OOC: Open to Rezner and Jiren. Peace, enjoy.






T-Minus 90 Seconds & Counting To Drop Zone

"Xen squad, move into position near exit ramp..."

I, Kyp Halcyon, stood calm, collected, at ease in the midst of all the perpetual hysteria that was going on around my aura.

"... take out any thugs that might ambush us at the drop zone. Disperse in wide under slugger pattern. Overtake the zone, secure it so the drop ship can berth until we complete our objectives."

It was a period in history of much excitement, a time of liberation from the tyrannical sovereignty of the Corporate Sector Authority. Though, at heart, I found my soul torn between two irrational loyalties. Loyalties to my newly found faith, taking the symbolic form of the Rouge Jedi Order, and much, in its leader, Gash Jiren. And another loyalty, towards my ancient heritage, and what they fought for long in the past...

Yes. Corran Horn was a fearsome man, a giant amongst his contemporaries, and at heart, a kind and benevolent soul, who was passionate for his work. He was a legend, as was his father, in the CSA, and he humbled himself for being so damned fortunate at being so damned efficient at his job. Corran Horn served CSA during a time of when it’s political liaisons were not corrupted, bitter, and cruel. Clearly, as I reasoned, the pros for overthrowing these dictators heavily outweighed the cons.

Pushing those thoughts aside, I made my way at the head of Xen squad, towards the drop ship’s entry ramp ignition module. Lifting the glass paneling, latching it to the bulkhead of the freighter, I thumbed the activation switch, though not applying any pressure. I heard the engines whining in protest as the pilot flew over the drop zone, igniting the thruster system to gain pitch. Hovering several hundred meters over our zone, my men were shuddering in anxiety, awaiting the faint sense of adventure, and perhaps glory.

The Rouge Jedi Order had trained it’s intelligence operatives in the arts of combat, of stealth, and espionage, and their hard work had paid off in producing crops of fine young officers ripe for combat, eager to fulfill their duties to the extent at which their skills deemed possible.

Decked out in full combat armor, as was the rest of my squad, our deadly assault rifles slung over our shoulders, cradled in our arms, I motioned for two of my squad members to gear into position to act as the spearhead of the dispersal. They nodded in acknowledgement, ducked under the bulkhead of the rear entry door, picking up their assault rifles into a usable position.

Our objectives were clear. The government CSA correspondents of Ammuud were to be covertly toppled using the ancient tactics of attrition. The operation was subjected strictly under my jurisdiction, and I took casually delight in the anxiety of revealing my plans to my men. The Rouge Jedi Order would have a dark history after this operation, but with a shimmer of hope waiting at the end of a figurative tunnel.

A convoy of three freighters had been dispatched with full compliment of militia and cargo to carry out the operation efficiently. Captured during the Hyvtel engagement, admiral Cario Solo saw it fit to deem us the resources needed to complete our task. Using the CSA freighters, we were able to mask ourselves from any entanglement with local customs agencies, thus disallowing any civilian authorities to stumble upon our entourage, and land in the harsh tundra’s of Ammuud’s native geology.

My freighter, the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Embargo<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->, was the lead craft in the expedition, and first to set down on the tundra’s. Our job was to neutralize a zone for the other two craft to land, and unload their munitions and supplies. Sixteen soldiers, including myself, were the soul task keepers of this objective. We were Xen squad.

The <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Lord of Manor<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->, our second freighter, hovered in low orbit until the drop zone was clear. Arriana Rezner was leading this freight, a compliment of fourteen soldiers given at her disposal. Master Jiren had authorized her to accompany me on this mission, on reinforcement detail. That left me ahead in the chain of command, but I was still quite curiously to meet this Rezner in person. She seemed quite beautiful from what holo records could score, though it was hard to perceive any underlying detail of her personality, her emotion.

Finally, the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Tuskan Omen<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->, our third freighter, was also waiting for word of confirmation to land alongside Rezner. Gash Jiren, to my surprise was wishing to join in on this mission alongside Rezner and myself, though I questioned his motives. However, and extra commander was always due to increase the efficiency of my mission, so I did not raise any objections, though in reality, my objections would have done no good. The freighter itself was carrying a technical engineering team of nine, plus three soldiers, assigned as escort for master Jiren. Inside the hold, contained construction materials for a temporary command shelter, communications equipment, portable shield generators, weapons lockers, one artillery battery, and foodstuffs to last our lifetimes.

