[Han Solo] - 03(118)

“Sounds good to me, Blue One. White One out.”

“Blue One out.”

Bria looked over at the turbolaser. The first flush of dawn was brightening the sky. “Jace should be moving in any moment …. ” As if her words had been a signal, the area around the turbolaser erupted with blaster fire, shouts, screams and the sounds of at least two grenades launching. Explosions filled the air.

Bria waited a few tense seconds, then activated her link. “Squad Two, report! Are you in? Have you got it?”

No reply. Han and Chewie looked at each other tensely as they sheltered beside the glitterstim factory. One of Bria’s troops came trotting around from the rear of the building. “We’re all secured, Commander. I’ve called for a demo team.”

She nodded distractedly. “Good work, Sk’kot. Squad Two, this is Red Hand Leader. Report, please. What’s happening?”

Silence for ten endless heartbeats, then suddenly they heard the channel click. “Red Hand Leader, Squad Two.” It was Jace Paol’s voice. The troops around Han and Chewie grinned and gave a low cheer.

“We’ve got it, but we have people down. Send the medics. Out.”

Bria hastily called in backup for Squad Two, then summoned in the medics’ shuttle, telling them it was safe to fly into the compound.

She called into her comlink. “Squad Eight, how are you Togorians doing?”

A voice came over the comlink, speaking accented but understandable Basic.

“Mrrov here. The building is almost secured, Bria. We are going to have to search the jungle for snipers, though. Some of the guards managed to get away. There are some ships landed up here, mostly small shuttles, but one big one. We have the ships under guard. It’s possible some of the guards may try to escape.”

Bria addressed the comlink. “Great going, Mrrov. I bet you people made short work out of those Gamorreans.”

Mrrov growled an amused laugh.

Bria switched channels, just in time to hear: “Red One, this is Rainbow One. Say your status.”

Bria had just opened her mouth to reply when blaster fire erupted from the center of the compound, aimed at them. Bria, Han, Chewie and the other squad members, dropped, covering against the wall. Han spat out a mouthful of mud, and wished he could rinse his mouth out with the water from the flask on his hip. But he didn’t want to chance moving. “Cover me, people!” Bria yelled over her shoulder, then she began worming her way forward. Han and Chewie were right behind her.

Blaster fire began whanging past, over their heads.

She turned, glanced back, saw him. “Stay back!” she hissed. “I can handle this.”

“I know you can,” Han yelled. “I just want to watch!”

For the first time ever, he heard her swear. She took careful aim with her blaster rifle, then, when the target came up from behind a vehicle, squeezed off a round.

The guard went down and lay motionless.

“Good shooting!” Han applauded.

Together, they ran back into cover with the troops. Bria spotted the comlink she’d dropped, picked it up.

“Red One, this is Rainbow One; say your status,” Blevon’s voice was still calm.

Bria was calm, but a little winded. “This is Red One. The turbolaser has been knocked out, and we hold most of the factories. We’re attacking the warehouse and dormitory right now. Should be done in ten minutes.”

“Understood, Red One. Will you need White One?” “I don’t think so, Rainbow One. We’re beating them.” “Rainbow One copies.”

They waited, listening tensely. Then … “Rainbow One, this is Gold One.

Objective secure.”

“Rainbow One … copy that.”

A minute later, they heard, “Rainbow One, this is Orange One. Target is secured.”

“Rainbow One. Copy that.”

The other commanders from all the colonies except Colony Three reported in, one by one. By that time, Bria had checked in with all her people.

“Rainbow One,” she said. “This is Red One. Report target is secure here.”

“Rainbow One, copy that.”

“We still haven’t heard from Colony Three,” Bria said, worriedly.

“They’re the ones who needed backup. Hope everything’s okay …. ” As if in answer to her concern, a different voice spoke up. “Rainbow One, this is White One, reporting from Colony Three. Target is secure.”

Blevon said, “Acknowledged, White One. Where’s Blue One?” The new voice was bleak. “She’s dead.”

Bria looked up. “Well, that’s it. Ylesia is ours, gentles, except for mopping up. Let’s call in those ships.”