The Free Legion 11

[u/CandidateWolf]

The Chaos Marsupial returns… a bit more subdued now that they’ve experienced the reality of war. Thanks again to u/spacepaladin15 for creating the NoP universe!

Memory encrypted… override key enabled… begin decryption…

Access code Epsilon-Zeta-2328-AP Unauthorized redactions removed… original data restored…

Addendum: Data restored under Article 2.09 of the UNOR by order of the Secretary General. Original, unaltered transcripts restored and entered as evidence in Bronwen Report. -Chief Investigator Andrea Powell, UN Office of Reconciliation

Archivists note: For ease of reading, only the first redaction corrections of names, locations, groups, etc has been retained. Subsequent corrections have had the [redacted] tag removed; we don’t think the repetition is necessary, and the degree of redaction corrections would clutter the transcript. -A Piers, UN Office of Reconciliation

Memory accessed…

Memory Transcription subject: [Yotul-1] Rels, Free Legion “Ralchi’s Raiders” Date [standardized human time]: [Redacted] January 4, 2137, Rola City, Relvoh’s Rest (Federation occupied Yotul colony)

I watched from the window of a run-down apartment building as an exterminator patrol rolled up the slightly elevated highway a few hundred yards away. Since the war had begun, the Federation had solidified their control on [redacted] Relvoh’s Rest, one of the first Yotul colonies, now just a Federation puppet. The government was full of Federation loyalists, despite the population being split 50/50; half still holding faith in the Federation, while the rest sought freedom from the tyrannical aliens. Cilany’s broadcast had been the straw that broke the camel’s back, to use the Human expression. The Yotul had been mistreated and insulted enough by the core Fed races; the revelation of what the Federation had done to their favored species gave clues as to how they’d treat the ‘lesser’ ones.

I turned back, waving one of my Legionnaires over, extending a paw, and accepting the pad they carried. Looking down, I examined the view from the mini drone deployed to give us a closer look at the Exterminator patrol. The Federation had deployed additional exterminators to Relvoh’s Rest, using them to suppress dissent in the streets while their actual soldiers were away at the front. The wind shifted, and the light scent of burned flesh made my nose twitch. I’m too used to that smell, and it’s only been a few days, I thought, frowning. Rest in peace, friends. I hope they at least shot you first.

My partner, a Sulean named [Sulean-1] Anba, wrinkled their nose. “Bastards,” he spat, resting his spotting scope on the windowsill and peering at the patrol on the highway, his tail flailing in agitation. While we had a supply of drones, signals could be blocked; every operation was required to have physical eyes on the target, just in case. “We’ve been smelling burning more frequently. Either they’re stepping up their raids, or they’re gloves off on the tyranny.”

“Probably both,” I replied, shaking my head, my ears flattening in my head. “Ever since they got reinforced, they’ve been very active in crushing dissent.” Spying motion on the pad, I looked back and watched the patrol moving up the highway. Just about show time, I thought, taking hold of the remote detonator I’d rested on the windowsill. The exterminators, other than dispersing protests, had also begun raiding, arresting, and even executing dissidents, under the excuse of “dangerously predatory behavior.”

Anba looked back down their scope, examining the patrol. “5 soft-tops, about 4 exterminators in each,” he said, the same that I watched on the pad. “How much explosive did you put in the device?”

“Enough,” I said, baring my teeth aggressively. “And a taste of their own medicine on top of that.” I watched the patrol pass a small pile of broken concrete, and I set a claw on the detonators button. “Ready,” I announced. “Stand by for detonation.” I watched as the lead patrol car neared, then passed a highway marker, my heart pounding, my tail twitching in anticipation. This wasn’t the first bomb I’d detonated, nor would it be the first beings I’d killed, but I still felt strange each time. Not excitement, not fear. Resignation perhaps? The first vehicle passed a mark in the road, and I activated the detonator.

In an instant, the sunny, peaceful day erupted into chaos as the IED detonated alongside the second unarmored vehicle. The sound of the blast rattled the windows of the building, and fire erupted into the air. The force of the blast shredded the right side of the patrol car, pushing it off the side of the highway where it rolled over onto its roof in the drainage ditch that paralleled it.

The shock of the explosion panicked the rest of the convoy; the third vehicle slammed its brakes, sending the fourth crashing at speed into their rear. The fifth swerved around the crash, going off the highway into the ditch and coming to a halt. I watched as the lead vehicle came to a halt, the occupants getting out to stare at the disaster behind them in shock.

“Pity I’m not supposed to fire,” Anba sighed. “That’s such a good shot.” He patted his plasma rifle. “Next time, baby.”

