave mouth. Seeing that we had a few centars before sunrise. I managed to catch another centars worth of sleep. When I woke up, I tapped Ari' on the shoulder and woke her up. I handed her some rations and some water. I then had some water and rations just in case I needed the energy. The other two landrams checked in to say that everyone was up and ready to go.
I could just see the first shades of light when the map from Skyler came through on the Landrams on-board printer. Seeing nothing else useful, I contacted my team ready for the rescue. Lieutenant’s Rose and Phlandor would man the first Landram and I decided that Lieutenants Lusitan and Nylah would man the second. Stadia informed me that Lieutenants Butch and Bard would look after theirs.
We all formed up in front of my Landram. I pulled Kris aside and said, “Kris, keep an eye on Ensign Ursiaon. He thinks he is three metrons tall and laser-proof.” Kris nodded.
Randrius took point and led us towards the cave mouth. Slowly but surely we made our way.
* * *
Stadia
Stadia went with Kris to brief the Warriors. They find the crew checking out the landrams. She pauses with Lt. Kris. ?Ok Warriors, listen up. We have a new task to tackle. We are going to help rescue the survivors of the CQ. They are trapped by an unknown force in a cave. We will follow the black squad up the creek until we reach. Two vipers will be oding a recon of the site so we will wait until they report back. Stow all your gear and prepare to leave. Dismissed.?
The crew turned to follow orders. They gathered all the stuff they had removed and stowed it back aboard the land rams. Stadia turns and heads into the land ram to secure her gear. Once that was done, we boarded and formed on Blacks rear. Randrius took point and led us towards the cave mouth. Slowly but surely we made our way. The path to the cave entrance was ragged and narrow. We had a heck of a time making our way up the mtn. We almost lost Lt. Bard when rocks gave way under her feet. We all froze in place, hoping that we hadn?t been discovered. After what had seemed an enternity, we continued on our way to the cave. We stopped at a ledge just a few feet below the cave entrance and looked out. What we saw amazed us all. These creatures with six appendages and a green tint to their scales.
We all just stared.
* * *
Lucian
Ari' had said that she thought this was an old abandoned entrance. From the look, it appeared that she was right. They were on a ledge several meters above the main floor of the cavern. Looking down, it looked similar to what was described in old books as a village square. Entrances could be seen on all sides of the cavern. There was a large cistern near the center of the cavern, and several piles of broken sticks...or possibly bone shards. There were several stacks of spears, javelins, and smooth stones throughout the area.
The cavern was dimly lit by a greenish phosporescence on the walls and ceiling overhead. It threw off just enough light to allow the creatures to be seen. Ari's description of the Reptiloids appeared generally correct. Most stood on four back legs and used their front apendages as arms. They were almost 2 meters tall when erect, with an overall length of over 3 meters, but their bodies looked thin and lithe. In the green light, their chameleon ability appeared to be useless, but Lusitan shook his head on the night vision equipment. Even in the coolness of the cavern, they creatures were still difficult to see.
Ari' pointed to the far side of the cavern to what appeared to be a heavy grating. It covered another cave entrance. She nodded, indicated that she believed the human prisoners would be found there.
Meanwhile, Kralyth held tightly to his laser pistol. He wondered why it had been so easy to get into this place. Surely the Reptiloids knew of this entrance, and would not leave such an entrance unguarded; however, Ari' had told the Warriors that she'd been through it on two occasions to try to gain information about the prisoners. Kralyth was silent as he could be, intent on not letting the beasts know they were there. He peered back into the darkness of the narrow cave through which they'd just come. He was sure the two Troopers on the other end would let them know if there was a problem.
* * *
Randrius
Randrius follow Ari'. His rifle had been leveled and ready the whole trip and after seeing the six-appendaged lizards, he was jumpier than ever. He continued on in silence.
* * *
Stadia
Stadia followed Lt. Kris as they made their way up the ledge. Capt. Kris motioned for me to take some of my men and scout the entrance. I motioned for bard and butch and an ensign to follow me.
We slowly climbed toward the cave entrance trying to be careful. We didnt want to deal with any six appended creatures. We looked about from our hidden advantage point. We only saw one guard and he carried what looked to be a colonial weapon.
We noticed that the cave was covered with bars and there was one survivor standing at the gate. We looked around but couldnt see any way to get them out without attracting attention.
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Post by LucianG on Mar 31, 2007 9:38:37 GMT -6
JustinB
Kra'a and Sma'ar were gathered around the campfire with their brothers and sisters. Kra'a told them that he wanted one of the mechanical beasts the new Ko-no-nes' had brought. He also said that these new Ko-no-nes' would be perfect to breed. "They are all healthy and strong," Kra'a hissed to his fighters, "Kill them if you must, but bring as many as you can back alive."
Kra'a, Sma'ar and the rest of the fighters gathered up their weapons and headed out a narrow exit, opposite to the entrance the were at. *******************
I watched as the reptilian creatures left their cave via an narrow exit on the other side of the cave. I waited a couple of centons, just in case some came back. When the coast was clear, we made our move. Ari' went in first with Randrius and myself covering her. She went over to the grate covered cave entrance.
"Ari', Air' is that really you?" Came a woman's voice from behind the grating.
"Look, there's no time for a reunion. We have made friends that can take us out of here. So hurry," Ari' said anxiously.
It took Randrius, Kris and myself to pull the grating away to free the eighteen captives. There was a brief moment of joy, but was interrupted by the sound of a laser pistol. A single reptilian creature had returned. Stadia had spotted it and fired.
"Well," I said, "if they don't know what we are up too, they soon will." Turning to Kris and Randrius I said, "Lets get these people out of hear. I will take up the rear."
As soon as I reached the cave exit, blaster fire erupted from behind me. I ran a few metrons into the cave tunnel and returned fire. Seeing for the moment we were outnumbered and at a disadvantage due to us having the captives with us, I fired into the ceiling. The entrance to the tunnel collapsed, giving us a bit of breathing room.
Now, to make it to the shuttles with as few casualties as possible. I also hoped our aerial support would be there when we needed it.
* * *
Skyler
Skyler's scanners flashed for a micron..
"Cain, did you pick that up?"
"Yes I did, looks like the team has engaged the lizard creatures."
Skyler and Cain eased into the preassigned position, waiting to the moment they would sweep down and provide cover for the Warriors on the ground.
* * *
Stadia
“Randrius! We better get out of here fast. I was only able to cripple that thing whatever it was.”
The survivors started making her way out of the cave. Stadia motioned for Lt. Kris to go first. Kris nodded and headed out to make sure the coast was clear.
“zwhap!”
Lt. Kris jumped back with her laser pistol held ready. The look on her face said everything. We were trapped. They had some how managed to surround us.
Lt. Stadia thought to herself, “Damn they are fast!” She edged her way around the edge of the rock faces to see what they were dealing with. She saw four of the creatures. Where were the rest? She turned back just in time to see the creature she had shot earlier. As quick as possible she raised her laser pistol and shot the creature just barely missing Randrius and a couple of the survivors.
The creature let out a howling screech that could of woke the dead before falling to the ground. Randrius and the others looked at her with shock. It only lasted a moment as the other creatures began to fire upon the location.
“Quick get the survivors down!” stadia yelled. She began firing back at the creatures as she dashed to help the others. “Where is that damn air support?”
Just as she said that, laser fire came down from the heavens and blasted at the creatures. They stopped momentarily and then ran trying to escape the wrath of an unknown enemy.
Stadia moved down the path a ways. She moved out of sight of the others. She was looking to make sure she got the last one. She turned to leave when something slid its hand over her mouth. She struggled to get away but soon blackness engulfed her.
One of the creatures looked her now limp body over. “They will be most please that I have captured one of them.”
