Faction Jungle warfare training for the EE army

[Rath Nihro]

Tags: Eleena Salwa WISCOM Arturo Braga

Granted Rath was no doctor by any means, but really the guy was a bit impressed when one of the two soldiers actually survived if not briefly. However that didn't make the experience any easier as the man called out for Rath. The young Warden immediately stowed his pistol and rushed to his squadmate's side.

"You did fine, Hawk. It's not everyday we get to fight a nexu in the wilds, let alone two of them." Rath spoke as his facial expression appeared to be stoic, but really he was keeping it together as Rath attempted to ease the man's worries. Or at least assure the guy that there was little to be done in this case. However that did nothing to ease the sobs of panic. Fear of the inevitable as the soldier gripped tightly onto Rath's left arm, which was numb still so Rath didn't feel the pressure. Rath placed his right hand over the soldier's clenched hand.

"Do not fear death Hawk. For in death, you no longer feel pain. Rest..." Or at least Rath hoped the guy wouldn't feel anymore pain. Whether it worked or not Rath never knew as the man took his last breath just before any of the forces arrived at the scene of gore and severed nexu limbs. He took no pleasure in this outcome, but this was one of the many dangers that's practically a third party that can be forgotten. Complacent even, as they were relying on their hearing for the aircraft and none of which studied the tree canopy above their heads to notice the nexu that had been stalking them.

A few of the people that had arrived looked at the scene in disbelief that there were actually casualties. Even more so that not just one, but two nexu lay dead on the jungle floor.

"E-excuse me, but what happened here?" A hesitant question that was being directed at Rath. Who sighed before he stood up on his feet.

"Exactly what it looks like. A pair of nexu ambushed us, and I paid them back in kind." The last part of his sentence was dripping with venomous hatred, yet righteously so. What's more was that Rath was beginning to feel his left hand again. Albeit it was still a bit sore for some reason.

After the shuttles dropped down to collect the bodies, Rath gave a full report to WISCOM on what had transpired. Of course he was offered to go see a doctor, but he waved them off as he really didn't have any injuries on him.

"There are others who need more medical attention than I do." Rath excused himself, yet in truth he just didn't want to deal with more people at the moment. So he sought to isolate himself to recollect his thoughts.

Spoiler: Loadout

• Sk-RS MK. IV Armour
• KC-47 Hybrid Strike Rifle
• KC-95 Ace of Spades
• Training Saber

 

[Arturo Braga]

Tags: WISCOM Eleena Salwa Rath Nihro
Gear: KC-47 Hybrid Strike Rifle, KC-77N Hybrid Pistol, Sk-AR Mk.1 Armor

"Well, there goes that plan." Arturo said as he tried to straighten his deadened leg. Crouched down beside him, Nara was in the process of keeping the ultranauts at bay. Rounds pinged off of the thick trunk they'd taken up as cover, whispered through the undergrowth to either side. The enemy fusillade seemed to be unending, the sound of blasterfire a constant drone in Arturo's ears. Frowning, he pushed back against the tree, using his one good leg for support as he found his feet. A round tore at the bark a few inches from his arm, sending splintered wood tumbling. The frown persisted as he spared a quick glance around the side, his HUD coming alive with sudden colour as it picked out a dozen hostiles. More moved unseen, their adaptive camo not unalike his armor's own.

The contractor sighed as he slid back into cover. The situation did not look good.

"All right, here's what I'm thinking." He said, turning to glance down at his twi'lek companion. "You lot continue to fall back, try and punch a hole through the new squads. I'll stay, keep these goons company long as I can." He peeked out and fired off a quick burst at something that looked distinctly human. The reply was louder, the air splitting with every report. "No deal." Nara said, falling into the space beside him. "They'll overwhelm you in a heartbeat, then where will we be? In the same place as before, only with one less shooter to help out." Arturo was about to say something, but his fellow merc stopped him with a raised finger. "Besides, it's too late for that. They've already flanked us. Or hadn't you noticed?" Arturo made to reply again, only this time he found he had nothing to say.

