Stolen

[Kyryanu Sevon]

I feel like a shaak. Not to mention I look like one too.

If anything, being pregnant had brought on a whole new level of aggravation and frustration for Kyryanu Sevon, and the woman wasn't sure if she particularly enjoyed it. At first it'd been a nice surprise, and the thought that she carried a child within her had made her happy. Until the day her favorite pants stopped fitting around her waist. By that time the thought that she was going to be groing in girth size generated a feeling of dread.

Her, Kyry, was with child. Of course her husband had seen fit to shower her with tenderness and care, but she knew what came with being pregnant - old friends had told her stories. The hunger cravings, the need to go to the fresher all the time, the morning sickness, and especially the postnatal depression. That was what she was not looking forward to, of course all the others she wasn't very fond of going through either, but still.

Now though, she was out, taking her ship and setting off in search of her sister. And that's where she sat now, in the cockpit of the Vico, elongated starlines filling the front viewport. She planned on starting her search on Blamorra - hopefully Silus was around, and knew where the eldest s'Ilancy was spending her time. It wasn't too long of a trip, and the presence of a small group of Federacy Storm Guards seemed to make things not as lonely.

She planned on meeting up with Khendon before arriving at Balmorra, so that the two could spend some time with eachother before once more parting ways, and it was the expectancy of seeing him that seemed to make the trip longer than it was.

Leaning back in her seat, Kyry let the metal fingers of her prosthetic tak against the armrest as she lolled her head to look at the Storm Guard sitting in the co-pilot's chair beside her, trying to think of something, anything, to say in the hopes of staving off boredom.

[Tear]

“Sir, you cannot be serious? We have been waiting here for three days and for what exactly? Because of some man claims he’s Sovereignty Intelligence told us too!?” Leniet a fairly young man in his late twenties donning the uniform of the Imperial Navy stalked his captains steps as he pleaded his case.

Dorow Bontel’s, Captain of the Interdictor Black hole, brow furrowed emphasizing the seriousness of his words, “He is not claiming to be Sovereignty Intelligence. He is! Sovereignty Intelligence.” The aging captain sighed as he continued down the corridor to the bridge, “and there fore has special powers in this case.” Leniet continued to protest as a pair of metallic doors hissed open admitting the two to the bridge area. A single razed finger from Dorow quickly silenced Leniet while the captain’s neck craned to see who was sitting in his chair.

“Colonel?”

Tear eyes flicked up from the plate of cake he was enjoying, “Ah Captain welcome back. How was the nap? Refreshing I hope.”

“Colonel…get the hell out of my char.” The aging captain only stood giving his trade mark irritated sigh that had been heard in abundance over the last three days. The man actually had the audacity to sit in his chair. HIS chair! A Captain of the Imperial Sovereignty but then again Dorow had come to expect nothing less from this “Agent” who seemed to lack every military protocol there was.

“Oh right! I believe this is yours too. I just wanted a taste but it was so good.” Tear stood up wiping some whipped cream from his bottom lip as he handed the captain a ravaged plate of what used to be a piece of cake the ships chef had made just for his birthday.

An almost painful moan came from the dropped jaw of the captain as he took back the plate. Dorow looked up to his second with a look of disbelief while sitting down in his command chair. Leniet in turn mouthed the words “Kick him off!” before closing his lips as Tear turned around to face them both.

“So Colonel, can we expect this valuable target today? Or are we going to be waiting here out of position for another three days waiting for this, what was her name, Kyryanu?” Leniet spoke with an obvious note of sarcasm that there was such a target floating toward the waiting trap Tear had arranged. One week earlier Tear had received a priority message from Sovereignty Intelligence. It appeared Kyryanu Sevon, the wife of Dictator Khendon Sevon of the Imperial Federacey, was making a small trek across the galaxy. Why she was making the trip was unknown but it did provide a juicy very key target, a target to good to pass up.

So the small fleet of eight skipray blastboats and an Interdictor cruiser sat in the cold void of space their web was set and open waiting for the oblivious fly to come into the ambush.

Tears lips had just parted to form words when a series of high-pitched beeps echoed from the sensor pit below.

“Ensign?” The captain inquired curiously while still prodding what was left of his birthday cake with a fork.

“Sir I think a ships coming in.”

“You think?” Leniet questioned sarcastically.

“Sir, A ship is coming in from the exact coordinates…” She paused to look back at the second in command with a smirk, because she knew it would bother him, “…that Colonel Tear provided.” Leniet winced silently at her words, trying to cover it up with a feign smile.

“Well Colonel it seems your information holds true. Now lets see what we can reel in.” Dorow had smiled for the first time since Tear had boarded and began issuing orders on his ship. But now the aging captain was back in his element and more then eager to complete his part in this mission so he could remove this Intelligence officer from his ship. “Have the fleet charge weapons and raise shields. Ready the tractor beam as well. We don’t want this fly getting away. Open fire moment before the ship is pulled from hyperspace.” The Captain grinned widely “She won’t even know what hit her.”

The hulking mass of the cruiser drifted slightly, its weapons buzzing with hydraulics and energy as they targeted the point of Kyryanu’s reversion. The eight sleek, unmarked blast boats swept over the cruiser their weapons at the ready like a pack of wolves itching to break into a sprint after a fleeing rabbit. The Crews within each ship sat idle waiting as the clock counted down to when they would unleash a barrage of ion energy unto their unsuspecting target…and then that time came. “Fire!” The voice of the aging captain was gruff and enthusiatic, someone would have to look twice to realize it was coming from an elderly man and not a man in his prime. The sound of booms and thuds resounding over the hull of the cruiser as she released barrage after barrage of streaming ion blasts. The blast boats followed suit blasting forward while unleashing the same soft blue ion blasts. Mere seconds before the volleys would reach their destination Kyryanu’s ship would revert right into its path.

[Kyryanu Sevon]

It would only be a short hop - drop from hyperspace, change heading, and jump back into it. Nothing major, nothing to it. And, even though she was pregnant, Kyry still insisted on doing most if not everything herself; which relegated her escorts to simply sitting around.

"Keep the dogs company or something," she'd said when Commander Rahgus first complained, referring to the UCRM's that were aboard the ship. Of course that recommendation had gone unheeded, as the men kept themselves busy cleaning their weapons and gear. At least one of the dogs stayed with Kyry, sitting obediently at her side, unmoving, and every so often she'd reach down to lightly pat its head. Even though the things were mechanical, she still found herself doing it from timee to time. At least their AI wasn't as harsh as Khendon's Hellcat's was. Those things were simply vicious - and while the dogs were certainly just as deadly, there was something in them that made the buggers seem like actual animals. Maybe it was the programming, who knew.

Reaching her arms out, she pressed a few buttons along the dash before wrapping her fingers around the hyperdrive levers, and with a warning call over the communit, pushed the levers forward.

It was beautiful, and she always loved watching as the starlines outside shrunk to soft blue pinpoints of -

" - Ion blasts???!!!"

And with those two words, the entire ship rocked dangerously, the lights flickering as indicators flashed across the once operational dash before dying. The lights blinked out almost completely, flooding the ship in inky blackness before the emergencies kicked in, and with a curse Kyry pounded the dash, her prosthetic clanging against the metal panels.

The craft began listing as more ion bolts slammed into the hull, and as she lifted her eyes to the viewport, Kyry caught sight of the Interdictor sitting above them, Skipray blast boats bearing down on the powerless ship.