* * *
Stadia woke sometime later. Her eyes squinting to adjust to the dim lighting. She could make out that she was in a cave. She tried to get up but discovered her legs were bound together and her wrists were chained to the walls.
She wondered if the rest had gotten away. She silently berated herself for making a rookie mistake. They taught you over and over , never leave sight of the rest of your men.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the clicking sound on the rock floor of the cave. She looked up to see a monster looking down at her. His exoskeleton was green in color and looked to be tough as nails. He stood back on four of his appendages and he used two as arms.
“Yes they will be most please.” He sat two bowls next to her and turned to leave.
Stadia shots out, “Who are you?”
The insectoid like creature keeps walking out, ignoring her or not understanding her.
Stadia pulls against the chains only to find the binding cut into her wrist when she does. She looked around to see if there was anything she could break the chains with.
* * *
Skyler and Cain noticed flicks of light erupting over the location. They moved their vipers into position.
“Ok Skyler back me up.” Cain pushed his viper forward. They swooped down over the enemies encampment, strafing it with laser fire. He pulled up just in time to see Skyler make his run
Meanwhile on the ground Randrius and Lt. Kris were shooting at the enemy, trying to get rid of them. They were having trouble seeing the enemy. The creatures had engaged their cloaks.
They saw the vipers coming in on their runs and turned to tell the survivors to get down. As they did the lasers from the viper began to peel across the camp. The survivors crowded together to avoid the flying debris.
When the blasting from the vipers was over only eerie silence could be heard. The debris settling down obscured most everyones view. Captain Cain and Skyler bring their vipers down over the site to make sure the group. Seeing that there was no longer any laser fire, he returned to his position with Skyler behind him.
When the debris settled Randrius and Kris began to check for injuries.
“Hey Kris! Have you seen Stadia?”
“Last time I saw she had gone down the path to see if there were anymore of those creatures.”
Randrius headed down the pathway with his laser in hand. He didn’t know if they had gotten all of those things. He walked a short distance when he saw a shiny object on the ground. He bends over and picks it up. He turns it over and notices the inscription. Good luck Stadia love mom and dad. He clinched his fist around it.
He returns to the rest of the group. “Ari can you come here a moment.”, he asked the girl as he motions to Kris to join them. Ari follows him as they step away from the main group.
“Ari, what was the reason they were kidnapping your people?”
“Ari doesn’t know for sure.”
Randruis swears. “They have taken Stadia.” Kris looks at him.
Meanwhile back in the cave, Stadia is trying to figure a way out to get loose.
She jumps when she hears the clicking on the floor. She looks up to see the creature right in front of her. Its jaw like appendages opening and closing near her face, his front appendages reached down and weaved this silk like material around her wrists.
At first Stadia could move her wrists but the material soon harden. The creature reached up and removed the chains from her wrists. She looked up to him.
He turned to face her feet. His appendage moved to his mandibles disappearing inside. He pulled it back trailing a string behind him. He began to wrap her legs in the string material. After awhile he had her legs encased in this string like material. Soon he had her encased up to her neck.
She found at first she could move but as time went by it stiffened and she couldn’t move.
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Post by LucianG on Mar 31, 2007 9:39:08 GMT -6
Lucian
Kra’a had ordered the larger equipment brought up from the hidden caves, but it was taking too long to arrive. His fighters would have to force the Ko-no-nees to surrender if there was going to be any chance of using them for their intended purpose. Earlier, he had had Sma’ar distribute a supply of the hand mines to use against the Ko-no-nees, but like the other weapons, they generally killed rather than stunning, plus the weapons threatened to spoil the Reptiloids’ chameleon-like ability. While their reptilian skin could easily be blended to match their basic background, they could not match particular details, and they couldn’t hide anything they carried.
Ari’ picked up on this as she jumped behind a tree. She wondered if they had made a mistake leaving the relative shelter of the Reptiloids’ cave complex, since fewer of them could approach at once there. However, they had to get to the Warriors’ shuttles to have any chance of escape, and sitting still in the cave would move them no closer at all. Ari’ waved for the people they had rescued to stay down, since the fire was coming from all sides around them now. One of the men tried to jump to a better position, but just as he landed, one of the hand mines sailed into the same spot. The explosion blew the man several meters to the side where he lay in a crumpled, bloody heap against a tree. Ari’ fought the urge to retch at the sight of another dead friend, but instead, her eyes searched frantically, looking for weapons in the trees. Seeing what appeared to be a blurry area in the trees, she was able to spot a laser pistol seemingly suspended in the air, so she aimed at the center of the blurry area and fired. A screech filled the woods, and the lizard creature crashed to the ground from his perch almost 7 meters above the ground. Since he was dead and his chameleon ability was no longer working, the formerly ferocious six legged beast was now visible. Ari’ thought, “He was sure an ugly bastard.” She searched for other targets and told the couple of Troopers near her to do the same.
* * *
As the fighting continued, Kra’a became increasingly unhappy. The Ko-no-nees had to be taken alive if they were going to be useful for breeding purposes. Without the breeding program, their tasty meat might be lost to his race. Since the Ko-no-nees had already killed several members of his band, and those flying machines were now making matters worse, he flicked his tongue mightily when the first of the laser cannons was reported to have arrived.
Kra’a said to the Reptiloid who arrived with the message, “No! Do not aim it at the Ko-no-nees. It would kill far too many of them for our purposes. Set it up a short distance away so the Ko-no-nees on the ground cannot find it. Then, target the flying wings above. Sma’ar has already programmed it’s detection devices to locate their ships based on the information we detected earlier. Blow them out of the sky!”
* * *
Randrius
Randrius knew that Stadia had been captured, his instincts told him that. He pocketed the locket. "What do we do now," Kris asked. "We've got to get the survivors to safety," he sighed, "I hate to leave her, but we are gonna have to come back for her later." Randrius thougt for a second, and then shook his head. No, he couldn't just leave her. "Kris, get them outta here. I'm going to find Stadia." "But..." "Go." With that, Randrius turned and headed down the path. ******* Randrius found the Reptiloids' strange footprint a short distance away from where he found the locket. He tracked the marks back to a small, idden cave entrance. The dusty floor made following the tracks easy at first, but then more tracks begin to blur the one's he was following. Randrius nearly ran into a Reptiloid guarding the prisoner pens. The creature wirled around and brought a laser pistol to bear. Randrius kicked instincively and knocked the weapons from the creatures hand. It hissed and swatted the gun out of his hand, charging into him as it did. The Reptiloids' hands closed around his neck. Randrius felt himself graying out, he reached down and pulled a holdout laser from his boot. He jammed it into the creatures belly and pulled the trigger. The lizard howled and Randrius finished it with a shot to the head. ******* He found Stadia several minutes later and it took him several more minutes to break into the pen. He took his knife and cut her bindings. He tossed her the pistol that he had taken from the guard. "C'mon, let's get outta here."
* * *
Stadia
“Randrius! What are you doing here? Where are the survivors?” she managed to hiss at him quietly, Randrius motioned to her to be quiet. He looked out into the corridor.
“Randrius my feet and legs are asleep I don’t think I am going anywhere until I get the feeling back.” She tried to stand up by grabbing the wall. She got half way up when Randrius came back and scooped her up and made is way out of the pen into the corridor.
His eyes dart back and forth trying to keep from running into the insectoids. He was distracted trying to get out when he paused to check a new corridor. Stadia saw a flicker of a light reflecting off a laser pistol.
“Randrius get down!” but the warning came to late The laser blasted forth hitting him in the leg. Randruis feel to the ground taking Stadia with him. Stadia rolled on the floor until her head hit a stone projection rendering her unconscious. Randrius tried to get to her before they did harm to her but felt himself blacking out.
