:: Arhul Jhoff exited the conference room, leaving behind the shouts that came from the room and now filled the corridor. His head was throbbing with pain. He massaged his temples as he made his way to the turbolift. The meeting had been like this for the last three weeks. The Armada’s two High Admirals, Marcus Keck and Fitzgerald, couldn’t agree on how the assault on the mining and agricultural planet of Anobis, should be carried out. Jhoff decided if they could not come to a conclusion, he would. ::

:: His pace was slow and syncopated. He couldn’t believe that the two admirals would jeopardize the success of an assault over a petty argument. The doors to Jhoff’s quarters silently opened and the glow panels lit up the room. Jhoff lay down on his sleeping pad and hoped it would help ease his headache. When the pain finally ceased, he got up and walked over to his desk. Sitting on it was a datapad with all the intelligence reports on Anobis. Jhoff picked it up and began reading it. His eyes darted left to right, taking in all that was on the screen. ::

:: Anobis was established in the days of the Old Republic as a mining and agricultural colony. With time, two factions slowly began to develop, the farmers and miners, each with their own distinct needs and opinions. Before the days of the Empire, the farmers and miners would trade with each other, exchanging food for metals and raw materials. When Palpatine rose to power, because the miners relied heavily on the off world trade that the Empire provided for them. Naturally, the miners were loyalist to the Empire. The farmers, on the other hand, were self-sufficient and resented the controls imposed by Imperial law. While the Galactic Civil War raged on in parts unknown to them, they fought their own civil war. ::

:: Even 25 years after the final battle of the Galactic Civil War, on Anobis, theirs still raged on. It wasn’t until long time smuggler turned diplomat, Han Solo, worked out an uneasy treaty between the miners and farmers. The New Republic had provided aid for the people on Anobis for sometime, but other affairs came to the forefront and Anobis was pushed aside. Slowly, the old resentment between the two groups had flared up again, and the civil war started all over with a new generation to fight it. Jhoff just shook his head in disappointment. He wondered how many families had been destroyed from the decades of fighting. He knew all to well what a planetary civil war could do to a family name. He pushed his memories aside, he could not let it affect his thought process. ::

:: Jhoff tossed the datapad back on to his desk. He sat down in his dewback leather chair and he let his cold, blue eyes stared out the transparisteel viewports. The ore that the miners excavated proved to be of superior quality. This ore would be a great advantage to the Shadow Armada. It would allow for the ships to have stronger hulls, something that was vital in a fleet of the Armada’s size. Jhoff let his cheeks pull his thin, cracked lips into a smile. Nothing would ruin this assault, not even two squabbling Admirals. ::

:: Even though it was hours later, Keck was still fuming about the argument he had with Fitzgerald. The two had never seen eye on how an assault should be carried out. Sometimes Keck wondered if Fitzgerald disagreed with him for the sake of disagreeing. But none-the-less, it was over now, and that’s all that mattered to Keck at the moment. He was sure Jhoff would make the final decision, and neither Keck nor Fitzgerald would be happy about it. ::

:: Keck paced the command bridge of the Revenge, as if he were a howlrunner on the hunt. His glanced down at the men in the pit, each was doing his assigned job with pure focus. He could hear the clicking of keys from data entry, and the small side conversations of the officers. Keck did an about face when he approached the end of the command deck to begin his journey again. He turned around to see a lieutenant walking towards him. The lieutenant was several inches shorter than the Admiral and quite a few years younger. ::

Keck: What is it lieutenant?

Lieutenant: Sir, Grand Admiral Jhoff request that you report to his quarter immediately. He says it is pertinent to our next mission.

:: Without responding to the lieutenant, Keck made his way to the bridge’s turbolift. ::

**********

:: Minutes later, Keck was in Jhoff’s quarter, and already in a heated discussion with his superior. Keck was standing at the head of Jhoff’s desk, and Jhoff was spun around so Keck could only see his reflection in the transparisteel. ::

Keck: But Sir, are you sure it is best to take sides?

Jhoff: I am. But they will soon realize that we are not on anyone’s side and that we are they for our advancement only, not theirs.

Keck: As you wish Sir... Which Division will I have under my command for this mission?

Jhoff: I am giving you control over Division Three for the time being. And Admiral, I’d like you to know that Admiral Fitzgerald has been relieved of his duties, permanently.

