THE GUTTER'S END - MILESTONE (1 OF 4)

STAR WARS - INTERLUDE TEN - MILESTONE (PART 1 OF 4)
"The Gutter's End," written by Mark L. Stinson


"Quint, get your head down!" Ranar had screamed over the sounds of battle, but it hadn't been enough....SCREEEEETTTTTCHHHHH! The pulse canon energy-bolt screamed over the ditch the rebel squad had taken cover in...taking Quint's head with it. The Golden Warrior just couldn't get the image out of his mind. Many rebel's under his command had died...but Quint had been special. He was young and full of fire. Willing to lay it all on the line for his freedom. He represented everything that was important about this rebellion on Milos. He was young, brave, and full of disdain for the cruel and imperialistic rule of the Hindar Clan.

Now the rebels were home...in The Gutter. They had managed to destroy the brand new powered armor factory the Hindar's had built. The mission had been a success, but at a massive cost. Half of Ranar's rebel squad had been killed, and most of the remaining rebels were badly injured. Ranar pounded back another tunda-brew and took a large bite off his chunk of processed queezil meat. Blood and liquid oozed from dark burns and cuts on his arms and legs, and when he breathed, a sharp pain shot through his ribs. But, curse the Blood Priests, he was hungry.

The Gutter was filled with moans and cries of distress. Morgan and Wala tended to the wounded, while Ton Kimble stood over the scene taking it all in. Kenai stood beside Ton. "We've lost a lot of men here, but...."

"I know, Kenai...it was neccesary. I trust your judgement, and I agreed to the battle plans. If that more-advanced powered armor had hit the streets, we'd have been crushed. That factory had to go. Actually, I am surprised this many men survived...didn't we get reports that these men were pinned down?"

"Yes. That was the report...but then the flanking Twilight Guard squads withdrew, and Ranar too the opportunity to lead his squad and several others out of their positions. We are lucky we brought this many home."

"Kenai, I fear there is no such thing as luck. Something is going on here...."

Across the room Tiber prepared more hot queezil meat for the rebel squad members, and occasionally one of the injured would break out in a battle song that Ranar had taught them. All the songs the golden warrior sang were in the language of the Golden Race, but the very sound and tone of them clearly
identified them as battle cheers. Morgan saddled up to the bar, his healing work for the most part done. He grabbed some food, and began distributing it to the now-healing troops.

In time all were well fed and drinking from the same keg of tunda-brew as Ranar. The rebels sang songs of the Golden Race, and some of their own. NEW songs, for before the coming of the Prince, the Slave, and their companions...there were no battle songs on Milos. Occasionally a rebel would pull himself to his feet and say a few words for one of his fallen friends. Sometimes the informal eulogy would be spoken in a quiet voice, but more often a loud commanding voice was used. Proud words of celebration would spill forth, for a rebel that dies in battle is a rebel that has died free.

The fires in The Gutter were built-up to comfort the injured, and before long all were well fed, and warmed by both liquor in their stomache and the burning braziers set about them. Ton Kimble had long ago retired to his room, and Ranar, Kenai, and Morgan sat at a table talking. Many of the rebel troops had already surrendered to sleep.

"These men fight with as much heart as any of the Golden Race. They fought hard tonight...."

Kenai nodded in agreement, "If the rebellion continues as it has so far, these rebels actually have a chance of winning. It is frustrating that no one has come to the rebels' aid. I thought when we spread the word about what was going on here, help would come...."

Morgan interrupted, "It seems the whole of Fendora-Bengala has not come to the aid of the Hindar Clan. Perhaps the fact this planet seems to make nothing combined with the Trade Corportation's greed has left the Hindar's stranded and alone also. Hey, that tunda-brew...or maybe the queezil...something is not agreeing with my stomache."

Ranar and Kenai looked up in time to see several of the injured rebels vomitting on the floor. Many others were gripping their abdomens, and had clear looks of nausea on their faces. "By the Blood Priests, I feel sick also...is this some base trickery?" asked Ranar, his hand cupped over his mouth.

At that moment Ton Kimble stumbled from his room, wiping his chin. His face was pale and drawn. "Kenai, someone has betrayed us!" Morgan began to gag, and both Kenei and Ranar gripped the table in discomfort. "Someone has poisoned us! Where is Tiber?!?"

Those well enough to stand began looking for Tiber, and he was quickly found. He had eaten more queezil and drank more tunda-brew than anyone. He was sprawled on the floor behind the bar, a puddle of sickness gathered around him.

"Wait! Quiet! Everyone be quiet for a moment!" Everyone obeyed Ton Kimble's command, and a ghostly quiet fell over the room. At first the only sounds were of rebels attempting to quiet their gagging, but then a whirring and clanging was evident. Eyes widened as the metallic sounds became louder.

Kenai was the first to realize what was happening. "They've found us! The Twilight Guard...Everyone healthy enough to walk, grab someone who can't....LET'S GO...GO...GO!"

Everything was chaos...Ranar put an injured man over each shoulder and headed for the door, while Morgan helped a man up and began chanting. Kenai ran to Ton Kimble's side, "Please tell me there's a way out besides the front door...."

A man in powered armor crashed through the door that led upstairs...to the street. Behind him more Twilight Guardmen were visible. They began firing even before all the door's splinters had hit the floor. Ranar was knocked backwards by an armored backhand, the injured men flying from his shoulders as he landed on his back. Morgan stood, looking towards Kenai and Ton Kimble, both he and the man he was supporting were dry-heaving and trying to catch their breath. Energy bolts flew this way and that, cutting down injured rebels as they scrambled to their feet.

Kenai grabbed Ton by his robes and shook him. "Tell me there's another way out...tell me damnit!"

What happens next? The conclusion to this cliffhanger is in INTERLUDE THIRTEEN - MILESTONE (part 4 of 4)!

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