I hadn’t the heart to brief the two commanders what my plans were for this mission, nor the courage to debate my logic with theirs on and open holo vid channel. I wanted their reactions in person, and I was going to receive them. Jiren only told me to get the populace of Ammuud to revolt against its CSA ruling body. How was my business, and my jurisdiction.

There were several urban regions nearby our drop zone, where the economies depended on the local spaceports for exporting and importing goods and services. The first revelation I dreamed up was classic. Don’t strike at Ammuud’s government body. Strike at it’s subjected populous instead.

We would decimate the populace of the nearby regions, then plant incriminating false evidence leading to CSA involvement in the attack? Most would question the ethics of why CSA would commit themselves to such an act against a non-hostile system? Simple. Tax rates had been slipping in local regions, and the CSA were losing public funding. The economy had been bad lately throughout the corporate sector, what with the war between the Imperialistic New Order and their chief rivals, the New Republic.

They say war is good for business. The populace in Ammuud could testify a different theory.

The principle factor in Ammuud’s economy contributed to its rich and exotic natural environment of winter paradise. With war on the brinks of each system’s toes, such luxurious traveling had been a down play of economic subsidiaries. They were losing money, and there was little CSA could do to stop it.

So with that thought in mind, I decided to give the populace of Ammuud a warning. Increase profits to meet the demands of the tax rates, or suffer varying consequences. Though I doubt anyone would have guessed something so harsh as murder.

However, after this objective had been accomplished, I along with a fellow operations member would covertly sneak into the lifestyle Ammuud, and live out our existence as native citizens. With our contacts and resources, I could allow myself to be placed in a political position of some weight, and be placed in a prime location from which to discover the incriminating evidence against the CSA for the murder of the Ammuud populace.

My analysis. The poplace would revolt. And quite conviently… a resistance group would be formed using our smuggled in resources.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Any minute now.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

T-Minus 60 Seconds & Counting To Drop Zone

A nervous twitch rang in my ears as the sheet metal of the freighter’s hull burned against the atmosphere. We were coming into the drop zone fast, so as not to allow any concealed anti air craft weaponry the chance to vaporize us like hovering monarchs.

T-Minus 30 Seconds & Counting To Drop Zone

"Places Xen squad! Switch off your safeties. Activate thermal scanning. Locate any heat sources once outside the craft and vape them before they vape you, understood?"

An united throng of voices responded with grim and utter determination.

"Sir yes sir!"

T-Minus 10 Seconds & Counting To Drop Zone

And the last few seconds of peace echoed through my mind as we received an all-clear signal from out pilot, and my thumbed flipped the activation switch to the entry ramp. The ramp doors opened horizontally. A metal cargo ramp extended from our positions, and as one unit, we efficiently managed a tight dispersal from our dust off point, until a warning sounded from a point man directly in front of me. My headset chatter the warning.

"Triple Bogie at point six, flak platform! This area’s hot gentlemen!"

Releasing my engagement command, I turned my head degrees towards the point man’s spot, and my thermal indicator picked up three thugs, with an anti aircraft battery, concealed under a camouflaged net.

"All units, open up!"

Two men on my left flank crouched to a secure firing position, rasied their rifles, took aim, and gently fingered the triggers. I amused myself in viewing the combat episode through my thermal indicators, watching as two bodies sank into the dust. The third popped off a return firing round, splashing harmlessly against the hull of the freighter, until one of my point men picked him off as well.

"Xen six and Xen nine, demolish that flak platform."

As two of my men unlatched several detonite grenades, eleven other of my squad continued their dispersal pattern, leaving three other units at my point, and left and right flank. Standard protocol: protect the high-ranking officer.

As Xen six and nine hurled grenades at the anti aircraft battery, and the drop zone being secured, the mission was proceeding as planned. My senses sent me sprawling to the dirt however as a stray carbine punctured the neck of my point man, dropping him to the floor in a muffled cry of shock. Cerulean liquid splashed against my armor, greasing it satin. My left flank guard yelled into the headset.

