The Holovid in the bridge of the small ship crackled quietly as the latest Colony News broadcast splayed across the board and Solomon picked his way through the subjects eying the names of the articles with little concern or care. After sifting through most of the writings he came upon something vaguely interesting. It was called Brothers in Arms a documentary of and by the Bretonian commandos on Planet Harris during a short and bloody Kusari attack. Solomon leaned forward with interest and tapped the play command on the console.
****Begin Transmission****
Playback holovid: Brothersinarms.mp5
Broadcast to: Irony of Ashes, Omega 49
Broadcast from: Colony News HQ
Opening File, please wait.... . ..
The video sizzled to a start showing a Soldier wearing the red and blue dress uniform of the Bretonian Infantry holding the camera pointing up at his face.
Yup, she's work'n beautifully!The soldier shouted to a friend off-camera.
Good, Jacobs, now shut it off for a minute, you can't have it in the Briefing room! came the reply from what sounded like a superior.
Yess'ir! Jacobs looked back down at the camera and smiled widely as the camera shut off
The screen shows static for a few seconds then blinks back on showing a beautiful beach stretching on for miles around. Near the beach there is a small landing pad with an armoured transport just touching down and blowing huge waves of sand high into the air. The cameraman follows several other commandos in a low dash towards the transport, once on the landing pad they are no longer pelted by sand and all of them snap to attention as a tall, well dressed man exits the craft.
What are you doing with that damn thing soldier? the officer yelled at Jacobs while shielding his face from the camera.
s-sorry sir!Jacobs stammered over the sound of the engines.
The camera snaps off once again and there is another several seconds of static before the screen goes black but the muffled sound of the engines plays through the speakers. A few voices can be heard in the background whispering to one another.
Sir, do we even expect anything on this mission? I mean, its really just relief work, right?Jacobs was heard speaking softly, but loud enough for the camera to hear.
You have that piece of crap turned off right? The second voice from the first clip whispered back,No one needs to know what i'm about to tell you.
yes'sir, its off, I have the lens cap on and everything
Good, this isn't just humanitarian pansy work, the brass isn't stupid enough to waste commandos on that kind of work, no, were there because the area may need to be evacuated, fast. They say there's another Kusari attack coming. We may see more action than we want..
Okay, sir, I'll keep that in mind..
The camera once again goes static and stays that way for almost a full minute.
the camera flashes back on, Jacobs smiling down at it again. He is still inside the armored transport and is being bounced savagely by the rough ride of the craft.
Okay, so we are inside the-a particularly nasty bump interrupts his sentence, ugh, the 'Kettle' as they call it. But I think its time you met the rest of the squad!
Jacobs' beaming smile was removed from the screen as he turned the camera towards the man sitting next to him. Its a gruff looking fellow with a heavy grimace and military cut, brown, hair.
This pleasant fellow is our heavy weapons expert, Reese, but we affectionately call him 'Butter Cup'.
Reese covered the lens with one huge hand and shoved the camera away. Get that damn thing outta my face, Jacobs! he bellowed angrily.
Next Jacobs moved over to an exceptionally large man, almost fat even, who was snoring loudly despite the bone-rattling flight.
This is Putter Porkman, we just call him 'Pork'. He is the only long range communications specialist on the team, much more useful than he looks.
Now Jacobs spun the camera to the other side of the room where one young man was sitting alone on the end of the bench. When he approached the man seemed not to notice at all.
Here we have the new kid on the block, say, whats your name, mate?
The younger fellow looked up this time, straight at the camera and said, Just call me Sav, I work for the corps of engineers, that's all
Okay, Sav, I'm Jacobs, team scout and vidiographer!
The man said nothing.
Jacobs turned away with a pout on his face, but brightened when he saw the door to the cabin of the ship. He hurried through and came too a cramped little room that served as the bridge. There were two men there, one at the controls wearing a flight helmet, and another standing behind him watching the view-port closely. The first man was rather small and some would even say skinny. But the second man was large and very well cut, when he spoke Solomon recognized his voice as the man who had seemed in charge.
Jacobs, why the hell are you up here?! the larger man said as he turned to address the camera.
