Klonor
21-04-2006, 00:51
Regulus Independent Faction, Nirol Province, Regulus, Associated Systems of Klonor
There was a slight buzz in the air and, high above a small collection of low-built buildings, a small dot slowly circled the complex. Several men and women walking the compound grounds, obviously sentries despite their casual clothing and seemingly random travel pathways, stopped and looked above; pointing the dot out to the others and vainly trying to identify the object. It obviously wasn't a commercial transport, much to small and high, and the newest Mark 52 combat fighters would be visibly identifiable even at that distance; so the soldiers were understandably stumped. When it became clear that none of those present could identify the object, one of the men cocked his head to the side and began to move his lips without making a sound.
However, before he could finish sub-vocally querying whoever was on the opposite end of his radio, light flashed down from the circling object and there was nothing left of the speaker but a small pile of ash. The other sentires, logically, began running and threw themselves beneath any overhanging material they could find, looking up as they ran and all mouthing to themselves. However, no further attacks came from the sky and, several minutes later, the circling dot disappeared from the sky. Each of the sentries received an 'All Clear' signal on their their radios and, within the compound, individuals watching the various observation devices strung throughout the area waited for their subordinates to emerge from hiding and re-enter the nearest buildings. Several minutes later, when none of the sentries had yet emerged, another signal was sent. This was followed by a similar silence and, now noticeably concerned, the same observers gave orders for another team to determine what was going on. When that signal likewise received no response the men began to visibly sweat. Something, it seemed, was going on.
The door behind them exploding in a brilliant shower of sparks only supported that belief.
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"This is it, Lieutenant?"
"Yes, sir. Not very auspicious, is it?"
"No, Lieutenant, it isn't."
Andy Nica, Colonel of the Klonor Space Corps, stood in a small room and slowly looked around himself. It was the same room previously occupied by the sweating men and, at one end, it was still covered in dust and ash where the door had been blown in. The room itself, despite the wide variety of advanced communication and sensor equipment, was small, badly maintained, and smelt vaguely of aged cheese. However, it had also been the home of one of the more determined revolutionary groups within Klonor, so its apperance could be overlooked.
"Lieutenant, do we have a final tally?"
"Yes, sir, we do. Thirty-nine enemy casualties, not counting the initial laser victim, and twenty-nine prisoners, not counting the six members of the leadership. No combat casualties among the Marines, though one member of Team Six suffered a broken nose when he walked into an opening door."
"You're kidding."
"No, sir. All seven levels are confirmed cleared of combatants and the simpler boobytraps, though we currently have a science team sifting the area to make sure. This level and the three above are clear, right now they're working on the sub-levels down below."
"I want to be informed the second they find anything out of the ordinary."
"Yes, sir."
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With microscopic movements, a tiny white light moved over the surface of a wall on the lowest level of the compound. With every movement it subjected the area it was above to numerous sensor signals, determining precisely what was above, below, and within the material of the wall. The enemies of Klonor were devious, and nobody wanted to find that they were operating above a bomb simply waiting to go off. So far they had found nothing threatening, this particular revolutionary faction had never even imagined that its compund would be occupied, but they were still taking no chances.
"Sir...I think I've found something."
"Bloody hell. Identification on the weapon?"
"Not a weapon, sir, a seam. I'm reading a slight diamagnetic field right along this portion of the wall, it's holding the two seperate pieces together."
"Well, it appears they wanted to keep something hidden afterall. Scan the rest of the wall, make sure there's nothing linked to the seam, then notify the Colonel."
"Yes, sir."
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"Colonel, they've found something."
"Bloody hell. Can they disarm the weapon?"
"Not a weapon, sir, a hidden compartment beyond a false wall. Diamagnetically sealed."
"What's in there?"
"Unknown, sir, they haven't gone in. They've determined that the wall itself isn't boobytraped, and neither is the area immedietely beyond it, but they were waiting for you before entering. it's obvious that there's something of signifigance on the other side."
"Very well, inform them that I'll be right down."
Rising, the Colonel quickly made his way to the scanners and the mysterious room they'd discovered. So far they hadn't found anything of consequence beyond incriminating data files on the computer networks, but this might be something else entirely. In less than a minute he was beside the scientists and in front of the door.
"You're sure you've certified it as safe?"
"Yes, sir."
"Very well, open her up."