* * *
A short time later Stadia woke to a splitting headache and a fellow warrior unconscious beside her. She smiles as his breath tickles her neck. She could help but wonder what these big ugly things wanted with the survivors and the warriors.
She hears that clicking on the floor and tries to turn to see the creature. She sees Randrius being lifted off the ground and then suddenly she is lifted up and thrown over the shoulder of one of the creatures.
They seemed to be going deeper into the cave. The light was fading. With each step. Stadia couldn’t see Randrius even though her eyes had adjusted. They entered a new path where the light slowly became brighter. Her eyes adjust to see Randrius waking up.
“Randrius! Randrius! Wake up!”
* * *
Meanwhile Kris hurries everyone aboard the land rams. The rams begin to shake.
“Get us the frack out of here. Their bringing in the big guns!”
The land rams turn and begin to get out of there. Lt. Kris ponders the future of Stadia and Randrius. She turns to the radio and calls to Capt. Cain,
“We lost Lts. Stadia and Randrius. Stadia was taken during the battle when she went to check for enemies to our rear. Randrius was lost when he went to save her.”
Captain Cain listened in utter calm besides learning that he lost two of his best men.
The transmission suddenly goes quiet. ___________________________________________________________ Stadia watched as she and Randrius were taken in separate directions. She was taken into a tent and set on a pile off what one would call bedding.
A short time later, after she had knodded off to sleep, she was awaken by the appendage of one of the creatures. She was carefully cutting away the husk that had kept Stadia still.. Once she had the husk removed she began to remove the warriors clothing.
Stadia tried to pull away but the creature kept a firm grip on her legs with some of her appendages. This one was smaller then the others. His touch lighter then others
Soon Stadia’s long redden hair was woven with silver like strands and carefully wrapped and pinned to her head. She wondered what was happening to Randruis. The creature motioned for her to stand but Stadia didn’t understand so the creature used one of her appendages to pull Stadia to her feet.
Stadia stumbled but soon was standing. The creature placed a collar around her neck.. The appendage reached behind her snapping the collar shut. After what seemed an enternity, Stadia come back to her senses to find the creature had wrapped a silky feeling material around her chest revealing a little more of herself then she had let anyone see. She looked down to find wrapped around her lower half a skirt of the same kind of material. She looked up and the creature was gone.
Randrius was taken into a tent filled with a few of the male survivors. He was surprised to see there were more. People to save.
His body was divested of the hard material that had encased his body. He was left to get the feeling back in his legs and feet.
Lt. Kris was jostled around as the lasers hit around the land rams as they headed back to the shuttles. All of sudden the rear of her land ram exploded with flames and sparks shooting out.
* * *
Randrius
Randrius woke up and found himself in a pen. Randrius was mad now to say the least. "What the frack am I doin' in this frackin' bird-cage," he saw a guard pass and he slammed himself against the side of the pen, "Come back here, you scaly son of a b**ch." As Randrius launched into a vivid description of what he would to the creature if he got a hold of it, the guard stared and him curiously and moved towards Randrius to subdue him. "Yeah, c'mere ya' stupid, scaly piece of felgercarb. That's it, come on over here so I can whoop your a**. I don't wanna reach over there an' do it." The guard swung the butt of his pistol, intending to lay him out. Randrius dodged at the last moment and the creatures arm went through the bars. He grabbed its arm and wrenched it around painfully to the side, he heard a snap that was obviously a bone breaking. The creature tried to pull away, but Randrius held on desperately. He smashed the guards hand against the bars, causing him to drop the pistol. Then, bracing himself against the bar, he jerked the creature towards him with all his strength, dashing its head on the bars. Too dazed to cry out, it slumped to the floor, where Randrius finished it by snapping its neck. He grabbed the pistol and fired repeatedly at the lock, blasting the door open. He turned to the other captives, who looked at im in socked silence. "You comin'?" One man spoke up, "Of course." ******* Randrius led the male captives through the long, twisting passageways. After killing three Reptiloids and aquiring a new slash on his shoulder to go with the limp, he finally found a tunnel out. After getting clear of the cave, e got to work on getting his holdout comm out of his body. He gripped one of his back molars and jerked. Te tooth came out smoothly, he flipped off the cap that make it pass a tooth and activated the relatively weak comm. "Hey, Lt. Randrius here. Anyone out there?" ******* Cain was a little surprised to here Randrius voice over his comm. "Where are you, Randrius?" "Don't know, home in on signal." He did so and a few minutes later he saw Randrius ad a group of men crossing a clearing. "OK just head west, you should meet up with the Landram if you hurry." "Thanks Cain, Randrius out."
* * *
Randrius heard the Landram before he saw it. "C'mon, we've gotta hurry." The captives made broke into a run to keep up with him. Suddenly, he saw the LandRam coming over a hill and he waved it down. Kris saw Randrius and slowed the LandRam. "Need a lift." Randrius grinned, "It would help, yeah." Randrius helped the captives onto the LandRam and a bare minute later, it rumbled on. He would come back for Stadia, he hoped she would be alright. But there was nothing more he could do now.
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Post by LucianG on Mar 31, 2007 9:39:39 GMT -6
Doc BKJ
Doc, was most concern. CPR had been administerd twice on the way in but now again as Strgazors' heart shut down once more. X-rays had been taken to look for fractured bones and a picture of his chest to check his lungs. She was now attaching the electrodes to his head to measure his brain activity. Stargazor had been unresponsive from the beginning and she was fearful that he had a brain injury. Once this test was complete she would need to run the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan.
Testing so far had led her to the conclusion that these test were a must. Although normal pupils of the eye are generally unequal. Stargazors were exceptionally abnormal. She had also noted irregular breathing and the skin turning black behind the ears. All she could really do right now is administer the tests and wait for the results.
Doc would keep a constant vigil on her patient. Watching every hour for any kind of change. What she feared most was the possibility of slow bleeding in the brain, a "subdural hematoma". Thinking back to her textbook definition-Slow bleeding inside the head usually occur within the first 24 to 72 hours. Slow bleeding may produce chronic headache, persistant vomiting, or personality changes after the injury.
* * *
Stargazor
Stargazor was fighting with every fiber in his body. He kept asking himself who he was, why couldn’t he remember. What had happened to him and who wore those people he’d seen images of. Who was this mystery lady?
On the outside Stargazor was being prepped for a series of test’s. His vital singes wore still unstable. Further more the wound to his head was severe enough to kill him, only his will to live kept him alive.
Info (But the doctors soon would find out he will never be the same person as he was before. Who he would be will be determined by the persons he would come in contact with… But to avoid stress they can never tell him who he was or what happened to him, if he would find out what happened to his parents, friends and more it could do more harm then good).
* * *
Stargazor got medical attention on some kind of medical device. Somehow it helped and Stargazor’s vitals came back to a better level. He even woke up for a few moments but he’s very weak and scared: Where was he, who is he, who are these persons around him, why does he have pain al over his body.
* * *
Brie/Amy/Nefeteri
Brie cried out again to Amy. Amy stopped screaming, stopped running, and turned to face her again. She stood like a buck in the gun site waiting to be shot. Teri wasn't going to let her get away again. She had already done that and there was no way she was going back to the lake.
"Amy!" Teri shouted. "Remain where you are!"
At the sound of another familiar but not known voice Amy began to bolt. That was when Teri took action that neiter Brie nor Najin had wanted to. She had her lazer pistol set to stun and took her down with one shot.
"No one else was going to do it," Teri yelled. Najin and Brie walked slowly to the now downed Amy. Suddenly the ground beneath them began to tremble and the sand beneath Amy slowly sucked her body into what seemed to be a sinkhole. With a heart breaking cry, Brie ran and attempted to save her friend. It was no use. The sand was calm everywhere else except where Amy had been. In fact the sinkhole was totally solid again as nothing had happened there.