Ah, just introducing the crew, sir, he began to talk to the camera again, the small guy in the pilot's seat there is Ace, and he really deserves that title, he can fly like no other, and 'sir' there is Skipper, or at least that's what we call him, he's really just a searg-
Skipper cut him off, When we are on the field being shot at, what counts is what you call me Jacobs, he laughed.
Yes'sir, Skipper, sir!, Jacobs threw back playfully, Well now that you've met the squad, and our old bird too, I should tell you why we are even out here, is that okay, Skip? he asked.
Yea, sure, just don't say too damn much.
Yes'sir, he turned the camera around so he could address it directly, we are going out to a small village codenamed Fire-base Lubbman. We are bringing them supply's and medical aid, just in-case Kusari decides to come at us again. Right?
That's about right, now cut it off, I don't like cameras. Skipper said, turning back to the view port.
Yes'sir. The image goes static again.
Several seconds later the image comes back up showing the commandos readying to leave the Kettle as the craft rattles savagely on a decent course. There is a large thud and soon after the bay doors open up and all six soldiers hustle out into a bright crisp Planet Harris morning. They are greeted warmly by a host of villagers from their destination, which can be seen in the background as a huge outdated bunker with under used, and unmaintained auto-cannons mounted to odd towers around the rim of Fire-base Lubbman. Jacobs attaches the camera to his suit as they begin to unload food, medicine, and other supplies for the residents. Skipper takes one older man off to the side and Jacobs conveniently places the camera within earshot.
Hello chieftain, I believe you know why the six of us re really here? Skip had a dead serious look on his face as he addressed the older man.
Yes, yes, you think this is where Kusari will strike hmm? And so they sent you to get us out. the old man said, the wisdom evident in his aged and laugh-lined eyes.
Something like that, but first the good news, we have brought enough supplies to last the village another 6 months-
Baring any incidents? the old man cut him off.
Yea... baring any incidents.
Thank you so much, you have no idea how much this means to u-
No, the villagers don't need to know the real reason, no need to worry them. it was Skip's turn to interrupt.
Okay, they wont have to know till necessary, the chieftain agreed.
Skipper went back to work helping the other five soldiers and a host of villagers unloading miscellaneous things. The work continued for almost and hour, but Jacobs turned off the camera to conserve the power. When it flashes back on the screen shows a comical video of Pork trying to pass out candy bars to the village children, but they all dog-pile him at once and finally bring him to the ground where they take every last morsel, laughing all the time. Pork's booming laughs resounded as well, to the casual observer he looked like a younger Santa Clause in camo. Jacobs once again stops recording as the spectacle ends.
As the screen flickers back to life it shows several clips from the next month at Fire-base Lubbman. Heartwarming things, like Skip holding a baby girl in his arms to make her stop crying, Reese playing football with some of the older boys. And lots of Pork having the time of his life entertaining the little kids. Terrible things, such as Sav and Jacobs rushing several battered and bloodied accident victims into a make-shift hospital, Skip having to break some drunk's arm to stop a barfight, and Ace almost being crushed while working on the Kettle. But then there were more things, brotherly acts between Soldiers and Villagers alike. Reese and Skip racing bikes along a dirt trail. A wrestling match between Pork and Jacobs that was very quickly decided in the big man's favor. Even Ace teaching a wide-eyed young boy how to fly.
The screen came to life onetime as the cameraman, Jacobs again, is sprinting down a hallway, he zips around a corner and into a room where the other five commandos are gathered around a console talking in quiet tones.
What is it Skip? What do you need? He stammered, breathlessly.
Skip turned to him with a grave look in his eyes, We think that some Kusari have just landed nearby, there was a fight up in orbit and the {ship's name here} claims that several Kusari transports got through the blockade to the planet, your our only scout and I have to send you looking, okay?
K-k-kusari? B-but.. o-okay, Skip, I'll do it! Jacobs managed to stammer out.
Good, now! Skipper began to bellow orders at all the commandos, Reese, see if you can't get those AC's up topside working again! Porkman, get HQ on the horn, if Kusari really has come knocking then we will need reinforcements! Sav, work on the bunker walls, rivet sheet metal if you have to but reinforce them in any way possible! Ace, warm up the Kettle, we may have to evac the villagers!
