The Rebel Faction

Trandosha: Streets of Hsshkor

Rissonik and his guard also heard the sound and Rissonik, thinking it was meant for him but not about to let the kid remain exposed, grabbed Kysh and tucked him underneath him as he hit the dirt. The shot just missed.

"Find thut snipor." Rissonik told the guard in Clan Dialect, when he realized that shot was aimed at the kid. "Und bring him te mo ut tho moot peint."

The K'Satikur warrior nodded and took to the roofs. Rissonik rose to his feet, holding the kid in his arms, and ran. He didn't understand why the sniper would try to shoot the kid instead of him, but he intended to find out.

Meanwhile, Besk was more then a little disappointed to find the place evacuated.

"You said they were here..." He growled at the kid.

"They..they were here..." The kid stammered. "They must have realized they've been found out..."

"If they really were here...then that would be obvious." Besk hissed dangerously as he grabbed the kid by the throat. "But seeing there wasn't even a trace of them having even been here..."

The kids eyes went wide and he struggled to break free of Besk's grip. It was no good, Besk reached with his other hand and with a sharp twist, broke the kids neck.

"Search the surrounding area." He said to the marines as he dropped the lifeless body to the ground.

Tissuss: Triton

Varcanna shook her head. "Only way is if we had the autoprotect on, which we only use if in a dangerous area."

"And we didn't set our ships to autoprotect when we landed here." Ossik said. "We thought we wouldn't need it."

"That means someone must have activated the weapons systems..." Naosha mused. "But why?"

"Stupid humans not understanding T'Doshouk glyphs?" Rista chuckled. She looked at Merendez. "No offense meant to present company of course..."

"Well...my gut is telling me it's something else..." Naosha said with groan. "It sounds like something my grandson would do..."

"How? He should be with Tiosk by now..." Merendez said.

Naosha could only shrug.

"There you guys are..." Tiosk said as he ran up to join them: he looked a bit ragged with ample blood on his blades. "Having fun with out me hmmm?"

"Where are my grandkids?" Naosha asked, worried when she didn't see them with him.

"They are in the vent system...heading to the hanger." Tiosk replied. "Felt it would be safer for them that way..."

Naosha, Merendez and Varcanna looked at each other. "It's Trissan..." They said in unison.

"Huh?" Tiosk said, then he heard the ship blaster fire. "Oh...."

Tissuss: Outpost

"Can a planetary cannon really aim at something ground level?" Silliss said, unsure.

"Well we can find out." Lumier said as she punched in the cooridinates for the shot. They watched the screen as a large green bolt sudden slammed into one of the tanks, not only disabiling it but flipping it unto the other tank.

"That answers my question..." Silliss said with a chuckle. "Boy must they be surprised."

There was a beep at the console, meaning a message had arrived.

"Your warriors are on they way." Lumier said.

"Good...then we can have a nice slaughter party..." Silliss said with a grin. More marines came in at that point, five in total. "But I don't mind appetizers..." Silliss ducked low and sweeped out with his lance, knocking two of them off their feet. On the upswing he reversed his grip and smashed the butt of his lance into the face of a third...

Tissuss: Outpost

“Then lets head to the control center.” Silliss said as he finished off the last marine in this latest group. “This room is getting too popular.”

“One second…” Lumier said as she typed in a couple more commands on the console. “There, now those marines won’t be able to use this console without knowing the right password…”

She grabbed her rifle and joined Silliss, who had just cut down two more marines just outside the door. After a few wrong turns and a couple of fights, they reached the control center.

“Time to party…” Lumier said with a sly smile.

Meanwhile outside, Silliss’ warriors, along with Tiskus, arrived at the scene via the shuttle craft from the hanger. The marines that were outside thought they were reinforcements…until the warriors poured out of the shuttles and started ripping into them. The tanks, which they had just straightened out again, were having a hard time locking onto a target for the warriors moved too fast. Tiskus was slower, but when one the tanks finally locked onto him he simply bent the turret with his robotic arm, rendering it inoperable.

The other tank had a clear shot at him, but before it could fire an ion blast flipped it on it’s back yet again.

“Kmmm….good shot.” Tiskus chuckled as he jumped on top of the flipped tank and proceeded to rip out it’s underbelly.

Triton

Trissan was enjoying the chaos his little stunt caused: the marines were running everywhere trying to keep themselves from getting blasted. His fun suddenly ended when the little screen showing the turrets PoV suddenly went blank and the sounds of blaster fire ceased. Knowing his fun time was over…he wisely went to find a place to hide…

“Sounds like they took out whatever it was that was firing…” Merendez said, looking into the hanger bay. She counted about five bodies littered throughout the hanger bay. The rear turret on one of the Lambda shuttles was out, but knocked out of commission. Two of the remaining marines were entering that shuttle. Realizing the youth must be in side, she took quick aim and fired her blaster at the trailing marine, knocking him off the ramp.

