Operation: Home Front - At the Threshold
	Centurion A. P. Selene, DE / Rear Admiral Will Keith, TRES

	At the main entrance to the base, Captain Mitchell was doing his
job of attracting attention quite effectively.  The Jihaddi had grouped up
behind some of the heaviest vehicles they had, both as cover and as the
occasional armament, and were taking a more proactive approach to the
mission.
	Automatic systems had long since been shut down by heavy fire.  The
main obstacle now was the excellent construction of the base, which split
off from the main hall in literally hundreds of tunnels, some broad enough
to admit a truck and designed for that purpose, some only single-person
doors, some right off the ramp, some accessible via stairs and catwalks,
but all of them manned by spongies obeying the very simple directive to
fire at anybody who wasn't one of them.  They died easy, they died fast,
but there was always another one.  Their aim was terrible, but that many
bullets hit targets eventually.  Surveying the loss rate, though, Mitchell
figured that with the heavier artillery holding their escape route and
pockets of men holding position along their entryway, they'd be able to
make it to the Generator.  All it would take would be guts, and that, they
had.

	In the Core, Rhyn pondered his options and wondered what the hell
was taking Faide and Kajj so long.  Finally, Kajj called in.  "The Jihaddi
appear to be pursuing a simple strategy.  They are fighting their way in,
and have passed several likely-looking entranceways.  I believe the
position of the Main Generator has been compromised."
	The little jade who was hopefully at this moment becoming one of
his loyal spongies, no doubt.  "Well, employ an equally simple opposing
strategy.  Prevent them from getting there.  Killing them would be
effective for this purpose."
	"Indeed.  I think the best place to take them would be in the
corridors, where my men can best engage them.  I specialized them in
non-technological weapons."
	"Hand-to-hand?  Sword, Boppers[tm] sort of thing?"
	"There are archers and crossbowmen, poisoned arrows, explosive
heads and such, but mostly hand weapons, yes.  I've found them to be more
expeditious when fighting comes down to the wire, which it almost always
does.  Suggest you weaken the defense around that corridor and allow me to
emplace my men to engage."
	"I'll weaken the back halls, but the primary turn-off will stay
heavily guarded.  Enough to slow them down, if not stop them."
	"Very well."  He clicked off.  Rhyn immediately opened a channel to
Faide.
	"Are you in position yet?"
	"Have been for some time."
	"Why didn't you tell me?"
	"You're a smart man.  I figured you'd know.  What would stop me
from arriving if all the Jihaddi are in the main hall?"
	One day, Faide, you will assume one more thing than you should and
I will  have you.  Then I will turn your misandrism to androphobia and
enjoy every minute of doing it.
	The Lyrans must be rubbing off on him.
	"Fine.  Just be alert.  If the Jihaddi get that far, I may not be
in a position to inform you they're coming."
	"They're coming."
	"That's what I-"
	"No, you idiot, they're here!  Oh, wait they're - you son of a
bitch!  I don't need your help to secure a goddam doorway!  Get your troops
out of here and let me do my job!  You MEN!  You always think-"
	Over her rantings, Rhyn said, "I didn't send any men to help you."
	"Then who are these guys?"  Just then, the sounds of weapons being
drawn and used came over the comlink.  "Holy shit.  We're being attacked!"
	"Jihaddi in disguise?"
	"Not unless they got a lot stupider.  Spongies, but they're serious
about it.  I.... oh, screw you."  There came the sound of the comlink being
thrown to the floor.  A cry of female rage sounded before someone stepped
on it and ended the call.
	What the hell was that about?  Spongies attacking Faide?  A
Liaison?  But none of them would dare!  Had the Jihaddi gotten to them
somehow?  But they wouldn't have left them mindlocked...
	He rubbed his temples.  What was going on?
	Arill called to him.  "Rhyn old pal, we've got serious problems."  He was
looking at a video screen showing Faide and her engagement.  "These troops
aren't from this base.  Not only that, their behavior patterns are
seriously out of whack with norms for spongies."
	"'Out of whack?'  Could you make that a little less technical?"
	"They're organized and focused.  They cooperate, albeit in limited
ways.  Faide still has the advantage in terms of intelligent command, but
it's tenuous to say the least.  And their goal isn't the Generator -
they're here for her."
	"But why?  Can you tell anything about them?"
	Arill began choosing commands.  He zoomed the camera, took a number
of snapshots, then checked each one.  Finally he found one that had
captured a good view of the new unit's insignia.  "I don't recognize it.
You?"
	Rhyn took a look.  "No, I don't.  I... hang on."  He stared at
something that looked like a bit of scar tissue on this particular sponge's
neck... where was it familiar from?
	The original stroke and the scar type were like those he'd seen on
Lyran experiments.
	His bosses had found him out.  And they weren't giving points for
creativity.
	"Oh, shit."
	Arill instantly got nervous.  All sneering calm until the least
little thing shattered his facade and he became a quivering wimp.  "I don't
like the sound of that, Rhyn."
	"You aren't expected to."  What to do?  His reserves were dwindling
fast, but there was still one unit he could try.  He slapped a particular
com switch.  "Rhyn Special.  Unit report to Junction Core 12-A."  He turned
to Arill.  "I'm going out to take matters into my own hands.  You command
here."
	"What?!  I don't have any military command experience!"
	"Just keep men following the Jihad and harassing them.  Trap them.
You know how to give orders to sponges.  Let Kajj do his work.  I'm going
to stop some Lyrans."  Under Arill's aghast expression, he pulled on his
uniform jacket and strode out.

