The Scarman Enigma

[|Scarecrow|]

Scarecrow took a deep breath, readying himself for the oncoming challenge. His team of marines stood to attention around him, each one handpicked from the Danaans marine core.
Alright, hes got to be in here. Marcus said to his gathered soldiers, The surveillance strips in sector twelve showed them entering the maintenance ducts and there have been no reports of them emerging anywhere else. Plus, now that I feel they have done everything they need to do, this would be the logical place for them to go. Ive radioed through to the Fleet Admiral, who should be here shortly with reinforcements. Any questions?
The gathered marines looked at Marcus blankly, each one ready to give his life for the Admiral.
Youre all excellent troops, Marcus said with pride, Remember he has two hostages, they are a prime priority. Lets get this bastard now and end it here.
The marines saluted smartly before fanning out into a perfect incursion formation.

The large double bulkheads that lead through into the main hangar emitted a loud clank before slowly rolling apart.
Go, go, go! Marcus yelled as he moved forwards, grasping his carbine tightly. Adrenaline flooded through his system, heightening his senses and quickening his heartbeat. It had been a very long time since Marcus had been in open field combat. He had almost forgotten the rush.
Across the hangar bay, a single form was dragging a body up into the bay of the only Thunderhawk on deck. Marcus recognized the man as Connors, the Black Flag Brawler they had captured earlier.
Target! He yelled, dropping to one knee. He fired a short burst into the open gap of the Thunderhawks troop bay, missing Connors by inches as the man flung himself out of harms way.

Watch your fire, captive targets in sight, Marcus yelled as he fired another burst at the Thunderhawk. His men fanned out around the hangar bay, moving with textbook precision. Marcus advanced on the open Thunderhawk, hoping to catch sight of his evil alternate self.
A strange whining noise began somewhere above him, increasing in pitch. He stopped dead and looked up. He stared in horror as two of the internal defense turrets powered up and slid out of their standby positions. The closest one tracked around and trained its ominous pair of barrels on him.
Duck and cover! He yelled and rolled as two turbolaser rounds screeched from the defense turrets barrels and smacked into the deck beside him. The shockwave from the blast knocked him over, sending his carbine skittering across the decking.
Semi-automatic fire sprang up in sporadic clusters all around Marcus as his team began to fire on the defense turrets. Their steel bolts made no scratch on the armored carapace of the turrets however, rendering them useless. Several more screeches rent the air as the second turbolaser fired. The screeches of the energy guns were followed by the screams of humans. Marcus glanced around and saw Major Janice Thorn rolling around on the floor, wailing in agony, her right leg a blackened stump.
AT magazines, Marcus yelled, scrambling up and diving for his carbine, Hit the turrets!

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| S C A R E C R O W |

"See you space cowboy..."