The Colonization of Ambria

[jediduncan]

"Ambria is a small desert planet in the Ambria system, located in the Stenness Node of the Rim Territories."


This small blurb accompanied a picture of the planet. It looked more like a brown rubber ball than a planet in the murky holopicture. Besides the coordinates, that's all there was about Ambria in the Iziz Archival Library. By all appearances it was a desolate rock in the middle of nowhere.


Dashiel gave it another glance and then closed the computer console screen. The planet loomed directly in front of him. It grew closer and closer out his viewport, nothing seperating him from the planet save the polymer the viewport was made of. Not even air.


Immediately Dashiel snapped back to focus. He had a mission. Ambria would become a valuable planet to the Onderon forces and he had been charged to lead the colonization effort there. That's why The Behemoth, Lowry's flagship, was leading a group of similar ships directly towards the arid wasteland. Ambria would become a mining colony.


"I want the surface scanned for servicable landing sites, NOW! Make sure the exploration groups are ready to hit the ground running: I don't want this to take any more time than it has to."

The orders were redundant and Lowry didn't really expect a response. He was sure they had already found a landing site and that the exploratory squadrons were already set up and anxious to work before he had even given the official order. That's the sort of ship Lowry ran: coldly efficient.

 

[Trakon]

Sergeant Jaks Velburt was in Hanger N-18 with his two squads. He was part of the exploraiton groups that were scheduled to land any second once they found good spots to land. Which they already had.

"Okay kids, get in the ships." Jaks led his squads to their transport and watched as they strapped in before he did himself. This would hopefully be a uneventful mission. As soon as they finished Jaks commed the pilot. "Okay Pilot, it's your turn." He turned his comm off for the remainder of the ride down.

As soon as the shuttle hit the ground Jaks' squads lept out and got into any cover they could find. Which was somewhat hard to do, as they were in a desert. After seeing the general area was clear Sergeant Jaks commed Command.

"Area is clear, asking for coordinates to possible settlement areas." Jaks waited for a response.

 

[jediduncan]

The coordinates were sent. The Behemoth followed the scouts and landed groundside. A few ships followed and landed nearby shortly thereafter. A few clicks away The Titan would be landing. Some ships would be left behind in space to secure the safety of the ground crew. The atmosphere of Ambria was breathable, and so a scouting team was sent out immediately to make sure the location was safe. Meanwhile, a seperate team would be scouting the grounds as a location to build permanent residences. The ships themselves would be used to temporarily house the men.


Admiral Lowry descended from the main deck of The Behemoth and began making his way towards the nearest exit. Lieutenant Sedge approached him, looking a bit puzzled at Lowry's behavior.

"Sir? Wouldn't you rather stay aboard the ship? We're sending down Squadrons Bravo, Charlie and Echo to explore the surface and --"

"Shut up, Lieutenant."


The Lieutenant said nothing and Lowry marched past him. Had he not learned Lowry's methods?! Did he not know that Lowry preferred to do things himself?! Of course those teams had already been sent, and Lowry had every faith in them that they didn't need his help exploring the planet. But Lowry had to see the planet for himself. He couldn't just look outside the viewport himself and judge it for himself. That was the only way for Lowry.

The Lieutenant caught up to Lowry just as he approached the exit. A few soldiers accompanied them as they exited the ship's unloading bay door and stepped onto the planet itself. It was a little windy, but Lowry did not break stride. He watched the little black dots scurry around in the distance of the arid desert. He turned to his left and saw his engineers already examining the grounds for the building of what would be their colony. Everything was progressing neatly so far.

 

[Trakon]

Jaks was among the soldiers scurrying around the desert making sure the perimeter was safe. He turned in time to see another shuttle land and a group of soldiers that seemed to be escorting someone important. Probably Lowry, thought Jaks, always had to do his own thing. Jaks headed in that general direction, mainly to see how the engineers were coming along.

Jaks stopped in front of a engineer and started to talk. "Sir, how is it coming along? ANy idea when these areas will be finished? My men get hot out in the sun, and it doesn't feel good in armor."

The engineer turned and looked at him. "Sir, if you think we cared about your men they would have brought along prebuilt structures. So leave us alone so we can finish our job."

Jaks felt the anger swell in him. But there were soldiers who didn't know him here. They'd arrest him or something stupid like that. But Jaks nodded. "Kid, I'll remember this." hen he turned and walked back to the perimeter where one of his soldiers was waving at him from. "What do you want Denzi?"

"Sergeant, there appears to be strange markings along a dune to the west. Like animal tracks or something. Our scouts don't like it and I thought you would like o check it out yourself."

"Darn straight soldier. Lead me to it." Jaks and Denzi start to move out to the dune which was maybe 40 meters from their current position.

 

[jediduncan]

As Admiral Lowry scanned the horizon, he noticed one particular squadron that appeared to be doing little more than wasting time. The squadron leader had stopped to shoot the breeze with one of the engineers and then had run off into the distance for little apparent reason.



"Who is that?" Lowry pointed in their direction.