Yes sir! all five shouted in unison and sprinted off to do their jobs.
The video sizzled back to life showing the surrounding area of FB Lubbman, in the background the revving of an engine can be heard, suddenly the camera bursts forward as Jacobs hits the accelerator on his quad. They zip off at breakneck speed towards the thought area of landing by the Kusari. About five miles out of base Jacobs cut the main engine and ran electrically and virtually silent for another mile till he had bounced over a ridge. The sight on the other side was astonishing.
God save us...God save Lubbman... Jacobs whispered to himself.
On the other side of the bridge were at the very least, ten thousand Kusari soldiers, including tanks, fighters and many many infantry. A slight movement off to the side catches Jacobs' attention and he ducks as several blaster shots wiz over his head, he fires up the quad and roars off into the night, more shots trailing after him. Back at base Jacobs gives Skipper a full report on what he saw. This only completes his dread of the coming fight. The two of them run down to the comms room where Pork is working furiously at the controls.
The Kusari aren't jamming our signals, but still HQ isn't responding! I don't know what's going on Skip! I don't know. Pork sighed with disdain.
Okay, keep it up, you cant stop just yet Skipper shouted as he ran off to find better news.
A short sprint later they found Reese looking for them, Alright, both AC's are online at 60%, though I hope we wont need them.
We will, Jacobs saw a whole damn army amassed over the ridge there. The only good news is that with the blockade still up they are stuck here and can't leave. Skipper informed him.
Ah crap, well Ill head back topside and see if there's not more I can do. Reese ran back in the other direction just as Sav came around the corner and gave his report.
If the Kusari come they will crack us like a can of Synth, there's not enough metal on this entire base to defend it sufficiently, he reported quickly.
Gah! Keep on it, there must be something you can do, they have us outnumbered a hundred to one! Skipper ordered.
T-there here? Really? Oh god... Sav sprinted back down the hall.
Out on the landing pad Ace was just hopping out of the Kettle when Skip and Jacobs almost barreled into him.
Ace, I need you to talk to the villagers, everyone who can fight needs to grab anything more advanced than a slingshot and meet us at base, the rest should leave all their belongings and try to squeeze onto the bird. You're getting them out of here! Skip yelled at Ace as he passed.
Ace stopped in his tracks, But Skip! I can fight, I want to fight!.
NO! You need to get the villagers out of here! Now GO! Skipper screamed at him. Ace took off as fast as he could go.
Several minutes later a pitiful force had been assembled in the courtyard of FB Lubbman. A motley band of farmers, hunters, and even teenagers not old enough to even have wives all brandished weapons as various as they were. Skipper and 4 of him men (Pork was still trying to get through to HQ) stood in the middle, handing out instructions for the coming defense.
Okay, men, remember, you don't have to kill every last Kusari you see, but you sure as hell will try, we need to hold them off till reinforcements arrive. Or at least till the others are away! Fight not for your homes because they are lost! Fight not for yourselves because you are alone! Fight for your friends, your wives, your sons, and your daughters. Fight for the ones you love and your wits will not fail you, your limbs will not ache, and the worst of burns will be nothing compared to the fire burning in your eyes. Fight because you do not want to lose those that mean so much to you and you will succeed!
After the speech the makeshift army set about mounting the walls and activating the AC's. Just one minute before the Kettle was to lift off there came a huge wailing noise and several bombers zipped by overhead, some panicked, some fired into the air, but only the AI of the autocannons knew really what to do. They tracked the bombers for a second and then opened fires, peppering them with weapons fire. Ace launched quickly and deftly raced off into the night sky with several fighters hot on his tail. But the worst sight was coming over the ridge, legion after legion of Kusari soldiers, firing blasters, rockets, and repeaters at the hopeless villagers. The cries of agony permeated the air, and few fired back. Reese managed to find an old repeater in the base and mounted it on the wall, he opened fire with pinpoint accuracy, causing devastation among the frontmost infantry of the Kusari. Jacobs yelled up at him from the ground, C'mon! Toughen up, Butter Cup!!
Reese turned his head around and looked down from his perch at Jacobs, what!?
I said- Jacobs was cut short as a rocket smashed into the repeater and blew Reese and the gun far across the courtyard, REESE!!.
