OS Chapter 19 Mission Fiction

[Reservist Foley]

13 ~ Jansen
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Capturing the Chimera

Foley could hear the sound of the shuttle, Hop II, beginning its docking procedure, and begin to pressurize while it entered the Chimera's belly. Foley grabbed his E-11 blaster rifle, and started disassembling it. Foley opened up it's energy compartment and started looking it over for any problems. Finding, none, he plugged the cells back into the rifle, and took his barrel off. Foley opened the barrel and inspected the focusing lenses. He grabbed a special lens cleaning cloth and began to clean the already spotless items and made them shine under the bright light in the Lambda Class Shuttle. Satisfied with the cleanliness, he put the barrel back together, and snapped it back onto the blaster. Foley looked across the seat to Captain Chu and smiled noticing that Chu was still having trouble explaining what would be happening with the pilot.

"No!!!" Chu shouted over his com-link. "I want the PTs out first!--- No, I don't need pre made barricades, how are we going to get barricades up if we're under attack and still in the shuttle? No I don't need you to unload supplies first. I need the troops out first.--- No, No Lis--- NO listen to me, NO LISTEN TO ME NOW!!! Unload the PTs first, then the troops. What? No, no, no. I don't know. How would I possibly know that and what does that have to do with the task at hand? Wha---? No, I don't know, ask Colonel Mitchell... No, I don't hate you... No, I--- Look, just stop talking and do what I said, and we'll be fine." Chu said as he hung up. Foley smirked at Chu's obvious frustration. Chu caught Foley's grin, and looked up at him. "Lieutenant--- Don't you think that smirk till we've won this battle?"

"Yes, Sir." Foley replied. The speaker on the top of the shuttle made a buzzing static noise, causing everyone to look up to it. Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Mitchell came on.

"All right, Second Brigade, fat's in the fire. Get ready for some fireworks. We've had some hard ones, and this one is gonna be in the record books. Company leaders prep for your exit plans and get ready to attack." Mitchell said.

Chu stood up and moved to the exit ramp. Foley got up and stood behind him. Chu turned around to look at the troops. "Viper Company, count off." Chu ordered. Foley heard the reports come in from behind him. "10 OK, 9 OK, 7 OK, 6 OK, 5 OK, 4 OK, 3 OK" Foley heard his cue and shouted "XO OK" Chu studied everyone than flatly said "CO OK"

Lieutenant Gin and his company moved up besides Viper, and performed their own counting off.

"30 seconds" Mitchell's voice informed over the intercom.
Chu turned to face the door and raised his weapon to the ready. Foley copied and looked behind himself to make sure everyone was good to go.

"20 seconds"
--------------------
"10 Seconds"

Foley sucked in a breath and got ready to jump into the action.

"5, 4, 3, 2, 1, GO GO GO!!!" Mitchell said, and then the ramp door closed. The AT-PT was unloaded and charged into the hanger firing on the enemy waiting in their makeshift bunkers. Chu burst out of the shuttle with amazing speed, jumping behind random supply crates and barrels scattered around the hanger. Foley jumped out after him, with Viper behind him, and Demon company on his side. The soldiers of 2nd Brigade spread out amongst themselves and managed to get a foothold in the Chimera's hanger. Foley jumped behind the cover of a group of durasteel barrels. He peeked around the corner and saw a repeater firing down upon some pinned troops. Foley took his blaster and atimed for the gunner. He squeezed the trigger, and missed. The gunner, took notice and started scanning for Foley's position. Foley let another shot out, and this time hit the gunner in the head, dropping him to the ground. Foley ran to the next bit of cover, dodging laser bolts that was coming from a trio of troops behind some barrels. Foley jumped behind a box that barley covered him. Foley couldn't move, less risk being torn to crisp pieces. He heard a large explosion, and when the laser fire stopped saturating his area, he sneaked a look to see what happened. The spot where the soldiers were was charred and the cover was blown all about the hanger. Foley got up and ran to a couple of troopers that were firing over the cover. Foley jumped in with them and started taking pot shots at different enemy positions about the hanger. Foley could see the other side of the hanger where shuttle Hop I had landed, and was unloading 1st Brigade. A laser brushed past Foley's arm, bringing him back to the situation at hand. Foley pulled a grenade out and tossed it into some enemies cover. They scrambled to escape the blast, two were hit in the blast, and the other 3 were mowed down by Foley's intense fire. After more move and fire attack type attacks, the hanger was almost cleared. One last group of soldiers were up ahead and they had some sense to surrender. Unfortunately they should have known that the Empire has a bad outlook on hijackers. Foley, ALT Gin, and LCP Rylan went up to them, and let loose with their lasers, cutting the enemy down, and almost completely charring their bodies. 2nd Brigade spread out and continued to secure the rest of the hanger, making sure there were no more enemy in the vicinity. ALC Mitchell started walking up to the makeshift field HQ, with Capt. Nexant following him. Foley stood next to Chu and listened to what Mitchell had to say.