	The Jihaddi scouts had come back with some unusual news, and the
group had moved forward cautiously to confirm.  Sure enough, there was a
melee in front of them, in a large antechamber.  Behind it, a 20-foot high
crystal pryamid gleamed with sickly lights flitting about inside it, banks
of computers and terminals surrounding it.  Thrilling as this was, the view
of spongies fighting spongies was unusual enough to merit a careful look.
	The leader of one set of forces was obviously a woman doing some
serious damage to her foes, calling out orders to the ones following her.
In the uncertain light, her black, neatly-patterned dress hid her well in
the fray.  She was pretty, in a way, but the guys rather stopped being
interested when she disarmed an opponent, kneed him in the crotch, and
broke his neck while he was bending over instead of using her
already-bloodied sword.
	The fact that her dress itself didn't show any blood stains was
also a little unnerving.
	After a brief look, Will said, "We're going to have to go through
them.  You think they'll kill each other off in time to for us to do our
job?"
	Selene replied, "Like you said, you think we have the time to wait?"
	"Touche."
	Turbo added, "Those guys are the ones I came here with.  But if
they're after me, why are they fighting her?"
	Selene thought.  "We're so close to our goal, it's probably
irrelevant, as long as we get through them.  Just let 'em fight."
	Will nodded.  "Allright Jihaddi, the point isn't casualties, it's
getting in that room and holding them - whoever 'them' is, one or both
sides - off long enough for us to disable the Generator and get out of
Dodge.  Comprende?"
	A low chorus of "Yes, sir."
	"This is mainly what we brought the techs for.  If you think you
can help, get inside, otherwise, help hold the doors.  Let's go."  They
rose from hiding and sent in their vanguard.
	Quoting from ID4, Sanford shouted, "Plow the road, boys!"  With
sprays of gunfire and big sweeps of weaponry, the vanguard managed to burn
and chase off a corridor of spongies between themselves and the final room,
down which the Jihaddi plunged.  Once inside, Selene ordered groups to each
door,smaller ones to the sides, a larger one to the front where they were
now being targeted sporadically.  At the heart of the control complex stood
Sanford, Burdoo, Will, Jambavan, and Thaleia.