Jacobs sprinted towards him but was caught by the back of his shirt by Skipper.
No, he's gone Jacobs, we need to get down into the base and hold them off till Pork can get through to HQ. The two of them ran down inside the base, gathering as many as they could. They holed up in and around the communications room and all went death quiet for a sold minute. Then a slight buzzing could be heard, then a prick of light appeared at the base of the doors.
They're cutting through! yelled a soldier up front, as if on cue the entire door blasted out and several shots rang through, catching the man in the back of the head and silencing him forever. The fighting in the halls was intense and the villagers put up a grand fight, though they knew they were lost, those that tried to surrender were just shot on sight and the others didn't fare much better. Pork, Skipper, Jacobs, and Sav were inside the communications room when the commotion started. Sav and Jacobs ran for the door to buy a little more time, Jacobs left the camera on a desk with a full view of the room. As they got to the door a mass of shots blasted through and Sav was torn to shreds by the wall of blasterfire, Jacobs manged to duck behind a wall but when he peaked back out a second wall of fire beheaded him cleanly.
Skipper readied his rifle as Pork continued to plead with his radio, hoping for a response. Several Kusari soldiers came around the corner, one brandishing a small repeater. Skipper took them out quickly with amazing accuracy, but more and more kept coming, several shots hit Pork and he fell to the floor screaming. Skipper kept up his defense till a single shot burned into his right kneecap, throwing him to the ground. Then everything stopped. The Kusari soldiers stopped firing and snapped to attention as an elaborately decorated officer came around the bend holding a wicked-looking blade. He crossed the room and placed the sword to Pork's throat.
Call off the reinforcements, now! he yelled in Pork's face.
hah, Pork gasped, I'll do just that when you're dead on the floor you son of a b- the officer silenced him with a clean swipe of the sword.
Next the Kusari officer moved over to Skipper slumped against the radio, and was about to speak when.
H-hello? Lubbman!? We heard your distress call, reinforcements are on their way right now! the radio crackled to life.
Call them off, now!!! the officer screamed in Skippers face.
oh, okay.. Skipper grabbed the mouthpiece, Negative HQ, don't send reinforcements, this is Sargent Emerson Baker, I don't need the assistance. The officer smiled and began to walk away.
Codename Broken Arrow, FB Lubbman is situation zero-zero, requesting orbital strike on my position. Skipper said confidently, the officers eyes went wide open and he spun around on Skipper and charged. Skipper dove at his feet and tripped him up as the radio crackled back to life.
r-roger that Skip... Goodnight, HQ out.
The officer screamed in rage at Skipper's smug smile in his last moments. Next everything disappeared in an instant flash of light and heat, the screen went static.
The holovid switched to a view from the ship name here as strike after strike pummeled the area around FB Lubbman, the water exploded instantly into huge clouds of smoke and steam, the plants disintegrated into nothing but ashes which quickly joined the dirt in being melted into a glassy finish.
The camera snapped off.
The video began to show pictures of the villagers and soldiers of FB Lubbman and several facts began to scroll across the screen.
5 Bretonian commandos and 107 Lubbman villagers died during the Kusari attack.
They managed to hold off the attack long enough for the transport to get away with another 117 villagers on board, including women, children, and elders.
An estimated 10,500 Kusari soldiers were also killed during the orbital strike, there were no survivors.
Once he made it back to HQ with the refugees Tobias Ace Fraiser was awarded the highest possible honor for bravery and duty under fire.
The other five commandos had the same medals delivered to their families and placed on their gravestones.
This documentary honors the lives of those who gave the most for their country and their Queen.
To all the hard-working men and women of Her Majesty's Military, thank you.
In Loving Memory of:
Sargent Emerson Skipper Baker
Private Eli Sav Savine
Private Robert Jacobs
Corporal Putter Pork Porkman
Corporal Reese Butter Cup Charles
Some say that he is allergic to a fungus found only between the toes of Corsairs,
and that he is oblivious to 98% of Liberty Law. All we know is... He's called the Busdriver!
![[Image: JazzNewSiggycopy.png]](http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh154/necooley/JazzNewSiggycopy.png)