Talon Intelligence Squad - Chapter 6 The Regrouping

<<I suppose I should post before I become Sith fodder, hmm?>>


Stone stood patiently in line for the morning meal. While this in itself was unusual, how he looked was enough to give even a Jedi pause. The fact that he was out of uniform was understandable; the squad did have some downtime before the next mission. But what he was wearing- or in this case, partially wearing, redefined 'worrying'.
His jacket was still recognizable, and the unit patch hadn't even been touched. His pants looked like the target of only a small squad of stormies in rifle practice. But the shirt- or, what was once a shirt...
Even though it looked like a reject from someone's trash compactor, it was still bright enough to signal a ship in orbit. Only slightly less colorful was the Death Star-sized bruise on his jaw. But most frightening of all: the grin on Stone's face, a grin that would be better suited to a Bothan used-speeder salesman.

As he sat down, Obi-Wan merely asked, "What happened? You repel another invasion of Coruscant?"
"Just a normal night at the Screaming Selonian." In response to Obi's questioning glance, he explained. "It topped the list of incident reports that H9 pulled up. It was going great, until I blundered into that Issori's backswing. I'm still not convinced it wasn't accidental."
Obi-Wan just shook his head. "You have got to find a better hobby."
Stone just shrugged and took another chance with his life- he began to eat Bullwinkle's cooking.

 

Lieutenant Jade was on her way to get breakfast when she spotted CiCi Draven just ahead of her in the hall. She grinned and waved. "Hey, wait up!" she called, quickening her pace.

CiCi paused until Mara had finally caught up. Then the two girls continued down the corridor towards the mess hall.

"Been meaning to catch up with you," said Mara. "How're you doing?"

"Pretty good," replied CiCi. "Are you going to get breakfast now?"

"Yeah. You?"

"Uh-huh."

The two old friends walked together, catching up on old times. When they finally reached their destination, Mara grabbed a tray and turned to CiCi with a wry smile. "Have you been introduced to the fine cuisine of Bullwinkle, our drill sergeant and cook?"

CiCi eyed the said cuisine and shook her head. "Looks... delicious," she managed.

Mara gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry, most of it is at least marginally edible. And no one's died from it yet... to the best of my knowledge, anyway."

"I feel so much better," muttered CiCi, taking a small serving of the least harmful looking foods.

Mara surveyed the eating area, looking for a place to sit. She grinned as she noticed that there were two empty seats at the table at which Obi-wan and Stone were sitting.

She walked over and slid into the chair across from Obi-wan. CiCi took the seat next to hers.

"Hey," Mara greeted Obi-wan, poking a little at the lump of unidentifiable but presumably edible matter in the middle of her plate. "Glad to see you up and about again... I was worried."

He smiled. Mara hoped that was a good sign, and not a sign that she sounded like an idiot.

She decided to be brave and continued. "So... have you heard anything about our new training?"

"Well, for whatever reasons, it would seem to involve Y-wings," replied Obi-wan.

CiCi suddenly looked away from Stone, who she'd been giving a serious what-the-kriff-happened-to-you look, and spoke up. "Y-wings? That's strange," she mused aloud. "Not exactly the most up-to-date fighters... why?"

"My thoughts exactly," remarked Mara, sending a raised eyebrow in Stone's direction. Wow... he looks like someone tied him to the back of a podracer engine pod and turned it on... I don't think I even want to know where he was last night!

She turned back to Obi-wan. "Um..." She bit her lip for a second, unsure of what to say next. That's a first, Mara... usually you can't shut up... "Uh... would you be up to going out for dinner tonight?" she blurted suddenly. She willed herself not to blush and poked at her breakfast again. "It would sure beat this slop."

 

CiCi smiled at Mara....here she was asking this attractive guy out on a date - same old Mara, never afraid of anything! Some things never change.

CiCi looked back at the man sitting across from her at the table -even thought his face was bruised, he had kind eyes and a nice smile.

"Hello, CiCi Draven, nice to meet you." she extended her hand, "Looks like you've had a busy day!"

