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>BOOM!< A large shell whistled across the rocky field before it landed with large explosion, fire and shrapnel blasting out with the shockwave. Nearby quee, skinny and bony bird insect like creatures, were caught in the explosion and fell to the ground, either their thin veil-like wings punctured, or the shockwave sending them to the ground and breaking their necks. Miele’s cannon was still smoking as the battleship looking girl set it down, unlatched the rear end, popped out the empty shell and began loading a new one. Halfway between her and the quee, which was a few miles, her two comrades were bunkered down in a hole, which used to be where some hydrazine crystals were. In the hole was Brugunn, the team’s leader, blazing into a swarm of quee with his two heavy handguns. Each blast ripped a large hole into the thin creatures, spraying their green blood onto the rocks as they crashed onto the ground.

Next to him was Gar-ne, using her mortar launcher to lay down fire near where the pests were coming from: a large, dome like nest approximately 2 miles away. It seemed built out of brambles, soil, and the creature’s spit. That was the reason the team was here on Ranik. This quee nest was disrupting mining operations. One or two quee were fine, but the mining disrupted the nest which was causing the quee to swarm. So the team was sent in to eliminate it. Gar-ne fired another mortar off, the bright blue projectile arcing through the air before impacting on the ground, ending several quees’ lives. Gar-ne then fell back to the center of the hole and grabbed another batch of mortar rounds and slid it onto her launcher. “Well this is quite a job right captain?” She grinned over to Brugunn, trying to stir up some conversation amidst the sounds of quee screeches, explosions, and gunfire. Brugunn said nothing, his eyes darting around as he continued to blast into quee, their corpses falling all around the makeshift bunker. Gar-ne sighed as she hoisted her mortar launcher up and went back to the corner of the hole and continued firing at the nest. Near it, she could see flames and plumes of smoke start to rise. “Looks like Sluc made it to her position.” She said as she looked side ways to Brugunn, who again didn’t add anything. Gar-ne pressed a button on her ear-piece. “Sluc, do you copy? I think I see you.”

Practically right beside the quee nest, Sluc was spin stepping, spraying an arc of flame around her. The quee knew what she was trying to do and began flying at her in droves. However at the same time, they were trying to keep their distance. One quee got too close and Sluc blasted it with her flamer. The creature collapsed to the ground, its thin frame burning up, its skin practically melting off its bones and wings. Sluc then heard the sound of an approaching shell and ducked for cover just before one of Miele’s shells impacted and blew away a bunch of quee in slimy, bloody bits. Sluc pressed her ear piece. “Yeah I copy! Also tell Miele not to shoot near me! Her aiming sucks!” She screamed, her ears still ringing from the blast as she got back to her feet and took advantage of the momentary lapse in the quees’ concentration to get up close to the nest. “Right, here we go.” She said as she took her flamer up again and began layering fire onto the nest. The spit encrusted bramble quickly caught fire and soon large amounts of smoke rose into the sky. Sluc peered through the brambles as they burned. “Gar-ne? This is Sluc. I’ve just looked into the nest, I think there are some hydrazine crystals inside.”

“I already get what you’re thinking.” Gar-ne answered back.

“Yeah okay, so I’ll-” Sluc was interrupted as a quee lunged for her and she had to dodge to that side while blasting it with fire, watching it crash into the ground before burning to death. “I’ll burn a doorway for you. You and captain shoot into it. That should set off the crystals.”

“wait, why can’t you blow it up?”

“Too-GAHHH!! Sorry, that one got really close. It’s too far for me to throw, and I’ll never get out if I go in it. Just get ready to shoot.” Sluc said before making her way to the side of the dome facing the rest of the team. Once she reached it, she began spraying her flamethrower like it was a can of spray paint, drawing a circle of fire on the dome. She then began blasting the center of the circle to clear a spot for the explosives to dive through. “Are you two ready?” Sluc asked. “We’ll need to do this fast, once this wall falls, we’re going to want to take as many of them down before they evacuate.”

Gar-ne reloaded her mortar and began aiming so that it would reach the circle of fire. “Ready.” She looked next to her up to Brugunn, still firing away into droves of quee without saying anything. “….yeah, captain’s ready too, so we’re about-”

“And I’m here!” A voice suddenly spoke up behind Gar-ne. The girl jumped a bit and turned to see Miele, reloading her cannon and aiming. “I’ll fire too!”

