"We are going to make this butthole micromanage early"
-YourRoleModel
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| Phoenix Legion Chronicles: Part IV | | | Author: | | | IP: | XXXX | | Date: | 07/12/99 01:07 | | Game Type: | Starcraft | | Labels: | Famous Reporter(1), Starcraft(1), Old Classic(1), Text Only(1), Fan Fiction(1), Series(1) | | Report Rating: , # of Ratings: 1, Max: 7, Min: 7
Lifetime Rating for .Praetor: 8.2987 |  | Well I'm back to work. I have decided my report number would be nice at thirteen, so having no more awesome games with under-used units unreported, I decided to put in another addition to my Phoenix Legion Chronicles. As always, read the previous installments before this one, if you haven't. They can be easily found in the Other section, or by searching Praetor. And feel free to visit www.sclegacy.com/phoenix/, where the main story resides, though Enforcerman has been a bit late on uploading chapters recently.
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I did not get a very long rest. A low-ranking officer came and interrupted my slumber, seemingly right after I dropped off to sleep.
"What do you want?"
"Sir, you're needed in the Operations center."
I have to stifle the urge to mutter: "But I don't want to go to school, mommy!" Instead, I stand and get to the ops center, still in my wrinkled uniform. "All, right, what's up?"
My second looks up. "Sir, our first comsat found the area in front of our base clear of lurkers. We have the minefield set up there now, and recon mines at the other bases. The
problem is with the island. Our floating Command Center there has run into opposition."
The main screen displays four Fourrier SCV's working on buildings, one bunker, one turret, one Command Center, and one refinery. The transport is nowhere in sight, but the
four marines are. I curse as my floating center takes several hits from gauss fire. "Damn. Get it out of there. Is that transport I ordered up filled yet?"
"Yes sir, the marines are loading up now."
I am about to order them back out when the Fourrier missile turret on the main screen begins firing. Grinning, I see a Protoss shuttle arriving. It manages to drop off an archon,
then sits around until it explodes. The archon attacks the bunker with marines, and all the Fourrier SCV drop what they are doing, and rush to repair. I watch the flying shells, some of which are seem to be hitting a wall of air. The wall shimmers like Protoss shields shimmer. "There's one of those new Protoss units there! Look at that!" I point to the screen as a uniquely Protoss being dies, previously invisible.
The bunker falls, and the Fourrier marines are killed, but not before the archon dies in a display that probably would have flattened any psychics in the vicinity. "Send the dropship to the island, and comsat just before they land."
The Fourrier SCV's were running about for some reason. Those that stayed within the sight range of my floating skeleton-crewed command center looked heavily damaged.
"How many factories do I have up?"
"Two, sir." Thank goodness for production officers.
"Start more tanks. I want two by each bunker at the forward choke, and both bases. Then two more after that. And I want another eight marines. Bring the transport back from the
island when the marines are unloaded, and pick up the two SCV's there. Start another transport, make that top priority. And begin researching cloaking when the rest of that is done." My few hours of sleep have really rejuvenated me.
My attention is needed at the main screen, however, where the last Fourrier SCV is running. A comsat quickly reveals that the missile tower previously up is dead, but parts
for the new Command Center and refinery are still present. One of the Protoss units is hacking away at the refinery, which is covering the northern part of the base. My marines
unload, and immediately split up into two fire groups, one on each side of the command center, and fire upon the shadowy Protoss figure.
The fearsome unit immediately responds, attacking around the east side of the command center. My fire team there retreats to their companions, and the cloaked unit dies with the help of a second comsat. The last Fourrier structures are destroyed by my marines.
My SCV's land, and begin construction of two bunkers. However, before they can finish, the Fourrier Transport returns. I quickly rally my marines to the spot, and the ship takes some damage before unloading a vulture. The vulture dies quickly, but not before damaging a marine. The next unit to unload is a tank, and it does not die nearly as fast as the vulture. The tank is followed by another vulture, and the pair kills three good marines before being destroyed by guass fire. The Fourrier dropship retreats.
The bunkers still aren't finished when another Protoss shuttle appears, on the other side of the island. Four zealots unload without interdiction, more than a match for my five marines. "Cancel construction of the bunkers. Get our men out of there! The zealots chew on the remains of the bunkers, while my troops load into the dropship and fly away. Before they leave the island four mutalisks arrive, much to my surprise. They head for my dropship. "Unload! Unload!" We had barely gotten across the moat. Luckily, at the first sign of guass fire, they head back to the island, presumably to kill the zealots. I order my command center to swing by the resource node I had previously occupied in the valley.
"Give me a troop update."
Somewhere there is an officer keeping a tally. "There's the transport and infantry by the island." The person in charge of this detail is a Sergeant to my left.
"Send those to the floating Command Center."