* * * * * * * *

Reyanna and Carre stood togehter on the bridge of the Black Star Destroyer. Two beautiful, but ruthless women. They were looking out the window as they approached the small planet of Bolvanger...it's tan and white surface looked desolate and deserted...but Reyanna knew differently. The Rebels had started a base down there, hidden in the hills of the wasteland. It had been growing in size over the last year and it was time it was disposed of.

For Reyanna, it was as if life was being breathed back into her lungs again.
She had known nothing but death and destruction since she was a small girl, being raised in the heart of the Empire. She had learned much from her former Master and Lord Mulder...this was going to be a piece of cake.

"Captain!" Carre ordered to her squadron leader "prepare your troops. We will wait no longer."

That famous icy small lit up her face once again as she anticipated the turmoil that she was about to inflict on these unsuspecting Rebel scum.

 

<<Hey TSL, I'm a little confused about my new rank. At the top of the page it says I'm a Major, but back at the bbs you said I'm a Captain. I'll assume it's the latter because the former means I outrank Kendrick the XO.>>

<<One more thing. If you kill off the ppl who don't post does that mean that our beloved Sgt. Bullwinkle will be killed off? He hasn't posted since the first couple pages of chapter one.>>

Jaren picked up his tray of breakfast...stuff and started scanning the room, looking for a place to sit.

Stone's bright, screaming shirt was the first thing that caught his eye. It appeared he had been out last night enjoying the Coruscant 'night scene' again and had 'accidently' started a cantina fight. He was sitting with Mara, Cici, and Obi-wan. The four were engaged in a converstaion so Jaren decided to sit elsewhere. He did, however, offer them a greeting as he passed.

He noticed that the newest Talon squad member, a Togorian pilot, was sitting alone. And for once someone actually seemed to like Bullwinkle's food. She was ravenously devouring what looked to be her fourth bowl of the green mush.

"Morning," Jaren said as he approached Tuugrn. "I don't think we've been introduced. You are the new pilot for Talon squad correct?"

The Togorian looked up from her meal. "Yes Captain, I am Commander Tuugrn."

Jaren frowned. "No rank. Just call me Jaren when we're off duty." Jaren gestured over to where Telia was being served. "That's my lovely wife Telia. We are the squad's snipers." Jaren picked up his spoon and let a glop of the viscous substance run back into the bowl. Somehow the stuff managed to be thick and paste-like yet watery at the same time. He then looked at the three empty and discarded bowls sitting next to Tuugrn. "You wouldn't happen to want my breakfast would you Tuugrn? I seem to have lost my appetite."

"Thank you Jaren," she said, pushing aside another empty bowl.

"No problem. I'm just glad somebody likes Bullwinkle's cooking."

<<Hope you don't mind Theta. I thought we needed somebody who liked the food in the mess hall. Let me know if you want me to edit it. I'm glad we finally have an alien in the group.>>

[This message has been edited by Idiots Array (edited 04-11-2000).]

 

"Mara," Obi-wan replied, "I would love to."
Stone loved watching Obi-wan sweat. He now kind of laughed, until the pain in his jaw returned.
\\I guess this kind of answers the question of whether or not she had a crush on you, like you do on her,\\ Jinn thought to himself. Then suddenly, a thought struck him. \\Oh, no! She's Force-Sensitive, she probably heard every word of that last thought!\\

Ty-gon Jinn sat with General Ski. No real reason, except that a space in the cafeteria opened up next to Kaiba.
Now he was discussing the details of the next mission.
"We'll be using a fleet of Y-wings to infiltrate a group of pirates," General Ski was saying. "We'll be leaving tomorrow."
"Where will we be flying?"
"I'm not sure yet," Kevin replied. "Probably around the Coruscant system."
"Coruscant?" Jinn nearly dropped his fork.