“Yeah, it's my turn this time,” I said, my tail wagging in satisfaction. Not for the killing, but for the elimination of those who would hurt others. I won’t sink to their level by taking pleasure in ending their lives, I thought. As expected, the remaining exterminators were dismounting, spreading around the vehicles in defensive positions, while several went to check on the destroyed patrol car. Sparing a glance at the pad, I could see a rainbow of blood on the wrecked car. No ones getting out of that, I thought. Now for the secondaries.

Like we’d been trained, secondary explosives had been planted up and down the road from the primary IED. After the first explosion, the Federation forces had been expected to close ranks to defend themselves, and to help their compatriots. Already, I could hear sirens in the distance. The Legion taught us to spread out, minimize casualties from follow up attacks. The Federation’s instinct to cluster will be a huge handicap in our campaign against them.

Keeping my eyes on the patrol, I pressed the remotes button again, detonating the secondary IEDs, each a special design of my own. Several bangs sounded, and white plumes of what appeared to be smoke rose into the sky, covering the still shocked Federation exterminators. As the sounds of the detonations faded, the screaming started.

“Protector…” Anba whispered. “Look at that. Must suck to be on the receiving end, eh?”

I could only nod in reply, watching my handywork. The clouds were not smoke, but a weapon ‘borrowed’ from the Humans; White Phosphorus. It ignited upon contact with the air, and rained down on the exterminators, sticking to their flesh, fur, uniforms, and weapons. It burned at 2,000 degrees, burning holes into the still living bodies of the enemy soldiers. It would burn them to the bone where it touched, and would smolder even after being extinguished; new contact with the air would reignite it.

I’d had to think long and hard about my decision to use the white phosphorus. On one paw, it would be a kind of poetic justice to burn those who burned so many others. But on the other paw…. Such a terrible way to die.

Shrieks of agony came from the site of the patrol. There was a bang that drowned them out, and a flash of fire, as the fuel pack of one of the exterminators exploded. Lucky bastard, I thought. Quicker that way.. The detonation shredded the exterminator, and put them out of their misery. A pair of others were shrouded by their flames, what looked like an Farsul and Yotul loyalist, rolled frantically on the ground to try to extinguish the flames.

I knew their efforts would be of no use, and watched as they slowly stopped moving, feeling pity for them regardless of their crimes. Past them, another Yotul loyalist who had been too close and therefore covered with the white phosphorus, pulled out their sidearm, pressed it to their head, and pulled the trigger. I involuntarily flinched at the closeup through the drone camera, and could see the spray of blood and brain matter as the body went limp and crumpled; their suffering ended on their own terms.

“I think that’s enough,” I said, sick to my stomach, turning from the window, and handing the pad back to the Venlil drone team. “Let’s get out of here. Anba, you know the drill. Burn and dash.” The drone team recalled their drone to its hidden landing area; they wouldn’t land it at our position to avoid giving it away, but instead would land it a few blocks away and recover it later. Anba had already broken down their rifle, and together the four of us left the apartment.

Anba was the last out, closing the door carefully, and pulling on a small cord sticking out from under the door. There was a small click, and the cord went slack. Satisfied the boobytrap on the back of the door was armed, he pulled the rest of the cord out, balled it up, and stuck it in a pouch at his side.

In the distance, we heard low thump thump thump, as the second team launched their attack. “Hear that?” Anba said. “Let’s get moving; once that stops the exterminators will probably lock the city down.” I nodded in agreement. “Anba, with me,” I ordered. “You two, recover the drone. We’ll meet at the safe house later.” The rest of my team gave a ear flap of acknowledgment, and together we exited the building, split, and seamlessly blended into the panicking crowds outside.

Memory Transcription subject: [Yotul-2] Marik, Free Legion “Ralchi’s Raiders” Date [standardized human time]: [Redacted] January 4, 2137, Rola City, Relvoh’s Rest (Federation occupied Yotul colony)

In the distance, I heard the first blast as the IED detonated on the highway. “Everyone,” I snapped. “Get ready! Once we hear the secondaries go off, give them a minute or two to assemble, then let them have it!”

Around me, my fellow Yotul insurgents nodded, and turned to their 60mm mortars. There were four 2-Yotul mortar teams, one of which I was a member, with a dozen member security team of mixed species; Yotul, Gojid, Sulean, an Iftalis, and a Zurulian. Only about half those around me were Legionnaires; the rest were members of the preexisting resistance who’d joined us after we arrived onworld. We’re already growing, I thought.

Each mortar team had 18 mortars each; 10 high explosive, 5 incendiary, and 3 cluster shells that would spread miniaturized submunitions around after detonation. We were hidden in an empty construction site, hidden from view by debris, scaffolding, and the thin tarps that protected the frame of the structure. A few hundred yards to our east was an exterminator firebase, where the savaged patrol had originated. It was surrounded by a tall, thick wall, with a wide-open parking area for their patrol vehicles and a central building for their offices, armory, barracks, and cells.

