Chapter 4

Entering the shipyards through a docking bay Jerem and his group had encountered only light resistance so far. Carrying a heavily modified light repeating pistol along with his standard blaster rifle, and some sonic grenades of his own design, Jerem was a one man army.

Following his lead his stormtroopers began taking key points before the major resistance came. Sirens started to blare as defending security forces in drab yellow and green uniforms tried to mount an offense. Jerem could hear the fire of e-web blasters as his troopers defended each point with success. Thus far everything was going to plan.

Each trooper had a com unit built into their helmets that allowed them to easily communicate, and update each other on their situation. The enemy didn't have this hands free advantage. Instead they had to use comlinks that took one of their hands out of the fight, because they had to hold it. This made it hard to aim with anything larger than a blaster pistol, and many of them used blaster rifles, which required two hands for good aiming.

"General Jerem, enemy troop transports approaching the shipyards. I have my hands full right now, so I had to let them through." Jessa's voice came in over his com.

"Roger. Team two do you have anyone you can spare?" Jerem said noticing his own techs were only half finished.

Jerem made a point to learn as much as he could about any situation he walked into. He knew what his techs had to do, and he intended to buy them as much time as he could.

Once the techs were finished Jerem's troopers could concentrate on offense. His troops held the choke points, forcing the enemy to sacrifice more of their personnel. Jerem however knew the longer they were forced to hold, the greater the risk to his own people. His side couldn't afford for the enemy to get lucky. If enough of his men were killed, or wounded they would be overrun.

Activating his comlink Jerem said, "This is position one. We've got new enemy troops inbound. I want a status report by the numbers. Can everyone hold?"

"Position two calling in, we can hold sir." One voice said.

"Position three, roger that sir we've got everything handled here." A second voice called in.

"Position four sir, we are holding for now, but the enemy is hitting us hard with grenades and heavy fire. We'll do our best sir." The last officer called out.

"Give me an honest assessment four, do you need help?" Jerem said. There was a long pause while Jerem motioned his own second-in-command to get ready to take over.

"Yes sir, we need assistance sir." The officer at position four replied.

"Roger, all positions hold fast. I'm going to help out position four. Stay behind cover, and don't do anything stupid." Jerem said before clicking off his comlinks.

He had to keep positions four and one in place. If the enemy made it through at those points, there were no good defensive positions, and his troopers would die as they tried to prevent a flanking maneuver.

Gripping his pistol, he rushed to position four as the fight on his side continued behind him. Four was on the far side of the building, but running at full speed, Jerem made it in time to help stop a new rush of enemy troops. Firing into them with his repeater he forced them back. Once the enemy was beyond the open doorway he lobbed grenades into it. Explosions sounded, and the enemy dead helped block the door.

"Thanks sir, if I didn't know any better I would say they are hitting us the hardest." The young officer said.

The lieutenant was young and had blaster burns around him. Obviously the enemy had targeted him a few times compared to the others. The black uniform did help him stand out.

"Think nothing of it lieutenant." Jerem said crouching low as he scanned his surroundings for any dangers.

"Sir we're all done here, and we are ready to carry out the final stage at your command." The head of the combat techs called in.