Greywolfe walked around on the planet Tatooine. His family's house was in perfect condition- empty.
He was finally alone.
Now, he decided to hitch a ride on a landspeeder and get into Mos Eisley. He had heard rumors of a wretched hive of scum and villiany called a cantina, and was anxious to try it out.

[This message has been edited by Ty-gon Jinn (edited 04-11-2000).]

 

A simple formality, those ranks are. I think one is right, but my mind is so tired that I can't seem to decide on one. Umm, Captain seems right, and Major seems wrong. Then again, I am a little sleep deprived. I will change it, yes I will. As for Bullwinkle, if some one sees him, they should tell him to get on and post or he will be dead like the rest, eh Mulder?

 

TSL-
If Captain outranks Major, do you think I could get a promotion there too, because I am also a Captain on the website.
Or is that pushing it, since I was just recently promoted to Major?

[This message has been edited by Ty-gon Jinn (edited 04-11-2000).]

 

Quis entered to mess hall to find most of the squad already seated and eating. Her feet had pulled up pretty well after the night's activities, Ken had really made an effort to improve his dancing.

She slopped some of Bullwinkle's food onto her plate, wrinkling her nose at it. Sometimes she wondered if he made a consious effort to make the food so bad. Most of the squad were used to it by now, learning to live off insta-snacks and meals they could eat secretly in their quarters.

Kendrick was seated at a table with Jaren and the new pilot, Tuugrn. She took the last chair at the table and greeted them, plopping down next to Ken. They had been discussing the next mission.

"Y-Wings?" Asked Quis. "That's scraping the bottom of the barrel isn't it? They were past their prime back at the Battle of Yavin."

"Which begs the question..." Jaren began.

"Why are we using them on the next mission?" Kendrick finished.

Quis thought for a moment.

"Well, certainly they're slower and less manouverable. But they also have stonger shields and armour, the position of the lasers is very aggressive and they have the capacity to carry a passenger as well as a pilot."

"That's true," said Tuugrn.

Quis looked at the plate in front of her. It barely qualified as food. Real food never looked like it was scraped out of an old drain pipe. She pushed it away.

"Hey, Quis," began Kendrick.

"Yes?" She said, looking up at him.

"Uhhh. I had a really... A really nice time last night."

"Me too. We'll have to do it again some time."

"How about tonight?" Kendrick blurted out. "Not dancing I mean. Dinner maybe?"

"That sounds wonderful. Come by my quarters at about eight?"

"Eight. Eight it is."

 

I changed yours as well, Ty-gon. If I recall my military terms correctly, a Major is a higher rank than a Captain.

General (highest)
Commander
Major
Captain
Lieutenant
Flight Officer (lowest)

I think that is the chain of command here. If you will also note, Commander Marhl Kahn will be taking over the second-in-command position as soon as that character is situated.

 

Hey General - how about giving CiCi Draven her field of expertiece...I mentioned in Ch. 5 that she is a weapons specialist.
Thank U!

 

Counting down the days. I'm counting down the days. Six.

By the wayside, as the wonderful time of spring break is coming along quite rapidly, myself and my sister will be out of town for that whole next week. As for computer access, I doubt it, but I'm going to hound my father to bring his laptop. I will make an effort to post and I will force Trika to post as well.
For those of you who had no clue about the last posts, we are siblings. Joy. It only gives me one more reason to kill Trika when I get the chance. Just kidding, Cherise.

 

TSL-wait for the 1st battle so Tuurgn can prove herself. She got the rank of commander for a reason-she is an awesome pilot. Major out ranks Captain in the Rebel Alliance. see: http://www.theforce.net/swtc/domino.htmlwww.theforce.net/swtc/domino.html for refrence on Rebel Ranks.

 

Sondara Carre was not a particularily tall woman. She wasn't really short, but her height was not impressive.