"Rahgus!" she yelled, hands flying over the keys in an effort to bring her ship back to life, "Get your keister in here!!"

The Federal Storm Guard appeared behind her in less than two seconds, and as he too glimpsed their attackers, immediately turned to his men who'd followed close behind.

"Gear up! It's an ambush! I want everyone ready for action ten minutes ago!"

Rahgus turned back to look out of the viewport. "Mrs. Sevon - "

"Shut up," Kyry snapped, before he could even order her to whatever safety her ship offered, "I'm staying - " pushing her chair back, Kyry knelt as much as her belly would allow and scooted herself as far underneath the control dash as she could get, " - right here."

Deft fingers, one set flesh and blood, and the other cold metal plunged into the shorted circuits and wiring, unscrewing and switching chips in an effort to reroute any power that might have been left.

"This is my ship, dammit ... "

[Khendon Sevon]

Commander Rahgus narrowed his eyes in defiance, his muscles tensing as his mind raced. Through clenched teeth he muttered, “fine,” and turned sharply on his metallic heel. The soldier ran to the aft of the craft, ducking under bulkheads and jumping over storage boxes.

In order for one to become a Storm Guard, they had to spend years in the mobile infantry and prove their loyalty over and over again. Rahgus and his crew were the best of the best, the Federacy’s finest. His team consisted of three other Guards, each specialized in a different field of combat, but they all were extensively trained in ship-to-ship invasion tactics.

Rahgus wore a light black suit with optical I/O ports lining vital response areas. Connectors and conduits sprouted from odd sections of his military garb. Jag and Greaser were already suiting up in their medium combat armor—exo-suits designed for prolonged combat. Red Eye was helping the other two men suit up as Rahgus entered the room, “Alright boys, you know the drill,” his voice began to take on the tones of his station as he issued a series of orders.

[Tear]

“She’s dead in space Captain.” The young ensign called up from the sensor pit as scrolls of data flooded her multiple screens.

“Good ready tractor beams and reel her into the launch bay. Deploy a fighter squad for escort just incase.” Dorow leaned back into his command chair as a sense of relief swept over him. “Well we have your ship Colonel. I believe the next step is up to you.”

Tear gave a shallow bow to the captain as his black armored frame removed itself from the bridge with one of his men in tow. Dull thuds riddled against the durasteel flooring as the two men walked briskly toward a lift that would take them to the launch bay.

The man that accompanied him wasn’t completely well known by Tear. Of course he had read his intelligence file, screened his history and tested his basic abilities, that much was a given for the fact he had made it into Sovereignty Intelligence. Although Tear had yet to see the man’s skills in actual field situation and as such was eagerly awaiting to see how his new trainee would prove himself in combat. The colonel arched his eyebrow curiously as he saw his own reflection in Gantar’s mask. “I’m sure you have read over the information on Terriz voss and Federacey Technology. I expect it be prudent if nothing less wise to expect one or more of their tech gadgets to be present, so keep a weary eye open.” The doors opened with a pressurized hiss as both men strode out of the elevator like a pair of predators ready to begin a hunt. Tear turned facing Transil Gantar directly, the deadly seriousness of Tears own eyes reflected back at him. “I want the woman alive.”

Outside the Indictor Blackhole.

Inquisitoriate troops manned the pack of blastboats that swarmed over the helpless craft. “Alright the Colonel’s reeling her in. Lets make sure she doesn’t give him any trouble.” The voice of Ylor, Tears second in command, was stern and effective at giving orders. It was getting used to the aspect of commanding troops in the Colonels absence. Tear was a born fighter not necessarily a soldier, Ylor understood this and while Tear may be his superior, his lone wolf style often left Ylor in command. Stars reflected off the sleek Blastboats hull as it arced through space toward the aft of the Terriz’voss ship. “Easy now…if she blows I don’t have to tell you what will happen to us.” The weapons officer gave a brief nod and exhaled calmly as he opened fire. Red bolts leaped from the blastboats forward cannons like a scalpel. The precision blasts cut into the engines, rending away the advanced mechanism in a plume of debris and flame.

[Transil Gantar]

Transil just nodded to his superior. Sure he knew about the enemies technology to know well enough that his armor would hold. Whatever they threw at him he would repulse back n their face. Him and his team that is. His face mask showed no emotion at all and the lenses only stared straight ahead. The only weapons he preferred were the ones built into his armor. No blaster would be found in his hand. He let his team carry those so he didn't have to.

"It will be done, and it will be done right. No man on my team is incapable of handling the situation. It will be done exactly as it was planned."

He saluted the colonel and walked off away from him to where his team was gathering. Their plan was not standard but he didn't care for standard anyway. The abnormal was more preferrable than the normal. The abnormal was more likely to succeed than the normal. If it was abnormal they would have never before seen it and wouldn't have been able to practice against it. Walking up to his team, he stopped before them.

"Alright. Listen up. You all know what to do. First team goes second. I want strike team to go first. They're more experienced with the first stage. First team goes with me second. Any questions?"

No one spoke up and he nodded.

"Good. Get into position but stay out of sight."

They all moved off into position and Transil waited. This was his time to shine. His time to make the galaxy feel his wrath.

[Khendon Sevon]

Rahgus blinked his eyes as his neural interface connected him to his suit. A momentary jolt of pain signified that he was fully integrated with the functions of his armor. His sight faded and was replaced with a multi-spectrum equivalent, the skin of the craft becoming only one layer of what he could see. “Alright,” he said over the secure laser burst channel, “Jag, you’re commanding the Hell Cats, initiate their starting sequences now. Greaser, you’ve got the heavy. Red Eye, distance support.

“Mission goal one, clear and secure the landing bay. Goal two, procure a means of escape, I’m sure there will be a shuttle of some kind. Priority, protect Mrs. Sevon.” The men grunted the Federal Storm Guard creed and began preparing further.

Red Eye knelt next to the side of the craft and began using different filters to track their movement and the movement of people aboard the approaching vessel. “Uh, Mrs. Sevon,” spoke the sniper into his communication link, “if you have anything up your sleeve, anything at all… I’d suggest using it now.” He attached a second fitting to the barrel of his rifle and leveled it at the side of the craft.

The Guards spread out across the vessel, attaching small devices to the side of the craft. Jag walked up to a regular enough looking cargo box and keyed in a few codes. The container opened and a mess of metal quickly unfolded itself, red eyes pulsing to life as the deadly creature stretched its hydraulic and gravity assisted joints. “Red, ready,” came the first signal.

“Jag, ready.”

”Greaser, ready.”

“Ready,” said Rahgus, “wait for my mark.”

[Kyryanu Sevon]

A shower of sparks exploded over Kyry as the blastboats did their work, and she scrambled as fast as she could from beneath the dash. The dog that had been sitting beside her now stood, its' servos and hydraulics tensed for action. Now joined by the rest of the UCRM's, all four dogs stood ready.

"No no no!!! You're not supposed to DO that!!!"

As her ship rocked from the barrage by the blastboats, Kyry watched in disbelief as her engines were stripping apart, their status dropping to zero on the indicator built into the dash.

"I just had this thing put back together, dammit!"

Throwing her hands up, she cursed before once more going back to work, feverishly trying to salvage what she could of her now crippled craft. "This is not fair!"

A hydrospanner flew across the bridge to connect with the far bulkhead, and Kyry stormed off the bridge, headed for the armory - her 'pets' in tow.