“What!? Is that Miele!?” Sluc exclaimed. “No! Don’t Miele! You’re horrible at being accurate!”

“I can do this!” Miele said, still adjusting her aim, planting the butt of her cannon on the ground to help steady her.

“Miele I don’t want your shell landing on my-”

“Let her do it.” Everyone shut up and Gar-ne and Miele turned to look at Brugunn, who had spoken up. Brugunn holstered his handguns and hoisted his large apparatus hanging on his back onto his shoulder. “Let her fire. She’ll hit.” He said as his own rocket launcher was aimed.

“….Don’t hit me.” Sluc said as she continued her work, the wall of the nest nearly burned completely through. Sluc stopped firing her flamer to start running off, looking back to check on the burning circle as bits of it began to fall off. It didn’t take long before the inner part of the circle just crumbled into a heap of burning waste. “Fire fire fire!!” Sluc shouted as she found some rocks to use as cover. Brugunn, Gar-ne, and Miele all fired their weapons. A rocket, a cannon shell, and a mortar soared through the air towards the burning nest. The mortar fell short, having arced and instead impacted before the nest, blowing away several quee. The cannon shell luckily missed Sluc, but impacted on the surface of the nest, breaking off a huge chunk of it. The rocket, however, soared right through the center of the circle and into the nest. One second later, the nest exploded from the inside. Bramble, rock, flaming debri, and bloody quee pieces blew out from the explosion, littering the field. Sluc was so glad she had chosen to hide behind rocks, most of the bug bits missing her. After the shower ceased, Sluc looked out from behind her cover and radioed in. “Nest is obliterated. There must have been more hydrazine in the nest than I had originally thought.”

“It’s fine.” Brugunn said as he took his handguns out to blast some of the stray quee, though most of them were now fleeing after seeing their nest disintegrated. “The normal patrols can pick off the remaining pests. Sluc, make your way back to us and we’ll head back together. Mission complete.”

~~

Parked in a designated safe zone, the scout vessel Mika sat. Inside, its fifth member was humming away happily as she stirred a thick stew for when the others came back. This was Amari, the team’s medic. However she opted out of joining in this operation since her skills weren’t helpful in the extermination of a pest species. So she stayed behind to watch the ship and also prepare dinner. She took a small spoon and tasted her food just as the computer’s computer spoke up.

[BEEP! LIFE SIGNS DETECTED. FOUR LIFE FORMS IN SANITATION CHAMBER. BEEP!]

That meant they were back. Amari smiled as she smoothed out her apron and walked to the nearby door that went out to the sanitation chamber and then the disembark ramp. The door soon opened and Gar-ne, Sluc, Miele, and Brugunn stepped into the hallway/dining area/kitchen. “Welcome back everybody.” Amari smiled. “You’re just in time, I just finished making dinner. Wash up and come to the table alright?” She said before turning back to the stove.

Sluc pushed her boots off into a corner and sighed. “Okay mommmm!” She said as she whipped a cigarette out of her pocket and lit it as she went to her room to wash up.

Amari giggled lightly, taking the name-calling really as a term of endearment. “Oh captain, there’s a package for you. New orders, got delivered while you were out.” She said as she pointed to nearby storage container.

“Thanks Amari.” Brugunn said as he crossed to it and opened it up. Inside were instructions as well as money. Brugunn was still reading the instructions when the other three returned and sat down to dinner as Amari served them. Brugunn finally finished and sat down as well.

“What did it say?” Amari asked as she began pouring drinks for everyone and serving them.

“A rogue commander is on the planet.” Brugunn answered as he chomped into fresh bread. “They’ve hired a bounty hunter to hunt him down. We are to accompany him.”

Sluc raised an eyebrow. “Why? That means they have to pay two parties for a job that only takes one.”

“Insurance. They don’t want them making a deal behind their back or anything like that. Also as confirmation the kill is done. They included some advance payment as well as payment for the quee nest extermination.”

Sluc blinked. “But I haven’t even sent our report in about that yet, how did they know we finished?” She asked as she took a drink of water and began a hand slap war with Miele over the last roll.

“They figured by the time we read these orders, we would’ve already exterminated the quee.” That made all of the others nods and agrees. “Anyway, the bounty hunter is on the space station orbiting Ranik and has more information, so we’ll meet him up there.”

“Til then, let’s just enjoy dinner.” Amari said brightly.