Keck: That is most unfortunate to hear, sir.

Jhoff: He was a thorn in our sides, and would’ve held us back if he remained.

Keck: Has there been a replacement chosen yet?

Jhoff: No, none yet. There will be one by the time you return from Anobis. That is all Admiral, dismissed.

:: Almost mechanically, Keck snapped to attention, and about faced, and left the room. As Keck left Jhoff’s quarters, he mentally ran through the list ships that were available to him. The Revenge was one of the ships that he could use. There was also a Victory-Class Star Destroyer, with a full complement of ground assault vehicles, which would become very useful. There were a few other ships that wouldn’t add much to the assault, but could prove to be helpful in the long run. Keck made his way to the bridge to rally the fleet and prepare for their departure. ::


5 Days Later…

:: After 5 days of constant meetings and confirming the plans, Division Three of Shadow Armada was ready to move. Keck sat comfortable in his command chair on the Revenge’s bridge. With the finalization of their tactics, a weight had been taken off of Keck’s shoulders. Everything around him was running like chrono-work. The hum of the ship was soothing, and the air tasted the sweetest it had in weeks to him. ::

:: In the meeting, Jhoff, Keck and the commanders of the other ships had determined that there would be little to no naval resistance from the Anobis colonist. From what intelligence had dug up is that the mining caves and farming lands were littered with thermal detonators and would pose a great threat to ground troops. The explosives would also be likely to cause minor damage to All Terrain Assault Transport walkers, and possible destroy several All Terrain Scout Transport walkers. But they all viewed those as insignificant losses for what they were going to gain. ::

:: Keck’s musing was broken by a call from the crew pit. ::

Ensign: High Admiral, an incoming transmission for you from the Conqueror.

Keck: Thank you. I’ll take it in the Officer’s Conference Room.

Ensign: Aye sir.

:: Keck stood up from his chair and tugged on his uniform to straightened the wrinkles out of it. He walked past the Holonet transceiver and into the Officer’s Conference Room. He locked to door to make sure there would be not interruption to his conversation. As he sat down at the head of the long, polished metal table, the image of Line Captain Rosteck Julpa appeared at the center of the table. ::

:: Rosteck had served with Keck in the Old Republic Navy and ended up with the Shadow Armada when Keck had offered him the job. The two had been in many battles together, and it showed on Rostek’s face more so than Keck’s. Rosteck was a man well into his middle age, his face was wrinkled and acquiring a leathery look about it. His granite gray eyes could instill fear into the hearts of the enlisted men, but offer wisdom and guidance to the officer cadets. ::

Keck: What is it Rosteck?

Julpa: Marcus, is everything all right over there? We’re 15 minutes behind schedule.

Keck: (chuckling) Rosteck, you were always a stickler for staying a schedule. Everything is fine over here, our technicians were performing some last minute stress tests on our walkers.

Julpa: (slightly annoyed) Couldn’t that have waited until we made the jump to hyperspace?

Keck: Would you have liked to arrive at Anobis and realize you have inferior pieces of machinery in you assault force?

Julpa: Hmm... (thinking pause) I suppose you’re correct. I’ll have my technicians do the same. Give us a half hour.

Keck: Half hour granted. Contact us when you’re ready.

Julpa: Aye sir.

:: The image of Julpa faded and Keck left the Conference Room to return to the bridge. ::


45 minutes later…

:: Keck checked his chrono again. It had been close to fifty minutes since he’d signed off with Julpa. His concern was growing by the second. Finally, after another 5 minutes, Keck’s patients had reached its limit. He shouted to the communications officer as walked back to the Holonet transceiver. ::

Keck: Lieutenant, get me the Conqueror immediately.

Lieutenant: Aye sir.

:: Keck straighten his jacket as he prepared to unleash an ion cloud of fury on Julpa for putting them farther behind schedule than intended. As Julpa’s face came into, he began to speak, but was abruptly cut off by Keck. ::

Keck: (below shouting) Julpa, what is taking so long? You’ve been granted close to twice as much time as originally planned.

Julpa: There were imperfections found in the footpads of four of our AT-ATs, sir.

Keck: (with an edge) When were they discovered?

Julpa: About 10 minutes ago, sir.

