Operation Darkness: The Shark Brad Corletti Back, in the days when the Empire tried to take Earth by subterfuge and blackmail, I had been aboard the bridge of the _Imperator_, having just murdered the clone of Grand Admiral Thrawn, with dozens of shots being fired at me. However, these shots began to curve away, missing me, and I realised after a few seconds that something odd had happened - I'd manifested some sort of Force gift. I later learned it was the Force discipline of a group of former Jedi who'd become disillusioned with the accepted philosophy and chosen to study the Force as a tool, rather than as a religion. They became swords where the Jedi are shields; striking first where life is threatened, not last. However, they eventually died out, finding it hard to find Force disciples who were able to use the Force in such a way without turning to the Dark Side. Apparently, they found me, and found me to their liking. I'm not sure what they want from me, exactly, as I can only contact them for the briefest periods. The contact seems to cost them dearly, and they do not do it often. The contacts are always at their choosing. "The time has come. Harness your power. For life to prevail, you must not fall. Your greatest enemy awaits you." The voice came in my left ear. It was not Sci. Thanks, guys, I thought as I grabbed a bulkhead and swung up a darkened tunnel, breaking a chemical light for illumination. My greatest enemy awaits me, huh? You call that a briefing? Where is he? What does he look like? Is he a sucker for a left hook? Does he like opera? Having risen a few levels, I left the tunnel and went down a corridor. I heard a scream and blaster fire in the distance. But without the radio, there was no telling where it was from. The destroyer was a rabbit warren of tunnels. I only knew where I was going because I'd taken this route many a time before. When I reached the hangar, I saw my first invader. The thing was tall, but I was relieved to note it was humanoid in shape. It was clad in black, segmented armour. The armour was smooth, except for ridges, and on the forearms, obsidian blades. The invader moved fluidly as it swung a black staff at my B-wing. The spear-staff smashed against the B-wing's shields, striking sparks as it went. The invader seemed unconcerned and struck again. This was my 'greatest' enemy? He had his back turned to me and was trying to beat the crap out of a forcefield. What a piece of cake. Still, best not to take chances. I let the energy fill me. I leapt through the air and aimed a powerful kick at the invader's neck. The creature stumbled forward from the impact and my ankle screamed in protest. I landed perfectly and hammered the creature's armoured back. The Vong smashed into the B-wing's shield. It hissed and spat and the invader let out a gutteral howl. Not having a weapon, I kept raining blows on the invader, forcing it into the shield. Smoke began to pour from the invader's armour. The creature, melting slowly from the shield's energy, dropped its staff and attempted to grab my arm. That was all the opening I needed. I threw myself sideways, onto my right arm. My left arm grabbed the staff as it slowly fell and my left foot smashed the creature in the side of the head. I speared the creature with its own weapon as I returned to my feet. It slumped, and gently fell to the floor, dead. My foe dead, I turned to survey the hangar. A few ships were here, but no Vong. The invaders appeared to have decided to pursue their hunt into the tunnels, while a lone sentry ensured that the prey would be unable to escape. I smiled as I boarded my B-wing. I'd ruined their plan, simple as it was. Now Terra Group had a chance of making it off base alive. Of course, that's not the same thing as making it to Earth. I realised I'd need a tailgunner if I were to have any hope of escaping the invading armada. That left me no option but to head back into the Vong-infested tunnels and bring out a member of TG skilled in heavy blaster weapons. "How heroic." That voice again. "Shut up, SHUT UP." I growled under my breath. "I'm no good to you dead, am I? So I'm not exactly brimming with esprit de corps. I'm not going to try taking on every goddamned Vong in this invasion fleet just to satisfy some point of honour!" Grabbing a blaster and a fistfull of energy packs, I left my B-wing and crouched. I strained my hearing to its limits, hoping for a sound. Time to play double or nothing.