"Ensign Nefeteri until you've been told to shoot," Brie blasted her. "You are NOT to do a thing! You were only in position to jump her. I had not given the command to blast her."
"Ma'am, if I may, I think you're getting your feelings in the way about Lt. Amy."
Brie cut Teri off. "No, ensign, you may not. You're in my squadron, and you'll do as I say, otherwise you'll find yourself up on charges, and this time I won't make any efforts at all to get you out. Do you understand?"
Teri nodded, but didn't say a word. The ground shook again, this time far off in the distance. It looked like another sink hole was in that area, but there was something different this time. Something was being thrust out of the hole. Suddenly Brie realized that Amy was rising out of the ground. She was quite a bit closer to where the other vipers had landed. It was almost like she was being forced in that direction. Amy screamed again, although she was far enough away that she could barely be heard. She looked back at Brie, Teri and Najin, and started to run again.
"At least she's headed in the right direction," Brie yelled. "Come on, let's go!"
* * *
Nefeteri
After being yelled at by the one she most respected, Teri hung back and let Brie and Najin follow Amy. If she was told to directly, then she would hit Amy again with a stun from her blaster but not before. Where Amy was going or what they were going to do was anyone's guess.
* * *
Brie
Amy continued to run in the right direction, still far from but nearing the vipers. She seemed to be running out of steam. Whether it was because of the fight, being stunned or just exhaustion Brie didn't know. She was just glad that they were getting closer to the vipers. If her direction changed then Brie might have to stun Amy herself. She wanted this all to be over with.
* * *
Lucian
Major Lucian, former Leader of Black Squadron, thought about his move into his new quarters the late the cycle before. In one hand, he had had his duffel with all of his possessions, and in the other hand, he had carried the orders that had finally arrived from the Bridge. Stepping into the room and closing the door behind him, he had suddenly felt truly ALONE. Through his entire life, he had always shared quarters, including during his stint as Black Squadron Leader, choosing to remain in the barracks rather than displace someone with a family from an officer’s tiny apartment. During all that time, things were always crowded and there was always noise from those coming to and fro. Now, he’d been assigned to this apartment that seemed to have more room than he had ever imagined possible for a single person short of Commander Sheba, Lieutenant Colonel Charybdis, or Captain Rostammer, his leader aboard the Odyssey Nine. A second look had quickly revealed that his first look was somewhat exaggerated. It wasn’t really all that big, but he still wondered if he was displacing someone. He had had no idea who had been here before him.
He had set out a couple of minor personal items, including a photo of his parents and a Black Squadron banner signed by most of the Black Squadron Warriors. He had looked at it hanging on the wall, and then with a sigh, had taken it down. He had folded it carefully, and placed it in his locker. If his understanding of his new position was correct, he’d not be able to show favoritism to any of the Callisto’s three squadrons, so the banner had to go. He had hung his clothes in the locker, and wondered when his new Blues would be ready. He had been measured for them earlier in the cycle. In his new position on the Bridge, he’d be wearing the blue command uniform the majority of the time, but if he’d heard Commander Sheba correctly, he'd still get to wear the tan Warrior’s uniform in association with his work with the Squadrons. He had read the orders once more, and that part wasn't there, but again that last line jumped out at him: “and additional duties that Lieutenant Colonel Charybdis will explain following your arrival when you report for duty at 01:00 tomorrow.” Maybe that was what that meant.
That was now today. Just after breakfast and his early morning workout, a tailor with a pair of Blues in tow had arrived. A quick fitting proved that the tailor’s measurements had been correct. Although technically the uniform fit, Lucian felt mildly uncomfortable in it anyway. After being told that the last two uniforms would be ready by the end of the cycle, Major Lucian stopped by the Black Squadron office to check in on Major BatGal before he headed to the bridge to report for duty.
* * *
BatGal
BatGal sat at her desk in the Black Squadron office. Major Lucian had just stopped by on his way to the bridge to say hello, and it took her a little by surprise to see him in his new blue bridge officer’s uniform.
She hated to admit it, but he looked really good in his new attire -- the blue brought out the color in his eyes. But then again, Lucian was born to wear a uniform and always looked impeccable in it, even when he was in the middle of combat, or stranded out in space for what seemed like yahrens without food or water in a damaged viper, waiting for a friendly tow (from Kris’s towing service!) back to the Callisto. Even after his towing ordeal, his boots were so shiny that they gleamed...
BatGal sighed. She had grown accustomed to seeing him in his tan warrior’s gear, and it would take her a while to get used to the idea that the Major was no longer in Black Squadron.
* * *
Stadia
An ensign wallked up to Major Llucian.
"Excuse me Major. A lady warrior asked me to delliver this."
He handed the major a box. Lucian took it, wondering what it was. He opened it to find a bottle of ambrosia and a note inside it. He took the note out and read it.
It said:
Congrats on the new promotion and looking to the future, Stadia.
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Post by LucianG on Mar 31, 2007 9:40:18 GMT -6
Charybdis
Major Lucian stepped onto the bridge at attention. He saluted as he saw me and Commander Sheba. The Commander returned the salute and Major Lucian stepped forward.
"Major, it's nice to see you on the bridge. I see that the uniform suits you well. We're going to be counting on you." Sheba said.
"Yes, ma'am. It'll take a little getting used to, but I'm looking forward to it. I know that Lt., I mean, Major BatGal will do a fine job with the squadron." Lucian replied kicking himself for the slip of the tongue.
"If you'll see Colonel Charybdis, he'll fill you in on your new duties." she motioned to me.
"Right this way, Major." I led Lucian into the war room. He took a seat and I sat down opposite him. I had a small vid screen with his orders showing on it. I handed it to him so he could look it over.
"We've seen how well organized you are and how well you handled the squadron over the past yahren. We want to continue that organization but this time, from the bridge level, while still dealing with the squadrons. Read that over and tell me what you think..." I said. I waited until he finished to see what he had to say...
* * *
Lucian
Major Lucian read the orders. Basically, he would coordinate squadron activities with respect to commands from the Bridge and oversee squadron readiness and training. The Callisto’s Warriors must always be vigilant and ready for an attack from any quarter, so he understood the importance of the mission. The Training Academy gave the new Warriors the basics, but in many cases, additional, advanced training was necessary to give them the edge they needed to succeed in a particular mission. As the Callisto’s tenatively titled “Flight Operations and Training Officer,” Lucian would be heavily involved in that and would work closely with the Squadron Leaders and their officers. He nodded as he read, but in the end, he looked up and asked, “Sir, as written, this does NOT place me in charge of the Callisto’s branch of the Training Academy. It specifically addresses Warrior readiness and training, but not Cadets. I believe I am interpreting that correctly, Sir?”
“Yes, Major. You are; however, although you command does not extend to the Cadet ranks of the Training Academy, there are certain Warriors assigned to the Training Academy…”
* * *
Charybdis
"Yes, Major, there are certain Warriors in charge of the Cadets in the Training Academy proper, but the whole organization, if you will, will now be under your direct supervision as you report here to the bridge." I responded.
Major Lucian sat and thought a moment. Before he could say anything more, I continued, "therefore, YOU will be in charge of Captain Lazant and the overall Academy's progress." I let the words sink in. Lucian would now be in charge, directly in charge of Lazant! I don't really know how he felt about that, but I did know that Lucian and I were sort of kindred spirits where Lazant was concerned. Lucian did not like Lazant any more than I did.