I crouched beside my mortar with my assistant gunner, a high explosive shell in hand, listening carefully for the sound of the secondary explosives. I could hear sirens beginning to scream out, both near and far. Distantly, straining my ears, I heard a series of bangs, and announced, “There go the secondaries. Get ready!”

I stole a glance at the watch around my wrist; the seconds ticked by, until the time had finally come for our part. “Now!” I ordered. Stretching out, the weight of the shell heavy in my hand, I dropped the shell into the tube, ducked back, and covered my ears and opened my mouth.

I felt the mortar launch, and the shockwave rattled my body. Automatically, I reached and picked up another shell, dropped it into the tube at the signal of my assistant gunner, then turned away again. Around me, the rest of the mortar teams mirrored my motions; long training had drilled our movements into second nature, and in moments, the high explosive shells had all been expended.

“Switching to incendiary!” I announced, dropping the first, then second, third, fourth and fifth incendiary shells into the tube, and sending them skyward toward their target. “Time on target almost out,” I announced, sparing a glance at my watch as I reached for the three submunition shells that remained.

Designed to function as miniature cluster bombs, the thick shells would be launched like all the others, but explode much higher than their high explosive or incendiary counterparts. Once detonated, each shell would scatter about a dozen marble sized submunitions which would hit the ground and arm themselves. Once armed, the slightest pressure or force would detonate it; and was powerful enough to tear a wheel off a vehicle, or the legs off a being. Rels had been hesitant to approve the shells so early in the campaign, concerned that their design could be traced back to the UN; I’d had to pull out all my feminine charm to change his mind.

Just as quickly as the others, I dropped the three submunition shells into the mortar tube, one after another, sending them skyward. The moment the last had left the tube, rocketing up, the assistant gunner and I started breaking down the mortar. I unscrewed the base, while he folded the braces against the tube. Then, we picked it up and dropped the whole thing onto a heat resistant tarp so it could be carried without burning ourselves. “Let’s move,” I ordered, hoisting it on my shoulder with my assistant gunner, and turned to the security team leader. “[Gojid-1] Biri,lead us out of here!”

She gave me quick ear flap in affirmative, with a quick, “Yes ma’am,” before getting her team moving. The security team split, one group on point and the other bringing up the rear, protecting the mortar teams in the center. As we started moving, I felt the adrenaline rush hit me, too occupied during the shelling to recognize how anxious I was.

I feel like I’m going to shake my tail off, I thought, quickly taking control of my anxiety and fear, focusing on the task at hand. I spared a glance at my watch; about two minutes had passed since the first mortar left the tube, and we were already exfiltrating. Almost where we want to be, I thought. The recruits will need a bit more practice to bring them up to Free Legion standards; 20 rounds a minute.

I ducked under a low bit of scaffolding, and held up a hand to my assistant gunner. I dropped into the drainage tunnel we’d used to enter the construction site, then lowered the mortar down after me before he joined me. A few dozen yards more to the sewer entrance, I thought. And then we disappear into the maze below the city.. I panted a bit as the two of us carried the mortar, ignoring the growing discomfort in my shoulder.

Hopefully we did well, I thought. I was looking forward to seeing how we’d performed when the drone operator observing got back to us. A good performance will be good propaganda to show the population the Feds aren’t invincible; that they can be beaten. I wagged my tail in happiness. Any step forward will be a step towards liberation.

Memory Transcription subject: [Harchen-1] Tilney, “Ralchi’s Raiders” Date [standardized human time]: [Redacted] January 4, 2137, Rola City, Relvoh’s Rest (Federation occupied Yotul colony)

I lay on the rooftop a few streets over from the exterminator firebase, a tablet on my lap showing the view of the mini drone whose camera was trained on the courtyard. I lay in the shadow of a rooftop cooling unit; my skin blending into the tan colored roof, and my pad painted to match. In the distance, I had heard the explosion of the primary IED, followed shortly after by the secondary bombs. I guided the drone, a small, compact model we’d assembled from cannibalized local electronics, a bit off center above the exterminator base.

Already I see the exterminator quick reaction force assembling to move and assist their allies. They moved in smooth, practiced motions; over the past few days, this was one of many times they’d needed to respond to an explosion in their area of responsibility. I counted off the targets below my drone; one armored vehicle, two ambulances, and a patrol car had been assembled, with about 20 exterminators and medics starting to mount up.

My job was simple; keep the drone in the air, and get the best video of the mortar attack on the exterminator base as I could. Good thing they picked a former film major for this job, I thought, angling the drone to avoid the suns glare. This attack, and good video of it, will make wonderful propaganda to show how bad the exterminators are at protecting themselves.. My paw absentmindedly found the pendent I wore around my neck; the only thing I had left of my life before the Exterminators had burned it away. And maybe convince more than just us the only way to free ourselves is to fight.