"Aye, Sir." The officer in charge of the island expedition responds. Whenever I send out a significant force, I point to an officer, who assumes relaying duties and other such tasks necessary to the smooth functioning of my forces.
The troop officer continues, "A filled bunker and two sieged tanks at each of the three positions for our plateau area. A missile turret accompanying each force as well. We have another transport and two tanks hot off the production lines. Eight marines will soon be ready as well. We have six vultures scattered about the valley."
I frown, someone should have been watching those closer. "Gather them, and have them rally between our valley expansion and our forward position. "Upgrades?"
The foreign relations officer also handles co-ordination with Legion HQ, along with the supply officer. "Cloaking wraiths will be ready soon, vehicles have decent weapons, one level up from stock. Infantry has range and stim, along with first level armour. Better stock coming in soon."
"Good. I want four more vultures, followed by four goliaths. Start another transport, and get Sheryl to work on a science facility. Have another SCV begin a Starport. And make sure we don't fall behind on supply. When work won't be interrupted, work on getting better armour for the vehicles. And some faster guass rifles, I know these aren't top of the line."
"Yes, Sir!"
"Right away."
I point at the unit officer, who seems rather idle. "I want you in charge of the vultures. When they start coming out, put a mine close to the exits of the three bases, exits into the valley, that is. Then take the rest of the mines, and cover the ridge above our valley expansion." The main screen shows the Command Center just setting down now. The infantry from the island is already waiting. I point at a random mission officer. "Start a bunker, and repair that Command center. Begin building more SCV's as well." To the crowd, I say, "I want more marines, keep pumping until I stay stop, or ten more suits have been filled." My production officer should pick that up automatically. "Scan the island."
A drone is re-emerging from a mass of wasted goo, as four dragoons and four marines fire on it. Co-operation between the Fourriers and the Protoss? The group proceeds to destroy burrowed drones on the island, though I do not know how they detected them. The main screen goes black.
"Scan the island again."
After this scan, the dragoons are killing the remaining marines. The alliance must have been temporary. "Contact Nezalis."
A few minutes later, the scaled Protoss head appears on screen. "I was busy."
I nod my head in honor, gritting my teeth. "Of course honoured Protoss Commander. To get straight to the point, my forces have observed your recent co-operation with the Fourrier marines. And the Fourrier marines' subsequent death." Nezalis bows his head in acknowledgment, and waves his hand for me to continue. "Therefore, I propose the same pact. All our forces should be made aware that, should they have the chance to face Zerg or Protoss forces in battle, they should always engage the Zerg first. And should two types be present, say marines and zealots, or firebats and dragoons, against mutalisks, the ground forces will let the other race finish the Zerg before beginning combat."
Nezalis cocks his head in thought. "Would this agreement extend to the Fourrier forces as well?"
I nod. "The Legion would prefer it to be so, as we find your Protoss warriors far preferable to the Fourrier forces. We hope you also recognize that our forces are preferable to you than the Fourrier."
Nezalis leans back, turning his head. "Contact the council's Terran official. I want more information on these Terran.... tribes."
I frown. Giving orders in front of another leader is an affront indeed, as well as unwise. My smile is back in place when Nezalis turns back to me. "Actually, I was referring to such an agreement between the Fourrier and yourselves."
"No such agreement exists, nor do I believe one will."
"I see. Commander, our forces shall exterminate the Zerg before all else, as to co-operation with you against the Fourrier, we shall see." The main screen went blank.
"Well, that went well. Distribute the proclamation to all forces. Destroy ANY Zerg before attacking Protoss in the vicinity, and do not attack Protoss engaging Zerg. Also, move a marine and those tanks to the valley expansion. And get the speed upgrade for vultures. What's our financial situation now?"
The supply officer answered from behind me. "Three hundred talents of minerals, seven hundred of vespene gas are un-earmarked"
"Very good. Start two more tanks after the goliaths are done, and two science vessels when the money allows. And start another bunker in the valley expansion, making more SCV's there when the money rolls in. Oh, and when the barracks are free, see if you can get a few firebats done. If you can, send them to the bunkers in the valley." That is all the money I am going to be able to spend get for the next few hours.
The reconnaissance officer suddenly spoke up. "Sir, we lost our mine outside the Fourrier base, a very large group of marines shot it before it could detonate."
Not a big deal. "Ok, we can..."
The reconnaissance officer interrupts me. That is just plain rude. "Sir, a pack of mutalisks flew over the mine covering the southern valley resource node. Count imprecise, estimating near squad size." Rude perhaps, but necessary.
I point to the sergeant that was in charge of my ten vultures. "Vulture boy, take your vultures, and intercept the Fourrier force. Be careful, and use your best judgment." I look up at the screen, preparing myself. "Main Base, front screen." Immediately, I feel relieved. It won't be too bad, there are ten marines sitting by the barracks, and two goliaths by the factories. "Move the marines and goliaths in a firing line by the bunker and turret."