I continued, "Your first assignment in fact, is to find someone who will do a complete statistical and progress analysis of the entire Academy operation. Lazant has been slipping, and I want to know why. If Commander Apollo ever heard of some of the things that Lazant's cadets are doing, he'd go crazy!!!"
Major Lucian sat in silence for a micron. I awaited what he had to say now...
* * *
Lucian
“Permission to speak freely, Sir?” questioned Lucian.
Charybdis nodded.
“Sir, I know that the current administration of the Training Academy has left something to be desired for quite some time and that the head of the Training Academy has long been a ‘loose turbo cannon’ at least with respect to you and somewhat even with respect to myself. I'm sure that he will take orders as given, but I'm not so sure he will take this that well. In that event, based on these orders, it appears I am being given the direct authority to do what needs to be done to correct the situation. If I have to report to the Bridge and ask permission, it will undermine the mission I've been assigned, and, any respect that the man might have had for me, in whatever minute amounts that might have existed, will be gone. That, Sir, is a recipe for certain failure, and as you know, I hate failure."
As Charybdis was about to respond, Lucian hoped he understood correctly. If not, he'd probably be better off as the lowest level ordinary crewman aboard ship swabbing decks rather than remaining a hamstrung officer. Still, he was a Warrior, and if duty dictated otherwise....
* * *
Charybdis
"I understand your concern, Major," I replied. "It wouldn't do any of us any good if you had to keep running to the bridge to ask permission for any changes you might institute. That is why, you will have full jurisdiction according to Colonial Military regulations for the inspection and upkeep of any training facility used for the education and training of our Warriors.
"In other words, it is now your full responsibility to see that it gets done one way or another. The fact that Cpt. Lazant might feel a bit uncomfortable is to be disregarded. He has a lot of other things to be worried about right now."
* * *
Stargazor
Stargazor got medical attention on some kind of medical device. Somehow it helped and Stargazor’s vitals came back to a better level. He even woke up for a few moments but he’s very weak and scared: Where was he, who is he, who are these persons around him, why does he have pain al over his body.
* * *
BatGal
Major BatGal stopped by MedLab to check on Ensign Stargazor and the other injured warriors. The medstaff told her that Stargazor was finally sleeping for more than just a few centons at a time and that his breathing was less erratic.
She hated when anyone got injured. She hated it even more when they were young Ensigns out on one of their first missions.
* * *
Amy
Amy continued to run blindly, her mind in turmoil over having attacked these strangers. She had hit two of them with one of those strange, uncontrollable mental blasts and she knew that she could have easily killed them both. Part of her felt relief that both “Teri” and the man had gotten back onto their feet, even if only to shoot at her.
She felt particular regret over having attacked the one called “Brie.” She felt hatred for them all for how they had taken her from her friends below, but this woman was somehow different. She had seen it in the way this one had looked at her, talked to her, and even as Amy sat on top of her, striking at her, “Brie” had barely defended herself. She instead had cried out for Amy to stop, using a phrase that Amy knew she had heard before. “Lords of Kobol,” Brie had said. Kobol. What did it mean, and why did it matter so? It was all so confusing!
Amy was a good distance ahead of the three pursuers, so she began to slow down, and soon stopped by a large rock formation and some thick vegetation. She sat down, looking at the green growth beside her. She reached out and felt it, and felt a flash of memory- again the image of lush green fields beneath a great dome flooded into her mind. With it came the pain- a pain right behind her ears, so intense that she began to loose focus. She brought her hands to her head and bit down on her already lacerated lip to keep from crying out. She tasted blood. Gradually the pain diminished, but the vision stayed in her mind: a great domed field of crops floating among the stars.
Without warning she realized someone was standing next to her. Her head whipped around, and her eyes feel upon the leader from underground! He had a sad look, and set a hand on Amy’s shoulder. His lips did not move, but she could hear his voice, speaking in a tongue she was barely remembering.
“That is right, child,” the voice spoke in her head. “You do not belong with us. There is another place for you. I am sorry that I cannot spare you the pain. The pain is in you. You can defeat it and return to your rightful place if your will is strong enough.”
Amy lowered her gaze. “But I want to stay with you,” she began, but when she looked up, the leader had vanished. She wasn’t sure that he had ever really been there. She did hear some rustling, and scrambled behind some of the bigger rocks. “Brie” and the others were very close. She peeked up over the rocks, and could see Brie and the others speaking in low tones, motioning to each other. The one called “Teri,” and the man as well, moved off in different directions. The one called “Brie” moved forward toward Amy’s position.
Catlike, Amy leaped out from the protection of the rocks, and stood in the path of “Brie.” Brie held her ground, showing no reaction. Amy stared at “Brie,” and Brie stared back, taking in Amy’s altered appearance, and the blood dribbling from her mouth and from the side of her head. Amy stared at “Brie” and again saw the compassion that set this woman apart. Suddenly, Amy could see the image of the leader behind “Brie,” though she was sure this time that he was only a vision and not truly there. Once again, the leader spoke. “I am sorry I cannot spare you the pain.” The vision rippled and vanished.
Amy could feel the changes inside her almost immediately. Her blood began to lose its tingling feeling, and with it Amy began to feel weak. The pain behind her ears began to throb again, not very intense but increasing rapidly. “Brie” had been talking in a tongue Amy could not understand, but suddenly the words began to make a little sense, a bit at a time.
From behind Amy, the one called “Teri” and the man, suddenly leaped out, completing the trap they had planned to capture Amy. Amy spun around, became dizzy, and as the pain in her head increased she sagged to her knees. Clutching at her head, Amy looked up and cried out “Help me Brie!” She collapsed into a heap in the sand, shaking with convulsions, a small trickle of blood running out of her ear.
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Post by LucianG on Mar 31, 2007 9:40:47 GMT -6
Amy
I began to feel lighter, and I began to rise up. I was floating! I looked back toward the ground and could see myself there, shaking and bloody, in the arms of the one called “Brie.” I looked away and found I was not alone here. The leader from underground was with me, floating as I was, as transparent as I was!
“Am I dead?” I asked, the words coming out in an odd mix between his language and the one that belonged to “Brie” and the others. It was strange, but I was beginning to understand the language of “Brie” more and more, and the leader’s language less and less.
“No,” he replied. “Now that you have shaken free of your flawed body, I can help steer you back to where you belong.” His words were the same strange mix of languages, but somehow his meaning came through.
“Where do I belong?” I asked as I reached for his outstretched ghostly hand.
“I will show,” he replied. As our fingers touched we were swept away at incredible speed, up, up through the clouds and out into space. I couldn’t help but smile at the sensation of moving without any hindrance or obstacle- the laws of nature and physics meant nothing in this state.
We were approaching something. It appeared as no more than a speck, but grew in size as we hurtled along. As I beheld what I now knew to be a ship, the leader spoke. “This is from where you came.” We flew on closer and closer, sweeping toward the side of the vessel and it’s gigantic word painted on the side: “Callisto”. We did not stop, but swept through the wall of the ship as if it wasn’t there. We sliced through bulkheads and compartments at dizzying speed, suddenly emerging into a vast open space.
We stopped here, and I looked around, gazing at a huge row of those metal birds, all sitting side by side, ready to fly. The leader said nothing, but looked at me expectantly, waiting for my reaction. I said nothing, but my mind was feeding me flashes of images, what must be memory of this place. Flash! I saw myself running to one of these birds and climbing in as the canopy lowered. Flash! I now saw myself running hand in hand with someone toward several unused birds while all around was a bustle of activity. Flash! I now saw myself running toward a twisted and damaged bird, pushing people aside in order to see who was inside the wreakage. I began to smash at the window and—”
I shook my head to clear it, and looked at the leader. “I think,” I began haltingly, “I think…I remember…something.”