"Ok, guys, we're pulling this operation off perfectly. We haven't lost a single man so far. We're going to hook up with 1st Brigade outside of the hanger and start our drive to the wedge. There's a main forum leading to the hanger. It's got mini-wall like defenses and a large obelisk in the middle for decoration. We'll take over the area and Jansen will open the blast door and we'll move on. So, let's get up and move out." Mitchell ordered.

Viper company began moving out and met outside the hanger bay. 1st Brigade was already there and set up. Foley took a position near the front of the of the line and trained his rifle on the sealed blast door. General Jansen and Brigadier Fel moved up to the door's console. Jansen started putting in a code. The sounds of the numbers was loud and echoed throughout the forum.
"Bloop Blap Beep Beep Boop Blap-de Bleep" A moment latter the console responded and went "Blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarp"

Jansen frowned and started punching in another code
"Beep Beep Beep Blarp Boop Beep-de-Boop" --- 'BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH"
Jansen turned to Fel and they began to talk together. They started walking to the center of the forum. Halfway there though, the blast door started whirring. The two Generals looked behind themselves and as the slow doors opened, laser fire started spewing through from the other side. Jansen and Fel jumped to the ground as the lasers flew over their heads. A large amount of troops realized the situation and jumped up to help. Foley jumped up with them, and jumped in two Generals and the fire coming at them. Foley fired back at what targets he could see in the maelstrom. He saw one of his shots take down an enemy, and another hit an explosive barrel, sending many flying. During the explosion, Foley looked to his left, and ordered LCP Kevin, and LCP Baker to cover Jansen and Fel, and make sure they weren't shot. Foley looked back, and saw CPL Burton on his other side.
"Burton, cover me." Foley shouted, Burton gave a thumbs up, and started shooting more into the blast door's opening. Foley ran up to the door, and chucked a grenade in. Foley then spun to the side, and away from fire. The grenade exploded and Foley saw a body fall into the blast door's threshold. The entire corps then stood up and charged the next room. Foley saw ALT Lee and JLT Tovakinpi rushing in. Foley jumped in behind them, and took cover behind a large durasteel desk that was thrown on its side. The two sides made a line and started firing upon each other. The AT-PT then blew a hole behind the Imperial forces, and let loose a hail of laser bolts upon the enemy. The enemy forces were falling back and being picked off as they ran. Foley saw a rocket launcher poke out from behind some cover and it let a host loose on the PT. It slammed into the cockpit, and tore it to shreds in the ensuing explosion. Foley shot the trooper, and jumped over his cover with Lee and Tovakinpi and charged to the end of the room. The enemy in the Star Destroyer's wedge were defeated. The last group of enemy were fuddled around a couple of large crates. Foley was running strait for one of them, when an explosion imploded from the crates, throwing Foley to the ground. Foley looked up to see a pair of the enemies own AT-PTs emerge and begin firing on the Imperial forces, cutting down anyone who didn't reach and cover. Foley was still dazed, and had a ringing in his ear. The PTs were standing still, but Foley realized that he was right underfoot of one, should they decide to move. A dull thud was heard to his left, so he looked. A rocket had hit the one on that side, but it didn't destroy it. There was a large hole in its armor, and wires were exposed. Foley looked around, and saw a dead enemy soldier with an arc caster. Foley aimed through blurry vision and began charging the weapon. Foley let loose the charge. It slammed into the PT and the exposed wires made contact with the lighting from the projectile, and electrical surges started spewing out from every part of the transport. Foley could see the bodies of the pilots lighting up, with their skeletons shining through their skin. The PT above Foley noticed what happened, and raised one foot in the air. In what seemed like slow motion for Foley, it slowly began to lower it's leg over his torso. Foley tried to stand up, but his legs wouldn't move. He looked down to see a large chunk of metal from the PTs case was on top of his legs, pinning him to the spot. Foley shut his eyes tightly, and wished for it to be fast. An explosion, made him open his eyes instinctively, and a large rocket had hit the PT. It was off balance, and wobbling on one leg as it slowly began to tip over. Foley looked where the shot had came from, and saw Lieutenant Glendon, with a smoking missile launcher in his hands.

