[b][u]
City of Kol'Kida
[/u][/b]
For some hours a pair of razorwing combat dropships had flown out from the hazardous sand straits, and were on approach to the City of Kol'Kida. Inside one of the dropships were a dozen members of the Anuriite Volunteer Corps, local anurians who had signed up for the Federation Military, in this case being the Army, in exchange for their families being shipped offworld to safety, the only condition was of course was that the enlisted were to remain and fight on the front. This particular unit had just been transferred from the Fort Liberty, a rather low-tensity assignment, and rather comfortable despite the heat of the desert of which could easily be escaped with the top notch air conditioning. And to no ones surprise, they didn't take their new post well. "Approaching LZ In seven, brace yourselves ladies and gents." The Razorwing Co-pilot announced, turning to face the soldiers. "And next stop, bullet hell." One of the older soldiers joked, followed by hollow chuckles.

"I don't know about you, but I've been itching for some combat since I joined!" An younger anurian said. "I didn't sign up for guard duty."

"Damn typical of kids." The older one replied with an irked tone. "So eager to fight and die. War is a double edged sword, boy. You better watch yourself or you'll get shot the moment you step out of this ship."

"Eh, leave him be." A female anurian spoke with a wide grin. "Give the kid a minute out in the field and he'll adjust his tune." 

"Just be thankful you're not pilot or in the navy." The human co-pilot joined the conversation, looking upwards to the shower of starship debris falling to the planet. "Damn risky every-" his words were interrupted suddenly when the dropship shook violently as it came under fire. "Shit!" He shouted out, as from the city below Avienian AA defenses unleashed their volley upon the incoming enemy transports, the second dropship was shredded by the AA guns, falling downwards in a blaze, the chills were sent down the spines of the two pilots as they heard the cries of terror of the second dropship coming through the comm-link for a brief moment.

The lead pilot, a woman in her late twenties, scrambled to get a hold of the comm-device. "We're taking a slight detour!" She cried out as the griped the control stick tightly as she dived down and maneuvered the ship around the ruined cityscape, stray bullets and energy bolts assaulting the ship. Before they knew it, a Avienian AVC-74 was on their tail, firing it's main gun. "Jesus tap-dancing Christ! No break!" She screamed. 

"Oh Kadius we're gonna die!" the young anurian cried out.

"You're not helping!" the pilot shouted back.

In a split second, the Avienian craft launched one of its missiles, aiming for the razorwing's engines. From within the ship, the back section was blown away in a hot blaze, the passengers holding onto anything, the speed of the quickly falling craft send the air gushing outward, equipment that wasn't bolted down sent flying out. The wrecked ship crashing into a random street corner, the downed dropship now caught in the middle of a fierce battle as Jasaran Forces made their advances against Avienian positions. 

---------------

[b][u]Anurite Basin
Ashtar-Jasaran Battlefront[/u][/b]
After an hour of traversing the dense jungles of the basin, the surviving group that discovered the injured Ian had briefly stopped for a rest before ressing on, however, the situation was about to become more dire. "Shit...I think we're lost." Tash, one of the Caadori squadmates spoke grimly, unfamiliar with his surroundings, known as the best tracker and pathfinder of their squad. "Godsdamn Ashtar threw me out of the loop in the chaos."

"Oh god..." The woman responded, the fear and desperation mounting. "My brother's going to die if we don't hurry!" 

"I know Katherine." Tash replied, attempting to calm her down. "...We just have to keep going, we're can't afford sit still and just pray we find camp before the Ashtar find us." 

"Well, if it's all the same to you, breaks over." The other Caadori said as he rose up, grabbing his rifle. And before anyone could even react, a bolt of light shined in the darkness, in that instant, a gaping hole appeared in the soldier's forehead, his top pair of eyes now gone, and just fell against the tree behind him. "Sniper! Run!" Tash cried out.  

The pair soon ran for it, Katherine holding onto her younger brother's arms as she followed behind Tash, avoiding the aim of the Ashtar Sniper.