The meeting was held in a large meeting room in the building. Despite the size and state of the building on the outside, this conference room was almost twice as wide as the building itself. The walls were painted black with neon skull graffiti. The lights were turned down low, allowing the paint to glow brightly.
The room had an ominous yet solemn atmosphere. The centre was a long wooden table with a holoprojector in the centre. Everyone available was present. The recruits in training, several of their commanding officers, Dok, Draco and myself.
"Commander Ballasteer was kind enough to give us time and a rendezvous location. He underestimates us! We shall give him no quarter... Am I understood?" I begin. I trained my gang to be militaristic, rigid, yet something akin to family. Loyalty is what I prize above all, and this is one way to ensure it.
"Sir! Yes sir!" the recruits acknowledged as their voice chorused and echoed through the large room. I turned my head to Draco. He nodded with blazing conviction in his eyes.
"Ballasteer says he is set up at the pier. He wishes to cut off any sea travel and any supplies that may be smuggled into the Underground. We don't know what their set-up looks like, but there is someone who does. Draco..." I signalled my hand for Draco to take over.
" It is an honour, Captain. As you well know, my gang is the largest and thus I have the largest information network in this vile place. " Draco started off. I watched him as he spoke, he carried his usual pomp and a slight waft of arrogance with oozing confidence filled the air. However, with that was conviction and determination.
" Upon hearing this bastard challenge our beloved Captain, I immediately had my boys scout." he clicked a button on the table as a hologram appeared. It appears to be the set-up for the base.
"Ballasteer is the highest commanding officer of the 52nd company. Despite that, he has other priorities, he has to wrangle out the rest of the baffoons in the Underground. His reinforcements will be late and we have a small window." he clicked another button as 3 red dots and arrows appeared around the hologram.
" According to my spies, the base contains 3 large barracks containing resting troops along the pier. Here. " he pointed towards the large rectangular structures." He also has hangers and storage buildings for his vehicles. Speeder bikes, drones, heavy artillery. If things get really hairy, I heard the bastard was abouta pull out tanks and fighter jets. He wants us dead, but that ain't gonna happen." Draco finished his segment and stepped back.
I stepped back to the centre." I will remind all of you, our mission is to safely bring back our brothers and sisters that were captured. They are likely in the prison block." Another red dot appeared as I mentioned it.
"This is the plan. Listen close. I know you guys aren't exactly soldiers, but I trust you know how to hold a gun and fire it." I looked up and eyes my men who nodded. The recruits under Dok's care were trained more to be medics or combat medics. "Then that will suffice. We will split into groups. Draco's men will be accompanying us. I will be walking into them willingly." I said out loud, looking up to gauge their reactions. I heard several gasps followed by hushes.
"I will kick away my weapons and appear to have surrendered. Bastard Ballasteer would surely want to see my face. I guess he will have a small squad for his safety. As he is moving in to arrest me, I will give the signal. A squad on hover bikes will come in by sea. We only have 10 torpedo missiles. Aim them at the barracks and the main command centre. "
" Then the remaining forces will swarm from all sides to box them in. The containers on the pier give us a natural high ground advantage and we can take out any snipers. It is critical that those from Draco's clan are not seen colluding with us. " I looked at Draco, directing the comment at him."They will only directly intervene if things get too messy."
"Once I take down their commander, they will be in disarray. Once we have them groveling at out feet, take whatever we can. Weapons, Armour, vehicles. Ballasteer will lie dead at my feet." I produced a menacing aura and scanned the room. I can see some quivering in fear. I smirked internally.
" The hardest part will be securing the naval passageway. It is heavily guarded. However... "I pressed a button on the table and 5 disc like devices appeared on the edges. My men stared at in awe." These are imperial transponders. Stolen by our lovely man in red." I gestured towards Draco who bowed.
" They will attach to your bikes and transmit a signal to the imperial ships to let them think that you are imperial speeders. Angel! You will lead this squad. " Angel looked around the room in utter shock. She received several slaps on the back and she finally nodded.
" we will set out in 7 hours. We need to ready for the attack. If there are no furthur questions, you are now dismissed. " I announced and watched as the men returned to their rooms to prepare. I could not help but smile with pride.