"You OK, Lieutenant?" Glendon asked.

"Yes, Sir." Foley groaned. "Could you help me get this metal slab off my legs though?"

"Sure, just let me load up another rocket, and I'll blast it right off ya" Glendon said with a smirk.

Foley not sure of how serious Glendon was, said "That's OK, sir, I got it."

"I'm only messing with you" Glendon laughed, and bent over to pick up the board. "Are your legs OK?"

"Yes, just numb, asleep, and throbbing with pain and ache."

"I'm gonna go check on my men, you OK on your own?"

"Yes, thank you." Foley said with sharp intakes of breath.

"You look fine, I'll bake you some cookies later, that'll make you feel better. I have a new celery and radish cookie mix that I've been wanting to try" Glendon chuckled while walking away.
Foley limped over to where Captain Chu had established Viper company together. Everyone was just mingling around and talking, taking in the peace between the battles.
Foley went up to Captain Chu, and asked
"Sir, is it ok, if I sit this next battle out. I'm currently useless in a firefight with my legs like this. I just need a few minutes to let them get over being crushed by a 1000 pound board."

"No problem, we're already moving out to take the aft of the ship. Hang back with the other wounded and the command until you feel better."
"Thank you sir, I'll try not to take too long."
The Army began to fall back and retrace their steps. They got tot he hanger and continued moving on. Foley looked around at the battle scene from the first fighting and all the dead enemy troops scattered about. The front of the Army had reached the other side and were moving in. Blaster fire was heard up ahead and Foley felt bad for not being there with his comrades. Foley saw the Army High Command and decided to pay them a visit. They looked up as he approached them.

"Hello Lieutenant, how are you today?" General Jansen asked.
"A little banged up, Sir. Just waiting to get over my injuries before going to the front again."
After a bit of movement, the Army stopped. There must be some fighting up ahead and it stopped the entire Army. Foley realized that he was in some lounge like area and that there as a view port in the next room. The only thing taking the class from the room was the blast door's outline, uglifying the area. Foley walked through the door and up to the port. Foley looked out into space and could see the battle was still raging outside. One of the Neublen B-Frigates was careening right for the VSD Warhammer. Foley watched intently, as the frigate was disengaged by the full of the Warhammer's laser batteries. Suddenly, a Gunboat pulled up next to Foley painted on its side was the print "Iota 1-2" Foley grinned and looked into the cockpit and saw a pilot with the nametag "EF Alex" Foley waved and Alex waved back. Alex began to make hand signals, and Foley immediately started translating it in his head as the message came to him in small bursts.
"I saw you--- While I was--- Flying--- By. How's--- the battle going--- onboard? You better--- not have--- destroyed my--- squadron's ship." Alex messaged. Foley laughed and made a 'tiny bit" type hand motion and gave an innocent smile. Alex then had another message
"Guess what--- else? I've been promoted--- to Squadron--- leader and--- Lieutenant. I'm--- just that--- ahead of you in--- rank now" Alex messaged again.
Foley shook his head and raised his fist. Foley's face turned to terror, as a pair of TIEs were on the other side of Alex's GUN. Foley pointed, and Alex started taking off the second he saw them. The TIEs released a pair of "dumb missiles" that were heading straight for Foley's view port. Foley started running in the other direction and for the blast door, knowing what will happen when those missiles hit. General Jansen and General Fel were about to come into the room, and were halfway through the door when Foley slammed into them, pushing them back into the next room. Foley jumped to his feet and to the blast door's console.
"Lieutenant, what is this about?" Fel asked.