It doesn't take long for the speedy mutalisks to arrive. And when they do, the start firing on my starports, situated on the edge of the plateau. No one likes the noise of supersonic jets.
"Hold the forces in a firing line. Have one Goliath advance to maximum range, fire a volley, and retreat behind the main force." I watch anxiously, as the Goliath edges forward, turns around the edge of a starport, and fires on a mutalisk, two missiles gracefully flying through the air. The Goliath turns and runs before the missiles hit.
And as expected, the guided missiles do hit the mutalisk, and the ruse works, the zerg air force immediately gives chase, following the goliath, directly into the brunt of my troops. Gauss fire erupts across the swarm, and three missiles take to the air, one from my turret, and two from my other goliath. As soon as the mutalisk turn their attention to nearer targets, the lead goliath enters the fray as well. The swarm is destroyed surprisingly easily, though the bunker is left in flames, and only the foundation for the turret remains. Four marines have also given their lives.
I grin an angry grin. "Time for a counter attack." The screen shows the next two goliaths have emerged from the factories. "Repair anything burning, especially the goliaths. Any damaged marines go in the bunker. When the tanks are finished, load them, the goliaths, and eight marines in my transports. And replace the turret."
The officer in charge of the valley expansion speaks up. "We've killed a zealot that found our valley emplacement."
"Acknowledge. Put those vultures on screen." Half the staff starts as if they had forgotten about that. The screen shows eight of the ten vultures still selected, two of them damaged. The ground is covered with the bodies of the innocent people the Fourriers convinced to support their cause. The vultures pull back from two unsieging tanks, one damaged from their fragmentation grenades. As they retreat, they find a line of eight zealots, heading towards the north part of the island. The vultures shoot the lead zealot twice, killing it, then turn and run back towards the tanks, slowly. The zealots follow with surprising speed. The sergeant directs the vultures past the tanks, and another good vulture driver loses his life. The tanks do not follow, however, instead engaging the zealots. The vultures continue around the island clockwise, and kill four zerglings in front of the Zerg area.
The sergeant speaks up. "I'll take them back by the valley expansion, sir, and have the damaged bikes repaired." The sergeant is strangely depressed.
"You did an excellent job sergeant. That was a significant tactical triumph."
"Yes, sir."
"Come with me, Sergeant." I step into the hallway. "What's the matter?"
"It's just, well, I've never commanded units before, sir. And, well..."
"First men to die on you?"
"Yes." Sergeant Ummax, by his nametag, looks at his feet and doesn't say anymore.
I embrace the sergeant, patting him on his back. "I know, son. I know. Just remember. Do the best you can. More will die on you, and it will never stop being your fault. But the better you are, you can take more solace in the men still there, that wouldn't be under another man." I lift his head, and look at him in the eye. "Remember that. Some officers would have sent those vultures into the tanks, and lost several more good men. That's what keeps me going nights, when it gets to me."
The sergeant nods, unsure.
"It's okay, but it won't go away. Keep doing well, you'll probably be promoted after this. And you'll learn to live with it." I turn, leaving the sergeant, and go to the privy.
When I get back to the ops center, everything is going smoothly, and there is even some money ready to be spent. "Get the irradiate upgrade, two tanks, and start making goliaths and wraiths in a one to one ratio after that. Oh, and mix in eight marines. Start another armoury too. And make sure to keep SCVs working in the western valley expansion." That ought to give the supply officer fits for awhile. "Sergeant, get those transports loaded, and have the science vessels follow them. I want you to head over to the zerg main." Sergeant Ummax nods, white-faced.
The recon officer speaks up. "Our mine at the northern valley expansion just killed two damaged zealots. Four more are taking up position there. A probe was following them."
I nod. No reason for my opponents to let me continue to have the most expansion. "Comsat the island." The comsat reveals a Fourrier Command Center under construction, a turret, tank, bunker, some dead men, and the remains of a muta force dying to turret and bunker fire.
I sigh and lay back in my padded chair. "Bring me some coffee, black. And a big heaping meal. Rest of you officers make sure you eat too. Marines aren't shy about food, and you guys are just as important." That having been said, I decided to snatch fifteen minutes of sleep, or whatever I could manage.
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Comments, Comments, Comments! A writer loves comments. One of the great things about br.com is that I get a few comments, even if they are from PH-retard, like the last
part of this story. I get more comments here than I getfor my main story at www.sclegacy.com/phoenix/. Again, I'm doing this in my free time during the summer, working around the legacy committment, and another fantasy novel I've started. You can probably expect antother Chronicle installment within a week. Though my right thumb is starting to feel loose and kind of dislocated at the join. Too much pressing of the space-bar while typing. Anyone know of a way to loosen up keys? |
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