:: Keck’s eyes practically leapt out of his head as he heard the words leave Julpa’s mouth. Keck ended the transmission, not wanted to waste his time shouting at Julpa for his ignorance. He stepped off the transceiver pad and began to walk off to the turbolift. Before getting on the lift, Keck turned to the lieutenant. ::

Keck: Inform the division that we will be delayed a week. That is all.

:: Keck huffed off before the lieutenant could give him an affirmative. Keck could see Julpa meeting with Grand Admiral Jhoff soon, very soon. ::

3 Days Later...
On the Conqueror...

:: Julpa stood on the hanger bay’s floor as Grand Admiral Jhoff’s personal shuttle set down. He tried to get rid of the lump in his throat by swallowing all the salvia in his mouth, but it still remained. His palms and brow glistened from sweat of anxiety. He knew the exact reason Grand Admiral Jhoff was here to see him, and it wasn’t a good reason either. ::

:: Julpa watched the shuttle’s gangplank extent for what seemed like an eternity. It was enough to drive an unstable being mad. The entire hanger was mostly silent, except for the hum of the machinery and the hissing of being steam released from the hydraulics system of the shuttle. The clack of boots was added, sending a chill up Julpa’s spine. Jhoff stood at the bottom of the gangplank looking directly at Julpa. ::

:: Julpa snapped Jhoff a salute, which Jhoff promptly returned. It didn’t take away from the ice-cold glare that Jhoff was giving him. Jhoff walked past Julpa without saying a word, which made Julpa even more uncomfortable. Submissively, Julpa followed Jhoff on to the turbolift. During the ride, not a word was spoken between the two men. ::

:: The turbolift arrived at its final destination, the bridge. Jhoff stepped of before Julpa, and whipped his head to the left, looking towards the bridge. ::

Jhoff: Commander Miklon, report to the Officer’s Conference Room immediately.

:: Jhoff walked off towards the right. Julpa exited the turbolift as Miklon was coming around the corner. Miklon snapped to attention, Julpa gave him a sad looking glance. Miklon gave his superior a questioning look, but Julpa responded by walking to Officer’s Conference Room. Julpa entered first, Miklon was close behind him, thought. Grand Admiral Jhoff was already sitting at the head of the conference table. He had a stone face and the same icy glare he had since he had arrived. ::

Jhoff: I assume you know why I am here Line Captain Julpa.

Julpa: (his eyes are transfixed on a point beyond Jhoff) Aye sir.

Jhoff: You realize you will have to suffer the consequences for incompetence.

Julpa: (with the same glazed over look) Aye sir.

:: Miklon had a puzzled look on his face. He knew Julpa had delayed the assault mission by a week. From the manner Jhoff addressed Julpa, and the way Julpa responded, Miklon knew there was more to this than a simple reprimand for a delay. Jhoff’s gaze switched from Julpa to Miklon, taking Miklon by surprise. ::

Jhoff: Commander Miklon, for the period of seven months, you are given command of the Conqueror. Line Captain Julpa is not to have any input on how this ship is to be run. Is that understood, Commander?

Miklon: Understood sir.

Jhoff: That’ll be all, dismissed.

4 Days Later…

:: Keck stood on the floor of the Revenge’s hanger, overseeing the final stress tests on the new batch of AT-ATs. For the last week, Keck had been allowed to unwind while the replacement vehicles were constructed. A week hadn’t been long enough. Never the less, it was crunch time now. A technician walked over to Keck, with a datapad in hand, and a smile on his face. As he drew closer, the technician extended his arm and began to speak. ::

Technician: Sir, you’ll be glad know that the walkers passed all stress tests, with points to spare, I might add.

:: Keck gave a critical eye to data read outs. He finally nodded his head, pleased with the results. He handed the datapad back to the technician. ::

Keck: Excellent. Ships these over to the Conqueror and have them report to us when they’re ready.

:: The technician gave Keck a salute, for affirmation, Keck lazily returned the salute. The technician walked off, shouting to his men to load up the AT-ATs and prepare for departure. Keck left the hanger and returned to the bridge. Nothing was going to deal his assault this time. In the silence of his turbolift ride, Keck went over the timetable mentally. If everything worked correctly, the whole assault would be over in one week’s time. Keck arrived at the bridge, just as he finished reviewing the timetable, on last time. ::

:: When Keck stepped off the bridge, he could feel the crew’s anticipation. For most, this was their first really naval mission. As for the minority of the crewmembers, they were feeding off the eagerness of the others. The energy on the bridge pleased Keck, it showed his crew’s dedication to the Shadow Armada’s cause. As Keck made his way to the command deck, a crewmember noticed his presence, and immediately called the bridge to attention. ::

Ensign: High Admiral on the bridge!