~~

One trip aboard an ore freighter and a station landing later…

The team disembarked from the Mika and split up. Amari and Gar-ne went to buy a few more supplies. Sluc left for the bar. That left Brugunn and Miele to seek out the bounty hunter. Brugunn called the number the instructions had given him so that they could meet with him and discuss the mission.

Arriving at the docks, an Empire ship managed to beat the storms and arrived at the docks for the public. It wasn't one of the impressive ships carrying huge weapons or hundreds of troops. It was a medium-sized ship, and some of the ship's crew departed. It seemed it was a recruit trainer and a few new recruits taking an educational trip. One of the dock workers ran up to the trainer and words were exchanged, mostly about the feul leak in the area and the rouge officer. Fortunately for the trainer, he had a unique companion. One serving a dresscode violation by helping give a tour to the recruits.

Sitting inside the ship was MEaSU, with an Empire soldier suit on. She had a chord connected into the back of her head, and looked displeased. It was directly from the ship's generator, and it was recharging her electrical battery so the hydranized gas reserves would not be used.
System check....
Gas reserves at 50%
Main power source at 99%
All systems...green
Ship's navigation system...is a total jerk....
She was awaken from her trance-like state by the recruit trainer, namely from tapping on her head without a word.
"What is your problem? Can't a girl recharge her power supply without one of you jarheads waking me up and asking me out?"
Her tone emotionless as always, yet had a sweet voice that was oddly comforting. Would be more comforting if she had anything nice to say.
'Very funny, MEaSU. But there has been a change to your punishment. A feul leak seems to have sprung by the ore-haulers. No one can get in there without suffocating, and we don't know if anyone is still trapped inside.'
"Oh, let me hypothesize. You want me, an irreplaceable piece of robot technology beyond your comprehension, to go out and 'explore' this area?"
'Yes, that is the plan.'
"Why? Because you're respitory system is laughably fragile; and also because you are unable to evolve beyond one because you're species is so arrogant as to think it just needs to adapt temporarily, and no longer evolve?"
'No; because I know the recruits have never seen a robot with a core from the the era when personalities and learning programs were allowed. I also know that a certain someone, who has that sort of core, who dislikes answering questions about stuff she doesn't always know.'
With a huff, she looked away from the trainer.
Main power source at 100%
"You know what? Fine. So you don't have to put one of those enviornmental suits on, I shall go. Anything is better than those new recruits who have nothingness in their skulls."
'Good. Also, concerning the dresscode for this assignment, try to keep one piece of Empire apparel on. There's a rogue Empire commander on the run, so the sight of a casual Empire member might make-'
"Good bait? For a deal?"
'Yes.'
With a smile, the only thing she kept on Empire factioned was a jacket, which she tied around her waist. The sleeves were now in a knot, and the main body of the jacket hung behind her to her knees.
'Good, keep that look. Also, you're going to have to find your way yourself. This ship is still new and it doesn't have its data stores with all mandatory data yet. Who knows, by the time you find it, everything will be okay.'
"Wow. Did you seriously say that? If you were not a friendly faction member, I would have you on the ground and squeezing the life out of you. Laterally."
She stepped off the ship, leaving the trainer wondering how the higher ranking officers and analysts were able to bear that personality of hers. A few of the recruits, who have yet to realize she was a gynoid, gave her some less than classy cat calls. Ignoring them as always, she began her trip at the one place information was always abundant: a local watering hole.

"Hmm, this place seems like a good spot to begin."
She said as she entered the tavern. She looked around, and noticed it was rather quiet. No one stood out, at least, none that she knew or had data on.
Noise levels detected are unnaturally low.
She took up a stoll and waited for the bartender to get her a drink, who was also still in silence. Alcohol doesn't do anything for her, except empty into a compartment she is going to have to drain later.
Service here is aweful.

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As he entered the tavern again, Fate looked about himself with disdain, once again grateful for the sealed helmet he wore, it kept out the stink of depression and desperation these fools oozed out. He hated lesser beings for giving in to the vices of drink and substance abuse, and had trained himself to be better then that, and to work towards physical perfection to better stave off his advancing years and the urges to indulge.

In hindsight, perhaps I overdid it, he thought with grim amusement. Now he hardly felt any emotion at all, and have to work hard to make a conversation last more then a few moments. Well, it didn't matter, hopefully he'd hear something by now. At least the word about this rogue officer hadn't gotten out to the general public yet, it would be bad PR all around. Plus the fact that this entire station and shipyard were under firm Imperial Military control...