"Ehh... that is... ah, yes! Squadron Echo! They're led by a Sergeant Velburt."

"What are they supposed to be doing?"

"They should be making sure the perimeter is safe."

"Tell them to get their asses over here. Now."



The Lieutenant gave the order for Sergeant Velburt to report to the Admiral, and Lowry was left to stew in his own thoughts. His anger was beginning to build even as he waited. This mission was for Onderon. They could not fail. They couldn't even afford to be slowed down. It was imperative that they get the mining colony operational as soon as possible. Onderon needed a reliable source of independent minerals, and Ambria was option A. In addition, the Baron would be coming to visit. The Baron. Admiral Lowry knew what that mean. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up just thinking about the man. They couldn't afford idiocy or inefficiency on the colonization effort. And so Lowry waited for Sergeant Velburt to report.

 

[Trakon]

Jaks got the orders to report to the Admiral pronto. Oh well, guess I should have thought twice. Jaks turned and double timed it back to the Admiral's position.

"Sir Sergeant Velburt reporting as ordered." Jaks gave a quick salute then stod at attention. He stared not blinking in a solid position.

 

[jediduncan]

Lowry looked the man up and down and privately evaluated the man. He gave no indication that he had noticed the Sergeant had said anything. The Lieutenant twitched nervously behind him, waiting for something to happen. Then he spoke.

"Sergeant Velburt. Explain to me what exactly you and your squadron were attempting to accomplish. Specifically."

It was obvious that there were no right answers to this question.

 

[Trakon]

"Sir, my orders were to secure the perimeter. I accomplished that mission. The next set of orders were to maintain the perimeter. Which I am in the process of doing. Two of my men were not so heat savvy and had strokes. I then checked up to see if the enginers were ready to build. After one told they were I recieved a report from one of my scouts that there were tracks that were rather large just outside the perimeter. I was in the process of checking that out when I recieved the orders to report to you. My other soldiers are still maintaining the perimeter. Sir." Jask was still at attention, ready for anything that might come.

 

[jediduncan]

"Mmhmm. I see."

Lowry said nothing and tried to show no expression. But everyone there could see the steam coming from his ears.

"Did it occur to you, Sergeant, that if two of your men had strokes, you should have reported it immediately instead of chatting it up with the engineers? Is it your duty to make sure the engineers are doing their job? No! It's not! It's your job to maintain the perimeter. That doesn't mean chasing after any animal that might have left its tracks here days ago! Of course there's animals here, Sergeant, we're not trying to find and exterminate each and every one of them!"

The Admiral sighed and rubbed his forehead. This sort of work was exhausting.

"We cannot afford any inefficiencies, Sergeant. This colonization effort is critical to Onderon's success. Do you understand that? If the area is secure then the area is secure. You don't need to check up on the engineers. You don't need to wander off hunting. Understood?

Good. Now do what you're supposed to be doing. Any more screw ups and I'm demoting you. To the rank of "Slave". Now go."

 

[Trakon]

"Yes Sir." Jaks took the yelling like it was nothing. Because regardless of what the Admiral thought, that animal could be big enough to take care of his entire Squadron. And the engineers were in charge of his buildings that were to be used for his men. They woudl have needed it. But he didn't explain because it didn't matter. He joined his squadron on the perimeter.

"What was that about Sergeant?" ask Denzi.

"The Admiral didn't like how I was looking out for Onderon. I bet someone big is going to show up, to have the admiral that angry. But doesn't matter. No more scouting, have men on watch 24-7 and put up a small tarp so men with heat stroke can rest. Give them water and keep'em cool, or let the medic deal with them." Jaks then turned away and watched the perimeter with his cold eyes.

 

[jediduncan]

The Admiral returned to the ship, satisfied things were going according to plan. He would not return outside for days, until things were starting to happen. They had built enough permanent residences to keep everyone happy. Now the real operation could start.

Lowry returned to the spot he had stood days earlier. Things had certainly changed. Buildings had sprouted up, enough so everyone would be safe and comfortable. A transmissions tower had been built. Most importantly, the framework for a large complex had been built. In the distance the Admiral could see the towering walls of the main "research" building.

At the Admiral's call a speeder was sent and he, with his escort accompanying, reached the facility in no time. The head engineer stood outside the building's main entrance waiting for the Admiral. The air was filled with an ominous rumbling sound.



"Admiral Lowry, sir! It's a pleasure to see you."

The Admiral said nothing immediately, but stepped off the speeder and shook the man's hand.

"How are things proceeding?"

"Very well, sir, very well indeed. The research you had asked done is underway. I can show you..."



Lowry allowed himself to be led inside, where an enormous machine was discovered to be the source of the noise. It and a twin machine dominated the inside of what appeared to be a sort of warehouse. They each had a single mechanical arm that was buried into an absolutely mammoth hole in the ground. The arms pumped methodically into the ground.




"We've already found signifigant traces of iron, lead, zinc, and silver. And that's only the tip of the iceberg. We think we'll reach a large suppository of iron ore within the next few days. It's only a matter of time."

"Any word from the other mines?"