Her bearing, however, was. Standing on the bridge of the Griffin, flagship of Dark Star Squadron, she was visibly in command despite her rather delicate appearance. She dressed simply in a snug black jumpsuit and tunic, sleek, basic, and practical. Her stance showed very clearly that she was in control here, and her lovely silver eyes practically glowed with knowledge of the power she held. For once, she had let her hair out of her prized zenji needled and plaited the length of obsidian black locks into a single shining braid down her ramrod straight spine. A blaster was slung low on her slim hip. Her arms were folded across her chest, and her full lips were curved into that fearsome icy smile so well known by friend and foe alike.

She was stunning in her appearance and frightening in the power she wielded. And she was about to unleash some of that power on some Rebel scum...

Her booted feet pivoted as she swiveled to face Captain Belacqua. "Have you contacted their leader?" she asked, her voice steel beneath silk.

"Yes, my lady."

"Good," she said, enunciating the single syllable with precision. "Let me have a word with him... the scum may wish to surrender."

"As you wish, Lady Carre," said the man, bowing his head respectfully. Carre reflected that there were too few officers of his competance and obedience these days as she strode almost lazily to the commstation.

The Rebel general turned out to be gaunt man with a grizzled face that grew pale as Carre came into his field of vision. "Carre," he stuttered, and the woman had to resist the urge to laugh at his shock. They had encountered one another before, but this time he would not escape. He knew very well that she had him caught.

"General Drien," she said slowly, pacing smoothly with her hands gripped at the small of her back. "I believe we've met before, have we not?" She actually laughed aloud as his face grew paler still. It was a frightening sound. "Yes, you remember me... and you remember what happened to that other insurrection I was forced to, shall we say, put down?" Her smile grew more fierce, revealing teeth. "I am in a merciful mood today... hand over the planet, and I might let some of your men live."

"Never!" The man's face went from white with fear to red with defiant anger. "The people of Bolvanger will not submit to your tyranny without a fight!"

Carre clucked her tongue. "How very unfortunate," she said, shaking her head sadly. She leaned towards the hologram. "But if that's the way you want it..."

Her slender fingers hovered over the "End Transmission" switch for a moment before flicking it.

She turned to the commander of her forces. "Well, Captain, you heard the man. He wants a fight..." Her eyes narrowed viciously. "So give him one. Spare the harmless civilians unless they get in the way. Exterminate the Rebel scum like the vermin they are. And their leaders..." She smiled again. "Bring them to me. I wish to make... examples of them."

He bowed. "As my Lady Carre wishes."

**********

Mara Jade felt herself go slightly red as she picked up on Obi-wan's last thought. She hadn't meant to be probing his thoughts; it was just an unconscious habit of hers. It rather embarassed her.

Still, she couldn't help grinning as she picked at the slightly more edible portions of her breakfast and finished what little she was going to eat. Good thing I'm not hungry today... although I suppose that even if I was, I would have lost my appetite after sampling this meal...

She picked up her tray and went to clean it, then returned. "See you tonight, then," she said to Obi-wan, smiling. "I look forward to it."

 

Just wanted to let ya'll know I'm still here- and will be posting soon! Sorry!

 

<<Mulder, as stated earlier...Not if I kill you first...>>

Trika Kenobi woke up from her deep sleep and pulled the covers off the bed, nearly falling over in the process. Stumbling out of her room, she headed down the hallway.
"Good morning, Trika," someone had gotten up earlier than she. Trika made a half-way attempt to figure out who had said something, but with her eyes half-shut and non-functional this morning, who knows who it was. "I suppose," she muttered in resonse, feeling the wall and coming to her kitchen.
Yeah, right, she was going to eat Bullwinkle's slop for breakfast. She didn't exactly have a death wish this morning.
Fixing several strips of bacon, an egg, and a couple of biscuits, she sat down and her eyes and other senses began to open slowly.
Trika walked out, entirelly refreshed.