"No, time. What's the codes for these doors?" Foley asked
"It's---" Jansen began, but Foley drew his blaster pistol just as the missiles hit the door in the next room. Foley could already feel the vacuum begin to suck on him, and pull him. Foley aimed as he was dragged off his feet and fired at the console, hitting it with amazing luck. The door's slammed shut, and the pull on Foley stopped. However his momentum kept him flying as he slammed righting to blast door. Foley stuck there, almost comic like, and then slowly peeled off of it to the floor. Jansen and Fel ran up to him, and started checking him for any wounds.
"Are you Ok?" they asked.
Foley groaned and replied "I think I'm ready to go back to the front, General"
"No need, we've already taken the ship. We were just coming to tell you." Fel informed.
"Oh, good."
"However, the bridge has been sealed off, and we've decided not to take any action until we know what's going on. The Navy High Command is about to come aboard and we're waiting on them for our next action." Jansen said, then looked to Foley "However I have a mission that's perfect for you, Lieutenant. Come with me."

They walked towards the bridge, but not too close. Jansen stopped at an access hatch.
"I trust you know what this is. You should since your father ran one of the best shipyards for the Empire, and you've worked with him. You know Imperial ships inside out, and you're the only person here, besides some of us in Army Command that can do this, however we're needed in the hanger bay, so here's you mission. I have a sheet of access codes that should open the maintenance doors, and they shouldn't be overridden for emergency situations. You should be able to go right above the bridge and reconnoiter the area. Here's an encrypted com-link that you can use to talk to me. Now, get moving and find out what's going on in that bridge." Jansen ordered. Foley saluted which Jansen returned.

Foley wiggled his way into the small shaft. He had to walk in a crouch, less he bang his head on the ceiling. Foley drew upon his memories of Star Destroyer design, and followed the maze of paths that lead to the bridge. Foley found the hatch to the bridge, and put his hands on it, but stopped when the distinct shape of a blaster barrel was put at the back of his head. A female voice whispered to him.
"I'd advice against opening that hatch, Lieutenant." she said.
"Who- Who are you?" Foley asked.
"Just call me Agent Starlit. I'm from Imperial Intelligence. I guess Jansen had the same idea as me, to spy on whoever's up here." She said as she holstered her weapon. I'm amazed that you haven't been killed yet being up here, though." She said
"Why's that." Foley asked.
"Because the man in there is Vek'din. He should have detected you with his limited force powers, unless he's highly distracted, or you're somehow protected from his mind."
"And how does he not detect you?" Foley asked
"I've had mental augmentations that protect me from most Jedi like mind powers, but that doesn't explain you."
"During basic, I was 'volunteered' for an experiment. I was in the last group of proto-types that were used, and we were successful. After that, they just let us back to our units. I haven't thought of it since." Foley informed. "They never told us what they were doing during the process."
"Does the name 'Project: Foresight' ring any bells?"
"Slightly... but I have no real recourse of what happened."
"Yeap, you've been given an early stage mind block from Jedi, not powerful ones, but for someone as weak as Vek'din, you may as well be invisible."
"I see."
"Jansen probably knew this, or had reason to expect this. Pulled up some old 'deleted' files and see if there was anybody that could be of use to him, so he found you, and knew you'd be right to spy on Vek'din. Continue on your mission, Lieutenant. I'm going to go introduce myself to the late birds down at the hanger." She said as she patted his head a couple times with her hand. "Take care."
Foley sat their dazed for a minute thinking about what had just happened, and then snapped back into reality. He then slowly began lifting the hatch to the bridge, and peaked in. Foley couldn't see anyone right off, so he adjusted his view and adjusted it again. Then he saw someone. It was a large man, he would tower over anyone next to him. Already learning from his new acquaintance Agent Starlit, he set the hatch back in place, and opened his com-link.
"General Jansen... Are you there" Foley asked
"Yes, what is it Lieutenant?"
"I've verified that the target is Vek'din, there appears to be no other men in the room, unless they're cloaked somehow.
"Very good Lieutenant. That is most helpful."
"Thank you sir, by the way, who's our lady friend guest?"
"---" Jansen paused "I take it you met Agent Starlit"
"Yes, quite a cutie. Is she free?" Foley asked.
"You might want to ask Fel... his ring might be in your forehead for a bit though.." Jansen said chuckling.
"No-No, that's alright. I'm good, yeah I'm good.."
"Alright, wait... she's looking at me suspiciously. Yeah.... yeah, she's totally on to the conversation I'd say. Got to love that Imperial Intelligence insight."
"Yeah, yeah. Anyway, what should I go on to do now, General?"
"Just stay put. We'll get you later."
"Roger, General." Foley said with a sigh, then clicked off.

