Dunked in the Ice Bucket Part III

(Some people asked so if you are interested, you can find my stream at Twitch.tv/arn3wman. I'll be streaming tonight at 6pm eastern time.)

It had been 30 minutes since my little discussion with the other captains and everything was going smoothly thus far. Most of the injured were out of the crash rooms, a large infirmary had been built, and the demolitionists had almost made it into the cargo bay.

It was at this time that the captain that volunteered for the administrative, Captain Boro, work ran up to me. "Sir, the scouting updates are in."

I nodded, looking up from the crude holographic map that had been put together thus far. There were a few cartographers that made themselves known so we had been putting this together due to our lack of long range comms. "Anything new?"

He shook his head. "From what I received, everything is still clear. However, two squads failed to report in. What are your orders?"

I sighed. This could be one of two things. One, which would be the best case, was that my orders were being ignored. Two, which I really hoped wasn't the case, was that they ran into some trouble.

After thinking for a few seconds, I nodded. "Have the scout captains send two squads of only travelers to investigate. I'd rather it be then since they can revive at the crash site."

This was an interesting tidbit that I discovered through an accident. While the engineers were cutting down some trees to fashion some makeshift cover, a tree fell on a traveler and he died instantly.

After a few minutes, he respawned at the wreckage but was only wearing default clothing. Fortunately, his armor was still intact so he was able to clean it off and put it back on.

The caption nodded and started walking away. His voice became hard to hear as he spoke into his comm.

Looking back at the map, I could only sigh in frustration again. We were a long way from our destination. It would take at least an entire day of nonstop marching to reach out original landing site.

With this, it made sense that no one has come yet. All I could do was get long range comms up and contact the other commander.

I glanced over at the datapad to the side of the map. It contained an inventory of our current supplies. We were pitifully low on everything except medical supplies, which I guess wasn't too bad.

Unfortunately, I couldn't even finish that thought process as the captain came running back. "Sir, the scouts encountered imperial forces and are being engaged."

I slammed my fist on the table. "Shit." What do I do? What do I do? Fuck! "Ummm, have every able bodied trooper find cover and get ready for battle. Pull the scouting units back so we can cut out losses. Hopefully we can get some spare equipment for the travelers."

I stood up from the rock I was sitting on and looked around. It appeared that everyone had started receiving my orders and were scrambling to follow them.

I then realized something. Where were my friends? I hadn't seen any of them yet! I switched my comm to the private channel for my legion. "Report to command immediately."

Sprinkled within the chaos, I started to see some troopers making their way towards me. This was my legion. Hopefully, I'll see my friends and dad in this group. It would turn out I did but I wouldn't be able to socialize for the time being. Maybe later.

After about a minute, everyone had made it over to me and was standing at attention. I nodded. "Our first battle as a legion is about to happen. Remember what you've been taught. Have each other's backs and stay frosty. Let's do this."

They all pumped one of their fists in the air. "HAAAAH!"

I smiled and nodded, quite proud of them. I guess only time will tell if this pride will last. All I could do was command them to the best of my ability.

By now, it was a waiting game. While we were waiting for the enemy to arrive, I started ordering around my legion. I trusted the other captains to do the same.

After a few minutes, I found myself kneeling behind a large rock with Captain Boro. I pressed my comm, contacting the engineers. "This is Captain Brenko, what is the status on that cargo bay?"

The reply came almost immediately. "We are about to break through. It will take a few minutes to take inventory though."

I sighed. It probably wouldn't come in time. The inventory step couldn't be skipped. We had to know what we had. "Very well. Get it done. Send out any armor pieces as they are recorded."

The engineer replied. "Yes, sir."

Not even 10 seconds later, a scream came from towards the tree line. "THEY'RE HERE!"

Almost instantly, red lasers exploded out of the treeline. One nearly hit me right between the eyes but I ducked in time. Peaking my head out again, I saw something I was truly hoping I wouldn't see.

Deep within the dense forest, I was able to see two crimson blades glowing in the darkness. With these Sith here, we wouldn't be able to hold the treeline for long.

Pushing these thoughts out of my head, I unstrapped my rifle from my back and turned off the safety. I then peaked over the top of the rock and aimed my rifle. Due to the darkness of the forest, I couldn't see anyone other than the two Sith and shooting at them from this distance would be pointless. Thus, I turned on my thermal sight.

Oh how I wished I hadn't done that. The entire forest lit up with bright red silhouettes, almost every one of them an enemy combatant. Fortunately, not all of them were because we had a few hundred people slightly past the treeline to try and hold it.

I pointed my blaster towards one of the red figures. It was time to join the battle.

*BYUM*

Although distinct, the sound of my blaster firing was drowned out by the countless shots going off around me. This was war. I could barely hear my own weapon and that fact alone was frightening.

I kept discharging my blaster, an enemy combatant falling with most of my shots. Around me, I could barely make out the dull thuds of my comrades falling for the last time. They'd never get back up.

*BYUM* *BYUM* *BYUM*

Three more bolts discharges, three more Imperials dead. It was a scary thing. Life was being taken away so easily and so fast.

A sudden radio signal brought me out of my depressed thought process. "Sir, two tanks are on the way."

My eyes lit up with hope. We could win! There was no way they could get through the forest with armor pieces so we would immediately have an advantage. I swapped to the public channel. "PULL OUT OF THE TREES NOW!"

There was some clear hesitation but the troopers quickly got to it. While they may have started quickly, the process of a tactical retreat in the face of the enemy was a slow one. They all had to move between cover all the while laying down suppressive fire for their comrades behind them.

Eventually, they all made it out. I smirked because it was time. "Operators, weapons free."

The lead operator immediately replied with a hearty chuckle. "Say less, Captain."

*BOOM*

A heavy laser bolt smacked into the treeline. I watched as a small area became white hot before I watched several red figures get launched out of the explosion. If the explosion didn't kill them, their impact with a tree or the ground would.

I spoke over the public channel again. "HOLD YOUR POSITION AND GIVE THEM HELL!"

Countless troopers around me screamed out a battle cry and started unloading their blasters like there was no tomorrow.

It only took a few minutes, but I saw something that put a warm smile on my face. I watched the two Sith sheath their lightsabers and leave. It would seem that this battle was won.