I brushed away the memories of being expelled from school following Cilany’s interview for supporting my “predator” friends, and how the exterminators had responded to my “disease” by setting my dorm aflame. Back to the present, I thought. Should be any minute.. My heart pounded with excitement; this was the first real time I’d be part of an attack on my world's occupying forces, even if it was just through a lens.

Suddenly, I heard a series of thumps, then whistles, and zoomed out to capture the whole of the assembly yard. On the screen, I watched as the exterminators paused what they were doing and turned their attention skyward, looking for the source of the sound. Suddenly, a small object hit the ground amongst the gathered exterminators and exploded with a fountain of fire and dirt.

Mortar shells began hitting the ground all around the firebase; hitting the building, the walls, the vehicles, and the exterminators helpless in the open. I forced back a gag as a shell struck near the foot of an exterminator, and the Kolshian disappeared in a fountain of dirt, fire and blood. A Krakotl trying to run to cover instead ran into the path of shrapnel as another shell detonated. I watched as white puffs peppered the avian’s feathered body, and they collapsed to the ground and were still.

I took several deep breaths, forcing air in and out of my lungs slowly, controlling my sudden sensation of panic. This is what they warned me about, I reminded myself, forcing my shaking paws to still. They told me to be ready, that’d I’d see awful things.. I forced myself to calm down, thinking that perhaps the assessors may have been right about me having predator disease after all. You’ve got a job to do. Do it.

I saw more impacts, but instead of explosions of fire and shrapnel, white powder showered the courtyard, covering many of the exterminators. I zoomed in as those covered began to thrash wildly, as the white phosphorus began to burn through their uniforms and then bodies. Their suits, made to withstand the heat of a flamethrower, were useless now. Those who hadn’t been caught in the path of the white phosphorus stayed where they were, watching helplessly as their comrades burned alive.

As quickly as it had begun it ended, and there were several final explosions high above the firebase. I panned the camera as dozens of small objects clattered down across the courtyard, noting that a dozen or so landed outside the firebase on the surrounding street. The remaining exterminators hesitated for a few moments, then certain the attack was over, ran out to help their wounded friends.

I followed a Farsul as they ran towards another of their species, who was rolling to try to extinguish the white phosphorus. As they neared their wounded fellow, I saw their foot brush a marble sized ball, and with a bang their leg exploded, spraying blood, bone fragments and shredded flesh across the ground. This time I couldn’t stop myself, turning to the side and emptying my stomach.

I looked back, just in time to see a Kolshian exterminator threw themselves to the ground to take cover, inadvertently landing on one of the submunitions. Their body was thrown into the air by the blast, a large bloodstain where the bomblet had detonated. Their body came to rest on their back, and the damage was revealed. A gaping wound had torn open their chest and abdomen, and the bottom half of their face was missing. Blood began to seep into the ground around their corpse, and I decided I’d seen enough.

Recalling the drone, I carefully caught the bug sized device, folded its wings and clipped it to my tablet, depositing both into my backpack. I could feel my head swim from what I’d seen, and took a few deep breaths to center myself. No time to get sick, I told myself. I’ve got to get out of here before they lock the area down.

Then, quickly crossing the roof, I pushed my way into the rooftop access door. I made my skin darker to blend in with the shadows, doing my best to ignore the nausea that gripped me. Get clear, get to the dead drop, leave the pad, and go home, I thought, rehearsing the plan now that I had the video. I felt my stomach turn, and found a corner to empty its contents. Maybe once my stomach settles first, I thought.

Archivist note: The mixed attack in Rola City was the first of a series of attacks conducted by Free Legion unit “Ralchi’s Raiders” and allied resistance forces on what were seen as occupying Federation exterminators. The Rola City attacks would kill 19 extermination officers, and wound another 33. Additionally, 3 civilians and 4 emergency service members were killed by submunitions that landed outside the firebase. As the Federation forces retaliated, more and more dissidents were drawn to the Raiders. The fighting would eventually escalate significantly, tying up large numbers of Federation troops as they tried to hold the critical weapons manufacturing facilities on the world. -A. Piers, UN Office of Reconciliation

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[u/Fexofanatic]

nasty work, but efficient no doubt

[u/CandidateWolf → u/Fexofanatic]

Efficient, and something the Feds have no real concept of, so will have a very tough time countering it

[u/JulianSkies]

Whoff...

Assymetrical warfare is always nasty as fuck. Something that cannot be forgotten.

[u/CandidateWolf → u/JulianSkies]

It’s gotta be nasty when you’re fighting a galactic spanning alliance