<<Okay, when's our training going to begin? I'm tired of having Trika fall asleep several times during the day. I want to hack, for real!>>

 

Darth Agent Mulder-
This is my Darth Greywolfe peronality speaking here: Five Days!!!
[Maniacal Laughter]If Darth Predator hasn't posted by then, can Greywolfe kill him?[/Manical Laughter]

 

"Okay, people. Time is short and the Admiral is getting a little short tempered. Today we begin our Y-wing training. Why, you ask? I will tell you in due time. These craft are sluggish and slow, but they are hardy and have great defensive and bombing power. I want all of you to master the use of this craft. Your scores will be based on the number of fighters you kill, and targets you destroy. Assemble into teams of gunners and pilots. I don?t care who is a pilot, and who is a gunner. I recommend that whatever position you accept you train as hard as you can for it. Any questions?"

All Talons raised their hands in unison and began speaking at once. "Why Y-wings?"; "Why can?t we have a different type of fighter/bomber"; "How about X-wings?"; "When do we eat?"; "Are our positions permanent?" "I?m tired, can I go take a nap?" made up a majority of the questions.

Kevin raised his hands to hush all of his squad. "So far, we have put in requests for at least some worn down X-wings or B-wings. I will tell you this much. Starfighter Command is not going to give us any interceptors or anything. Our mission is one that requires us to look like pirates. Run down Y-wings are the best I could do. An extra B-wing or X-wing may come, but don?t count on it. Also, we are not going eat, sleep, or do anything fun until all of you learn the basics of piloting and gunnery. Okay, then. Let?s get going. First mission in the sims will be simple gunnery and piloting training. Since Captain Ken and I are already pilots, we will be on station to give some help. Assemble with your teams and get going."

He saw his squad moving around, forming their respective teams of pilot and gunner. Captain Ken walked up to him and looked upon the crowd of ruffians as well. "Do you think they can do it, sir?" he said.

"They had better. Or else they won?t be eating or sleeping for a long while." He smiled.

They walked up to their sim and entered. Stumpy was already in the droid socket. Kevin donned his helmet, entered the enclosure and closed the canopy. Ken did the same. He set up the sim programming and set it for "Gunnery Skill Builder" mission. He checked his instruments and turned on the sim. The blackness beyond the canopy immediately turned into the hangar of a Strike Cruiser similar to the Corellian Brandy.

"You in, Ken?"

"Yes, sir. Ion cannons are nominal and running at 101%." Ken was back to back with Kevin. He would aim the ion cannons in the mission and keep the fighters off of the fighter bomber?s back.

"Okay then." He switched on his comm to the whole Talon Flight of ten fighters and spoke up. This is Talon Leader. I have two in the green and I?m ready to roll. Call ?em by numbers." He listened as he heard the pilot/gunner teams call in their numbers by fighter. The Talon 10 starfighter team was last. He sighed. He hoped the training would go better than some of the other training went. Here goes nothing, he thought.


[This message has been edited by Talon Squad Leader (edited 04-12-2000).]

 

Quis felt secure knowing Kaiba was her pilot. She knew her own abilities, and she couldn't pilot to save herself. The gunnery position suited her - she'd had some experience in the turret of the Hawk back in one of their first missions and chalked up a few kills.

And a Jedi at the stick would make things a lot smoother. She pulled her helmet over her head and tried to push the hair from across her face.

"Ready, Kaiba?"

"Ready. Let's waste some uglies."

They heard the voice of the general through their helmets, ordering to call them by the numbers.

"Talon 5 standing by," they said in unison.

"This is going to be fun," said Kaiba.

Quis wasn't so sure.

 

Tuurgn's Y-wing blasted at an Uglie. Behind the Togorian pilot, Cobra fired the ion cannon at another TIE-wing and disabled it.
"Heee hawww!" the assistant XO shouted. If this was a competeion instead of training, , Dix thought, Tuurgn and I would kick some serious butt!

 

Never mind me, you.

[This message has been edited by Darth Agent Mulder (edited 04-12-2000).]

 

Greywolfe: Sure, be my guest. Invidious and Predator wouldn't know what hit them.

Here's a list of "Endangered Talons":

Lt. Milan-Kenobi
Lt. Ruby Jade
Lt. Rinin (Although I may have missed him somewhere, I can't thoroughly remember the last time he posted.)
Bullwinkle, beloved cook of the Talons.

