Chapter 2: Forges of Ithyari

[Drake 53]

Tak returned the salute. "Unfortunately we did, sir. Nothing to jeopardize the mission, of course, but the Imperials have developed a new type of wardroid. It's basically a walking, talking, smart tank. Officer Nasrin has the intel on these 'Boomers' including the location of their factories. I'll gladly fill you in on the specifics once we get camp set up."

[Chickenman 9]

"Thank you, Lieutenant. I'll expect a full debriefing once camp is set up. Dismissed."

As Takeshi left, Aeric walked to the edge of camp, needing a second to think.

Our first mission. We're outnumbered, outgunned, and out of range of any reinforcements. Deep behind enemy lines. He clenched a fist. This is not going to be another massacre. I swear, this squadron is going to live, even against these odds. I swear it.

[Drake 53]

Takeshi walked over to where the others were and began helping set up the support poles that would hold up the tarp. After setting up a particularly heavy pole with Jaim, he looked to the next one and waved his hand towards it. "Force powers make go now."

When nothing happened, Tak shrugged and said, "Eh, it was worth a shot."

[Rogue 4]

Layla rolled her eyes at him as she helped Jya set up one adjacent to them. "The Force is not strong in this one."

[Drake 53]

He grinned. "I find your lack of faith disturbing. How do you know I don't have the Force? I think it would be cool to run around with a lightsaber or two, slicing and dicing Imperials. You've seen the holos of Kyle Katarn, right? I'd be like him if I were a Jedi. Lightsabers and lots of guns."

[Rogue 4]

"Never saw the Katarn holos." Layla admitted as they got the support up properly. "But I heard about him. Heard some crazy rumor that he got us the Death Star plans, but the Bothans claim it's their doing." She shrugged. "Who knows. I did see Skywalker fight on Zeltros though. Now that was a sight."

She grinned pointedly at him, placing a hand on her hip. "Either way, that's exactly why I know you're not Force Sensitive, because you'd be running around like that attracting attention everywhere you go instead of joining us in our constant subterfuge."

[Drake 53]

Tak laughed. "What? I can't be the distraction?"

[Rogue 4]

"Believe me when I say you're constantly a distraction." Layla made a show of looking him up and down before meeting his gaze and winking.

[Andy 60]

"Oh, get a room..." Aston muttered slightly louder than he intended.

[Vergere 1]

Busy working with Szen to get the tarps up, Brier sang softly under her breath as she worked. She smiled softly and reassuringly over at Szen for a moment as they worked, but stayed relatively quiet, just doing her job without complaint or comment.

[Ayingel 24]

Szen almost dropped the pole she was holding when Aston spoke up. She hadn't been paying too much attention to the two while on the mission, but it was true. She laughed a little and looked around at the rest of of the group. They really are a sight for sore eyes.

[Mara 29]

He smiled slightly hearing Aston's comment, but Kaden quickly turned it off to focus at the task at hand. Besides, he knew he didn't need any memories, good or bad, coming back now to distract him during this important mission.

Kaden walked over to help Szen with another support, shifting his bag over his shoulder to grasp the pole easier.

[Ayingel 24]

"Thanks Kaden." Szen smiled a little at the help. "How was the wait?"

[Vergere 1]

"It's probably helpful if you just put your bag down, Officer Staal." A faint smile in his direction, she shrugged.

[Mara 29]

"No problem, " he said as he helped stablize it and set it place. Then he stood back, turning to Brier glancing at his sack, before looking back at Szen. "Oh, I'd like to say it was fun, but, honestly, it was a lot longer than I thought it'd be."

Edited September 27, 2007 by Mara

[Vergere 1]

She just raised a bored eyebrow at the blatant being ignored but just glanced at Szen, gave an amused, barely-there smile at her partner, before returning to her work again.

[Mara 29]

He helped them set in place another post; this one giong in a lot smoother than the last.

[Vergere 1]

Ceasing her singing, Brier fell silent and was once again conciously aware of her status as an Intel officer instead of a fighter pilot or commando. Just because she was accepted into the last job relatively easily, it didn't mean the rest of the mission would be as easy for her to fit in. Falling once again into keeping to herself, she just finished putting up the poles for the tarp without speaking.

[Mara 29]

Kaden glanced a couple of times while working at the Intel captain. He wondered to himself why she had been giving his bag looks, and he thought back to earlier when they had first met. Maybe there was something she knew about him, well, something more that wasn't common knowledge.

Putting up another tarp pole, he tried to think if Captain Tunon would have had any reason to investigate him. He figured everything about his past was in his file, but perhaps this Intel woman was here for more than just helping on their mission.

Kaden decided to keep a wary eye on her for a while, but he also knew he'd have to remain friendly towards her.

[Chickenman 9]

Aeric returned back to base and lent a hand setting up the tarp.

[Ayingel 24]

Szen had finally realized that the setting up between the three of them was going much quieter than it had started. "Everything alright, you two?"

[Mara 29]

He turned toward Szen. "I'm fine. Just happy to be moving again."

[Vergere 1]

With another glance at Kaden, Brier just shrugged at Szen. "I'm fine. I just realized something, that's all." She offered a faint, almost sad smile, and continued her work.

[Mara 29]

Kaden caught Brier's eye as he went for another post to set in the ground. He shrugged it off.

After all, we do have a mission to focus on, right? Focus, Kaden. Focus.

[Ayingel 24]

"Are you sure you're okay? I mean, you look like you're about to..." She trailed that one off