From: alexbell@iastate.edu (Alex Bell.) Subject: Operation Phoenix: Dragon-Sight Date: 1996/04/25 Message-ID: organization: Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa newsgroups: alt.barney.dinosaur.die.die.die,alt.tv.barney * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * Operation Phoenix: Dragon - Sight * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * Location: [about 4 hours later, after Aph and the Guard have been reunited with the larger force of troops....] * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * The column of troops continued the long march, showing signs of weariness with every step. Although highly disciplined men and women, none were used to this constant level of alertness. Eventually the sounds of a large battle filtered through the trees. The soldiers silently glanced at each other, and as one sped up. Shortly thereafter, another scout approached - out of breath. "Trooper Aphrodite, sir. There is a large battle goin' on - 'bout three miles distant -- appears to be the TRES corps and a large mass of spongies. They could use a little help, but between us and them is a small group of those lizard-people. Can't go around 'em either - they have small groups all along the edge of the forest. No more than three or four reptiles in each one, but a problem anyways. We can't get through. A group of us tried. I'm left." Aph looked at him and cursed their stupidity. Her mind working quickly, she found a temporary solution that just might work. Turning to her officers, she dismissed the scout and began detailing her plan. Taking a deep breath, she spoke quickly, to forestall arguments. "We need to get these troops to the HQ, to support TRES and at least slow down the X'hirjq. To do that, we need to get by one of those lizard patrols... so here's my plan. I'll take a group of 11 soldiers - all volunteers, to attack the 3 lizards in our path. During this diversion - you *must* get through to TRES. Understood? Brackard, I'm leaving you in charge... get to TRES and join them in their efforts, I'll join you when I'm able. Yes, Ares?" Looking at her with concern, he stated, "I won't argue - there's no time for that. But, Karvin and I are coming. You may need us." She wanted to disagree, knowing the danger - and hating the idea of her friends being hurt. However, she was an officer in the DE, and knew what she had to do. Refusing to look at him, she nodded then sent him to find nine more volunteers. After he left, she sank to the ground, meditating - struggling to find the peace of mind she would need for the upcoming battle. By the time he returned, she was ready. The Trooper ordered the rest of the soldiers to hide silently in the trees, until Ares gave the signal to move out. Aph and her small band then approached the edge of the woods, led by the scout to the location of the nearest patrol. She signalled them all to silence, and peered out through the trees. About three miles away, a large battle was in progress. The field was filled with large mechanical montrosities - many broadcasting the awful Hell Chant. She also noticed many of the blobby creatures - like the one that had attacked her earlier. Shaking off residues of her earlier fear, she turned her attention to the patrol blocking their path. This was her first sight of the lizards, and although she had read all the reports, nothing had prepared her for this sight. In front of her, stood the three "lizards". To her, they looked more like shruken dinosaurs then lizards - dinosaurs armed with the latest in technological warfare. They were all between eight and ten feet tall - about the height of a small motor home, about twice Aphrodite's height. They were also extremely well built - all could easily have passed for linemen on any NFL team, except of course for the claws and teeth. But what really bothered Aph, was the color of their uniforms. When viewed with her human sight everything appeared normal - a uniform grey or black, however, the second she switched to Dragon-sight, she found herself struggling to keep her calm. When viewed with Zaphyre's eyes, their uniforms became a strange variety of colors that to Aph simply proclaimed "I am death". Aphrodite choked back her fear, quietly spreading her band along the edge of the forest, then signalled for the first wave to attack. Plasma bolts flew out of the woods, striking the lizard creatures in the back. Showing no surprise, the aliens calmly turned and returned the fire, remaining in the open unconcerned with the humans' weapon fire. Aph just simply shook her head and signalled the rest to attack - praying to Grimace for a few survivors. As the small band charged the patrol, Ares remained in the woods for an instant - signalling Brackard's troops to move it. He then turned back toward the clearing and gasped in surprise. Another couple of men had already fallen, after engaging swords with one of the lizards - who appeared to be unhurt. Ares became enraged at seeing his comrades slaughtered so easily, and roared a challenge before charging into the clearing. The X'hirjq turned, looked at him in contempt, and fired his strange weapon. Ares gasped in pain and fell to the ground, a four-foot needle sticking out of his left leg. Karvin watched in shock as his friend fell, and screamed, racing towards his fallen companion. The X'hirjq simply turned and fired another bolt at the other Dobermensch. Karvin also fell to the ground writhing in agony. During this scene, the Trooper watched as her comrades were slaughtered - her rage building slowly as her hands shifted into blue claws. She quietly left the shelter of the woods and deliberately approached the aliens in the midst of the battle field - her eyes glowing red. Carefully stepping over the bodies of the fallen, her voice took on a deathly tone as she spoke softly to her enemies. Seeing her calm, almost detatched mood, the X'hirjq became slightly hesitant, almost as if they could feel death approaching. One fired another needle, aiming at the Trooper's heart. Aphrodite simply raised her clawed hand. The spike stopped in midair and fell to the Earth. "How could you? What is the purpose of all this senseless slaughter? Some type of misaligned honor? Whatever it is - you shall all pay. Say hello to death for me." As she finished speaking, fire erupted from her mouth - incinerating all in front of her. Aph continued to expel the flames until she was sure that all three aliens were obliterated. When she saw they were dead, the flames stopped - and Aph collapsed to the Earth. Minutes later, one of the few survivors rushed up to her, and jabbed a needle full of caffeine into her arm. Aph groaned and looked around, exhausted. "Help me up, please." As the soldier hoisted her to her feet, Aph struggled to hide her exhaustion. She stumbled over to her pack and jabbed another hypo into her arm, hoping that it's effects would hold. She then motioned to one of the others watching with apprehension. In a voice filled with exhaustion, she ordered. "You and your friend... take Ares and Karvin. Get them to the Med unit. There should be one set up near the HQ... if anyone asks, let them know that I sent you..." She wavered - almost tumbling to the ground, catching herself barely in time. "The rest of you, we need to move out - join that battle before the other lizards realize what happened. So let's move out..." With that, Aphrodite took two shaky steps toward the battlefield and fell to the ground. Swearing under her breath, she rummaged in her pack, and pulled out a nasty looking needle. Grimacing to herself, she jabbed it into her arm... multiplying the dose of caffeine by about 50. Ignoring the curious stares of her troops, she jumped to her feet - totally revived. "Let's move it! Brackard has to be wondering what's keeping us!!" To Be Continued...