---------

	Selene and Trooper Cecrops held back then followed the others
through the rapidly thinning passageway between the spoungin' fighters.
Cecrops raised his Shield[tm] providing cover for both Dobermensch
officers, as the minions recovered quickly and resumed their wild fighting.
	Selene swore softly to herself and began sweeping the area behind
her with a few rounds from her HK-MP5. Her poorly aimed shots were soon
joined by more, better aimed shots as the front of the group reached the
doors and turned to cover the passage of the rest. She looked over at
Cecrops and raised an eyebrow speaking gently into his mind, *Care to race?*
	The Trooper grinned wildly and took off at top speed, not bothering
to answer. Selene shook her head before hurrying to catch up. Laughing, she
got there just after the Trooper but once inside quickly turned serious.
Taking command, she positioned people strategically at each door: Cecrops
and Lieutenant Turbo led smaller units at the two side entrances, while she
herself headed the larger group at the front. As the soldiers reported to
their assigned positions, Selene took a mental inventory of each person
recording their current location and status in her mind.
	"Heads up!" Trooper Thaleia shouted, as fire sprayed around the
room from Burdoo's weapon.
	Selene ducked and glancing toward the giant pyramid that formed the
center of the small room, just in time to see Warrior Jambavan take a seat
at one of the computer terminals. Looking around to make sure nobody had
been injured by the stray flames, she agreed wholeheartedly with his
previous comment, "Perhaps a slightly more restrained method would be in
order."
	*Dang straight.*  "Burdoo!"
	"Yeah?"
	Not able to think of a polite way to put it, she stalked in and
grabbed Jennifer by the arm.  "We could use that enthusiasm out here.  Let
the techs do their job.  Here, take the command of this bunch, I'll be over
here."
	"Yes, ma'am."
	Seeing that nobody had been hurt, a minor miracle in itself, Selene
took one last glance towards Will before reporting to her position. Smiling
to herself at his look of intense concentration, she turned back towards
the front door.
	*Such dedication...* the dragon commented.
	*Stuff it, Zaph,* Selene replied, her 'voice' tinged with a small
hint of humor. *Dedication is a good thing.... very honorable...*
	*<snort> What would /you/ know about honor?*
	*Obviously more than you...* Their mental sparring continued as the
Centurion joined Burdoo at the front, where they were now being targeted
sporadically by the warring Spoungin'.
	*Ya know...* Selene commented, interrupting Zaphyre's rant,
*DobIntel might be interested in footage of this battle... it'll give them
something constructive to do at any rate.* She pulled a miniature camera
from her satchel and set it on a ledge right outside the door. Glancing
back at the four in the center of the room, she settled in for a long wait.

...

