ATTE - 232 Ranthan Decoy
29th Battalion
Time Seperated from main unit - 5 hours
Time till Operation Junrat - 16 hours
Their situation was bad, beyond the usual levels he had encountered or was really used to. Somehow, they had gotten separated from the main division during their assault into the main territory of the separatist.
The terrain was bad and confusing, leading to their efforts at regrouping being met with failure and worsening situations. Plus they were getting jammed, at least long range.
The squad they carried confirmed their personal close comms still worked fine but still, he would have preferred long range coms. The scanners and maps seemed to be going haywire as well so those were not to be depended upon.
The only good news was that this territory was too large to be carrying inch by inch with droids. Most of their forces were concentrated within key locations and strays like them were most likely not to warrant any full scale retaliation.
Yet
This was still enemy territory, they'll eventually encounter something or worse yet, a dedicated hunt group. They couldn't afford that, they won't survive such an engagement.
" Rookie, sit rep " He ordered as he withdrew into his seat.
" Systems seem good sir, Brock and the boys are primed and eager for engagement. Sustained some damaged on the lower back but nothing she can't handle" He reported, noting down the things he had gathered as per his duties.
" And the boys in white? " He asked again, nodding to the previous information as he silent thanked whatever faith or hope was out there. Less issues meant a higher chance of getting out of here.
" They seemed alright, not too eager about our situation though. No reported injuries " The rookie reported in earnest as he worked his systems as well, noting down a few things.
" Despite the fire we took back there? "
" Uhh, guess the armor held up well sir. I could go check them myself?" The rookie offered, he was priming to get some stretching himself and this would be a good excuse to do so.
" No, I need you spotting. I'll check up on them myself, let me know if we see anything and keep your eyes out Shoteye "
" Will do commander " The main gunner replied quickly as he banged against his gun to let his commander know he heard him. A habit developed and useful in certain situations.
" Very well Sir, don't take too long " The rookie replied as he refocused his attention on his systems.
Usually, this would take a while as the commander wouldn't most likely not have an easy time prying information for the troops below. So, he strapped in and focused on his systems....except something was wrong.
On his interface, there was something they couldn't detect, something they couldn't identify. Now, normally this would be nothing out of the expectation but for this?
" Hey Shoteye, see anything in your visual interface? " He asked.
" Nothing here rookie, something the matter?" He replied and his answer was not reassuring.
[Commander, I'm picking up something on the system. Says here that it's within visual range yet Shoteye can't see anything] He comm'd in.
...
No reply came.
He moved to repeat himself when he suddenly heard a scream from on top their vehicle, the only one to come to mind was Shoteye; they were under attack.
" Shoteye! Report what you see " He screamed as the interface blared in alarms, screen red as the unidentified object loomed practically above them. His heart raced as he wondered if it was a new secret weapon that was deployed by the separatists.
He turned to his brothers, specifically the driver in hopes that he could at least see something but that was no use. He just sat there calmly as he operated the machine, marching it in its slow mighty pace.
Speaking of which, he knew these men were veterans but did that entail not having a reaction to the sensor alarms? Was he overreacting perhaps?
At the thought, he seemed to calm down a bit, unnerved but calm. He shouldn't panic, though the scream from earlier should have at least warranted some other inquiry from the others...right?
".....Sir?" he called out, wishing to probe on their thoughts to better yet understand things.
.....
"Sir?" he called again but this time, he moved to get closer to the gunner and....
That was odd...he was sure no one had died nor painted the driving interior. So why was it red?
" Ah....there was one more. How careless of me, must be age" A voice suddenly announced as it stared from the floor bathed in the darkening red of the walls.
" Who - ".....
...
...
...
" Time to move to the next one, I'm getting slower by the year"