"Xen five is down! We’ve got a wraith! Elevation... tracking, forty six meters!"

I shouted out to take cover, ducking under landing brick from the freighter, poking my head from the side of the landing brick, I attempted to track the heat signature from the sniper. My efforts were to no avail.

"There’s no heat sig on this @#%$! He’s under a anti thermal shroud!"

We had landed in a tight valley, surrounded by a crevice of cliffs, and therefore, a sniper had a choice position to gain ground on us.

An offer replied from one of my troopers who were securing the zone perimeter.

"Sir, were we able to unload our heavy weapons locker?"

I replied, biting my lip.

"Damn! We never got a chance by the time that wraith showed."

I was inspired however, to embrace another alternative.

"Nine and Six, can you flank that @#%$ with G launchers?"

Xen nine and six were in prime positions alongside the edge of one of the forms of cliffs, and might have had enough shelter to peek alongside the sniper and flank him with grenade units. Nine spoke up.

"Aye sir, cavalry fire... now."

My ears picked up the sound of two "clunks", as the grenade spat out the barrels of the assault rifles. The valley acted as a perfect resonance chamber, so that I could almost hear the sniper’s shoulders brushing against the rock side of a cliff. Two explosions impacted along the cliff side, sending shrapnel spewing in our directions. A cloud of dust arose from the points of impact. I peeked around my bend, staring for any indications of movement along the cliff side.

I smiled as my thermal unit indicated the snipers heat presence, obviously, the concussion effect from the grenades had damaged the shroud’s generator. I stepped from behind my concealment, raised the butt of the assault rifle to my shoulders, lined the sniper in my sights, and thumbed my trigger.

From my view, I could witness his skull pop, splattering a film of blood and plasma in a radius around the sniper’s body.

Out of the sixteen operatives that were accompanying me on this mission, we had already lost Xen five. <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Damn.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

"Men, lets unload our gear from the freighter, and set up recon."

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Now, to brief Rezner and Jiren.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Efficient.

That was what Gash mentally remarked- with a healthy portion of sarcasm- as he descended his freighter's landing ramp. Accompanied by Kasien Treseda, Gash surveyed the demolished remains of what seeemed to have been an Ammuudian flak tower with slight amousment in his eyes. Kyp seemed to have taken Gash's remark as he was assigning the younger Jedi this mission to heart- the one about "doing what was necessary to accomplish what must be done".

Even from a typical Jedi's standpoint, Kyp's 'shoot first' style landing was not unexpected, or wholly unnecessary. Even if the Rogue forces had been mistaken for denziens of Ammuud, they would likely have been attacked anyway. The political system of Ammuud involved seven bitterly warring clans, the conflict between whom had ravaged the planet.

Yes, they were stepping on someone's toes, and even the skill of New Republic and Rogue Jedi intelligence probably couldn't avoid a few armed confrontations like the one which had followed the landing forever.

As they reached the bottom of the ramp, the crimson-eyed Jedi Master glanced over at Kasien, who seemed to be surveying the RJO intelligence operatives with no small amusement. Not a single man was sitting down, resting, or mending their wounds from the short conflict- all bustled around hastily, in preparation for whatever Kyp had planned.

"Something is funny?" Gash asked, snow crunching underfoot as they stepped off the metal ramp. "Somehow, I fail to see the humor of leaping straight into a three-thousand year old conflict on some god forsaken iceball."

'It's not that. I just can't help but think that if you weren't here, most of these men would be sitting down and smoking ciggaras.'

"Yes, I know, I have them on edge. But can a desire to perform in front of a military surperior really be of any threat to the mission?"

'No, but an itchy-trigger-fingered rookie who doesn't want to look like a bantha-ass infront of Gash The High Admiral might be. One of these kids is going to blow their own foot off with a durasteel welder, and I'm not going to be the one slapping bacta patches on a charred leg stump.'

"That duty will likely fall to me, yes."

Kasien chuckled. 'Don't be so hard on yourself, old man. Kyp'll do a fine job.'

"I told you what I think he has planned."

'Yes, well, your Jedi brain reading isn't always right.'

"No, but right now you're thinking that we should have landing near the southern poll, on the ice cap."