Whoever these idiots were just made a big mistake. And she was going to show them just how big their little slip-up was.

[Tear]

“Lets do this.” The black armored figure of Colonel Tear made its way around the upper ledge surrounding the launch bay. Escort fighters broke away from the sides of the crippled ship as it glided into the bay, guided by an invisible yet very tangible force. Turning, Tear gave a nod to one of the Storm trooper sergeants in command, beginning a long series of actions that would set his plan into motion.

Blinking red diodes lit to life on the remote gun turrets situated around the launch bay. Each locking onto the craft as it was gently set down onto the polished reflecting durasteel surface. Armored boots padded over the top of the craft as troopers went to work surgically placing charges in places around the bridge, before they slid off the ship and hunkered down in positions around the craft. The last trooper placed several on the main hatch and quickly joined his combat ready comrades.

An Eerie silence enveloped the launch bay for only a moment, each soldier going over lucky rituals, prayers, or simply readying himself for the fight about to commence. The silence was broken by the buzz of hydraulics as multiple gun turrets descended from the roof of the launch bay and trained themselves on the main hatch.

“Think we should give them a chance to surrender sergeant?” The corner of Tears lip tugged back in a smirk as he watched the storm trooper slowly shake his head. “I don’t either.”

A brilliant flash lit up the launch bay as the charges on main hatch exploded, ripping the large slab of material from his hinges. A series of smoke canisters were hissed through the air into the charred hole and exploded into a cloud of thick smoke. The barrels of each descended turret pulled back with a resounding click before the inevitable discharge of energy was spat in gobs of concentrated blaster fire through the very same opening. The roar of the turrets continued, leaving the loud “tacking” noise of metal on metal from the grappling look slamming into the middle of the bridges room nearly unheard. The series of loud explosions as each charge ripped apart vital bulkheads apart, allowing the massive grappling hook to rip that particular part of the hull cleanly off. A slight rain of sparks and debris fell over any person still remaining in the now revealed bridge area. Manned turrets hummed to life as they locked onto the newly exposed and ample targets. Raining precision fire down upon any non-female figure, as per their orders.

Tear quickly looked up to Tansil and his men waiting, suspended by ropes, above the ship and gave a wave of his hand, giving him the go ahead. “Sergeant make sure no one escapes that ship unless they are being escorted by Sovereignty troopers.” The Colonel called back as he too began to make his way down to the under siege ship.

[Khendon Sevon]

Commander Rahgus watched silently as stormtroopers climbed the craft he was charged with defending. They placed devices on the hull, clearly precision munitions. “Team,” said the Commander over the comm., “holding positions, hunker down and prepare to return fire.” Rahgus didn’t need to wait for a response; he knew all of his men were ready.

The veteran officer leisurely walked away from the segment of the vessel he was in, the advanced computers of his suit quickly plotting the damage that would soon ensue when the Sovereignty charges were used. Rahgus reached into a black holster and pulled out a large rifle, the words Revenge were stamped on it.

The ship shook violently and smoke blotted out the default optical sensor of the Commander’s suit. No matter, he thought, multi-spectrum interlacing will easily cut through this. With a simple thought he could see again.

“Now,” the words were sharp and cut through the din of the explosions.

In an instant, ionic pulse charges erupted. The ensuing force cut window-like sections into the side of the hull as additional devices initiated one-way shields. The black armored troopers leveled their weapons through the field-protected vents and unleashed hell.

Greaser grinned as his targeting system swept the bay, assigned priority targets, and calculated firing trajectories. He brought his laser gatling to bear. The barrel began rotating and in a parsec it unleashed a downpour of red energy.

Red Eye chose his target carefully. His precision SpireShot rifle locked onto the first head of a stormtrooper he saw and dispatched him with ease. Jag’s face contorted as he looked on the mess. He brought his launcher to his shoulder and fired off a rapid succession of anti-personnel rockets.

Rahgus peered through his own vent and fired his large rifle. The energy that was discharged collided cleanly with one of the overhead turrets, ripped it in two, and continued through the ceiling and onward. The large weapon fell with an enormous clatter as it erupted in flame on the ground.

“Flash,” muttered Rahgus as his troopers launched flash bangs from their built in suit armament. Shadows rushed forth from holes that the Soverignty had charred into the side of the craft. They snarled as their tails leveled and gatlings began unleashing barrage after barrage of deadly energy.

[Transil Gantar]

"A pity they defend the wrong direction. Strike team go."

A large group of men detached themselves from the main body of the Sovereignty team hanging above the craft. As they repelled down to now open section of the craft, light emitting canisters rained into it and then went off. The team landed and loosed their ropes immediately. Taking up a position near the door, mose of the men waited. A select few went over the bridge and then motioned to Transil that it was clear.

"First team go."

The rest of the team and himself repelled down to land among the pieces of debris, and some bodies, in the bridge. It was clear and Transil smiled. He'd been hoping for some sort of fight as soon as he landed but as of yet there was none. Some more light emitting canisters rolled down the hall at his order and exploded, his team rushed through the door with him behind it. THey were looking for one person only. A single female of importance to the Sovereignty. His blades slid into his hands as he walked. Should he come upon anything hostile he would kill it swiftly.

"Stay alert. They're here and likely know we are. Watch all doors, hatches, and vents. Point watch for booby traps."

[Kyryanu Sevon]

Thankfully the armory was situated in the middle of the ship, away from any sort of bulkhead and therefore unexposed. Largely undamaged, only a few of the weapons had been knocked from their places - and luckily none had gone off. In some ways it was a miracle, as Kyry tended to make her own explosives; most of which were highly unstable and very volatile. A few of the crates held handmade thermal detonators, and others were full of tripmines. Most of them had been taken from s'Il's ship, when Kyry had moved off of it, though some had been left behind, and while her sister's own armory contained mostly bladed weapons, Kyry's held every sort of blaster, slugthrower, and explosive weapon she could get her hands on. E-11's lined the far wall, as well as a row of carbines, and through the center of the room ran four rows of shelves, all packed and overflowing with shotguns, handguns, holdout blasters, gattling blasters, and a number of other firearms. There were blades, but most of them were simply attachments for the dogs.

Trailed by the UCRM's, Kyry made her way to the workbench that stood against the right wall, her hands going first to the breather she kept for just such occasions. She had no desire to be gassed, and a nagging feeling said that those who attacked her ship might just use such a tactic.

With swift movements she worked quickly, pulling blasters from shelves and checking their clips and battery packs. Kyry wouldn't go down without a fight, and she had no intentions of giving up at all. For a brief moment she paused though, concern for the child she carried reaching the forefront of her thoughts, and with grim determination, Kyry turned to the dogs. They'd been tasked with protecting her, and she would provide them with the very means to do so. The bladed attachments were removed from their racks, and as the machines formed a line before her, she went to work.

Pressure locked to certain parts of their bodies, the already lethal, and very intelligent dogs were now even more vicious - bladed extensions now adorning both sides of their heads, along their front legs, and along their backs. Deadly curved edges flared up, metal sliding against metal in a beautiful ring before retracted as the dogs tested their new additions.

Kyry herself was armed to the teeth, twin shoulder holsters over her shoulders as a gattling blaster was slung across her back. Two low hipholsters housed carbines, and clutched in both hands were a pair of slugthrower shotguns.

As the dogs positioned themselves around her, Kyry turned to face the door, one hand carressing her swollen stomach before taking up one of the shotguns. Carrying Khendon's child was getting to be a dangerous thing.