Warning to all: FIVE DAYS...

 

Mekial aimed and fired. Direct hit.

"Nice pass, Trika. Gave me a clear shot."

She smiled. She'd had a good time on Coruscant, but had returned early when Ty-gon had informed her of what they were to do.

Mekial stole a glance at her pilot. Her eyes were closed, and she seemed at peace. Trika smiled.

"Better watch those uglies, and not me."

Mekial chuckled and turned her attention back to the screen. She'd never understand how force-sensitive people did it. She took few shots, hitting all but one of her targets.

Hmmm....Maybe I'm better at this than I thought...

A small ship to her right caught Mekial completly surprised, and if it wasn't for Trika's piloting, they never would have made it.

I could be wrong...

"There's a squad coming in. Look left." Trika told her.

She looked. "I don't see anything."

"They're there. You'll see them. Just wait a few seconds, Mekial."

Sure enough, a small group of the "uglies" came into view. But she was expecting it, and if they had been real, she would have caught them by surprise. This was going to require some hard work, but both women were certain they could do it.

<<Hope you don't mind, Trika>>



[This message has been edited by Mekial (edited 04-12-2000).]

 

Ty-gon looked out at Kendrick and General Ski come out- They were already pilots, they could exclude themselves.
And yet Jinn still had to fly because his brother was learning the basics of being a gunner.
Now Obi-wan spoke. "You got kind of surprised when the General said we were going to Coruscant."
"Yeah, I kind of was. I was a bit surprised that there were pirates in the central system of the Old Republic, Empire, and New Republic. And I'm a little worried about who they might be, and what they might know, seeing as they're in that system."
"True, but it was till a little wierd," Obi-wan remarked.
"At least I don't let girls read my ming when I have a crush on them."
"Ha, ha. Shut up and fly."
And fly they did. Some of the uglies had formed a small pack.
Ty-gon dove right into the pack, and Obi-wan let some proton torpedoes fly as soon as they were lined up.
A few remaining uglies began to follow him, aiming.
Ty-gon quickly pulled up, turning fully around until he was upside down. As he leveled back out, Obi-wan yelled that the uglies had flipped, too, and were following them.
Ty-gon skillfully navigated his Y-wing between two others- Trika/Mekial's, and Mara/CiCi's.
The two easily blasted the remaining uglies.
"Thanks, guys," Obi-wan yelled.
"No problem, Talon 15 and Talon 16," Trika replied.
"Glad to help, Lover Boy," Mara teased.

Darth Greywolfe stood up. He cheered as he watched the Dug pass through the arena in his quadra-pod racer.
He looked up into the sky, seeing the Coyote. The Jackal was back in Anchorhead. He was scheduled to leave the planet in 20 minutes. His speeder bike was outside the stadium, and it wouldn't take him 20 minutes to get to the Jackal.
Now, he sat back down, and ordered a pallie from the vendor.
He loved the Boonta Eve.
His commlink beeped, and it was the Lady Carre.
"You requested I call?"
"Yes," Greywolfe replied. "I request that we meet up tonight."
"That should be no problem."
"Good. I'll see you then."
"Yes, Lord Greywolfe."
He changed the frequency for his Commander on the Coyote. "Get the hyperdrive warmed up. I'll be there soon."
He turned his comm off, and smiled. Soon, all would be right with the galaxy. Then, all he would have to worry about were the Talons. But he would let them have there fun now. He had bigger fish to fry.

 

CiCi was amazed at Mara's excellent piloting skills. She manuvered the Y-wing with great skill, diving and turning into a large group of enemy fighters. CiCi was able to get off some great shots and took out several enemy fighters. Weapons were her life, and while her gunnery skills were a little rusty, she was holding her own quite well.

"Glad to help, Lover Boy"...CiCi laughed at that one...causing her to miss a direct hit on one of the enemy ships. But she smiled as the indirect hit still sent the ship crashing down into the planet simulation below. It was hard to concentrate with all the flirting going on between Mara and Obi-Wan.