Kasien stopped dead and glanced at Gash, smirking still. 'That's annoying, you know. One of these days, I'll be planning your assassination, and you'll just zip into my mind with that damn Force of your's...'

"Funny. Is it really my fault that I don't want an intelligence operation turning into some kind of dating service?"

'Oh, come on, Gash. So the kid took an interest in her. Doesn't mean he'll act on it- it doesn't mean anything. I think you're a little jealous.'

"You don't know what you're talking about, Treseda."

'Don't I? Come on, Gash. Never had a crush on one of your students?'

"No, I haven't. I'm a Jedi Master... that's immoral, Kasien. I'm offended you'd even suggest it."

'I don't need Jedi mind reading techniques to know what I see. Besides, Kyp is a professional- he wouldn't use this mission for anything but what it is. The Rogue Jedi Order is here to take control of the planet. He knows that.'

Gash stopped, his breath turning visible on the cold of the perpetual Ammuudian winter. The intelligence operatives still moved quickly about, darting in and out of the vessels, bringing out supplies and shelter equipment. "I suppose. We'd better get this shelter set up."

The Lord of Manor’s exit ramps hissed open and dropped down against the hard-packed snow with a thud. From inside, voices could be heard. The party on board of the ship slowly began to emerge out into the light, lead by the commander of the freighter. She was rather … unfittingly attired. A figure-hugging set of trousers made from a fabric not-too-different from rubber, thin sleeveless t-shirt and snow boots, along with a thick coat – unzipped – tugged around her body. All in black, she stood out like a sore thumb from the white back drop, yet she couldn’t quite seem to care.

She paced over the ice and looked around with a studious glance at the scenery; it reminded her, surprisingly, of a toned down Hoth. Somewhat annoyed, she smirked and headed off towards Gash and the Intel officer he’d decided to bring along with him. Quite an attractive young man, and he’d heard such good things about him. And then there was the officer. Arriana laughed quietly to herself. Even her own jokes inside her head made her laugh.

“Hello boys.”

Gash and Kasien turned to face the NR Director of Intelligence, who flashed them an insincere looking smile. Where she now stood, hand on hip, there was a flurry of people working around her. The ‘little men’ scurried about attempting to set up equipment and perform the mundane tasks which they were hired to do.

“Remind me exactly <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> why<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> we’re here again?”

Arriana dusted some snow off of the collar of her coat with the hand that she held her light saber in. The aggressive attitude that she held was the trace from her past as a Sith, and was one she was finding a hard job getting rid of. It didn’t bother her that she could be sassy and still protect peace, but she doubted Gash and the Order council would approve.

“Oh yes, I remember. Another planet to takeover,” she looked up into the winter sky and sighed softly.

“It seems like we do this every day,” she murmured to herself, “How many more planets can we seize.”

The intel officer that Gash had taken with him happened to be Kasien Treseda, the man who was to be Arriana's second in command in the NRI.

Kasien watched the woman descend the ramp quietly, flashing a good natured smile her way. A charmer's smile, one which had broken a thousand hearts, but one which apparently had no effect on the infamous Arriana Rezner. The NR's very own iceheart... Gash certainly has strange taste.

Kasien shot a small smirk at Gash before introducing himself.

"Miss Rezner. Allow me to introduce myself; I'm Kasien Treseda, New Republic Intelligence agent."

Gash nodded to Treseda. 'Yes. He will be heading up the New Republic Ubiqtorate- he'll be your second in command.'

Both men glanced Kyp's way almost simultaneously. 'I believe you were about to brief us on this mission you've concocted, Mr. Halcyon...' Gash began.

"Yes. Do tell."

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> They’ve arrived.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

To my displeasure, I felt the presence of an extremely powerful and experienced aura… more notably, master Jiren. I could sense his mind focusing in on me as I went about my respected mundane duties, and I pulled back my being from his detection. No sense in making myself anymore aware than I needed to be.

Another significantly lesser presence stood with him, notably a figure of lesser rank, though similar importance. Perhaps, master Jiren brought along another officer? I turned to percept the figure. A rather charming looking individual. His side bars to his uniform read him as an Intelligence Colonel.