Chaos ensued again as the group rushed in, Varcanna and Naosha taking cover behind some crates, the still unconscious Lavality in tow. Tiosk moved from cover to cover, heading to the shuttle Trissan had to be in to keep the marines from finding him. He took out the marine that was just setting foot on the ramp to the shuttle and went inside.

A marine that had managed to get around Varcanna and Naosha’s cover thought he had hostages…until Varcanna socked him in the gut with her suddenly extended staff. Naosha finished him off with a shot to the head.

Soon all the marines in the hanger were either knocked out or dead and a worried Naosha started searching for her missing grandkids. She quickly found the three girls, who where still in the vent and Tiosk emerged from the shuttle, dragging the lifeless corpse of a marine and a shaken Trissan in his arms.

“That fire fight will no doubt draw more here.” Merendez said. “We better leave while we still can.”

Naosha nodded in agreement. “Ossik, Rista. Take your own shuttles. Varca, take the Vice Admiral and go with Merendez in another shuttle. The Kids and I will go in Tiosk’s shuttle. All are to meet at the outpost.”

“Why take so many shuttles? We could all fit in one…” Rista asked.

“The less we leave for the traitors to use against us the better…” Merendez said, understanding Naosha’s reasoning.

Trandosha: Streets of Hsskhor

Rissonik jigged right, then left, another shot just missing. He could feel his lungs starting to burn as he turned a sharp corner and flattened himself against a wall to take a breather.

“Why are they shooting at you but not me?” Rissonik asked, panting.

“Cause I was discovered…” The kid said, disturbingly calm.

“You mean it’s your own people trying to kill you?”

Kysh nodded. “It’s….policy…”

Rissonik snarled. “Well that brings down my respect for them a few notches…” Not wanting to debate it further while out in the open, Rissonik took a deep breath and charged across the street…

Meanwhile, the Special Ops sniper was frustrated: the Trandoshan protecting the kid knew how to evade a sniper and was making it difficult for the man to take the kid out. At least…without harming the Trandoshan. Orders dictated that he take the kid out though, so he was fast realizing he had no choice but likely take out the Trandoshan as well…

Sorry man…but orders are orders… He thought as he looked through this scope and prepared to squeeze the trigger.

Suddenly there was a flash and loud clang of metal as something hard connected with the barrel of his rifle. The force was strong enough to snap the rifle out of his hands, the weapon flying end over end until it smashed into the street below. Pain erupted in the man’s face, for rifle’s butt left a nasty burn and cut on his cheek, not to mention his fingers were now bruised.

Looking up he saw the other adult Trandoshan that was originally with the one he was aiming at: he had assumed he had fled. This Trandoshan had a deadly serious look on his face and a sword pointed right at the man’s face.

“You are to come with me…” The Trandoshan said.

“You don’t know what you’ve just done…” The man protested.

The Trandoshan pulled him up to this feet by the shirt. “All I know and care about is that you were threatening the life of my Sha’tor….and he wants a word with you. Be glad he didn’t order me to just kill you outright…”

Tissuss: Outpost

Silliss ran to the window, nearly ripped it off and yelled “Incoming!” at his warriors. The warriors, not going to question why, scattered and took cover where they could find it. The ground shook as two artillery shells slammed into the ground not too far away.

They’ll have better aim next time… Silliss thought grimly. “Find eat whoro thut cumo frem und tuko it eat!” He commanded and a group of warriors nodded and immediately took off.

“Silliss! Look out!” Tiskus shouted. Silliss looked up and his eyes widened when he saw the sniper in the trees. He dove to one side, but not fast enough. His shoulder erupted in pain as the shot tore into it, sending the warrior tumbling.

“Silliss!” Lumier ran to him.

“That…actually hurt…ow…” Silliss groaned, clutching his wound.

“Will you be alright?”

“Of course…takes more then a little blaster wound to take me out…” He tried to stand, but staggered and fell against Lumier, who was barely able to hold him up. “In fact…I am ready to fight some more…”

Lumier rolled her eyes. “No you’re not you idiot.” She said, forcing him sit down. “We are going need to have a medic look at this when this is over.”

“Great…more pesky nurses…” Silliss moaned.

