Akiel Novar - Tarian Hero

    Six Tarian infiltrators stole quickly along the corridor of the Jardas warship. The explosive charges were safely planted. When they detonated, the ship would be effectively out of the fight. As a bonus the Tarian strike team had come across a wealth of information regarding the Jardas' supply lines, troop movements, and other such vital information. All that remained was for the team to steal a shuttle and return to the main Tarian fleet. Belzar Novar, the mission leader, hoped their luck held out.

    Just as they entered the landing bay, from which they hoped to pilfer a shuttle, a Jardas security patrol came in from the opposite side. Laser bolts flew throughout the bay. Three of the Tarians were killed in the initial blast, including Belzar's wife, Taron. The remaining threesome, Belzar, Zaka, and Zephal took cover and poured a hail of murderous fire at the defenders. The savagery of their attack - and their superior weapons - managed to temporarily repel the Jardas troops.

    During the ensuing lull the trio rushed for a nearby shuttle. Fresh Jardas attackers entered the bay just as they reached their goal. Zaka went down, severely wounded in the left side of his torso. As he rushed to aid Zaka, Zephal was struck in the left leg. Unseen by the other two, Belzar received his own wound, a blast through the back that in time would be fatal. Rage and adrenaline kept Belzar moving as if he had not been hit at all. Belzar launched two concussion grenades at the newcomers, yelled a warning to his friends, and hit the deck.

    Blinding light erupted as the grenades detonated, followed by twin thunderous claps. The Jardas horde was momentarily stunned by the tremendous effects of the grenades. Because they had been warned and were prepared, Belzar, Zaka, and Zephal were relatively unaffected. Belzar hauled Zaka aboard the shuttle and set him up at the flight console. He retraced his steps outside the ship and shoved Zephal aboard. He then took a moment to look at his best friend.

    "I'm going to hold them off until you get this thing out of here. The information Zephal is carrying must get back to fleet headquarters. No, don't look at me like that." Then he turned enough so that Zaka could see the exit wound in his chest. He should have been dead already. "Tell our son we tried our best. And that we love him. Take care of him Zaka and teach him well." With that he jumped from the hatchway to the landing bay deck, weapons blazing at the recovering Jardas.

    The Jardas' full attention was drawn to the solitary warrior. Zaka watched helplessly as Belzar faded from the deadly barrage. He punched the throttles and the shuttle screamed out of the bay into deep space. His own physical pains momentarily forgotten, Zaka pledged to the stars that he would carry out his friend's last wishes. "I will Belzar. On my word as a Tarian - and as your friend."