And then, to my surprise, and sudden agitation, my mind became aware of a drifting aura, one of graceful stature. I presence that illuminated her very being. And my breath grew rasp in anxiety. Surely this could not be... and I looked upon the figure causing this sudden emotion. And my heart grew to ice.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Officer Arriana Rezner.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

She paced form the gang plank of the Lord of Manor in fervor demeanor. I found myself attracted to her, instinctually in the Force. Dressed in quite odd attire, she differed in every way imaginably to my crew, my superiors. She presence radiated a soft, gentle nature, though from her battle hardened features, I could perceive that she did not hesitate to embrace her warrior at heart, when that time arose.

Her features were elegant, and I drank in the contours of her form, from all the curves, angles, to the way she walked. All complimented her even more in my mind. I wanted to probe deeper and get a sense from her mind, the way she thought, felt. But, I too realized that this act might have prompted suspicion in master Jiren. I did not want to draw more attention to myself that I already had.

But this girl. She represented the epitome of perfection. Could it be, that my equal in force, symbolized this girl? She looked in my direction, our eyes catching glance of each other for a brief second. I turned, rather shamefully, a slight feeling of embarrassment tugging at my mind. Dropping a crate of supplies of was carrying, I decided that it was just time that I briefed my comrades on this mission. I felt rather guilty to bequeath such an unpleasant objective as wiping out an entire village population on officer Rezner.

Guilt. I had never felt this emotion. It was strange to me.

“Gash, it’s good to see you again.”

Embracing the old Jedi master, I sensed a feeling of relief of renowned joy at Jiren’s sight. The old master had taken me in many months back, when family and friends were indifferent to me.

“Kyp, you seem to have things under control here. You have RJO’s gratitude.”

A smiled, retracting myself from his embrace.

“Anything for the Order, sir.”

Extending his hand to his shoulder officer, he made a formal introduction

“This, is my second in command, Kasien Treseda. I trust you two haven’t met.”

Frowning, I shook my head in acknowledgement.

“Not that I recollect to mind, no.”

Kasien offered his hand in greeting, and I receive his gesture in warmth.

Turning my head towards Arriana, I felt a tingle of anxiety trickle through my spine, as I next offered my hand to her.

“And this must be Arriana Renzer. I’ve reviewed your record officer Rezner. You have a quite extensive portfolio. It’s good to have such a competent commander on our side.”

She took my hand modestly. Trying to avoid my auspicious gaze. I noticed the attempt and smirked inwardly.

“Thank you Mr. Halcyon. I’ve heard good things about you from Gash.”

My gaze turned to Jiren, in utter amusement, throwing the Jedi a lop-sided grin.

“Really now? Gash Jiren has been saying nice things about me?”

Gash and I both resounded to laughter at the remark. Turning my attention to the prefabricated shelter, I walker past the envoy, speaking lightly.

“Your technical is quite efficient, master Jiren.”

Gash nodded politely, and I glanced at Rezner and Kasien.

“If you’d follow me, I’ll brief you all now.”

The three companions walked through my wake, the snow crunching under their worn all terrain boots. We entered the shelter, and to my surprise, the technicians ere still bustling about their tasks. The chief technician, officer Loruss, caught our entrance from the corner of her eye and motioned me to me.

“Sir, you can go ahead an proceed with your business, my crew will be done in a few minutes. We’re just finishing installing some holovid equipment.”

I nodded, acknowledging the report. To the far east wall of the shelter, a conference table had been set up and designated for my purposes. I extended my hand towards the table, allowing my companions to proceed ahead of myself and make their seats.

I took a chair at the end of the table, with Jiren and Kasien at my left, Rezner on my right. Folding my hands together over the tabletop, I began.

“Gentlemen. As you understand, we’re here to overthrow the leading authority of Ammuud, CSA. I’m not sure if any of you were able to study the history of this sector before the drop. If not, then allow me to inform you.”

“This system has been in somewhat political turmoil due to military hostilities between several warring clans in Ammuud. Namely, the clans of Glayyd, Reesbon, Tikeris, Owphrin, Melchett, Almowri, and Odoon.”

“Contacts from sympathizers to our cause against the CSA have pinpointed to evidence that has lead to the war between the clans. This evidence suggests to our tactical analysis engineers that the CSA is solely responsible for the hostilities on Ammuud.