:: Everyone stopped his respective tasks and conversations to salute Keck. Ever though everyone had stopped, the energy remained. Keck kept walking forward, to the communications station, while everyone was held at attention. ::

Keck: (softly) Carry on, men.

:: The energy level jumped as the crew became animated again. Keck looked down in the crew pit at the communications officer. ::

Lieutenant: Sir, the Conqueror has reported the AT-ATs are loaded and they are ready.

Keck: Open a channel to all ships lieutenant.

Lieutenant: Aye sir... Ready Admiral.

Keck: Ships of Shadow Armada, Division Three, report in and prepare for the jump to hyperspace.

Commander Miklon: The Conqueror, reporting in.

Voice One: Dread Four, reporting in.

Voice Two: Dread Five, reporting in.

Voice Three: Dread Six, reporting in.

Voice Four: Escort Carrier One, reporting in.

Voice Five: Escort Carrier Two, reporting in.

Keck: Make the jump to hyperspace on my mark... now.

:: Keck looked forward as the division made its jump. The points of light that the stars produced elongated in to lines, and then were over taken by the colors of hyperspace. ::

:: Keck checked his chrono again. 10 seconds from exiting hyperspace. He silently mouthed the remaining time; six… five… four… three… two… one… zero. He looked out the viewports to see the familiar black of space. The only predominate object in the viewports was the Anobis system. From their approach vector, Keck could see the whole system. Even with a class M1 sun, Anobis was the only inhabitable planet in the system. With a visual lock on Anobis, Keck headed for the hanger. ::

:: The whole of the fleet was ordered to stay in orbit of Anobis nearest neighbor while Keck when to Anobis, to “negotiate”. Keck piloted one of the Lambda-Class Shuttles himself. He was confident that he wouldn’t need to worry about being shot down. Even at full thrust, the trip was just over an hour. Keck passed the time by reviewing the latest intelligence reports. It was apparent that the miners were running behind in the armament race. As of late, the gunner smugglers had been selling more to the farmers. This puzzled Keck, where were the farmers getting their financial backing? As of yet, spy could see nothing that would indicate it was a person from off planet, but they couldn’t dispute it was on planer either. Keck put this in the back of mind, it was more important that he concentrate on atmospheric entry. ::

On Anobis…

:: Kal’i’lan started his long journey to the fields, before the sun had risen, just like every morning since he could remember. He walked through his small village, collecting the others that were working that day. As soon as everyone had been gathered, Kal’i’lan led them, single fill to the fields. He found it depressing that he and his friends need to live in fear of death every single day of their lives. The war had been going on since most of their parent could remember, who were old and feeble by now, and could barely remember their own names. Kal’i’lan hung his head, looking for any visible signs of burrowing thermal detonators. He saw the ground crack up ahead, most likely one. Kal’i’lan made a note of it, and continued on. ::

:: Suddenly he heard a loud boom. It was a sound he had never heard before, nothing like the explosion of a burrowing thermal detonator. He looked to the sky to see a shuttle, with unfamiliar marking. He wondered if it was a new weapons supplier for his people, but it was too early for any weapons shipment. He was transfixed on this new arrival, he completely forgot about the burrowing detonator he’d mentally marked. With his next step, Kal’i’lan triggered the pressure sensitive detonator. Five of the twenty men were killed. The remaining fifteen, even though covered in earth and blood, continued to the fields, un-phased. Death was a regular occurrence to them. They would collect the bodies, or what was left of them, on the way back home, at dusk. ::

*********

:: Keck felt almost at home in the cockpit. It brought back memories of when he first started serving in the Old Republic’s Navy. The Lambda-Class Shuttle was first introduced when he began his first tour of duty. It was a state of the art craft, not the hunk of junk it was considered now. It hadn’t changed a bit since those days. He felt he could fly it blind folded. He reverted his attention to the approaching landing pad in the mountains. Keck opened up a comm channel to see if anyone was awake down there. ::

Keck: Is anyone down there?

Voice: Aye, there is. Identify yourself.