They'd been flanked? Well, that sucked. And here he had thought it would take them longer. Huh...

"Okay then. Never mind." Opening a channel with the rest of his squads, the mercenary almost jumped out of his skin when the Empire's national anthem began to blare over the comms, both parts uplifting and annoying. More one than the other, given the situation. "Looks like we're being jammed." Arturo said, his tone casual, unphased. "That complicates things." An ultranaut appeared in the space to his left. A couple rounds from his KC solved that problem. He turned to Nara. "Go find Salt and bring her here. Her or Pepp, either'll do." Leaning out, he laid down fire as Nara went off to find the others. It was hard to say how many of his own people were still standing. Not enough, he figured. Not with the ultranauts wrapping around their flanks. In truth, it was only a matter of time before it was game over. Minutes, maybe. Seconds...

"You called, boss?" Pepp said from over his shoulder, appearing sometime later. Glancing back, Arturo gave the man a nod, his attention torn between the enemy, his demo guy and idea that might get them out of this mess. Or killed. Likely killed. "Yep. You got any 'nades left? Any mines?" He couldn't see Pepp, but the smile in his voice was plain enough for all to hear. "Sure do! Wha-" Was all the reply he managed before two red dots blossomed on the man's faceplate. "Behind us!" A mercenary shouted. Arturo had already taken a knee by then, his rifle blazing away as dark-clad figures appeared on all sides. The air where he'd been stood a moment earlier was filled with the whistle of passing rounds.

Arturo shot back, his HUD a mass of red outlines, his ammo count quickly diminishing in the bottom right corner. When it hit zero, he let his rifle fall by his side, his sidearm already halfway from his holster when new figures appeared, their sights trained on him. It didn't take a genius to figure out he was a dead man. Still, the contractor tried, even if a part of his mind had already resigned itself to death.

The comms came back all at once. "This is not a drill!" A mighty voice boomed, the authority it conveyed making all who heard it pause what they were doing. "The War Games have ended due to possible death and serious injury in the field. Requesting immediate assistance." For a moment, neither side shifted. Looking about, Arturo took a quick headcount. On his side, three remained standing, their weapons pointed in the direction of the new enemy. On theirs, over a dozen men and women of the Empire stood, weapons trained on the few survivors. There was only one way that could have gone, and they all knew it. Arturo brought his pistol down as the message repeated.

"So." Pepp spoke from where he'd fallen, his eyes opening like those of the risen dead as he sat up. "You got a plan or are we calling it a tie?"

 

[Aurelian Sigismund]

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Commander of The Phalanx | Former Exarch of Zakuul | High Imperator of the Rim-Guard​

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The HUD was flickering as someone tried to interfere with the communication and observation systems on the ground. For most people it would shut off, but Aiglos had a quick interference before the armours own systems took over after the connection to The Phalanx broke.

He actually saw the first Nexu through the chaos, he had noticed their presence or at least presence of third party nature when arriving. Aiglos decided to follow the squad which was stalked by the beast and watched the events unfolding while the wargame raged on.

The Zakuulan stood and watched while the soldiers were engaged in a lethal dance with an unexpected enemy. He did nothing. Aiglos felt the anger when the lightning was unleashed and he heard the shots which killed the beasts. With confusion he got the information that the wargame is being ended.

Having nothing left to do, he walked near when the second soldier was dying. The golden surface of his helmet was as empathetic as the ice white lenses of it. Not that it would make a big difference without a helmet.

„I hope this is not the reason why this exercise is ended.“

The mechanical voice said it more to himself than to Rath as Ecthelion looked up again. His voice could be heard through the general com-frequency a few seconds later.

„Aiglos here. When is the debrief scheduled?“ He pauses a second. „Expecting extraction with two dead at my coordinates. This better not be the reasoning of the stop though.“