“We’ve also discovered that due to this conflict, economic profits have downsized on the system, and to what profits the clans make, the CSA finds ways to funnel them into their private funds. This leads to further conflict between the CSA and the clans.”

“However, the CSA has taken means in providing moderate relief efforts to the clans in terms of certain economic consolidations. This has kept the clans from suspicion and seeing the real truth behind CSA’s manipulation.”

“However, no deed so atrocious could escape the clan’s notice, so we’ve decided to use the same ploy the CSA used to start the war between the clans.”

“We shall strike out in a swift military posture and decimate the Glayyd clan northeast to our camp site, placing conjured evidence leading to CSA involvement in the assault.”

“This is the first stage of our mission. Allow me to defer you to another piece of Ammuud’s history. Each clan is led by a group of patriarchs called the Mors. These patriarchs represent each clan in annual gatherings known as the Karikati. During the Karikati, the clans bring every aspect of their political structure to the fore, in some vain effort to accomplish peace between their parties.”

“Our tactical analysis predicts that with the destruction of the Glayyd, this will notably increase hostile tensions between the clans at the Karikati.”

“Therefore, myself, along with another officer shall infiltrate the Mors structure through the Odoon clan. Using false identification and passport visa’s we shall impersonate two Mors officials of the Odoon clan. We shall make the homage to the Karikati, and at the convention, present our evidence of CSA involvement in the Glayyd assault.”

I turned to Rezner, trying to suppress the urge to grin.

“Officer Rezner, you’ll be accompanying me to infiltrate the Odoon clan’s Mors structure. You have an extensive background, you’re diverse in a variety of fields, and I feel as though you are the perfect companion for this objective.”

“This shall, to our best interests and predictions, start a cataclysm of CSA’s defeat in the Mors political arena. With the conclusive evidence presented against them, the Mors shall unite the clans to rise up in rebellion against the CSA… where appropriately...”

I shot Gash and Kasien a grin.

“... there will be a tidy RJO resistance force already mobilized to assist the clans in their struggle.”

I raised my elbows in question.

“So, I want your opinions. And if any of you have questions, please ask.”

One Week Later

“Rezner, move your squad into position, Xen squad is assuming formation now, closing on the village infrastructure.”

One week had passed since the layout of our initial strike. And now, we were committed to stage one. The feelings and rationalities of my fellow officers were of horror, and besieged shock of my subtlety in the design of my plans. No matter, debate rambled through the night on the morality, the justice, the ethicality of this manner in which the Rouge Order was taken in to. Least to say however, the operation was under my strict jurisdiction, and I stuck with the decisions I had made.

Needless to say, here we were, Rezner and myself, about to undertake a weighty duty, to accept a guilty fate of conscience. I sensed Rezner’s adrenaline running high, and my heart crushed at having to put the poor girl through this ordeal. <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> She’ll tough it up, eventually... she’ll tough it up.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> Though, my reasoning did nothing to ease my guilt from which I felt over the deed.

The village was located in a steep valley, encamped in a mountain range, providing much security much melee bands of raiders in neighboring clans. The winter season was still bearing the full brunt of nature against the terrain, and a white blanket of snow engulfed the entire valley. The winds were slow, the mountains thus sheltering us and the village denizens from a torrential blizzard. Rezner’s squad had approached the village two kilometers from our position on the northeastern ridge. Xen squad was approaching the infrastructure at north ridge, just five hundred meters from the village outskirts.

“Aye Kyp, we’re setting up the artillery cannon now.”

I marveled... it was good to be in communion with the Force. Though I never much had the chance of opportunity to speak with her on a more social level, through the Force I was able to tap into her mind, probe her thoughts, and thus, I felt as if I knew her quite extensively. Though, many a time I questioned the ethics of my abilities to sense other’s thoughts stealthily, many a time my conscience burned in a cliché of the desire to understand this woman, this marvel that happened to come under my command, and the desire to attain grace with the Force.

I pushed the notions from my mind. It wasn’t very professional.

As my company moved stealthily along the valley plains, I spoke through my helmet comm. piece, a silent resilience building in my mind.

“Rezner, Xen squad is approaching the outskirts at three hundred meters. What’s the status on that artillery piece?”