It would be hell to repair the damage caused by these people, and she planned on making it hell for them to get their hands on her.

[Tear]

Technology is a funny thing. It can give its inventor a sense of power, pride, and with it a false sense of security. Through the times of the Empire, men have learned not to trust their technologies to such an intent the Federacy did. It would eventually lead to their undoing.

Tears calmly walked over what was once the polished durasteel flooring of the launch bay. Metal fragments from tearing the Terriz’Voss ships roof off lay strew about, with pockets of scorch marks and debris keeping up with the chaotic motif of a battle field. Tears eyelids flickered up from the floor, centering over the destruction being rained over both sides. Storm troopers under his command were hunkered down in bunkers returning fire, while others dragged their wounded comrades to safety. Canting his head to the side Tear watched in silent curiosity, force infused sight peering through bulkheads, through guards and artificial creatures to a single being. She wasn’t hard to find amongst the chaos being waged. Two life forces in one, Two hearts, two minds of course one was a great deal smaller then its host, never the less the child’s presence was apparent.

A surge of light broke Tears concentration, drawing it away to four growling creatures that tore into the fortified positions like the animal persona they imitated. Every man has a breaking point, Tear thought quietly, watching as one of his troopers began to panic. His rifle shook in his hand to the point where he couldn’t pull the trigger and in a final act of desperation threw it aside and turned to run. A blistering wave of blaster energy poured forth from one of the creature’s tails toward the fleeing target, which would have been cut to shreds if his sergeant hadn’t tackled him to the ground, saving the troopers life but not his arm.

Manned turrets swiveled on the upper ledge surrounding the launch bay. Centering two long repeater cannons on the four targets that had brazenly leapt into open view. Too much faith in their technology…
The four technological terrors came under an instant shower of turret fire, literally pinning them to the scarred durasteel flooring, eventually being ripped to flaming shreds. A loud explosion and a rain over debris marked the destruction of the last Cat.

Enough of this…Tear glanced up, holding up and waving two fingers toward the storm trooper sergeant he had left directing the battle. The Sergeant nodded diligently and cupped the side of his helm and he screamed orders over the roaring noise of the battle being waged. Moments later smoke trailed behind a duo of missiles like snakes as they flew, slamming into the Terriz’Voss ship. The Launch bay shuddered under the explosions, sparking not only flame and destruction but also new life and vigor in the Sovereignty troops. Emp grenades were lobbed toward the vessel between changing energy cells as the Troopers attempted and after a few grenades managed to down the Federacy Shield.

[Khendon Sevon]

Brilliant energy streamed from the fortified Sovereignty position. Each bolt of destructive force lit up the surroundings, casting odd hues as the colorful battle continued. Red Eye was the first one to turn from his task, slouching next to the hard durasteel wall. He was breathing calmly, advanced drugs being pumped into his blood stream to increase his reaction time and thought process. The group’s sniper narrowed an eye as he gazed through the hull of the ship. Why is he just standing there… The elite warrior went to his window in time to notice the mass shield failure.

“Damn,” grunted the Commander, “those things are supposed to be EM shielded! And what happened to the HC’s? The hydraulics and gravity comp’s on them should’ve made them nearly impossible to hit!”

“Sir, I can’t explain it, maybe the Sovereignty is using some new, experimental targeting system?” Said Jag, “It happened so fast, one minute they were responding fine and about to pounce, the next they were fried.” A hint of sadness escaped the man’s voice.

Red Eye calculated the distance to the target and stood up in the window. He aimed and fired. A brilliant, blue energy talon lashed out towards the man who was clearly leading the show. “Trajectory fire, Greaser!” With that the largest of the men turned his gatling’s attention to the same target that Red Eye had just fired at.

As the bolts surged forward Red Eye smiled to himself. The scene was chaotic, hectic… very normal for a Guard. He had signed up to change the world and protect his beloved Federacy; he had served with loyalty and devotion. The Storm Guard program had started up only a year before; at that time he was considered the best sniper in the Mobile Infantry. Red Eye had been one of the first to volunteer and had been the first to be accepted.

He leveled his weapon at a new target but suddenly couldn’t pull the trigger. The nerve endings in his arm stopped responding. He looked down and saw the smoldering remains. The loyal trooper heard someone screaming, heard the terror and pain in the man’s voice. Suddenly the realization swept over him with the full force of a proton torpedo, he was the one screaming.

A grenade landed next to the shocked trooper and erupted in an all-encompassing field of fire. The trooper fell to the deck, gasping for air. His blue eyes looked off into the distance, a wisp of stray hair fell into his vision. It was dyed crimson from the blood that freely flowed from his wound.

The young man tried to move but was pinned under the fallen ceiling. He suddenly knew what was going to happen. He felt safe in the realization that he was about to die for his Federacy, he was going to die protecting the wife of his Imperator. The brave man’s eyes fluttered closed, his spark extinguished.

[Transil Gantar]

The point man raised a hand and Transil slowl crept forward. When he was close enough, he could hear what the man had heard to stop them. There was what sounded like someone working up ahead, or possibly arming something. There were a lot of clicks and clanks and some whirring going on. Transil motioned one of his techs forward so that he could speak with him about the sounds.

"What do you think?" he whispered.

"Dogs, maybe? Sounds like something being equipped. Could be cats I guess, but either way it's most likely one of them."

"It's stopped."

The noises coming from a short distance down the hall had stopped completely now. There was nothing but silence for a few tense moments. That is if you didn't count the blaster fire outside. He had an idea about the robotic animals. It might not work, but the idea was a start at least. He motioned a demolitions tech forward.

"How many mines do you have?"

"What type?"

"Remote detonation."

"Three."

"Set them up in this hallway. Twenty paces apart up the middle. If there are mechanical beasts in there, I want to draw them out and blow them up."

The tech nodded and with the help of his partner began to set up the mines. Transil watched on for a moment before turning back to the point man. This would require a decoy if it was to work. Someone would have to go up there and draw the things out. Hopefully they would fall for the bait. When the techs were done he spoke.

"Take three men. Go up there, shoot at the mechanical things and draw them out. But do not shoot the target."

"Yes, sir."

The point man motioned two men forward and set off down the hallway as the others set up at the end of the hall. Transil told the demolitions duo to blow one mine at a time and not until an animal was over it. They'd be coming fast so they had to work fast. Hopefully this would work. The three stopped just to the right of the door. GO! the point man mouthed. They spun into the opening and opened fire on what appeared to be dogs.

[Kyryanu Sevon]

The door to the armory whisked open, and as Sovereignty soldiers burst into view, their firearms coming to bear just before spewing blaster bolts, the dogs instinctively activated their shielding units. Their proximity to eachother and Kyry created the perfect overlapping shield effect, and Kyry knelt quickly within the invisible cover provided.

Kyry heard a scream, and grimaced, her eyes closing. Red Eye. He'd been killed - the scream was enough to tell her what had happened, and she could only hope that she wouldn't follow in his footsteps.

The dogs themselves remained perfectly still, their primary programming to protect their charge overriding any desire to chase after the Sovereignty troops. Their blades remained retracted, unmoving as they stood their ground, watching with unsettling silence as their attackers fired.

To her credit though, Kyry was not so still. At the first sign of a small break in fire she rose up, bringing both slugthrower shotguns to bear, and with that special glint in her eyes reserved only for the insane, she opened fire.