"I'll remember you said that when I pick you up tonight Mara!" Obi-Wan anxiously replied back.

"Ty-Gon." CiCi pleated, "Sedate your gunner..hit him on the head or something! I can't concentrate over all the romanace going on...Should I light some candles in the **** pit?"

She could hear Ty-gon and Obi-Wan laughing on the other end. With that, CiCi hit another enemy ship that was flying towards them head on. Mara managed to manuver the Y-Wing just under the enemy then come up quickly dead beneath them. Their ship shot through the flames where the ememy ship once appeared.

"Nice flying Mara!" CiCi exclaimed. It was great to be with her friend again. Talon Squad was quickly beginning to feel like home.



[This message has been edited by LeiaB (edited 04-13-2000).]

 

Carre snapped off her commlink and turned to face the hologram of the leader of Dark Star Squadron. "Report," she said, raising elegant eyebrows as she paced, booted heels clicking in time with her graceful stride.

"Area is secure, my lady. The Rebel presense has been eliminated, save for their leaders, who are currently in custody. Our troops are enforcing martial law to keep the locals from getting into trouble." He nodded slightly offscreen. "My Lady Reyanna wishes to speak with you."

Carre smiled. "Tell her I will be on the planet within a half hour, and we can speak in person."

"Yes, my lady." The commando bowed, then terminated the connection.

Lady Carre did an abrupt turn and walked purposefully towards her personal bodyguard detachment. They were the same four who had backed her against Ashrael... the same four who had arranged an unfortunate accident to befall the fat old minister. In truth, they were little more than sadistic brutes, but they were fanatically loyal to one person: her.

She gestured to them with a concise flick of her wrist. "Come." Her tone was commanding, yet casual, the voice of a woman who knew her orders would be obeyed.

As they were. The four men flanked her in an escort position, following her to her private shuttle.

Just as to be expected... as I say, so shall it be.

~~~~~~~~~~

Carre's boots crunched into the rough stone of Bolvanger's southern plain. She looked around her, unimpressed. Bolvanger was not a pretty world; the landscape here was predominantly a dark, dull grayish-tan, unvarying and monotonous. There was no vegetation to speak of, only rock and coarse gravel. The sky was a watery blue-gray, cloudless and nearly colorless, and the dim sun provided only a scant amount of pale light. Towards the horizon, a glimpse of the sea could be seen, the same hue as the sky only several shades darker.

Still, despite its lack of asthetic appeal, Bolvanger was the world Carre had coveted most. Beneath the barren rock was a rich mineral deposit. The mining industry on this planet would benefit her mini-empire greatly.

An icy smile played on Carre's lips as she walked to meet Reyanna. She waved her guards away as she approached her comrade. No sense in having them in the way.

Reyanna looked up at Carre's approach, eyes narrowed and gleaming. "Were you looking for this?" she hissed, jerking a thumb towards a figure that lay slumped on the ground, moaning softly. He was bruised and bloodied, obviously in pain. Carre recognized General Drien.

"Why, yes, I was," she said, kneeling to lift the Rebel's chin with one hand. She smiled, the smile of a predator toying with its prey before killing it. "Glad to see me?" she murmured, tightening her fingers like a vice until the Rebel yelped in agony.

Abruptly, she let go, looking back at Reyanna. "The bruises...?"

"He tried to escape." Reyanna's eyes were cold as steel. "I had to... convince him that it was a bad idea."

Carre nodded, looking again at Drien. She resisted the unladylike urge to spit in his face. He was scum... the same brand of cowardly traitors who had caused the death of her father and the destruction of her beloved Empire. But now he would pay the price for every Imperial death he had caused.

"I want the good general and his officers executed publicly," she said, her words a bare hiss. "Let the people see for themselves the consequences of rebellion." Her smile returned. "See to it personally, Reyanna."

Her comrade returned the smile. "With pleasure."

<<Back w/ more on Mara tomorrow morning, if possible.>>