[big_ben100]

They sat there, staring at him, watching his every move as if like children. They struggled in their anti-grav binds and groaned as their bloodshot, dried-up, eyes followed the optical sensors of his helmet. These Imperial soldiers had fought valiantly, withdrawing from barricade to barricade as the Hunter Cadre of Commander Swiftblade pushed them back. With Plasma, Ion blasts and Solid Metal Slugs hot on their heels they turned, ready for their final stand, and they fought, they fought to the last man. The only reason the Hunter Cadre had taken prisoners was the sheer amount of wounded and dying men left behind from the Imperial’s withdrawal. Their commander, Teross, from what he had ascertained fought more bravely than every soldier put together. He single headedly brought down the Hammerhead Gunship Sword of T’au, plunging his powered blade deep into her engines, and causing a catastrophic engine failure. The same engine failure which killed him. Over the intercom came the order to return to transports, and Shas’ui Mont’yr obeyed, as he mounted the Orca he could not help but glance back to the defeated soldiers, and see that their eyes still followed him.

[big_ben100]

No replies?

As the gunship's engines flared the shas'ui reflected on the hard won battle, he thought of the almost mechanical motion of reloading, the hiss of the recycled air inside his helmet, the rush of adrenalin as he pulled the trigger and the flare of pressure as the weapon fired. He relived the familiar rush of screaming "target well hit!" to his squad and moving the sights of the rail rifle to another enemy, the splatter of gore and brain matter as the solid metal slug impacted and the horrified expressions on his enemies faces.
"Shas'ui? Teacher? Shas'ui wake up!" came a female voice.
"Yes, i am awake young Shas'la, calm yourself. I was simply reflecting on the battle; it will serve you well to adopt the same habit my student."
"Yes master." replied the now visible Shas'la bentu
"Learn from each battle, and one day when i retire to paradise, i will tell the elders of the exploits achieved by the mighty Commander Bentu" he laughed, causing the 'la to blush.
Now, find some nim and get some rest. We train in the next dec.

[greendragon4444]

Sounds good to me.

Edit: Sorry, thought this was another participation story.

[big_ben100]

As much as i appreciate your contribution Greendragon, this isn't an extension of my participation story, and i son't want one of my main characters to die yet :P

[big_ben100]

Shas'la Bentu woke to the sound of a blaring horn and hooves clattering along the deck. She soon realised that the ship was under attack and almost flew to her arming chamber; upon donning her helmet and loading her weapon she heard the thud, thud, zzziiiing of rail weapons firing and recharging. Her teacher flung himself round the corner, also fully equipped, and screamed at her to follow him.
"PREPARE FOR ENEMY BOARDING ACTION, DECOMPRESSION IMMINENT IN SECTOR 15C" rang over the intercom in the usual shrill tone, causing 'la Bentu to realise she was in sector 15C, and to grab the nearest secure object...

[big_ben100]

The hole in the side of the ship was large enough for la'Bentu to see the encroaching enemy craft, although unidentifiable to her now, there was something painfully familiar about them...
"Bentu!!!!" came a scream down her intercom.
"Yes?" she answered, nervous as to what the reply would be.
Several of her fellows slid past her into the darkness of space and the rushing of escaping artificial atmosphere, the only one she recognised was...
"Master no!!!" She cried, realising what had just happened. As the rushing wind abated she dropped to her knees and wept, despite the ships approaching, despite the whirr of sirens, despite the low oxygen gague of her helmet...