Lethal reports punctuated the already acrid air, and slugrounds ripped towards the Sovereignty soldiers.

[Tear]

The Storm trooper sergeant stood diligently overlooking and at times, directing the battle below. The sudden flash of light caught his eye but now in time as a beam of light slammed into the shimmering force field. The field would normally be used as a secondary safe guard incase the shield bays outer shields were disabled so the Sergeant wasn’t surprised when the beam of light pierced through the shimmer of light and struck the rest side of his chest. The field had taken the brunt of most of the blast but it searing smell of flesh still left wafting in the air.

“Sarge!” A young medic by the name of Duliel shouted from his station a few meters away, watching as his commander fell. A quick glance around was given before ducking down and rushing out onto the ledge in an attempt to pull back and maybe save the life of the Sargent.

Blood dripped from the older mans cheek as he leaned over onto his side. A blurry gaze picked out the form of Duliel making a mad dash toward him. “No you fool. Get the frell down!” His voice was mocked with a gurgle of crimson liquid and it spouted from his lips after finishing his sentence.

“Don’t worry Sarge! I got you, I got yo- Oof!” The young medic’s breath was thrust from his lungs as his commander slammed, shoulder first, into the young medic’s gut. The pair fell to the ground as a shower of repeating blaster fire slammed into the force field surrounding them. A brilliant shimmer of color rippled around them while rogue bolts tore through the shield to slam against the wall behind them.

---

As solid slugs exploded from the barrels of Kyrynau Sevons slug throwers into the encroaching Sovereignty troops he moved forward with blurring speed. Explosions continued to rack the launch bay, sending sprays of debris in every direction and through it all he moved with purpose. Deadly intent and a single mind filling objective, Lady Kyryanu Sevon…

There she was, his lips whispered her name from behind Transil’s strike squad. Force infused eyes watched her every moment, studying her as she raised up from behind her mechanical protectors to unleash a fury of fire. Transil had done his job well, locating and bringing Kyryanu out into the open also providing a much-needed distraction for what needed to be done next.

Tear huddled down beneath a pile of thick debris of what was probably fallen bulkhead. His breathing took a meditative pace and his unseen attack began. She would feel the air around her chill in almost an instant, her skin begin to tingle as if an invisible swarm of crawling insects was swarming over her and then the pain. In her hands cramping up to the point where she couldn’t pull a trigger but that would fade in moments as the wave of pain worked from her finger tips through her fore arms and shoulders eventually to her chest, a piercing pain causing her breath to falter and shorten. Then she would see him…his cold almost lifeless blue eyes would meet hers, his body clad in black armor as he stalked toward her like he owned the galaxy and everything in it. Before her mechanical terrors or the other guards in the ship could react Tears hand shot out toward his prey lifting her into the air, not so much as a threat but more to make a point.

“Stand down.” Tears words where commanding and very to the point. Men were being killed, his men and he would end now.

“Kyryanu…Sevon.” The last word was spat in disgust as the Colonels eyes glared with harsh intent toward the woman his stand still stretched out, holding her.

“I know you would prefer to go out in a blaze of glory with guns blazing and your guardians at your side but before you think up any heroics you should know my intent. I was ordered to retrieve you.” Tear gently eased the woman to her feet before a sudden spark of pain screamed outward from her stomach.

“Not the child within you. If any of your men continue to resist or try anything more, rest assured I will snuff out the life that grows within you without a second thought. Oh just incase any of you want to try my patience or speed a thought is indeed all it will take.” The imperials fingers began to curl slightly, letting Kyryanu feel the effects within her stomach but it was just a taste to let her know he wasn’t joking as he let his fingers straighten.

Tears eyes drifted to the guards that had been waging a small battle with the Sovereignty troops. “Try something…”

[Khendon Sevon]

Khendon rubbed his face wearily as his silver eyes cut through a stack of documents. A lonely desk lamp cast yellow light on his wooden tabletop, causing the grains to appear like soft, rippling waves. A quick glance at his crono and Khendon began to stand, his muscles protesting in pain.

Suddenly a sharp dagger of heat burnt the tips of his fingers and traveled along his bones to his torso. The Imperator ground his teeth, his formerly placid face snarling. His eyes turned fiery and angry, his muscles tensed underneath his black uniform.

Khendon pounded his desk with his right hand, the sturdy piece of furniture shattering into thousands of pieces. He stormed out of the shadow filled room into a bright corridor, not even waiting for his eyes to adjust to the change in lighting. The Imperator turned the corner and stepped onto the bridge of the Viscera. “HELM!” forgetting about the neural interface in his rage, “bring the hyperdrive to 150%, drain the reactors if you have to! Just do it.”

The commander of the vessel approached Khendon, only to fall to the ground as the force crushed his body with the power of an anvil. Energy crackled from the Imperator’s body as he looked at the man, eyes narrowed, veins bulging. “Commander! GET UP!” He released the poor officer from his deadly hold and pointed a single finger at him, “You will be one of the ones deemed responsible if anything happens, you understand!?”

The man looked in utter confusion on his leader as he rubbed his muscles. “Sir? I’m afr-afr-afraid Iy-Iy-I don’t know… I don’t know what you’re talking about, Sir.”

“Kyry, you fool! Now get me to that damn rendezvous point!” He took a somewhat calming breath, pent up his anger, and tried to send reinforcing energy to his love.


**************

Rahgus snarled as he fired off several shots, incinerating the couplings for the last active opposing turrets. Red targeting reticules mapped out enemy positions as background scans identified hostiles and enemy activities. An alert lit up in bright green letters, Priority goal in jeopardy! it warned.

“Jag,” he murmured as a light went off in his H.U.D., “frell! Red Eye! Red Eye, can you hear me!” Rahgus shouted over the comm. link.

“Sir, I’ll check on him!” volunteered Jag.

“No, no. You need to check on the V.I.P. Greaser, try to make your way over there, keep on the suppressive fire.”

“Roger,” said Jag in a determined voice. The soldier made his way through the confusing maze of corridors; his NTS system guided him to the proper location. The Storm Guard leveled his Sevon Rifle, Co. Ultima Commando and linked his wireless network to it. He walked slowly forward and peered the situation.

A man, clearly some sort of leader, spoke to him, “Try something…” A bead of sweat rolled down Jag’s masked face. A single, red optical sensor narrowed as particle systems calculated the proper angle, speed, and trajectory for his rifle.

Through external speakers the demonic voice of the Guard spat out a derogatory comment. The modified barrel of his weapon fired a directional cloud of thick, disorganized beams at the armor-clad figure. Jag had kept his AP modification on—a system designed to cut through the dense hull of enemy vessels. The barrel popped off, smoldering and bright red.

A split second after the modification cleared the standard barrel, a hailstorm of energy was unleashed from the automatic blaster rifle.

[Transil Gantar]

Transil waved to his men to open fire on the other men outside. He was sure, after Tear had taken the woman with such ease, that the other man could take care of the lone trooper. Transil had his sites elsewhere though. There was still the unanswered threat of the dogs in the room. The demolitions guys began undoing their mines at his order. THe rest of the squad moved forward and cautiously passed the man attacking Tear. They were cautious because he was still dangerous to them at least.

Transil completely ignored the others and walked right into the room where the dogs were. He stepped past Tear carefully and approached the dogs which seemed ready to spring without a moments notice. Transil himself was decked out in armor designed for projectile and non-energy weapons. The blades he noted on the dogs wouldn't hurt him unless they hit the same spot consistently or hit a weak spot in his armor like at a joint or some such area.