The leader looked back, pleased. “Come,” he said, and taking my hand again we were off once more, this time ending on what seemed to be a control room. Again the leader simply looked at me for my reactions. I looked around, taking it all in. Screens were everywhere, and people were hard at work. In a level slightly above the main level sat a woman who appeared to be in charge. Next to her stood…stood a man. I knew him. I just knew I knew him! I looked back toward the leader, and he allowed his grasp on my hand to release. I floated alone, transparent to these people, and I coasted up to this man. His face was creased with concern and the burdens of his work. But I knew that face. I had seen it in happier times. Again the memories flashed in my head. Flash! I could see him on one knee, a necklace of great beauty in one hand, and me suddenly leaping out to land on him with great joy. Flash! Again I saw him, but there was no happiness now. He sat wearily by as I lifted weights on a great machine—”
I shook my head again to clear it, and looked back at the leader. “There is more I could show you,” he said, “in time and space. Do you wish to see more?”
I looked back at him, nodding. “It is all so familiar. So close I can almost touch my memories.”
“Then you are nearly there, child. Come.” I floated away from the man, and as I touched the leader’s outstretched hand we were off again, destination unknown.
And all the while my body lay back on the planet, trembling and unresponsive in the arms of the one called “Brie”.
* * *
Brie
For a brief moment, Amy seemed to have recognized Brie. "Help me Brie!" she had screamed before collapsing, or had Brie imagined it? Amy lay there, shaking and colvulsing. Brie grabbed her and held her friend close. There was a wound on the back of Amy's head, which probably accounted for the blood trickling out of Amy's ear, but otherwise she seemed fine to Brie.
Knowing that they could travel no farther like this, Brie made a decision. "Najin, Teri, you get the vipers. Fly back here. There's no way that she can continue on like this." Brie explained to them where the vipers were, they had traveled so far already that it would only be a couple of centons if they walked quickly. She thought for a micron. "Bring back the two-seater and my viper. Then Najin will fly Teri back to get Amy's viper as well. Teri will continue her mission in Amy's viper, Najin will continue his mission in mine. Now go!"
It wasn't long until Najin and Teri were out of sight. Brie sat there, craddling Amy. Once Charybdis had said that Amy was like a daughter to Brie, she had shaken it off saying that she wasn't THAT old. Now, she understood exactly what he had meant.
* * *
Amy
My body still lay in a crumpled bloody heap in the arms of the one called 'Brie', but my mind, my spirit was soaring through time and space with the leader of the underground tribe. We touched hands, and together we had left the ship called Callisto and were now soaring again through the infinate.
"Why can't you tell me who I am?" I asked in words that blended the language of the leader's tribe and that of 'Brie'.
"One being cannot tell another such a thing" the leader replied. "It is up to each of us to discover this on our own. It is the only way it can have true meaning."
"Where are you taking me now?" I asked.
The leader just looked ahead, gesturing for me to do the same. As I did, I beheld the same ship that we had just left behind. "But this is the same place we just were" I said in a puzzled tone.
"Yes and no, child" the leader responded. And then I could see the difference. Beyond the ship called "Callisto", and all around it, smaller ships were coming into view. It was a fleet, a convoy. In the distance I could see another ship, large like the Callisto, begin to come into view. Seeing my puzzlement, the leader accelerated our speed and we swooped in and around this other large ship. I could read the word stamped on it's side: "Galactica".
"We are in a different space and time" the leader explained. "Come". We swept away from the Galactica and off to the smaller ships. I recognized the one we were bearing in on. I knew I'd seen it before. It was a slender ship of great length, and in clusters mounted on it's sides were great domes.
"I know this place" I said, a smile creeping into my expression. "I've seen this in my mind before!" The leader only smiled in return and led me closer to the ship, and right through it's bulkhead. In our transparent state we knifed easily through the levels until we finally stopped.
We were in a room, and in it were two people, an older man and an awkward young girl, a few years younger than me. "Listen child" the leader said, and I concentrated on the man's words. He was telling stories to the girl, and had her undivided attention. I couldn't make out all the story, but he was speaking of exciting adventures and battles in space. He said the name "Aggie", and I paused. The leader nodded with approval.
"Do you remember, child?" he asked. I struggled to pin it down. "The young girl is you in days gone past." I didn't understand it, but I was observing the very moment when my heart, my dreams for my life, had turned away from farming with my parents and toward a career as a warrior, and it was all right there, waiting for me to grab hold of and remember it all, but it stayed just out of reach. My face screwed up into one of intense frustration. The leader only nodded with approval.
"Frustration" he said. "That is good."
"Good?" I asked.
"Yes. It means you are very close now to what you were. Come, let us go further." And he swept me up and out of the farming ship and back into space, while on a planet far away a woman named 'Brie' held my unconscious, lifeless body.
* * *
Brie
Brie continued to hold on to Amy, not knowing what to do. The last time she felt this helpless was when Najin had been shot. She was then covered with his blood, now she was covered with Amy's. The shaking and convultions had stopped, her body was still, barely moving. If it wasn't for her shallow breathing Brie would have thought that Amy was dead. If almost seemed that Amy wasn't there. Brie prayed that Teri and Najin would return soon. It felt like they had been gone for an eternity, while in fact it had only been several centons.
* * *
Charybdis
I had finally gotten some time alone to let everything sink in.
I was still in the war room. Major Lucian had left and before him Cpt. Lazant had come in and gotten grilled by Sheba.
I got to thinking of what Lazant had said. Amy was fine and had been recovered. But it was strange that that was all he said.
Something was still wrong. Why hadn't we heard from Brie? If Lazant had come all the way back in the viper, then why wouldn't we have had any contact from Brie or Amy? Why weren't they on their way back to the Callisto?
I was glad to a point that Lazant had said they had found Amy, but the strange silence burned another hole in my gut. Something was wrong...still.
* * *
Nefeteri
The orders were taken to the "Tee". Teri had made too many mistakes on this particular mission to attempt anything without word from Brie or Najin. Amy seemed to be going through a revival in her mind to remember who she was. Teri would be greatful to figure out what had happened below when and if she had been down there. Also she would be happy to know if there WERE a down there. Teri did what she was told so now she was landing Amy's Viper.
She popped the hatch. "Lt. Amy's right and in order, Maj. Brie. Do you want it taken back to the Galactica?"
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Post by LucianG on Mar 31, 2007 9:41:13 GMT -6
Brie
Brie was slightly surprised to see Ensign Teri exit Amy's viper, she was supposed to have brought back Brie's and left Amy's there. "You're to continue on your original mission," Brie said, answering Teri's question. "Is my viper okay? Where's Najin?"
"You viper was fine, Ma'am," Teri said. "I thought you wanted me to bring back Amy's."
"It doesn't matter," Brie said. The two-seated viper could be seen in the distance, slowing down to land. "We'll get Amy in the two-seater, then I'll take her back," Brie explained. "Then you and Najin fly together back to my viper. Najin is to take mine and continue on his mission, you are to take Amy's and continue on yours." Brie knew that she was repeating herself, but she didn't care.
Najin climbed down out of the second viper. Brie waited for him. Amy was still unconscious, still breathing shallowly, but at least the bleeding seemed to have stopped. Brie let Najin pick Amy up and carry her to the two-seater. She could tell it was breaking his heart. "She'll be okay, she's a fighter," Brie told him after Amy was strapped inside the viper. Najin nodded. "Now I want you and Teri to squeeze inside Amy's viper," Brie started for the third time, "get my viper, then you take mine and Teri takes Amy's. You're to continue on your original missions. Understood?" Najin nodded again. "I'll try and contact you when I make it back to the Callisto, but if you don't hear anything don't worry." Brie sat down in the viper. It was slightly different than what she was used to, but that wouldn't be a problem. It was fast, and that was all that mattered. "Teri," Brie called from the cockpit, "tell Hawke that I said he's to find a pilot for the extra viper. My orders." With that she lowered the canopy and took off.
