A Faceless Number

Cruel World

Trooper Nexu's POV:

CPL Dawn: "Rebel activity has increased. From space, the Kronos has engaged with, yet not destroyed many Rebel ships as hundreds have made their way to the surface."

Great. And the Navy thinks they are "so much better" than us. We at least do our jobs.

CPL Dawn: "However, our intel hasn't been much of a help. The Rebels land their ships then travel the remainder of the way to their base on foot or speeders. Because of this increased range, we will be having more patrols."

We all collectively groan. Nothing has happened in the last two weeks since Talon and Fang died from the Nexu attack, so there's been no excitement or motivation to continue the fruitless patrols.

CPL Dawn: "We have now expanded our search radius to 350 kilometers. With the same amount of troopers, patrols will be in smaller groups. They are as follows. Havoc leads Blitz, Ace, Coyote, and Scorch and Neon. Nexu leads Artemis, Scorch, Hammer, and Turbo. Dismissed."

A command role. It would be nice to move up the chain of command.

Hammer: "Oh mighty Nexu, what is your command?" He joking states.

Nexu: "Polish my boots."

Hammer: "Too lame. Not doing it."

Patrols become more harsh. Our trails go from pre-made to knocking aside brush. Ambush is less likely, but we aren't as attentive due to the distraction of the forest planet. Green surrounds us. Trees with vines grow all around. Thick trees, thin trees, tall trees, short trees.

Scorch: "Why are the Rebels even on this planet? It's not like they're just trying to kick us off, they were here first."

Artemis: "It's the oil."

Scorch: "The oil?"

Artemis: "Through generations of growth and decay, Cholganna has a large anoint of oil just below the surface."

Turbo: "So that's why we are pushing so hard for this jungle world."

Artemis: "Absolutely."

We continue to cut through the endless woods.

Hammer: "Hey Artemis, what don't you know?"

Artemis: "How to ride a speeder."

We all laugh a bit.

Scorch: "I'm sorry, but how? I did when I was four!"

Artemis: "Hammer asked, I answered. You've been quiet Nexu. Everything good?"

Nexu: "Oh, just wondering how your ego fits in your bucket."

Scorch: "Burn. And I would know a thing or two about those too."

Nexu: "How did you get your nickname?"

Scorch: "During the Academy, I was going to be an Incinerator Trooper, until it actually got to using the flamethrowers. I may or may not have cooled off my eyebrows."

Hammer: "So that's why you're so ugly."

Scorch: "At least I have an excuse for how I look. You just became that ugly."

Artemis: "Burn."

Hammer: "Do I even get a chance to defend myself?"

Nexu: "Nope."

Hammer: "Bums."

Our patrol continues through the woods, and we find a river. We send in Turbo, the shiny, to go check it out and see if we can use it.