"Yes, sir. Currently this facility is ahead of the others, but there have been no major setbacks so far. Everything is right on schedule."

"Just how I like it."




This was good. It would be some time yet before the facility was self-sufficient and able to produce ore in any substantial quantity, but at the rate they were going, it would not be too long. Supplies were already being sent in with some machinery that would greatly speed up production. All was going according to plan.

 

[Trakon]

Jaks' men were housed in the closest buildings to the huge research building. It was their day to be guarding the building.

"Man they could make that thing queiter so we can hear better." Denzi said.

"Yeah, then they'd kill us for knowing their secrets. Besides, it can sooth a giant." Jaks nodded for Denzi to not answer, it was rhetorical. "Anyways keep and eye out, we always need to check peoples' IDs."

 

[jediduncan]

After a few more words with the head engineer, the Admiral left the facility on the same speeder that brought him there. There was something else that needed taking care of. A project, so to speak. It would require some brute force. Who was the name of that fool Lowry had yelled at the other day for hunting around? Ah yes. Velburt.

"Leiutenant, get me Sergeant Velburt of Squadron Echo."

And so, once again, the Sergeant was called to report to the Admiral.

 

[Trakon]

"Sergeant report to Admrial Lowry, double time." The Lieutenant's voice came over his comm.

Jaks nodded for Denzi to stay here and he was transported back to camp. When he arrived he got to the Command facility and reported in.

"Sergeant Velburt reporting to see Admiral Lowry." The secretary nodded. "Sergeant take a right down the hall."

Jaks went down the hall and turned right, entered into Lowry's office. Lowry's aide was standing next to his desk and the admiral himself was sitting down. "Sergeant Velburt reporting as ordered sir." He stood at attention waiting for the next yelling.

 

[jediduncan]

Admiral Lowry glanced at his chronometer. The Sergeant was on time. Barely. The Admiral didn't bother to get up and instead remained seated comfortably in his chair.

"Sergeant Velburt. It has come to my attention that there is a certain species of animal living on the planet that we have an interest in. They are known as Hssiss."

The Admiral threw a datapad at the Sergeant. It contained some basic information on the animal as well as a small drawing of the animal. Not even a hologram, just a crude three-dimensional rendering.

"We need live specimens. Male and female. A few of each will do. You can find the necessary gear with the requisitions officer. Unless you have any further questions, you are dismissed."

 

[Trakon]

"Yes sir, I'll get right on it." Jaks turned a left the office. He went instead to the next squadron on the list of easy work.

"Hey, Bauya. Your squadron gets the research facility duty an extra day." The squadron leader smiled because it was an extra day of nothing. Jaks then ordered his squadron back to base so they could get the needed gear. When they arrived they set about getting what they needed from Requisitions before Jaks sat them down and told them their mission.

"We are going to collect some lizards called Hssiss. They're a bit bigger than a man and they live in Lak Natth. That means underwater gear and boats. Close range weapons that fire underwater are nice too. We'll take 5 males and 5 females. Now be careful because these things are nasty. Any questions?" Jaks was happy that every member of his squadron was a veteran of some campaign, but this underwater thing would be new to most of them too. No asked questions. "We'll get started tomorrow, so eat good and rest good so we can give it our all."
((Do you wanna RP the NPCs?))

 

[jediduncan]

((I can if you want me to, but I don't think you'll need any really.))

 

[Trakon]

((The creatures are smart, big and deadly as heck. I can't fight myself without killing half of me. That's why you need to RP NPCs. PLZ))

 

[jediduncan]

The Hssiss in question were located a good distance away. They slithered in and out of the lake, and the other animals on the planet refused to even come close to their territory. The Hssiss fought and snapped amongst themselves, crashing into one another with the massive force contained in their monstrous jaws and claws. The battle ahead would not be easy.


Daybreak came and the time for their mission was near. The crew packed themselves well and made sure they had all their gear. They knew they would need it. Denzi made sure the men were ready and waiting for Sergeant Velburn to lead them to their destination.

 

[Trakon]

"Okay boys here we go." Velburn jumped out of the dropship his weapon at the ready, his men following him. As Denzi jumped out the dropship lifted off and Velburn turned on the comm.

"Any problems people?"

"None Sergeant." Said the unanimous chorus behind him.

"We are to take these things alive, only kill if needed. Use the shock weapons to knock them unconscious then dose them up with the kloraceptas. The dropship will come back every half hour to pick up any Hssiss we have. Got it?"

"Sir yes sir." The chorus sung again. Velburn started to lead them towards the Lake, Denzi taking command of half the Squadron, Velburn the other. As they neared the Lake the Hssiss could be heard. Snapping, cracking, and noises were there. "Everyone be careful." spoke Velbrun. About the same time a single Hssiss crawled over the top of the hill where Velburn's men were. They opened fire with the electric weapons, knocking it unconscious. Then one of the more braver men jumped on it and hit it full of kloraceptas, ensuring its survival and unconsciousness.

"That's one in the bag, but be alert for any more surprises," spoke Velbrun.