His blades slid out of their sheaths on his arms and he grasped ahold of them without a second thought. They were like the night sticks he had seen some riot police use. They had short blades sticking backwards and longer blades pointing forwards. He spun them around in rapid succession in his hands and assumed a defensive position to wait for one of the dogs to make a move.

"Well, come on."

[Kyryanu Sevon]

Gritting her teeth, Kyry glared at the man who'd attacked her through the Force. Sometimes - just sometimes, she hated Force users. She let out a snarl, but soon cut short the moment she heard his threat against her child. Only, instead of fear, a glint of hatred sparked in her jade eyes. That he would resort to a scare tactic such as that only made her more furious, and it showed in the words she bit out at him.

"Are you so insecure that you have to threaten a pregnant woman and her unborn child while using the Force? I'm sure that in the coming years there'll be great war stories told about how you weren't man enough to use your own two hands... "

Glaring daggers at the man in black armor, Kyry balled her fists in anger, though in the back of her mind she couldn't help but feel concern and a small amount of worry for her and Khendon's child.

Around her though, the dogs held no such reservations other than the protection of their charge. Rearing up on their hindlegs, the machines stood tall, internal gyros balancing them and allowing for bipedal movement. "Paws" were bared, and batteries charged. Their blades came out, and their stances shifted in an eerie display of human movement to defensive positionis.

And yet, they still didn't move from their circle around Kyry. They had a few things up their mechanical sleeves, and now was the time to use one of those tricks.

Normally, UCRM's contained ion pulse bursters nestled in the center of their paws, but these ones - these ones had been modified. And instead of ion bursters, they sported souped up blasters.

And without a second's wait, they opened fire at the approaching attacker, laying down a blanket of thick fire...

[Tear]

Why?

One had acted on arrogance or perhaps it was just duty and loyalty to try and protect what was already taken. But the other… She heard his words. Why would she continue to endanger the child, the life, the innocence that grew within? A mothers instinct to preserve her child perhaps…if so her instincts had betrayed this time.

Blackness contracted into a tight circle before, with a flash of pink swelled in size, giving insight to things unheard or smelled. A single blink of an eye and you would have missed him. From the moment the soldier appeared his intent was clear. He was a bodyguard, his life wasn’t his own but belonged to that he protected and he would protect her to the end. I wonder if his choice would change if he knew the consequence of his actions. Tears body blurred and bolted to the side as the cone of energy tore through flooring and bulkhead alike in his place. A spattering of red bolts rained over the his position just the same pelting the flaming debris and sharp shards of durasteel that had been peppered up into the air.

This is what you wanted. This was your choice. You did this. You will know the faults of your choices, the pain…the Sorrow. Soft pink lips slid back to reveal a row of bone white teeth, a snarl. Cold winter blue eyes centered on the woman, and with a wink she would feel the pain she had brought upon herself… to her child. Hands raised into the air like claws and several of Lady Kyryanu’s protectors were uprooted, ripping the flooring up with them, pausing for a moment before being snapped away like an elastic stretched to far. Their destination the unwelcome protector, who’s weapon had now been ruthlessly tore from his grip by an invisible hand.

“Its times like these.” Tear turned and gave a nod toward his troops. They knew what was about to come. “Actions that decide our fate. Or is it fate that decides our actions?” A black gloved finger moved to the comm switch on his wrist and tapped it twice in a casual fashion. “Maybe it will be me that effects both your actions and your fate?” Reaching out Tear took hold of a mangled bulkhead and braced him self. “Personally I think it’s the latter.” The surroundings suddenly jolted and the now mangled corpse of a ship screamed as metal grinded over metal. The Interdictor had lowered the gravity plating in the shuttle bay so when the ship jumped into hyperspace there was a noticeable effect. Not so noticeable as if it was low enough to turn everyone in the bay into a pasty red stain but noticeable enough to send someone standing hurdling back with enough force to break more then a few bones, that is, if they weren’t ready.

[Khendon Sevon]

Jag’s eyes expanded in aw and understanding, a Sith! He would have spat at the man if his mask weren’t securely fastened to his head. The Federal Storm Guard’s jaw tightened in resolve as he unleashed the full fury of his rifle.

The trooper realized too late that his weapon had been dragged from his grasp by an invisble force. He grimaced at the unseen powers that now displayed themselves. The well trained soldier quickly retrived his sidearm and tightened his grasp on the weapon. His suit’s gravity controles virtually adhered the blaster to his palm.

With the trained skill of a marksman, Jag fired at Kyry’s assailant. A sudden mental warning claxon alerted him to a fast motion occuring on his left side and he instinctivley activated his thrusters. A burst of blue energy sent the man into the wall, his legs clinging to the durasteel as if he were a spider.

From his new position Jag fired two flash bangs. The disorienting devices errupted only inches away from his suit, creating a loud booming sound and horrible, harsh light. Filters quickly applied themselves to the Guard’s suit. As he adjusted his position on the wall an indicator switched to on in his mental H.U.D. An enomoloy had just occurred, gravity was shifting. The trooper’s suit adjusted its hold on the hull.


**********

Rahgus turned as he heard the loud erruption of a flash bang. He tensed his muscles and shot forward with lighning speed, his enhanced armor carrying him towards Jag’s position. His rough voice growled over the comm. channel, “Jag! Jag, report in!”

[Transil Gantar]

"That works."

He rolled across the floor as the dogs attacked him with heavy lasers. Their weapons would blast right through his armor so he had to be careful. Rolling across the ground, he crouched down behind some cover and wiated for them to stop firing. Even machines had to run out of ammo eventually. Nothing had a continuous stream of ammunition. Then, suddenly, two of the dogs were lifted off the ground and thrown against the wall.

"Interesting. You didn't tell me you were a Force User."

Staying hidden behind his cover, he wondered why he had not gotten armor suited for both purposes. Perhaps because there was no need at the time. He poked his head out to look at the remaining two Dogs, but they promptly focused on where his head was and he ducked back. For all of the things he wished he had, grenades was one of them. A lot of grenades.

"Don't suppose you could do that again, sir?"

[Kyryanu Sevon]

Her jade eyes had caught sight of the black-clad Imperial's movements, and Kyry fell to her knees, cradling her stomach as she felt what was left of her ship shake terribly. The remaining UCRMs were thrown to the deck, scrambling to gain purchase. In their efforts, however, one of the dogs twisted into it's comrade, sending a razor sharp blade into the underside of the mech's jaw.

With a mechanical screech, the skewered dog fell to the deck, its body unmoving and dragging the other with it. Synapses severed and controls blocked, the thing involuntarily began firing, letting loose with an uncontrolled salvo - right into the dog which had been pulled down. The bolts cut a swathe across the room, ripping up already destroyed decking until it met the last dog. Blasterbolts tore into the thing, pounding it down into the deck without mercy.

With a cry, Kyry made herself as flat to the deck as possible as the barrel swung around, sending brilliant scarlet bolts over her head. She crawled then, making her way as quickly as she could to where the firing dog lay, unresponsive to any sort of command from either her or itself, and reaching her metal arm out, Kyry took it's neck in a vice-like grip. With the whine of tiny servos, her fingers constricted, and wrenching, she pulled the dog's head clean off.

The blasterfire stopped instantly.

