Pax Empirica/Chapter 3: No Prisoners

'Chapter III. No Prisoners'

After more riding through the streets, and leaving their speeders once they reached the edge of the city, the two scout troopers made their way to the sensor net complex. In the swamps just north of the town, the facility was guarded by a part of the garrison. The main entrance was above ground, along with some corridors, but the majority of the facility was underground.

When the two reached the front entrance of the first lobby, they were surprised. In front of it were at least twelve heavily armed insurgents, having everything from blaster rifles to heavy repeaters. Hansor shook his head.

"we're not getting through from the front. Not with the weapons we have," he said.

Garek seemed to agree. "Indeed. We need to go around, and break into the second lobby windows."

The two scouts retreated into the brush, and then went around the side of the first lobby. They walked along the walls of the facility until they reached the second lobby: with large windows.

Looking in, Garek and Hansor saw a few lightly armed guards. Not very good planning on their part.

Garek took out a thermal detonator and motioned for him to break in after he threw it. Standing at the side of the window, Garek threw it in. A large explosion and a few screams signaled success. The two troopers went in.

The dead guards were on the floor. But now the ones at the front no doubt heard this explosion. Garek quickly locked the blast doors to the corridor leading to the first lobby. Hansor picked up a blaster rifle from a dead guard.

"This should be good."

Garek nodded, doing the same. "Try to contact Kelmont."

Hansor took out his comm link. "Lieutenant Kelmont, do you copy?"

Nothing.

"Lieutenant?"

"It's no use, comrade," said Garek. "He is probably dead."

"Quite possibly," Hansor replied. "So I would like to leave a little present for our friends at the front entrance by the blast door."

Garek watched as his comrade set up explosives near the door.

"When they come in, it will set them off," he explained.

Hansor's friend nodded. "Good thinking."

The duo proceeded to go into the underground facility.

Selid paced around the small cafe he was in, which was now empty.

"Sir, almost the entire city is under our control. However, Imperials continue holding out," his adjutant reported.

"Very good."

"For example, we lost contact with the team that was, um . . . negotiating with the mining company."

"Well, no matter. We can have a word with those guys later," Selid replied.

Suddenly, another insurgent ran into the room. "Sir, we have reports from Gregor's team at the entrance of the sensor net complex."

Selid looked over to him. "What is it?"

"A large explosion occurred in the second lobby of the facility. Blast doors were locked from the inside. They are questioning whether or not should they hack them open and move in."

The Devaronian looked outraged. "Well of course! We can't allow Imperials to just walk in!"

"I will let them know, sir." And with that, the man left the room to carry out his task.

Selid looked over to his adjutant. "Contact the special weapons team, tell them to get there immediately."

Hansor and Garek moved down the stairs of the facility, passing the bodies of several dead stormtroopers.

"Those bastards," Garek thought aloud. "They got Turrant, Degoren, Maldrod . . . they will pay!"

At that moment, the duo then heard large explosion behind them.

Hansor smiled and looked at Garek. "I think they just did."

After walking several more stairways, Garek's comm link went off. He pulled it out as they stopped.

"Yes?"

"This is Colonel Noda. Sergeant, is that you?" the voice asked.

"Yes, sir, this is Sergeant Tokai. Corporal Steele is also present."

"Very good. So listen," he began. "Our forces have got the Rebels on the run now in various parts of the city. We believe they are converging on the sensor net array. Take the ones out who are there and defend the power core until reinforcements arrive."

"Understood, sir. It will be done," Garek replied.

The two continued down the corridors, towards the power core.

The situation was getting worse. Imperial troops were now turning the tide. Selid was getting worried.

"Sir, we got word from Gregor. Well, one of his officers, actually. Gregor is dead, along with ten others. Killed in an explosion trying to breach the blast doors," reported his adjutant.

"What! Send all teams to converge on their location! And give orders to the one inside to blow up the power core!"

"Right away!"

As the adjutant ran off, Selod turned around to Kavren, his second-in-command.

"Arm up, we are going to handle this situation ourselves."