Chapter 2: Dilemma
Posted By: Shinai Purugganan<hybrid_phoenix2k2@hotmail.com>
Date: 21 July 2003, 6:02 PM
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Remnants of Reach: Chapter 2: Dilemma
The wind flared-up as an entourage of Grunts arranged the supply pylons in their proper position. Jackals began routine patrols along their assigned areas, closely watching for any human survivors. Field Master Soba 'Kalnoree had ensured that the remainder of his forces abided by the same conduct even though the main battle had ended. He knew the humans had been defeated, but this time he would not permit himself to underestimate the will of humanity. He retained the entire conflict as he attempted to communicate with the carrier assigned to retrieve him and his troops.
Earlier, his contingent triumphed over the defending marines of this human star-port and the adjoining facilities. The engagement resembled many others that ended in attaining a flawless victory; however, that flawless campaign shattered as his legion entered the city. A handful of the mythical human warriors disembark from a single human drop-ship and his companies were not prepared to fight them, especially in urban combat.
As the combined resistance of the human colonists and military retaliated, 'Kalnoree's offensive dawdled longer than the planned mission time. Wit h his troop strength abated, he maneuvered his remaining solders to overwhelm their fatal threat, the armored humans. After coordinating ambushes to assuage the human counterparts, he executed his plan to systematically eliminate his targets. By concentrating firepower solely onto the opposing humans, they fell prey to oncoming plasma discharge. For his soldiers, they finally had achieved victory at a high price. The daring tactic secured the star-port and the adjacent constructs, but left other targets unchecked and the assault team ravaged.
"Retreating and establishing this outpost was a necessity, the risk proved too great to send his subsides forces into unknowns." Soba reminded himself. He had been the fortunate of his peers. The humans possessed a horrific weapon that some secretly feared. Field Master Musa 'Filrasee, whose orders were to disable a few human generators, accomplished his mission, but an entourage of his elite and himself disintegrated inside the wake of the flames. Anguish ensued every moment he had to think over the situation. After the long, deep reminiscence, a low-bass beeping noise invaded his train of thought.
The communications signal on his command pylon finally flashed. He had requested for the official extraction at the end of the successful operation, but to his dismay, the request was denied. He tapped the panel sending a signal back to the carrier. The screen displayed a lesser elite shouting orders in a colossal shuttle bay.
"Release the docking clamps! Open the bay shields! Now! We've got many orders to finish!" he roared. Finally, he answered as a drop-ship blared past behind him. "Yes, Sir, what is your request?" he rapidly replied in an impatient manner.
"My request for departure was denied. Are you to explain?" Soba interrogated.
"Forgive me Sir, but as I have informed many others, no one will be retrieved under Ship Master-" he pointed and yelled, "Be careful! If you grunts drop that container again, I'll cut your food nipple break!" Several squeaky yelps emanated from the background of the view.
"Would you transfer me to your Ship Master," 'Kalnoree asserted.
"The Ship Master is occupied at the moment. The Prophets appointed Ship Master Napa 'Zanulee in command. His orders are attached to a dispatch sent to all Field Masters. I will transfer you to the message-" the lesser elite screamed again at the background, "That's it! You grunts are on the next transport to the surface!"
Soba 'Kalnoree blatantly ended the transmission and uploaded the communiqué. The receiver displayed the official orders posted by Ship Master 'Zanulee. The orders read: "All Field Masters are to reinitiate cleansing the human planet. Reserves will be sent to each Field Master on the planet-side. There will be no more orbital bombardment. Further specific orders are being processed at the moment. No inquiries accepted; this is the will of the Prophets."
"Apparently I have to take that risk," he feared. The bulletin scrolled to reserve assignments. Only three drop-ships and a pair of banshees were issued to bolster his forces. "Reserves are run thin throughout the planet-side. We should be departing and burning this foul human world." He pounded on the pylon panel, and then pressed for a communication directly to the Ship Master.
A gold-clad elite like himself stood conversing with two other screens concurrently as his assistant huddled in fear. Soba examined the other two screens. Two other Field Masters also hailed as he did. Both of them stood in shock as the Ship Master rained frustration upon them. Soba began to open his mouth when the elite spun abruptly and squared a dread look straight into his screen.
"What is it? Are you another incompetent subordinate who has come to question orders?" Zanulee bellowed at him.
"Sir, I-" Soba was interrupted as if he had already told his case.
"Want an explanation? Your orders have been posted. Do what is necessary to purge the human planet. Understood or do I have to arrange everything for all of you?" the Ship Master questioned. He had chastised all three of the commanders that had requested him.
"No, Sir." Soba answered in unison along with his fellow leaders.
The connection severed and left the screen with the official mandate that he already read. The orders left him with the discretion to devise his own plan to cleanse the remaining humans. He cursed the human military and their specialized soldiers. Soba paced around the landing pad designed to be the command station as he developed his strategy.
After much consideration and thrashing of the command center, he decided on his next move. He returned to the command pylon and issued the troops guarding the remaining generators, which supplied the inert orbital human defenses, to be diverted to join the scouring of the human metropolis. He pondered on an objective point to begin the operation and then remembered a perfect area to start.
"That human building with a large red symbol," he agreed with himself, "Humans seem to gather there, and that is where I will begin this ridiculous venture." The Field Master assembled his soldiers after the pilots unload the reserves. He issued the order to converge onto the massive target. "We will cleanse the humans by ourselves, beginning with the complex they call the 'Hospital'."
To be continued…
(Next: Remnants of Reach: Chapter 3: Adversaries of Annihilation)
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