* * *
Amy
In my mind I was floating along in time and space, the leader of the underground tribe from Axces Gamma by my side. He had been taking me places to try and stir up memories of who I am and where I belong. I was close. I could feel it. The images in my mind were so familiar! The leader felt that I was very close now to recovering all that I had lost.
We had left the farming ship, simply slipping up and through the side and out again into space. In our transparent form, we could go anywhere, anytime, without the laws of physics to restrict us. As we floated toward another destination, I had one question to ask.
“Why?” I questioned the leader. “Why do you take such an interest in me?”
The leader turned and spoke with his mind. His words were getting harder to understand, another sign that I was getting closer to who I was, and away from the things I had come to know with the strange tribe.
“Simply this, child,” he began. “When we became aware of you, your mind was a blank. You seemed lost and abandoned. We felt we could offer you that which you did not have: a home, and companionship.”
As we soared on, he concluded his answer. “It was only later that we discovered you already had a home, and companions. It was just lost to you in your mind. We have the power to make it right again.”
We were fast approaching an object in space, and I recognized it again as the ship called “Callisto”. I turned to the leader. “Again this place?” I asked.
“Yes,” the leader replied. “But again we are in a different time and place. Can you see the difference?” I looked around me and could see that again the circumstances surrounding this ship were indeed different. The leader explained, “We are now ahead, into what will be. To know who you are is also to know where it is you are headed.”
We plunged through the walls of the Callisto, hurtling though the decks until we had reached a beautiful, candle-lit room. A ceremony of some kind was taking place. “What is happening?” I asked. The leader gently let go of my hand. “Go and see, child,” he said. I drifted alone, gently floating invisibly toward the center of the ceremony. A man and a woman stood there, and I knew that the woman was me. But who was the man? I drifted faster now, past the rows of people with their candles, wanted to get a look at the man that stood beside me. Closer, closer—”
Suddenly I was ripped from the ship with a violent and unexpected jolt. Even though I was transparent, I found myself gasping and shaking as pain shot through me. I looked around to find myself spinning, hurtling with great speed through time and space. “What’s happening?” I cried as loudly as I could. Next to me I could see the leader, also in difficulty but not as bad as I was. “Our time is up,” I heard him say. “Your body is no longer on my world.” He paused, communicating with great difficulty. He got up the strength, and got out one last sentence. “I’ve done all I can do for you, child!”
And then it was done. One second we were hurtling at great velocity toward Axces Gamma, then I suddenly veered off while the leader stayed on course for his world. I was fast approaching a small metal bird, and I flew inside. My physical body was here, and it jolted as I returned to it. My eyes fluttered open for a moment, and I saw the one called “Brie” next to me. As I began to shake I reached a weak arm out toward her.
“Help me,” I wheezed as I slipped unconscious again.
* * *
Lucian
Over the last few centars, the shuttles towing the derelict had been closing the gap with the Callisto. With the arrival of the Caprican Questar off the Callisto’s port side, Lieutenant Titon had sent word that the repair effort was coming along nicely, and that with some additional equipment and supplies, the ship could be made fully functional…eventually. Commander Sheba had ordered the parts that could be spared to be sent, and those that could not…well, Titon’s repair teams would have to get by without them. Still, despite the missing parts, the ship would have to work, so the crews were doing the best they could with what they had.
A lottery system had been started to allow some of the Frodarian refugees to move to the CQ, along with any survivors rescued from Axces Gamma. Some of the Frodarians with mechanical skills were being shuttled over to the CQ to help with the repairs, with the stipulation that they, and in a few cases, their families, would be allowed to stay aboard the ship. Some of the Callisto’s crewmembers had also put in for transfer to the new vessel. Scuttlebutt around the Callisto was that some crewmembers even had thoughts that there would be a better chance of advancement on the smaller ship. Commander Sheba was already debating who to put in command of the CQ if its Captain was not found alive and well on Gamma.
* * *
Charybdis
I had heard some of the reports coming in to Commander Sheba about Callisto crew wanting to transfer to the CQ once she became operational.
I really didn't know what to think about that. I wouldn't say anything to Sheba until she asked or I saw that I had to put my two cubits into the mix. Right now, I just wanted the overcrowding situation to be relieved.
Obviously, all Axces Gamma survivors should get the first option to stay on their ship or leave it. After that, I figured that the most qualified of the Frodarians should get their turn.
Callisto personnel, other than techs and service positions, should stay put on this ship. And as for the command of the new ship, that should go to one of the survivors or at the very least, if no one from their group wants it, one of our very own. In my mind, the perfect candidate had just become available...
* * *
JustinB
Hearing that both Stadia and Randrius were mising from Kris, I made a decision. But as I did, the unthinkable happened. As Captain Skyler came in for a strafing run, one of the Reptiloids started firing on Skyler's viper with some sort of rapid fire cannon. His port engine was knocked of line and part of his wing was blown off.
I contacted Skyler and told him to head home and contact the Callisto for viper backup. I then contacted Rose and have her and the other shuttles come and meet us. That way we didn't have to far to go with the survivors. Also, we would be able to re-assemble quicker for a rescue of both Stadia and Randrius.
The fighting was getting worse. It was like there were even more of the Reptiloids than we had thought. What made it worse, they had different types of Colonial weapons. The landram Kris was in, was hit by the cannon. We swung the other two around to protect it. Now motionless we were sitting targets. But the upside of that was we saw where Reptiloids were, even if it was for a second, just by looking for weapons they were using.
Ursiaon spotted the cannon and was about to fire on it when it was taken out from above. The next thing we saw was Cain's viper doing barrel rolls.
After a few centons the shuttles landed and we started to unload the survivors from the landrams. Two of them were killed when a Reptiloid came out from nowhere and slit their throat. He was killed, but not soon enough.
With the survivors in Black One and Black Two now receiving medical treatment. The fighting had lulled so I had Rose take the shuttles away until we rescued Stadia and Randrius. I was sure the Reptiloids were regrouping, so with the help of Kris we did the same.
As we did so, Randrius came running from the direction of the cave. He was injured, but only minor so. "JustinB, Kris, Stadia is still being held captive. From what I could make of the setup of the caves, they mean to breed humans for meals. We got to get Stadia out before they kill her. Also, there are more of those reptilian scum than we thought." Randrius said.
* * *
Stadia
Stadia was dragged into another cavern where there were rows of pens. The creature pulled her to one and opened the gate. He turned to her and pushed her into the cage roughly.
Stadia stumbled a bit and was about to fall when to muscular arms grabbed her to keep her from falling. She looked up to see who her savior was when her eyes met with the deepest blue eyes she had ever seen.
“Are you ok?” he asked her.
“Yes I think so.” She s aid slowly pulling her arm from him.
“I see you’re the one that they have chosen to be my breeding mate. Anice one at that.”
“Who are you and what are you talking about? Breeding?”
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Post by LucianG on Mar 31, 2007 9:42:01 GMT -6
Lucian
“Yeah. They throw us in here and expect us to breed!” said the blue-eyed man who continued to hold Stadia rather tightly while peering around beyond her. He whispered, “I don’t recognize you! You’re not from the Questar.” Stadia shook her head, but allowed the man to continue. "It’s the only reason they’re keeping us alive. Have you noticed that they have languatrons they've captured from us? They use them to speak with us because they can’t speak our language directly, even though they now understand many of the words and can say a very few. They use a combination of smell, tongue movements, and vocals to speak with each other. They even call us Ko-no-nees because the reptile bastards can’t say ‘Colonials!’ Anyway, we think they can smell when our women are ovulating, and then they throw them in here and expect us to breed! They’ll beat us to death and eat us if we don’t do it, so some of us have been faking it for them. So far, we’ve kept them from discovering exactly how we breed, our gestation period, and how long it takes us to mature. If they ever found out that last one, they’d eat us right then and give up on making us their new food of choice.”