Foley was waiting around for any signal from Jansen. A moment later, though Foley heard blaster fire coming from below. Foley slowly lifted the hatch, and peered in. There was a large battle going on, except no one was facing Vek'din. Everyone was facing each other instead. Foley grabbed for his laser blaster, and found it missing. He looked around, then back in the room. Agent Starlit had noticed him, and held his blaster up. Then she focused back on the battle at hand, and started firing at Vek'din, yet to no avail. Then the fighting stopped, and Admiral Fel waked up to Vek'din. The two were talking, and Foley couldn't hear it from where was. Then, he heard a muffled blaster shot from outside the bridge area, followed by shouting and other sounds of distress and more shooting. Foley looked about and grimaced at the though of what was going on out there. Vek'din's voice rose and Foley turned his attention back to what was happening there. Suddenly Fel just punched Vek'din in the face, and the huge man dropped. Foley just stared at the show of strength that came from Fel, and how amazing it was. Agent Starlit caught his gaze, and she motioned for Foley to jump down. Foley did so, seeing as she probably outranked everyone here, and jumped down through the hatch, and landed with a grunt. All the officers in there, were alerted to the thump, and trained their blasters of Foley. Foley raised his hands in the air and everyone recognized him and lowered their weapons. The two Fels and La Forge walked up to him.
"What's the meaning of this Lieutenant Foley? Admiral Fel asked.
"How'd you even get in here?" La Forge asked suspiciously.
"And why aren't you out there with the rest of the Army?" General Fel asked.
"Ummmm---" Foley started
"He had direct orders from General Jansen, and further ones from me from when we met up in the maintenance tunnels. Don't chew him out for doing his job." Starlit jumped in.
"Very well..." Jag said. He was upset from not being the one to tag Vek'din.
Suddenly, the doors to the bridge blew open, and Jansen's forces rushed into the room. Jansen spotted Foley and pulled him aside.
"Thanks for doing that, Lieutenant." He said.
"No problem General."
"I assume you talked with Starlit about why you were selected for that?"
"Yes, General, if we're thinking of the same thing."
"Good, keep it to yourself. I want this to between you and me. Nobody that doesn't already know, needs to know."
"Right General."
"Alright." Jansen finished.
Admiral Fel and La Forge went too the front of the bridge and turned. La Forge opened an open link to all the Imperial ships in the area.
"Members of the Empire. We were savagely attacked and basically slapped across the face when these hijackers stole the Chimera from us. But now we've retaken her, and killed everyone who was involved in her capture. Now we will drink to our victory. You'll all be rewarded for the excellent job in this mission. Carry on Imperials. Carry on.