Keck: This is High Admiral...

Voice: A High Admiral? Of the Empire?

Keck: No, of the Shadow Armada.

Voice: We’re not interest. Leave immediately, or be shot down.

Keck: Oh, I think you will be interested, especially if your people expect to win this civil war.

Voice: What exactly are you offering?

Keck: Allow me to land and we can talk.

Voice: Clearance granted.

:: Keck began the landing cycle, and was reconsidering his decision about coming down without an escort. He landed the shuttle with ease, it was like he’d been flying them for years. These miners seemed more hostile than expected, especially if you weren’t affiliated with the Empire. Keck would have to be cautious if he were to return to the Revenge in one piece. He checked his blaster, to make sure he had a full charge. He activated the gangplank and began walking down it before it was fully extended. ::

:: At the bottom, three rugged men were waiting from them. With a quick glance, Keck saw no visible weapons on them. One walked forward to greet, probably the colony’s leader. He was the same height as Keck, and probably as gray too. His was covered head to toe in soot, apparently in need of a good bathing. When he spoke, his voice was deep and horse. ::

Man: Welcome High Admiral...

Keck: Keck, Marcus Keck. And you are?

Man: Noli Harfin, leader of Mining Town 1138.

Keck: Well Mr. Harfin, are you and your fellow mining colonies prepared to win this war?

Harfin: Aye Admiral, more than ready. We’ve been waiting more than two generations for our savior.

:: Keck and Harfin sat aboard the shuttle, talking over the vitals of the attack. Harfin mention of fifteen other mining townships, out of thirty-three, that would be interested in joining the assault. Keck showed great interest in the others joining. The more, the merrier. From what Keck could tell, Harfin had great influence in the mining communities, and Keck would have no problem making Harfin his political puppet. ::

:: The two men talked at great length, well into the dead of night. Keck negotiated with great eloquence, and got everything he had come for. Once the farmers had been suppressed, the miner would allow for the Shadow Armada to construct orbital shipyard and an on planet construction yard. In return, the Shadow Armada would protect Anobis from outside invaders and open up the miners to galactic trade. Little was Harfin aware, but Anobis wasn’t well known throughout the galaxy as he thought it was. It was still considered a backwater planet to most, which was exactly the reason Jhoff wanted it to host industrial facilities. ::

:: Keck allowed Harfin five days to inform the other townships leaders of the plans. Keck was confident that the others would follow blindly. If Keck knew anything about the people of the expansion regions, they were nerfs; give them a herder and they’ll follow you to the ends of the galaxy. Keck estimated the time it would take to complete the operation would be about four days. There were about thirty-six farming settlements, and Keck had enough assault vehicles to capture nine of those settlements a day, maybe even ten or eleven per day. ::

:: Keck returned to the fleet in orbit for the five days allotted to Harfin. Those days consisted of constant meetings, with the generals, creating a detailed timetable. The head strategist worked it our so twelve settlements could be taken a day. Intelligence agents assisted by providing detail topographical and political maps of Anobis, which proved to be very insightful. The borders of settlements were clearly defined, and the settlements weren’t dispersed as thought to be. The Old Republic had plans for nearly one hundred other settlements, but obviously Palpatine deemed Anobis as worthless, and let the colonists fend for themselves. Apparently, Palpatine didn’t see the mining and earning potential Anobis held. Fortunate, Jhoff took note of this, and was going to have Keck exploit it. ::

Anobis Assault: Day 1

:: Keck stood aboard the bridge of the Revenge, over looking the main continent of Anobis, where the assault had already begun. The Conqueror and Subjector, have entered the atmosphere, to make it easier for the ground force to be moved from site to site. Everything was running on schedule, maybe closer to ahead of schedule. Reports were targets were being decimated before the farmer surrendered to Shadow Armada forces. This perseverance displayed by the farmers impressed Keck. This was a cause they believed in, and he was sure if it were the miners that were being assaulted, they would display the same. ::

:: All this couldn’t have been the success it was without the full cooperation of the thirty-three mining colonies. Harfin managed to bring the remaining eighteen mining settlements in the five days. So, indirectly, all of the miners reported to Harfin. To further help cement Harfin in his position of power, Keck had given him a commission as a low ranking general. Once the whole of Anobis was subjected, and under Armada rule, Armada Intelligence agents would assassinate Harfin. Then a real member of the Armada would be charged with governing Anobis, most likely who ever was replacing Fitzgerald. Maybe even Keck would get the appointment himself, as a reward for doing a superior job. But he doubted it. He knew Jhoff had special plans for him. ::

Lieutenant: Admiral, a transmission from the Subjector. It’s General Harfin with an update.