My reply came out to a satisfactory degree.

“Aye boss. The gun is set up.”

I motioned for my company to halt, and dropped to a crouch.

“Right, target select structure, fire at my order. Confirm target. Program gun for a six round burst against each select target.”

A moment passed until a reply forwarded.

“Target confirmed.”

“Fire!”

A sound of thunder shuddered all mass forms across the valley. From Xen squad’s position, we could view a burst of laser particles explode across the horizon, and in quick succession, scattered an array of detonite plasma over a 50 meter radius throughout the village. Chaos erupted, as the plasma tore through the structural material of the village constructs, sending fire and lethal fumes over the denizens.

I took out a pair of military grade macro binoculars, viewing the carnage in comfort from our position.

“Artillery control. Confirm new target. Six round burst.”

“Field recon. Target Confirmed.”

“Fire!”

Another succession followed. This time, I viewed the rounds impact in full detail from the binoculars. The detonite plasma flayed any matter it came into contact with. I received a horrific image of several village denizens unfortunate enough to receive the brunt of the slug’s lethal explosive.

“Artillery control, cease fire. Rezner, scuttle the artillery cannon and proceed to rendezvous with Xen squad at the village site. Shoot whatever living entity you find.”

Closing my comm. frequency, I stood from my crouched position, and motioned to the rest of the company.

“Xen squad, switch off your safeties and scan the horizon! We’ve got a mission to accomplish.”

"The report?" Gash muttered, glancing at Kasien.

'Kyp has the village. The ruling government's clan should have a lot of trouble getting any troops here.' Kasien said, pacing around the makeshift shelter. His hands were clasped behind his back, even as he turned to face Gash. 'We're in position. Will you order the strike?'

Gash sighed. "You know that my intention here never had anything to do with brute force."

'We're in a perfect position to finally take down the Corporate Sector Authority.' Kasien replied, handing Gash the datapad he'd had clenched in his grasp. 'Do I need to remind you why we're here? What I've found in every clan headquarters we've infiltrated to date?'

"No." Gash said, glancing down painfully at the datapad. Spaarti cloning cylinders. "I always wondered just what the Emperor did with the rest of his cloning equipment -- I knew it wasn't all on Mount Tantiss."

'And now we know. Don't let this chance slip away -- when one of those clans finally catches full wind of what is happening, here, this window of opertunity will be lost to us.'

"Yes."

Silence.

"How many civilians will die?"

Kasien looked down. 'I don't know. But some will.'

Gash just stared blankly at the duraplast wall. "Do it."
<hr>


[i]I write this log now, only that someone may one day read it and learn.

Never, in all my years of life, have a seen a corporation as distainful as the Corporate Sector Authority. Whether openly corrupt, as during the days of the Empire's power, or under the guise of free-market benevolence, as during the Republic's rise, the CSA has always been a corporation of may secrets and lies.

And always, a disrespect for life.

From the oppression of the Triiani, to what has occured here on Ammuud, the CSA has truly proven an immoral, inhumane society of those who care naught for anything but themselves. Godless worshippers of money.

The CSA used the warriors of Ammuud -- hardened by centuries of clan war, something I admit my distain for, but a more noble persuit than any the CSA have undertaken -- as the subjects of an experiment. Using the Empire's final remaining cloning facilities (likely gifted to the proprietors of the CSA by the higher-ups of the Empire in the years after the Emperor's death), and flash-learning technology, they created an entire race of perfect warriors.

And threw them carelessly into battle.

Because of their disrespect for life, more than a million beings brought into creation for no other reason than to fight died at the battles of Aargau and Etti IV. A hundred civilians died in the battle here, today, and countless others died because of how the CSA took advantage of the tired people of Ammuud.

Ammuud is a place where war is unavoidable, a part of life which no one cherishes but everyone accepts. The CSA continued the wars, here, perpetuating them so that they might clone over and over those who emerged as superior killers.

It is with great trepidation that I bring the Corporate Sector War to a close, with no more reason to persue it, now that our strike at the Ammuudian capital has destroyed those cloning cylinders.

My greatest fear in all of this, is not that I have done wrong.

Not that I have killed those who were innocent.

It is that no one will remember what happened here. <p align="right">-Gash Jiren</p>