"Hehe. You are pretty uptight with them eh? Can see how you beat my ass." Draco said as he slapped my back. I only nodded and bummed in reply. " Will see you on the field partner." He said and left quickly.
I was still lost in my own thoughts. Concern for my captured men. A small yet honey like voice broke me out my trance.
"Um... Captain?" Angel called from my right. I see her holding her hand to her chest. I did not speak, but turned my body her to show my attention was being given to her. "Am I really the best choice to lead such an important squad? I'm... Not so sure. I feel like Drone might be better-" I held her arms and stared at her. She stopped talking immediately, slightly intimidated.
"There is no one better, I trust you. I'm counting on you." I said to encourage her. She nodded and quickly turned to leave, still in slight shock.
Suddenly, I heard a light gust of wind blow by, like a tingle on my ear, followed by a whisper. "Remember who you are..." the voice was gentle, soft, but barely audible, I could have easily mistook it.
"Angel, did you hear something?" I asked. Angel turned around and looked around the empty conference room. She shook her head.
"Alright, get some rest, we embark in 7 hours." she nodded and quickly exited. I looked at my right hand. I saw a faint glow. It disappeared as soon as I saw it. "I need to rest too" I thought out loud.
****
Dusk just settled. The pier was as black as the void. The few lamp posts and street lamps did little to illuminate the darkness of night. The clanking and stomping of boots permeated through the air like repeated hits of the a drum. Shouting, orders being given and the sound of boots and running, the soldiers will never stop until the enemies of the empire are dead.
Ballasteer walked into a massive dome like building that appeared to be standing on stubby, yet massive legs. He walked in turned right. The sound of slapping and shouting increased as he walked down the wide hallway. Despite the large size of the command centre and its rooms, the screams were loud enough to echo through every hallway.
He pressed his palm against the panel and the door slid open. In front of him, was a woman wearing a skin tight suit with multiple holsters. Her eyes were blackened, lips crack and bleeding. Despite her hagged appearance, she has the audacity to star back at him. Her hair was a bright violet colour. Long and messy.
"Your orders sir?" the interrogator, wearing a red helmet asked, standing by patiently.
"Leave us." The soldier only bowed and left respectfully. The woman looked up at Ballasteer with disdain, fury burning in her dark blue eyes. She is knelt down infront of him, battered and bruised, her wrists and ankles chained to the back wall.
Ballasteer cupped her chin with one hand and stared at her. "Megaera Khan..." Ballasteer said with a heavy breath.
"Elias Ballasteer..." Meg returned in a hoarse voice. It was beaten up and miserable, just like her. The helmet on the commander's head was peeled back. Mechanical whirring and produced and air was being released. The glass of the helmet was lifted up and the mouth piece was pull back along his jawline. Then it gathered itself around his ears, covering them like headphones.
Meg stared into the eyes of the intimidating commander. Despite his daunting aura, he was still rather charming, several small scars on his cheek, other wise it was pristine and smooth. His eyes were a piercing green. His was smiling slyly, still gripping on her chin.
"Hmmm... You intrigue me, Meg." Ballasteer started, his voice was no longer modulated, it was deep and naturally raspy. He let go of her chin and stood up. " I read up on your files. Former Shadow league operative. A lieutenant at that. Quite impressive." Ballasteer paused to look at Meg's reaction. However, she was stone cold, her face was neutral. " I must ask..." he said, kneeling down to stare into he eyes.
"Why betray the empire?" Ballasteer was right in Meg's face now, barely even a centimetre away. Meg gave no reply, only meeting his gaze. She spat in front of him, showing her hate for this high and mighty empire. Ballasteer scoffed. He stood back up and pressed his ear, donning his helmet once more.
"Clean her up! Continue in another 3 hours." Ballasteer gave his orders as he walked outside the command centre. As he stepped out, the wind picked up and his men had their eyes in the skies. There were murmurings, questions of who was inside the approaching dropship. It was more advanced than most, the engines and turbines glowed gold instead of blue, the ship was almost pitch black with accents of grey and gold. The door dropped, revealing the one inside.