[b]Undetermined Location, Sylve Assault[/b]

Switch viewed as the station was torn apart, with interior layers showing the Sazkarjhia space commandos and Delphan marines plowing their way through the station. 

"They thought I was there? Hah! [i]Fools![/i]" he cackled.

"Sir, you need to keep in mind that we still had higher-ranking officers there. They could use them to get to you." One of his lieutenants standing next to him remarked.

"Bah! I have resilient men in place, and they'll die if they need to to preserve Sylve's integrity."

"A Sazkarjhit surgeon can do things that none of us would fathom possible, Captain."

Captain Switch's triumphant countenance and smile shifted into a frown. He faced the lieutenant. "Even if they find me, even if they do, they'll still have to pull the control of this sector from my cold, dead hands."

The officer retorted. "While I do believe you, sir, that does not mean we should underestimate them. Even if their pride keeps them from using more advanced extraterrestrial technology, that doesn't mean that their allies are the same way. Alongside this, their military has shaped up considerably. While not as effective in space, our base here on the surface of the planet would fall to a ground incursion like a worm would be devoured by a bird. My suggestion is that we establish in a populated area. If they cause many casualties it will be on them; it will cripple their support and damage morale."

"You make it sound like you [i]want[/i] an invasion, Lieutenant."

"I was merely sugges-"

"If you want bloodthirsty warriors to hunt you down you can be my guest. Just don't use decent soldiers. I don't care if we're being hunted by the Sazkarjhit, or any other empire for that matter. We are not just a military force, we are a business, and dammit I will stop at [i]nothing[/i] to keep this business alive."

"There is nothing discrete about this business, Captain. With determination alone you cannot withstand against an army so willing to fight and to use weapons of mass-destruction-"

"Their outdated fusion weapons can easily be countered. Even a slug fired from their allegedly unstoppable 'doomsday' Delta VIII can be stopped by a high-quality shield. But I suppose you have a point. If they arrive en masse, which they most likely would to eradicate us, it's very quite possible that they will bring more than enough firepower to bring us down. But I run this sector, so if they're going to take down Sylve they'll have to get through [i]me[/i] first."

"Does your double know anything about our operations?"

"Not a clue, even if they got him to crack he'd provide no useful information. It won't take them long to find out, though."

"Let's just hope that they don't find out about [i]here[/i], sir."

"Heh...Agreed."