Meanwhile outside, the sniper found himself in a bit of a situation: namely a group of very pissed off Trandoshan warriors right under him. His situation got worse when Tiskus strode over, who was nearly tall enough to look the man in the eye. Tiskus growled at the man, then slammed his robotic arm into the tree, knocking the man out of it.

The warriors then ripped the man to shreds…

Triton

As they did a hastened flight check, some of the non-combatant Trandoshans poked their heads into the hanger bay, wondering just want was going on. When the marines started shooting at them, they took cover. Merendez fired her shuttles weapons at the marines, forcing them to duck for cover.

Naosha took a risk and poked her head out of Tiosk’s shuttle door and called to her supporters in Dosh. “Come on! It’s too dangerous for us here now!”

They nodded and one ducked back in to the main corridor, presumably to call for the others. Soon about ten other Trandoshans were running for the shuttles, Naosha directed for them to go into Ossik or Rista’s shuttle. One still came to Tiosk’s shuttle.

“We don’t know where the others are.” The female said to her. ”Likely imprisoned.”

“We will be coming back for them.” Naosha said with a faint growl as Tiosk closed the doors. “And retake this ship.”

Soon after all four shuttles took off, the marines weapon fire not even denting their shields. About half way to the outpost, their sensors picked up a couple of artillery batteries up ahead.

“Hey Merendez.” Tiosk said on the comm, a slightly mischievous tone in his voice. “You thinking what I am thinking?”

Trandosha: Streets of Hsskhor

Rissonik snarled faintly and ducked into a side alley. “Thanks for the heads up kid…” He whispered softly as he ran down the alley way. He suddenly screeched to a halt when a pair of marines crossed in front on the other side.

They are everywhere… He thought, the first signs of panic creeping into his mind. “Onto my back kid, I need to use my hands.”

Once Kysh was secure on his back, Rissonik started to scale the wall of one of the buildings, figuring it was safer to travel via roofs at this point.

…

Besk was on the rooftops not far away, both to stay out of sight of the mob that was still milling around and to try to spot any rebels. Out of the corner of his eye he saw someone running along the rooftops and a grin appeared on his scaly face.

Well well well… He thought as he brought up his sniper rifle. Lookee who’s out in the open and all exposed… He took careful aim and fired and watched with grim satisfaction when the individual suddenly fell off the roof just before he jumped to the next. The shot wasn’t a complete success: he only got him in the leg, but he knew it would slow down Rebel Leader greatly if the fall didn’t finish him off.

He slung the rifle back over his shoulder and jumped down to street level. Besk didn’t bother telling any marines to converge on the area: he wanted the glory for ending Rissonik’s life for himself…

…

Rissonik slowly moved his limbs, grimacing in pain from a dozen badly bruised areas and his leg feeling like it was on fire. He didn’t know if it was the same sniper that was shooting at the kid or not, but he wasn’t going to stick around to find out the hard way.

“Kid…you ok?” He said as he rose to his feet, his injured leg only barely supporting his weight.

Kysh was sitting on the ground close by, looking a bit shaken, but looked uninjured. “I think so.” He said. “Will you be ok?”

“I’ll be fine…I think.” Rissonik grimaced, leaning against a wall. “But I won’t be going anywhere fast…unless we find transport.”

“Ahh…hold on.” Kysh got up and disappeared around the corner before Rissonik could stop him.

Be careful kid… He thought.

“Look what we have here…” An all too familiar voice said. Rissonik turned around to see Besk at the other end of the alleyway, his K’Zuta in hand. “A certain rebel scum that’s gotten careless…”

“More like a bad stroke of luck…” Rissonik growled, moving away from the wall and glancing around to see what his options were. Injured as he was, he didn’t have many at all.

Besk chuckled as he advanced. “I am going to enjoy killing you…not only to avenge Tnossok…but to put an end to your silly little rebellion.”

“Naosha is still out there…so even if you kill me, the Movement will continue.” Rissonik countered, leaning against a trash can for support.

Another chuckle from the mercenary. “Naosha…last I heard is stranded on the moon Tissuss…and it will be only a matter of time before she is eliminated by our forces.”

“The people know things need to change Besk…” He knew he didn’t have a chance to convince the former Clan member he was right, but pressed on anyway to buy time. “The rebellion won’t end with our deaths.”

Besk was within striking distance now. “But with it’s key leaders gone…it won’t nearly have as much steam…farewell Rissonik…your head will make a lovely addition to my collection…”

That was the end of the conversation and Besk raised his weapon for the kill.

“Rissonik!” Rissonik heard the kid say from behind him. “Over here!”