One hand still cradling her stomach while the other held the dog's head, Kyry scooted herself as far back into the room as she could possibly get; her red hair falling in her face, her clothes soot-stained and torn in places.

It had all happened so fast, that she could do nothing now. The head dropped from her metal hand, and as she hit the far bulkhead, Kyry pulled one of her pistols from its' holsters to hold it limply in her lap.

And probably for the first time in her life, Kyryanu Sevon felt the first bits of fear seep into her body. Fear for her baby, fear of what would happen; never before had she felt such a thing.

Khendon...

[Tear]

He had seen it before the colors of battle. Brilliant oranges and reds flashed into existence briefly as flame only to bend and swirl into a soft wisp of smoke. Not many people could find the beauty of battle or the graceful play of death and life. It was invigorating, probably because it was the only time a man had a decent say in the effect of his actions weather it be his death or salvation.

Tears shoulder impacted hard into the charred flooring of Kyryanu’s ship. A quick roll guided his body behind the mangled creation of bulkhead and steel he had been using to keep his balance only moments before. Light thuds and splashes of sparks jumped from behind as several blaster bolts found their way to his cover.

Like a predator peering through blades of grass, Tear caught sight of his prey from the corner of his eye. Crawling away… like prey should. The Imperial felt his blood warm and tingle as an almost irresistible urge to give chase began to race through his adrenaline filled body.

Tear turned as a familiar voice came through enhanced by the commlink in his ear. “A force user? I prefer the term tactically enlightened.” The colonel commented jokingly. As the words passed from Tears lips his eyes slid shut, concentrating on the fray behind him. He could feel it all…the bodyguard clinging to the side of a wall like a spider. His hatred was dimming his wits too focused on protecting the prey, to see the bigger picture of events occurring around him. The lifeless silhouettes of the robotic dogs, still and unmoving their bodies crippled and smoldering.

“Gantar, that guard has probably called for back up, so expect reinforcements to begin spilling through that corridor. Kill them all.” Tears voice growled angrily with the simple order. A flash of intense light tore through the room in an instant. Tears arm was quickly raised to his eyes in a somewhat vain attempt to shield them but providing some protection none the less. The guard made his first mistake. “Gantar cover fire now!” He knew his troops were wearing helmets that could filter out the intense light, Tear also figured the elite guard would have his own devices, therein was his mistake.

Tear didn’t need to wait for technology to filter light. He could see the room, shadows and highlights of blue all shimmering and pulsing together to give form to the room and those within. The seeing with the limits he was born with, the limits of those under him. Tear was using the gifts infused within him and was sensing his surroundings.

A quick hiss of breath was sucked into the soldier’s lungs as he sprang from cover, his body casting shadows in every direction as the bright light burned in contrast to his dark form. Muscles burned and strained, body and limbs blurring in movement as he pushed himself hard. Hearing the pang and thud of blaster bolts singing into the bulkheads and flooring alike around him as he moved through the room. The intense light faded as quickly as it came, dousing the room in complete darkness, until those with the ability of technology re-filtered the light.

She would have heard him. Smelled the ozone of his saber as it sizzled into the air. Finally she would see him, his form clad in black armor, looming defiantly over her curled up figure. Tear took a heavy step toward his wounded prey, noting the metallic glint of a barrel being pointed at him as he did so. Kneeling down low, Tear let the weapon hover mere inches from his lips as he began to speak...

“I warned you.” Tears eyes blinked briefly as the soft feel of warm liquid began to drip from his right eye. Tear looked down as the gentle drop fell against his glove, a speck of red splattered gently against a background of black leather. The armored clad soldier looked back up as a second tear of blood fell from his opposite eye. A small smile pulled at his lip’s, as he looked at the woman her face a contrast of shadows, and shimmering blue.

Tears words came in the softest whisper, but with the hiss of something deadly and uncaring. “You have two options now. One, you fight on in some vain, futile attempt that you may suceed in escaping my grasp. But I promise you, if you do manage some escape I will not hunting you and there will never be a place safe from me. Not even your beloved husband will keep me from you.” Tear blinked slowly before continuing.

“The second option…you tell your men to stand down and be taken by my troops. If you do this I will save the life of your child. If you don’t it will die here and now.” Tears black glove rose up, fingers slightly spread and reaching out toward Kyryanu’s stomach, the glove was already stained with his own blood and depending on what the woman’s answer was it could be stained with that of another.

[Transil Gantar]

Transil sliced a hand down through the air at the order from Tear and his men, all very well trained thankfully, opened fire. Had he had a blaster in hand he would have fired too, but he did not. What he had in his hands were two blades built for slicing things up and dicing things if you wanted to say that. They could easily sever through bone and muscle tissue with only the slightest effort on his part. The man that had made them had done a very superior job. It was a wonder that the bounty hunter that killed him hadn't had the man make him a new set of armor and weapons. Surely they would have been better than the bounty hunter's own.

"Keep it up people. No one gets through that hall."

He looked over at where Tear was over against the wall, speakingg fervently to the woman. Likely asking for a settlement on the issue, he thought. The woman would be wise to take the settlement instead of trying to fight any longer. There was no way she was going to get out of this alive otherwise. At least her child wouldn't. She might but the baby would be killed, most likely. A sad thing to see a wife wasted because someone was too full of pride.

He bolted from his position and ran immediately over to where Tear was. Perhaps another figure there would only influence the point that she should give in to their demands. The blaster bolts narrowly missed him, but his men were good enough not to hit him. If they had hit him he would have been dead instantly. He was in serious need of some new armor. For blasters instead of blades this time. If he was going to fill his position here in the Imperial Armed Forces he needed to be prepared to play the part as best he could be.

"Everything under control, sir?"

[Kyryanu Sevon]

For the first time in her 27 years in this galaxy, Kyry was frozen. Her mind refused to work, and in turn her body remained still. There had always been options that allowed her the benefit, always a way out. but now things had changed so completely her mind couldn't seem to comprehend everything. Her hand still held the gun in her lap, but her grip was loose, weak. She was powerless to stop the man who now knelt before her. If not for the child growing within her, she would have taken his head in her prosthetic hand and crushed it without thinking.

But that was not the situation in which she found herself now. Now, she carried another life - a life that she and Khendon had created.

She met the gaze of the Imperial kneeling before her, and in seemingnly childish awe, watched tears of blood trickle down his cheeks. Her paralysis coupled with this new display numbed her mind, and Kyry couldn't help but feel tears of her own well up in her jade eyes. There was nowhere to go, nowhere to run. She had been the one to destroy her own protectors - even if it was for her own safety. She knew she'd only further cemented her capture, and in the pit of her stomach she felt utterly helpless.

And now, sitting on the deck with her back against the bulkhead, Kyryanu Sevon was frozen, unable to move for fear of the gloved hand at her swollen midsection. And it was that that scared her most of all.

In a whisper, only one word seemed to break free of the paralysing fear that had conquered her body.

"Why... "

[Tear]

Tears armored body rose slowly, defiantly. Tears of red continued to roll down his cheeks and over his the grinning lips. The pink of his tongue quickly shot over the deep crimson, slowing to take in the warm metallic taste. He still couldn’t see her, in the physical sense, the flash bang made sure of that. But he didn’t need the sense of sight to see she was beaten and afraid. She sat still, curled up against the bulkhead, like the prey she was.

“Why…” Her soft voice whispered, her trembling lips barely able to produce the small word.