With a quick hand movement above the photo-cell that they'd discovered against one wall, the door slowly ground open.
"Bloody hell."
There was a slight buzz in the air and, high above a small collection of low-built buildings, a small dot slowly circled the complex. Several men and women walking the compound grounds, obviously sentries despite their casual clothing and seemingly random travel pathways, stopped and looked above; pointing the dot out to the others and vainly trying to identify the object. It obviously wasn't a commercial transport, much to small and high, and the newest Mark 52 combat fighters would be visibly identifiable even at that distance; so the soldiers were understandably stumped. When it became clear that none of those present could identify the object, one of the men cocked his head to the side and began to move his lips without making a sound.
However, before he could finish sub-vocally querying whoever was on the opposite end of his radio, light flashed down from the circling object and there was nothing left of the speaker but a small pile of ash. The other sentires, logically, began running and threw themselves beneath any overhanging material they could find, looking up as they ran and all mouthing to themselves. However, no further attacks came from the sky and, several minutes later, the circling dot disappeared from the sky. Each of the sentries received an 'All Clear' signal on their their radios and, within the compound, individuals watching the various observation devices strung throughout the area waited for their subordinates to emerge from hiding and re-enter the nearest buildings. Several minutes later, when none of the sentries had yet emerged, another signal was sent. This was followed by a similar silence and, now noticeably concerned, the same observers gave orders for another team to determine what was going on. When that signal likewise received no response the men began to visibly sweat. Something, it seemed, was going on.
The door behind them exploding in a brilliant shower of sparks only supported that belief.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
"This is it, Lieutenant?"
"Yes, sir. Not very auspicious, is it?"
"No, Lieutenant, it isn't."
Andy Nica, Colonel of the Klonor Space Corps, stood in a small room and slowly looked around himself. It was the same room previously occupied by the sweating men and, at one end, it was still covered in dust and ash where the door had been blown in. The room itself, despite the wide variety of advanced communication and sensor equipment, was small, badly maintained, and smelt vaguely of aged cheese. However, it had also been the home of one of the more determined revolutionary groups within Klonor, so its apperance could be overlooked.
"Lieutenant, do we have a final tally?"
"Yes, sir, we do. Thirty-nine enemy casualties, not counting the initial laser victim, and twenty-nine prisoners, not counting the six members of the leadership. No combat casualties among the Marines, though one member of Team Six suffered a broken nose when he walked into an opening door."
"You're kidding."
"No, sir. All seven levels are confirmed cleared of combatants and the simpler boobytraps, though we currently have a science team sifting the area to make sure. This level and the three above are clear, right now they're working on the sub-levels down below."
"I want to be informed the second they find anything out of the ordinary."
"Yes, sir."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
With microscopic movements, a tiny white light moved over the surface of a wall on the lowest level of the compound. With every movement it subjected the area it was above to numerous sensor signals, determining precisely what was above, below, and within the material of the wall. The enemies of Klonor were devious, and nobody wanted to find that they were operating above a bomb simply waiting to go off. So far they had found nothing threatening, this particular revolutionary faction had never even imagined that its compund would be occupied, but they were still taking no chances.
"Sir...I think I've found something."
"Bloody hell. Identification on the weapon?"
"Not a weapon, sir, a seam. I'm reading a slight diamagnetic field right along this portion of the wall, it's holding the two seperate pieces together."
"Well, it appears they wanted to keep something hidden afterall. Scan the rest of the wall, make sure there's nothing linked to the seam, then notify the Colonel."
"Yes, sir."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Colonel, they've found something."
"Bloody hell. Can they disarm the weapon?"
"Not a weapon, sir, a hidden compartment beyond a false wall. Diamagnetically sealed."
"What's in there?"
"Unknown, sir, they haven't gone in. They've determined that the wall itself isn't boobytraped, and neither is the area immedietely beyond it, but they were waiting for you before entering. it's obvious that there's something of signifigance on the other side."
"Very well, inform them that I'll be right down."
Rising, the Colonel quickly made his way to the scanners and the mysterious room they'd discovered. So far they hadn't found anything of consequence beyond incriminating data files on the computer networks, but this might be something else entirely. In less than a minute he was beside the scientists and in front of the door.
"You're sure you've certified it as safe?"
"Yes, sir."
"Very well, open her up."
With a quick hand movement above the photo-cell that they'd discovered against one wall, the door slowly ground open.
"Bloody hell."