Rissonik snapped into action, ripping the trash can lid off and hurled it at Besk. Besk, who was distracted by the kid, got it in the face and staggered back a few paces, stunned. Rissonik turned and ran as fast as his wounded leg would allow to the kid, who had somehow gotten his hands on a speeder.

“Where did you….never mind I’ll find out later…” Rissonik said as he jumped on, taking over the driver spot with Kysh jumping on behind him. He punched it and sped off, a scream of defiance from Besk fading behind them…

Trandosha: Streets of Hsskhor

Oh no….I am not going to let you get away that easy… Besk thought as he ran to a nearby speeder and knocked the occupant off it.

“Hey!” The rider protested, but froze when he got a rifle barrel in his face. “Never mind…take it…” He whimpered.

Besk slung the rifle back over his shoulder and punched the accelerator, taking up the chase.

…

“That was our Sha’tor madam.” One of the warriors replied. “Your son is in good hands. He won’t let anything happen to him.”

Just then another speeder zipped by and the one that was riding made them both blanch.

“That was Besk…” One said in a near whisper.

“Sha’tor Rissonik will need our help losing that one…come on!” The other warrior said as he scaled the wall, the other warrior following.

….

“I think we are being followed…” Kysh said, looking behind him.

Rissonik looked back to see Besk hot on their tail. Muttering a few curses, he hit the accelerator. “Hang on kid…I’m going to try to lose him…”

Tissuss: Outpost

Tiosk smiled and fired his weapons, the remaining artillery unit a smoldering heap when he was done. The marines manning them were quickly cut down by a group of warriors on the ground.

“Looks like Silliss’ boys have been busy racking up the kills.” Naosha chuckled.

“Silliss is here with you?” Tiosk asked, looking surprised.

“Yes. In fact he’s the one that helped us get the Movement started. Why?”

Tiosk smiled. “It’s a bit…personal, between he and I.”

Naosha nodded, beginning to see the connection but respected his wishes on the matter.

…

Lumier watched the newcomers land and start to disembark from the shuttles. She realized Silliss’ hunch that things had gone wrong at the Triton if Naosha and three other important looking Trandoshans had come here, Naosha’s grandkids with them.

“Looks like we’ll be making a sweep of the Triton.” She said to Silliss, who was still sitting on the floor, grimacing in pain. She had bandaged him up the best she could with a med kit she found, but had no pain killers to offer: she doubted he would accept any anyway.

“Heh…they get all the fun then…” Silliss said, a little weak. “Wish I could join them…”

“So it’s sinking in finally that you are worse off then you think you are then.”

“Heh…well I am still healing from what that mutt did to me last night…”

Lumier rolled her eyes. “I don’t know whether to call you guys crazy, gluttons for punishment, or what…”

“Oh trust me…we don’t go looking to get ourselves hurt, we just train ourselves how to take the pain when we do get our asses handed to us.”

…

“Where is Silliss and Lumier?” Naosha asked when she exited the shuttle, Tiosk and the kids right behind her. “We need to speak with them.”

“Key are bok in ke control center Ikelieve.” Tiskus replied, approaching her. Naosha went wide eyed and jumped back.

“It’s ok Councilor. He’s on our side.” One of the warriors reassured her. “Tiskus is his name. He was turned into this by the Imperials.”

“Pleasure to meet you Councilor.” Tiskus said, giving her a bow.

“Uh…pleasure is all mine…” Nasoha said hesitantly, still feeling a bit intimidated by this new ally. “Control center you said right?”

“Correct, kut kere are still enemies floating around in kere. Kest you wait until we finish flushing kem out kefore going in.””

Naosha nodded, understanding the risks of entering prematurely when enemies were still about. However Tiosk wasn’t so understanding for some reason.

“Wait…you just said Silliss and Lumier were in the control center.” The Captain said, sounding….afraid? “How do you know they are all right.”

“There was a sniper that took a shot at Silliss not too long ago before we could take him out.” One of the warriors said. “Not sure how fared with it…”

With a faint cry Tiosk suddenly bolted for the entrance of the main building. Leaving Merendez and a few others with puzzled looks on their faces: they never have seen him act like that before. Naosha however, had a feeling why…and completely understood his position.

…

Tiosk tore though the building, trying to find his way to the control center, his heart feeling sick. When he turned a corner he saw a group of marines setting up a grattling gun in front of a door, the barrel pointed at the door: above the door was the words ‘Control Center’. With a snarl he whipped out his fighting knives and charged into them, screaming a battle cry…

Tissuss: Outpost

Through the haze of pain Silliss heard the same things Lumier did and prayed whatever it was Lumier could handle on her own, for he was in no shape to fight now. Still, he brought his lance up, his injured shoulder screaming in protest at him. He didn't know what help he would be in his current state however.