His helmet comm chimed again. He sighed and toggled it on.

"This is Fate. what do you want?"
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...is the end of your life.

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If he hadn't been talking to this Brugunn over his comm, Fate would have shook his head no. He didn't trust others.

"Negative. Outside the ship will be fine. And you alone will accompany me, I do not work with a team. Those are my conditions."

He hoped the fool wouldn't press the issue. He'd been known to slaughter people for such offenses, but rarely, since he had deemed killing outside of work or self defense as too beneath himself.

His helmet sensors picked up several individuals watching him from various places in the bar. Using the various video links his helmet had, it was obvious to see they had concealed weapons. They were all big, burly men, hired thugs by the look of them. He wondered what they were there for...
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...is the end of your life.

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Fate was surprised at how fast he had caved.

"Agreed. They will stay in your ship. I am en route to the docking bay now.", he answered.

True, he didn't really have to tell the man that, the docking bays were across the way from the tavern, separated by the cargo loading/unloading machinery. It would take him less then twenty minutes to reach it.

He stood up, keeping an eye on the thugs. They obviously knew who he was, but were making no moves towards him. Perhaps it was just his intimidation factor...he was a legend in his circles, as well as criminals, and most governments, since he would work for the highest bidder, and never go back on a deal once it was made.

He'd already decided to ask for more credits when he was paid. Having someone working with him was an annoyance, and the Empire would pay dearly for it.

He left the tavern, noting again that the thugs did not follow, nor did they start talking on a comm device to their hidden leader. Perhaps they weren't here to stop him...or they were just patient.
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...is the end of your life.

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Fate shook his head.

"The target is down on the planet. With the last usable ore hauler down until sometime tomorrow, there is no getting down to the planet. Obviously you have never been here,Brugunn, for the storms that cover the planet will tear anything less then and ore hauler or battleship to pieces. No, we will wait for the ore hauler to be repaired, my ship is already loaded on the hauler, so is another. There is one spot left if you wish to depart to the surface with me tomorrow."

He checked the readouts of his weapon readiness levels on one of his helmet HUDs. All of them showed maximum charge/fuel levels, and 100 percent working condition. He toyed with the thought of unlimbering his flame/freeze thrower and torching something, but put it aside. Such things were merely a waste of ammunition better spent in a real fight.

He continued speaking, after a short while of checking his equipment.

"You have obviously never heard of me,I take it?", he said. either the man didn't get out much, or he was ignorant, perhaps deliberately so...
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...is the end of your life.

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Fate leaned against a metal support strut, his armor clinking softly against it.

"I have an idea behind the thugs. They have to be hired by the target to provide support, but obviously, they are waiting on something. What, I do not know, but there seems to be a lot of them around here...I would expect trouble sometime shortly."

He pulled out the datacard, and handed it over to Brugunn.

"Here. Everything you need to knoe about the target, Commander Jahn Voss, of the Imperial Strike Force. Elite, smart, deadly, he'll be tough to take down without a serious fight. They say he was trained in counter-Imperial fighting maneuvers, and guerilla warfare as well. Expect booby traps on the planet."

He recalled his own Imperial training, and how tough it was and had made him when he first struck out to make a name for himself. If this man was that high up, he'd also know ways to kill himself without using a weapon on touching himself. Perhaps he'd even have an implant filled with poison, in the event of capture...and he was no good dead.
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...is the end of your life.

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Fate nodded.

"I am familiar with the techniques, as well as how to counter them. I also have a tranquilizer pistol in case he is too far away to effectively neutralize him before he can implement such a tactic."

He thought of taking the micro cameras and proximity sensors from his bag in his quarters and setting up a perimeter somewhere to catch the thugs, but figured it would be counterproductive, especially if they had to leave in a hurry. He regularly employed such expensive, specialized gadgetry, and would not leave anything behind if at all possible. Usually, it wasn't much trouble to him.

His helmet video link chimed a warning. He brought up the display, not bothering to turn around. Three of the thugs were headed this way, and he was sure more of them would be spread around.

"Three of the thugs are coming this way. Would you like the honor, or should I dispose of them?", he asked casually, though with his synthesized voice, it was impossible to have emotion in his voice. He reached for his holstered guns...
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...is the end of your life.