	By three hours later, the situation had drastically worsened.
Selene glanced through the door and swore silently. At first both sides had
seemed evenly matched; however, due to the involvement of the Wyrm Minion,
Faide, the tide was slowly turning in her favor.
	In response to this turn of events, several of the group of minions
supporting her had turned their attention to the Jihaddi within the
Generator's control room. They began making their way toward the giant
pyramid and as they moved closer, the altered, "robotic" minions followed
them, continuing their single-minded assault.
	Burdoo looked towards the other officer noting the blank look on
her face. "Selene, sir? I think we're about to have company."
	The Centurion dragged her attention away from the conversation with
the dragon and glanced outside. "Great. Any ideas?"
	"We've been hosing the area every 20 minutes or so, which had been
working. With the change in balance of forces though, that doesn't seem
like a viable alternative anymore. I suggest we prep for hand-to-hand
combat. Do you want me to send over the other groups for reinforcements?"
	"No," Selene thought fast. "We need to keep them there, just in
case someone finds a way to assault us from one of the other directions...
If things get too grisly we'll rotate them in, for now though, we're on our
own."
	"Very well," the TRES officer replied, "I suggest we move out of
this area then. There is a small amount of cover outside the door and we
can't afford any stray shots hitting them." She indicated the four hard at
work at the monitors in the center of the room.
	"Sounds good to me, and Burdoo?" Selene smiled, "keep your head
down out there."
	"Always, sir, always." The other woman replied softly before
ordering her troops through the door. The Centurion glanced one last time
towards Will, smiling fondly as she took in his fierce concentration - to
Selene's eyes it actually looked like they had made a little progress. *You
know, Zaph? For the first time, I think we might have a chance of pulling
this one off.*
	*One thing at a time, human, one thing at a time,* Zaphyre murmured.
	Selene slipped out through the door and pocketed the miniature
camera before sliding behind a handy crate. She glanced toward Burdoo, who
was squatting behind an identical crate on the other side of the door. In
unison the two women peered toward the approaching minions and opened fire.
Several minions fell, but the mass continued to approach and began
returning the shots.
	*This isn't good,* Zaph muttered, *It's really stupid to get caught
in the middle of two batches of warring idiots.*
	*Like we had much choice.* Selene groused back, firing and again
sending several more minions to the ground. *Shit,* she muttered watching
as one of the Jihaddi popped out of cover just in time to be hit by a stray
bullet. "Jamison," she hollered continuing to fire sporadically, "status
report!"
	"Alive, sir," his reply was faint, but audible. "Took a round in
the leg."
	"Good," she sighed in relief, losing someone this early in a fire
fight was not her idea of a good omen. "Then, get your butt inside and send
someone out to take your place."
	"Yes, sir!" The wounded man carefully made his way behind several
crouching Jihaddi and slipped back into the main room. As the door swung
open, Selene heard Warrior Jambavan holler out, "One of you send an armed
sponge in here!"
	Taking a deep breath, she hollered back, "Got it!" Turning to
Burdoo, she muttered, "Cover me."
	Shifting quickly, Selene replaced her skin with the more protective
dragon scales, then charged out into the melee. Burdoo looked at the
Centurion like she was crazy and desperately began shooting at anyone who
looked like they were targeting the Dobermensch. Grabbing the nearest armed
minion, Selene swept away his B'harnate sword before yanking the helpless
sponge off his feet and tossing him, head first, through the doors.
	Quickly following his path, Selene ran, diving behind the crate as
a stream of bullets filled the area where she had just been. She glanced
toward the TRES officer and shrugged sheepishly, "Thanks."
	Burdoo shook her head in disbelief but didn't reply, instead
turning her attention back towards the battle in front of her.
	Unfortunately, Selene's move, while helping out those inside, only
brought more attention towards the group outside the doors. Sensing the
coming charge, Burdoo signaled the Jihaddi in closer, then called out to
those inside, "How long?"
	Not hearing an answer, she unsheathed her sword and resigned
herself to a long, bloody battle.
...
	Over an hour later, they were still fighting. By this point, all of
the Jihaddi guarding the doors had been injured at least slightly, but the
minions had not gained any ground. The worst of the injured were being
tended inside where a few medics kept an eye on each of the side doors.
Both Turbo and Cecrops had long ago been drained of their troops and had
themselves joined the group at the front over an hour ago.
	Selene, though still fighting, was bloody and tired. She knew in her heart
that her small group couldn't take much more of this. It wasn't the quality
of the troops they faced that was causing their problems, it was the sheer
numbers. Idly, she wondered how the Wyrm Minion was doing, if she was still
on her feet as well.
	*Selene!* Zaph broke into her train of thought. *Will's down!*
	*WHAT!* All thoughts of the battle fled from the Centurion's mind.
Quickly disemboweling the minion in front of her and a few of his
companions, Selene took a step back, forcing Turbo and Cecrops, who were
fighting beside her to close the gap.
	*Something's up inside,* she telepathically sent in explanation,
carefully hiding her rising panic. *I need to check it out.* Whirling, she
crashed madly through the doors, looking in shock at the scene in front of
her. Will was on the floor, obviously unconscious, while Sanford stood over
him nursing his bruised knuckles.
	Rushing to the injured man's side, Selene glared at the LOD
Colonel. "What in Grimace's name is going on here!? Jambavan? Sanford?
Answer me!"  Neither answered not wanting to be the one to explain what the
TRES officer had done, which only increased the Centurion's frustration.
	"Well?" she demanded, carefully cradling Will's head in her lap. "I
want some answers! Now!"
	"Can you just have Zaphyre read the events through my mind?"
Jambavan surprised Selene with his question. "I think a verbal explanation
from any of us wouldn't be quick enough to satisfy you... in your current
state."
	"Of course..." she replied, confused by his question and wisely
ignoring his comment about her 'state'.
	*Zaph?*
	*I'll be gentle, Charc/Jambavan,* the dragon murmured soothingly in
the Dobermensch's mind.
	*You have no idea how comforting that is,* the Warrior thought in
semi-sarcastic reply, not even noticing as Zaphyre picked out the needed
memories and showed them to her human Companion[tm].
	The Centurion's face paled as she 'saw' the nagenta energy stream
into Will's body. Her body began to tremble in a delayed form of shock; it
took all of Zaphyre's power to calm the frightened human.
	Sanford, deciding that he wasn't going to be attacked, pulled out a
can of Jolt[tm] and proceeded to dump it down the unconscious officer's
throat.
	*I almost lost him, Zaph.... I- he will be alright, won't he?*
	*I think so, see - even now, he's waking up.* Selene put a hand
over her mouth and watched with baited breath as Will struggled to his
feet, pushing the can away from his mouth. She could only shake her head
and listen as he thought nothing about his own condition, just went right
back to work.

TBC...