The blue of Tears surroundings rippled slightly, a wake caused by someone approaching. The colonel’s lips curled into a snarl in response before realizing the familiar presence, of his own teammate Transil. Sensing with the force was a taxing task to perform and he had kept it up for far too long, his surroundings were beginning to blur into a slurry of impressions. It was becoming disorienting to say the least, especially with a firefight raging on around them.

"Everything under control, sir?"

Tears neck canted to the side before nodding certainly. “Everything is fine. Primary target has been neutralized. Take out her remaining bodyguards. I want their leader taken alive…”

Tears hand upturned and pulled back causing Kyryanu’s weapon to jump from its resting-place into his firm grasp.

“Use your discretion for the rest. Take the survivors, including mrs.Sevon here, to the interrogation room when this conflict has been resolved. I’m leaving the rest of this fight in your dedicated hands Transil, I know you wont disappoint.” Tear took a step back staggering slightly. A hand was quick to reach out and balance himself on a near by piece of mangled bulkhead. For a moment he paused, fingers caressing his temple lightly before slipping away from the wreckage that was a ship and heading toward the medical lab.

[Transil Gantar]

"Consider it taken care of."

Transil put two fingers up in the air, spun them twice, then pointed to the far side of the opening. Two of his troopers moved forward and bolted across to take their positions. Motioning again, two more troopers moved to the near side of the opening. One of them handed Transil a blaster rifle and he checked it over to make sure everything was in order. When he was absolutely sure it was, he moved over to join the two nearest troopers. Motioning for them to listen in, he activated his comm.

"Listen up. This is gonna be complicated. I believe they have this opening covered heavily. As such, any attempt to stand in it continuously will only get you killed. We're going to do this right. Every man will move through the area of the opening, one at a time, at a constant speed. They will fire continuously until they reach the other side. I'll go first, then follow my lead."

Cocking and loading his weapon a second time just to make sure, he braced himself against the wall. At a ready signal from the other side, he counted down from three, then moved. Pointing his gun out the opening and moving at a fast speed walk, he concentrated his fire in the general direction of the enemy. As he did so, he picked out the leader among them for future reference. As he passed to the other side, one of them men on that side moved out and began the same procedure.

"Man closest to our troops on the other side is the leader. We want him alive."

[Kyryanu Sevon]

She sat, watching in near-disbelief as the officer in black disappeared from the wrecked and mangled frame of her once sleek ship. Her weapon gone; taken by the Sovereign Imperial, there was nothing else close by that she would be able to reach in time. Nothing she could adequately defend herself with against the Force-user.

For a few seconds Kyry sat, in a sort of daze while the Sovereign soldiers began outlying their plans to take the Federal Guardsmen; or whoever was left.

A fist clenched then. Jade green eyes seemed to spit fire from their very depths, and the fear that had been written across her face was replaced with righteous anger. How dare these people use her as a means to hurt someone? She was not a tool; not an instrument used with which to gain an advantage over another.

Rising silently, she gripped what was left of the dog's head, her prosthetic fingers wrapping tightly around the neck cords and cables.

Bringing her arm back, Kyry tensed her muscles, releasing as much power as she could muster into a vicious attack, using the UCRM head as a mace, she aimed for the closest Sovereign trooper...

[Transil Gantar]

Transil had a sudden feeling that something bad was going to happen as he stood there watching his troops pick off the enemy. Though the enemy were supposed to be very good, and they were (he'd commend them if it were them on his side), but his troops were very well trained and very well handled. The enemy was dwindling in numbers and their leader would be theirs in moments. Back to the feeling, Transil ducked to one knee and pivoted around, sword suddenly back in his hand and the tip of it pointed right at her bulging stomach. It was the only weakness she had.

"You don't want to do that. Trust me. I will not hesitate to use this sword to relieve you of your offspring."

What he said was exactly the truth. If it came down to it, he would use his weapons to do what he said he would. She would no longer have to worry about kids. That is, if she survived the strike. His swords were extremely sharp and culd cut through many things. Her bones would not be able to stop the blades cut. She would die a slow and painful death should she continue.

"Back off now and you won't be harmed. Continue to try your luck and you won't be so lucky. I am not a man to be tested."

[Kyryanu Sevon]

It was too late to stop the swing, even as he spoke. Fingers letting go of the dog's head, Kyry lashed her metal arm out, catching the blade with the palm of her hand and gripping tightly. She felt nothing in the way of pain, as she'd declined the sensory input program for the prosthetic, and with a choked snarl, pulled as hard as she could, hoping to wrench the weapon away from the Imperial.

She felt as tears trickled slowly from her eyes, and gritting her teeth to keep from simply breaking down and crying, Kyry did her best to remain absolute. But the situation had come to a head, and she knew that no matter what she did there was no way to save herself.

She was already in the belly of the beast.

[Tear]

A series of highly charged EMP waves bounced through the dark interrogation room. A short muffled scream reverberated likewise off the small room’s walls. Liquid fell in drop from a needle tip that had just injected a serum into its victims body. The serum dissolves memory cells leaving the victim devoid of memory. The times usually reliant on the amount of serum injected.

“Anything electronic, anything not natural in his body I want it destroyed or removed. Damage organs, cripple his body but remove it. Leave him a gibbering mess but leave him alive. When you’re done drop him off in an escape pod bearing a federacy distress signal.” Tear turned and left the room. A Federacy beacon in the middle of space would generally be like finding a diamond in a mountain of snow. But for a man like Khendon who’s wife meant more then life it’ll be like black ink spilled over white paper.

The last body guard, apparently the leader of them was still breathing and Tear intended to keep it that way…that is if you could regard him as living after all the inorganic devices are removed or disabled. In Tears mind leaving the man to be recovered by Khendon with his mind wiped of the memories of what had just happened may just be frustrating enough to make Khendon kill him. If not it was still a good way of letting Khendon get the picture that his wife hadn’t just disappeared but was abducted by someone.

A soft white light surrounded Kyry like a pillar from heaven. Soft flecks of dust glittered and fell like warm snow around her hunched body that even though bound was leaning limp away from the special chair. In the darkness just in front of her a man sat on the edge of a table his legs dangling freely over the edge. A white halo wrapped around his forehead and eyes with fresh stains of blood dried over his cheeks and neck.

Even though physically blind for the moment Tears sight was more empowered then any normal mans. A silhouette of blue radiated over the woman’s form, the folds in the and the thicket parts of her body were darker shades then the rest of her. Using the force to sense his surroundings was natural but having it focused for such long periods of time were beginning to test the strain on an already weary body.

“Wake up sunshine…” A small bit of pink flesh was flicked toward the woman striking her forehead and leaving a bloody smear before falling into her lap. “Your captain wanted a word before he left. I told him I’d give you the message.”

Tear slid like a serpent from the table he was sitting on and began to slowly stalk toward the woman. His bandaged and bloody face peering cautiously into the light around Kyry like some sort of Demon afraid of the light. “Let’s have our words now…” A smile curved over Tears lips. The light above Kyry flickered suddenly, pausing for a moment like there was a chance it could keep the woman safe from the demon that circled in the shadows but again the light faltered only to blink out totally this time swallowing Kyryanu into a belly of darkness.

Her screams echoed each other in the darkness, an effort in futility but Tear would be kind enough to relay the message. Before the escape pod bearing the single surviving bodyguard was dropped off a short recording was made and left in the same pod. After series of pain personified screams two words were whispered at the end of the tape…

“Got her.”