Keck: Excellent, transfer it to Conference Room oh-one please.

:: Keck walked aft to the main conference room on the Revenge. He hoped to hear nothing but good news from Harfin. ::

:: The lights came up automatically when Keck entered the conference room. He locked the door and turned on the sound screen, as was procedure during a planetary assault. Sitting at the head of the table, he pressed a button to receive Harfin’s transmission. As his image materialized, Keck could see he took advantage of the Subjector’s refresher units. His hair was coarse gray hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and his bread was trimmed down. All the soot that had clung to his face had been washed away revealing a copper tan, uncharacteristic of someone who worked in caves all his life. Harfin’s deep, and gruff voice came over the speakers mixed with the acute sound of static from atmospheric interference. ::

Harfin: High Admiral, every thing is going ahead of schedule.

Keck: Excellent work Harfin. What are our losses tallied at?

Harfin: We’ve lost at least fifty soldiers to burrowing thermal detonators, and ten injured by them. So far, we’ve lost no equipment.

Keck: Excellent, good work General. Anything else I need to know about?

Harfin: Yes there is. Many farmers in the fields fled to the forest, most likely to warn neighboring communities. The forest hold many traps and only a hand full will make it though to the other side alive. I’m worried that if that hand full does make it through, the other communities will be prepared.

Keck: Tomorrow at dawn, send scouts to find these groups of farmers. Depending on the number of people, the scouts can remove them. If it’s too much for the scout to handle, have Scimitars make bombing runs over the forest to wipe them out. If too much resistance is met, our losses will increase, and we can’t allow that.

Harfin: Briefings will start immediately Admiral. I have will have another update for you at the same time tomorrow.

:: Harfin’s image dissipated, leaving Keck to his thoughts. ::

Anobis Assault: Day 4

:: Harfin’s updates continued regularly throughout days two and three of the assaults. They were beyond ahead of schedule by day four. On the final day of assaults, only five more settlements would need to be suppressed. As figurehead of Anobis’s miners, he had his power well cemented in place now. Keck was certain that within two weeks after the assaults ended, Harfin could be eliminated. Construction of facilities to secure the Armada’s power had already begun. Today, Keck was going to contact Grand Admiral Jhoff, to deliver an update and request droid construction teams to begin constructing the Armada’s production facilities. ::

:: Getting through the many transmission passwords and encryptions often irritated Keck. Jhoff was somewhat paranoid as it was, but more so during assaults. After an hour of work, Keck finally accessed the private communications channel to reach Jhoff. He assumed Jhoff was on his new flagship, Merciless, judging from the background, but he couldn’t be sure. ::

Jhoff: What do you have to report Keck?

Keck: Anobis will be under our total control within the next standard day. I have recruited, if you will, one of the miners into our ranks. Right now, he is overseeing the assaults. He holds power over all the mining communities, which is why I have him playing a large role in the assaults. But I assume you’ll want someone appoint someone within the Armada’s rank to deal with planetary control of Anobis. :: Jhoff gave a slight nod. :: So I have our intelligence agents preparing an assassination for two weeks from tomorrow.

Jhoff: That’s excellent to hear Admiral. Droid constructions crews will be arriving tomorrow. Fitzgerald’s replacement will be established as planetary governor of Anobis. You will return as soon as native political juggernut is killed and the new planetary governor is in place.

Two weeks later…

:: General Harfin sat quietly in his office on Anobis, finishing up the reports on the assaults that had been completed weeks earlier. Losses had been minimal, the only lost manpower, nothing big. A snap broke the silence, making Harfin jump slightly. He told himself it was just the durasteel expanding, and thought nothing of it. He got up from his desk to transmit the reports to the orbiting warships. With a sigh, he pressed the button sending them on their way. As he turned around to return to his desk, he heard another snap. This time the snap was accompanied by the sound of blaster fire. Harfin never saw the origin of the shot, or where it hit him. Harfin feel on to his knees and was dead before his head hit the floor. ::