“Food? These creatures eat us?” Stadia exclaimed in surprise and anger.
“Yeah, their maturation period is much, much shorter than ours, so they don’t understand how inefficient it will be to keep their pantry full of humans for snacks. They keep a few of us separated from everyone else in the upper caves, but we’ve filled them in when they were brought down here. We’ve all been trying to figure out a way to escape, but so far, we haven’t found a way. It won’t matter soon, since I have a feeling, they’re going to be on to us really soon, if they aren’t already. Say, you never did tell me who you are.”
He paused to allow Stadia to respond.
* * *
JustinB
Not knowing how long any reinforcements would take to arrive, Kris and I came up with a plan to rescue Stadia. Randrius and myself would sneak into the cave and try and locate Stadia. After waiting for five centons, Kris and the rest of the warriors would then open fire on the mountain creating a diversion. Hopefully the Reptiloids would try and defend their home, with the hope of obtaining more prisoners. The added firepower of their rapid-fire cannon and with Cain’s viper, we might just get out of this without loss off life. But any help the Callisto could send would be appreciated.
Once everyone was briefed, Randrius and myself made our way to the cave entrance. With no guard in sight we entered. A few high-pitched screams could be heard echoing throughout the cave.
"I am glad the reptilian scum have wounded. When I am finished with them, they will wish they never took us on," said an angry Randrius.
Looking at the extra Colonial laser I had gotten off Rose, I knew it was now or never. We walked slowly at first until we arrived at the original holding cells from earlier. Stadia wasn't there. Before I could say something, I don't know what it was but something told me to duck for cover. As I did, I pushed Randrius to the ground also. Two Reptiloids with Colonial Pistols had taken cover and kept firing at us.
"Randrius, you go find Stadia. I will keep the tunnel you take clear. Now go," I yelled. He nodded in return and headed down the nearest tunnel, while I layed down return fire.
At that moment I heard explosions coming from the outside. Kris and the other warriors had started their diversion. After killing the two Reptiloids I layed low and guarded the tunnel entrance. Nothing not human was going to enter as long as I was there.
Reptiloids came out from all directions too see what was going on. From a tunnel on my right, a Reptiloid came out with what seemed half an armoury. This needed further investigation. I left my position to see what I could find.
* * *
Charybdis
"Sir, reports are coming in that intense fire has commenced from the landrams and from Cpts. Cain and Skyler above the position" came the report from Lt. Aegina. "The last communication indicated a need for help."
I turned to Commander Sheba. "We do have several Silver Spar pilots in standby mode and there are some who are pulling routine patrol around the Callisto?" I said it more in a question rather than a statement.
She knew as well what the plan would be. "Send available pilots to rendezvous with Cain and Skyler. They are to help in any way they can to aid the rescue mission."
Within centons, several Silver Spar pilots had launched and a few more had left their positions around the Callisto to head down to the planet. They didn't know exactly what they were getting themselves into...
* * *
Stadia
Stadia look at the man holding her. She feels the world spinning. She collapses into his arms. He gently lowers her to the floor, kneeling so she can use his lap as a pillow.
The man looked down at her closed eyes. She is beautiful, he thinks to himself. He strokes her cheek trying to get her to wake up. He wonders where she came from. Cold there be people from elsewhere on this planet?
Stadia’s eyes begin to flutter. She opens them to see her world only to find it was the same as before.
“Oh hi there. I see you have decided to come back to the world of the living. I am Connor, Connor James. I was the medical officer aboard the Questar. You are?” he asked.
She tries to sit up but feels a little dizzy. “ I am Stadia. I am a colonial warrior aboard the Battlestar Callisto. We came to this planet to search for water and food. WE didn’t expect to be food. I didn’t notice they could communicate. None of them ever spoke to me.”
A clicking sound started down the hallway stunning them both. Connor grabs Stadia and kisses he passionately. Stadia melt just as the guard walks by.
Suddenly there is the thunder rolling thru the cave The guard turns and runs down the corridor.
* * *
Randrius
The Reptiloid guard that ran past Stadia cage suddenly flew backwards, dead before he hit the floor. A throwing blade protruded from between the creatures eyes. Several laser bolt flew by and a Reptiloid shriek was heard. Randrius cae into view and blasted in the bars of the pen. "Let's see if this rescue works a lil' better, OK, Stadia?" As the two rushed out of the pen and back the way Randrius had come, two Reptiloid rounded the corner and saw them. Randrius yelled and flew at them, firing as he came. One went down under his fire, he dodged a laser bolt from the other and collided with it. A knife seemed to appear in Randrius hand, as did the fatal wound in the creatures. The man from Stadia's cell looked at her, "He's good." Stadia nodded, grabbed the dead guards pistol, and they both ran to keep up with Randrius. Five-hundred feet and a Reptiloid later, they joined up with Kris. "Got 'em! GO!"
* * *
Stadia
“Randrius wait. There are more survivors kept above. We cant leave them. “ She looked at him. “We have to prevent them from becoming food.”
Randrius swore under his breath. “This mission is getting way to complicated.. Lets report back to Capt Cain and get his take on it.”
Stadia took her dress in hand so she wouldn’t trip. She ran down the corridor with Connor and Randruis follow her. She turns the corner only to smack into one of the reptilian creatures. Before he can grab her Connor runs and tackles him to the ground a wrestling match ensues. Soon Connor jumps up and grabs Stadia’s elbow pulling her away and down the corridor.
Randrius follows behind, leaving dead creatures behind.
They all run up to the site where they are supposed to meet Lt. Kris. Lt. Kris upon seeing who it is, comes out of her hiding hole with the other warriors.
Upon seeing Stadia’s dress the catcalls ensue.
“That enough! Lets get out of here..” She hissed at them. She went with Connor and climbed aboard the landram. She sat down and strapped herself into a seat. She closes her eyes, her head pounding from all the stress of the day. She looks up when she hears his shoes on the floor.
She looks up and locks eyes with him. She breaks her stare when she hears the others climbing aboard. She goes back to rubbing her temples.
“Are you ok?” he ask showing concern.
“I am ok. It is just a headache..” she rubs her temples. He sits down and straps himself into the seat.
Randrius comes unto her and pulls something out of his pocket. “Stadia, before I forget….”
“Yes, Randrius?”
“I think this belongs to you.” He takes her hand and drops her locket into it. He folds her hand closed around it.
She slowly takes her hand from him and opens it. She looks at it. As she recognizes it, her hand slides to her neck. “Thank you Randrius.”
* * *
Tired she lays her head on Connors shoulder. She closes her eyes wishing the pounding would go away. Her hand reaches up and rubs her temples.
“Are you sure your ok?” Connor asks.
“Yes. Its one of the lasting long term effects of crystal exposure.”
“You took Crystal?” He asked looking shocked.
“No. Someone I knew and thought was long gone slipped it to me because I had turned him if for selling the stuff. He swore revenge on me….” Stadia spent the short time they were traveling telling him all about what had happened. How she cared for the major and how he told her he couldn’t care for another.
They reached the shuttles and all disembarked from the landrams. Lt Bard and the other pilots helped load the rams up into the shuttles. They check to make sure everything was picked up.
“Lt Bard, will you take my viper and fly it back to the Callisto. I am not feeling well.”
“Sure Stadia.” He walked away from her.
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