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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ankh-Morpork Guard" data-source="post: 1886265" data-attributes="member: 10079">Chapter 76: Morale Boosting“The Topsiders say that a dark power is growing out in the desert,” Landau said as he piloted the speeder across the sands. He’d arrived quickly, finding them without any trouble and being told to ask no questions. Even though they were all rested, talking of the day’s events was just not going to happen.    Voort, who was sitting next to Landau, couldn’t help a slight chuckle, “Yes, well I agree with them. Any actual details beyond beliefs though?”    Landau just shrugged, “Not much that’s useful. Hansen sent out a squad to find some information in Haladin, but that place is a mess. I believe she was also planning on sending out a few groups to search the desert and find the other Topsider settlements.”    “Dangerous work,” commented Voort idly, not really wanting to think too much on any of the implications at the moment.    All that Landau did was nod, noticing that his friend seemed distracted. There would likely be a better time to speak of these things later. There would also be a time to yell at Voort for disappearing like he did. But then again, Landau couldn’t really blame him. He’d plotted doing the same thing. In fact, if Hansen hadn’t caught him taking the speeder, Landau would have slipped out unnoticed. Not that he needed to, but he just found himself not thinking about any hierarchy of command these days.    Sitting in the back of the speeder, Akan was crushed between both Jen and Light. This would normally have not been a problem. Of course, Jen was acting strangely happy and taking every chance she could to tease him. To make matters worse, Light was assisting.    “I do not do that!” Akan growled under his breath, staring intently at the floor and trying to ignore the two of them.    “Awww,” Jen laughed and patted his shoulder, “Its okay, Akan. It was easier to rest with that purring. Kind of cute, actually.”    “I don’t purr.”    “Actually,” Light raised a hand and smiled, “Its quite common. You probably do...especially in your sleep.”    Akan shot her a glare. Wasn’t she supposed to be nice? Dark should be the malicious and cruel one! This wasn’t fair, “Are you sure you’re the ‘good’ one?”    Light just smiled. It was so similar to the worrying smile that Shadow was an expert at. So similar that Akan started worrying. Jen squeezed his shoulder a bit roughly, “Its nothing to be ashamed of. Though I really don’t think you should run in with your lightsaber and do that. It might not be all that intimidating.”    Akan’s glare quickly shifted to his left, intensifying when he focused on the proudly grinning Jen. Her grin grew suddenly, and Akan didn’t realize why until a half second later. A hand was resting on top of his head. It was Light’s hand, and it was resting just behind his right ear. Quietly, she said, “If you like the sound, all you have to do is this...”    And then she started scratching his ear. Akan attempted to curse, attempted to yell some kind of protest...even attempted to move. But nothing happened. His body just froze up and a single sound came out of him. Purring. He’d have cursed if it hadn’t felt so good. In fact, he did start cursing...but that was only after they’d arrived and he’d realized what they’d done to him. Sure it felt good...very good...yes...very good...NO! No. That was cheating. That wasn’t fair play. In fact, it was down right cruel...even though...it was kind of nice...and...NO.    Gritting his teeth, Akan forced Jen out of the speeder so he could escape. The mood changed the second they were out of the speeder, though. Hansen was there with a few of the other former Imperials. She walked over to Landau and said, “Still no word from Shira.”    A sudden knife of pain shot through Akan. He looked over to Light, who met his glance carefully. She said nothing, but nodded. Right. This was his job. Carefully, Akan interrupted Landau’s response, “Shira’s dead.”    Silence. Shocked silence.    Alright...so maybe that wasn’t the best way to breach the subject. In fact, it was likely the worst. Oops. Again, Akan exchanged looks with Light. This time, she looked just as shocked as everyone else. Not as much at the news, but at how plainly he’d said that. Again. Oops. Akan bit his lip and tried again, “She...I met up with her in Haladin. Ligh...Shadow found us and we made a break for it. We got out of the city, but our speeder took a hit. She...she didn’t make it.”    That was better. Of course, it also left out those minor, yet very important details, that put the fault on him. This was probably a good thing, as only Akan really blamed himself. Light knew it was just what happened, and would have occurred no matter what. But Akan was still not being reasonable. Hansen looked at him carefully for a long moment, and managed a slow nod. The woman then turned and walked off swiftly. The silence continued for what Akan felt was far too long. Hating all of that attention on him, he also turned and left. Except he walked out into the desert and found a good rock to sit on and sulk. Back to old times so quickly.    Voort sighed and looked to Jen. She shrugged, and looked back towards where Akan had gone. Still, no one else moved. Finally, Landau spoke up, “Perhaps...perhaps we should leave others to their grieving. In the mean time, we should plan our attack on Haladin.”    That got some surprised looks. He’d not said a thing about any attack on Haladin before. The grin on Landau’s face showed that it was intentional. When he started off, of course the others followed him. More out of curiosity than anything. They found their way to that same large ‘briefing’ room to find Trker-Hon sitting there and curiously toying with a mug. Upon seeing them enter, he stood and bowed politely.    Greetings and hellos were exchanged and the four of them sat down. Landau did not sit. Instead, he stood behind one of the chairs and smiled, “Trker-Hon and I have been talking for the last few hours of the possibility of an attack on Haladin.”    “To what end?” Voort asked casually. He did seem interested, at least.    The Topsider fielded this question, “The ssssettlement issss conssssumed and overrun with Hissss influence.”    “Sadrak,” Jen clarified, though none of them actually needed to say it. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that Sadrak was behind all of this, and that there were a thousand things going on that they didn’t yet know about...and likely would not enjoy learning about.    “Yes,” Landau said with a nod, “The Topsiders were never any trouble at all when I was in charge here. We coexisted by simply ignoring each other. But Sadrak has pushed these Narani into a more militant role. Raids go out every day to destroy Topsider settlements. Though not all of the Narani are within Haladin, I believe clearing up that city will give the Topsiders the strength and morale to achieve the more important objective.”    Voort eyes widened slightly as he realized what all of this was really about, “A full scale attack on Sadrak. You know where he is.”    Again, Landau nodded, “Yes. You were close to his complex, actually. We captured three Narani spies who were attempting to infiltrate this cave. Hansen...interrogated them and we found a series of maps within their equipment that they had attempted to destroy.”    “Are you actually proposing a full scale assault of both Haladin and Sadrak’s complex?” Voort asked, knowing that this was completely foolish. Landau wasn’t telling him something...either that, or Landau had grown senile too young, “There’s not nearly enough of us for both attacks. I doubt there’s enough for even one.”    “One thing at a time, Titus,” commented Landau with a smile. He motioned to the Topsider who was sitting back and looking generally pleased with himself, “With all the personnel here combined with Trker-Hon’s remaining tribe, we have enough to take Haladin. As for Sadrak...”    The Topsider picked up as Landau trailed off, “Once my people ssssee our sssstrength, they will join ussss for any cause. There are hundredsss upon thousssands more Topsidersss more than there are Narani.”    Voort thought about this for a long time, then commented, “It still sounds too easy.”    “Trust me, Titus, it only sounds that way,” Landau said flatly. He then finally took a seat, looking to Light who was still silent, though paying close attention, “We’ll need to take out those turbolaser batteries before the main forces actually get into Haladin. Then, its good old fashioned urban warfare until we push em out.”    Jen looked to Voort, who shrugged, “Its workable.”    “Its doable,” Landau corrected, leaning back and saying, “But we’re going to have to do it soon. Hopefully, by tomorrow, we’ll be prepared to move on Haladin.”</blockquote>

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