The door opened and in the doorway stood Tiosk, his bloodied daggers in his hands and behind him was a mess of what used to be three marines and a grattling gun. Lumier looked unsure if he was friend or foe, her rifle pointed at him: Tiosk looked ready to jump her if her finger even twitched...

"Lumier...it's ok..." Silliss managed to say weakly. "That's Tiosk..."

Lumier nodded and lowered her rifle, relaxing her stance. "Remind me to never piss you off." She said, looking at the gory mess in the hallway.

Tiosk chuckled and relaxed his pose, sheathing his daggers as he walked over to Silliss and looked him over, assessing his wounds. Silliss branced himself for the scolding that was to come.

"Yea didn't lot yearsolf houl fally bofero geing eff te fight ugiun san..." Tiosk said in Clan Dialect.

"I cealdn't wuit Futhor...I wus noodod..." Silliss replied.

Tiosk shook his head. "Yea uro tuking tee muny risks Silliss...boing se fur uwuy frem hespitul thut knews ef year cenditien..."

"I um un udult new futhor...I cun muko my ewn docisiens!" Silliss said sharply, only to pay for his outburst when a sharp pain shot through him, nearly causing him to blackout.

"We can argue this later...after you have healed a bit." Tiosk said as he gently picked up Silliss. He looked over at Lumier. "Is there a medical factility in this compound?"

Trandosha: Streets of Hsskhor

Rissonik felt the kid's sudden shift and he looked back just in time to see another blaster bolt wizz by just over his head. Somehow Besk was firing his rifle, with pretty damn good accuracy, and driving the speeder at the same time, which made this chase more dangerous for them both.

"Kid...you ok back there?" He asked, having a bad feeling.

"No..." Came a whimpering responce.

Rissonik uttered a curse. If the kid was hurt he may not be able to hang on for much longer. His own leg was aching, making it a bit painful to push on the accelorator, but he had the warriors training the kid lacked. He wanted to move the kid out of the line of fire, knowing Besk wouldn't care if he hit the kid or not, but he couldn't do that without stopping: stopping wasn't an option right now.

"Focus on something other then the pain kid...and hang on the best you can." Rissonik said. "This is going to be one rough ride..."

He felt the Kysh tighten his grip and with a deep breath Rissonik pushed the bike to full speed. The likely hood of them dying in a crash was high...but if Besk caught them they would be dead anyway.

Rissonik turned the bike onto a busy road, hoping to lose Besk in the traffic, or at least slow him down. When he felt he heat of a couple of blaster bolts pass dangerously close, he knew he was going to have to push the envelope even more. A pass through an alley and a turn later he was heading into incoming traffic. He knew he couldn't take his eyes off the road for a moment now: one slip meant instant death here. He didn't look to see if Besk dared to follow, but he wouldn't have cared at all if Besk became a hood ordiment.

If he hadn't looked for a split second to one side, he wouldn't have noticed that Besk was no fool and was drivng on the sidewalk instead. Rissonik had to duck a bolt and move quickly to the opposite side of the road, nearly getting clipped by another vehicle in the process and turned down another road. This road was clear of any traffic and he could hear Besk close behind.

The road then opened up into a market place, the area full of tents and stalls were tourists and citizens alike shopped. Rissonik reached back and unshealthed his sword: he hoped to put it to some use that would slow Besk down.

He scanned the area, looking for something he could cut that would land in Besk's path. Up ahead he spotted a shade tent, which was pretty much only four poles and a piece of fabric hung overhead between them. He swung and cut the two on the far side, the people scattering before him. He then made a quick turn into another alley.

Oh no... He thought when he realized it was a dead end: he was going too fast to stop in time. Wait...it was a wooden wall and one of the planks was laid out at an angle toward him. Seeing it as their only chance, he aimed the bike for it. He felt his stomach lurch when they went airborne and his teeth rattled when they landed. The force of the landing knocked Kysh off and banged up the bike badly.

Rissonik stopped the bike and ran (the best he could anyway) to Kysh, who was moaning.

"Easy kid..." Rissonik said softly as he picked him up. "You'll be alright."

He noticed how quiet it was and dared to hope he lost the mercenary....

...

Besk would have avoided the so obvious trick Rissonik was trying to pull on him...if something hadn't blasted the engine on his bike and made him lose control, sending him not only into the tent, but into a stand of produce not far away...

After he had untangled himself from the mess, he roared in frustation when he realized he had completely lost his quarry...

....

"Nice shot." One warrior said to Lissuss. "Lets get out of here before Besk realizes who foiled him..."