Astron Czissin closed his journal and went over to where his cohorts were plotting their escape route through the compound. They were using a rusted nail on a piece of trunk casing to draw out a rough map of what they knew of the layout, but it wasn't something they all were confident in.
"Are you sure this is right?" Astron asked L3 Ensign Hinze, one of the three other prisoners who matched Astron in both rank and battle experience.
"I'm not sure of shit, Czis'. I can tell you though that when we were brought in here I remember counting three rights, a left, another right and then two more lefts before we reached this holding cell" he finished.
"You remember all that?" Astron asked.
"I do. Some of us are more situationally aware than others, Czis'" came Hinze's reply.
Astron narrowed his eyes at his fellow soldier and smiled.
"You're lucky I like you" he said.
After Gladlock, Oiden, Hinze and Astron finished plotting their route, they all decided it was time to get some rest before they would make their break in about 6 hours. The timing was such that, ideally, the team of them would be en route to their Denstrolle fighters under the cover of Ibitus' only night-like phase in 4 days. The planet had a very peculiar solar cycle and that 'night', it was sure, would provide them the cover they'd likely need to get back to their ships safely.
A good few hours rest would do his team well. Astron looked on as his compatriots slept in their respective cots. He however, could do nothing but sit and wait. His mind was racing as he played out how the escape might go. At about the t-30 minute mark, Astron summoned his soldiers together for a debriefing.
"Alright guys, listen up," Astron said loudly to everyone in earshot, "We're getting the fuck out of here tonight and I need absolutely everyone's cooperation."
The femaliens were on their haunches in another corner, wolfing down fluff as they curiously looked on.
"Gladlock, Oiden, Hinze and Vereng are going to assist me in the actual override of the guard force here. Although not everyone is going to get to maul one of these guards, we all need to be prepared to defend ourselves."
The crowd was silent. 47 soldiers, all anxious and aware, hung on every one of Astron's words.
"We have devised this," Astron said, as he held in front of him the Fluff Crystal Vapor Gun that he and the others had devised the day prior.
"According to the limited intelligence we've gathered, this is going to serve as our ticket out of here. We don't know exactly how these beings respond to the smoke that comes off this crystal when our piss is poured onto it, but whatever happens, it completely incapacitates them. Hinze is going to feign injury and scream for a guard and Oiden is going to initiate the assault. When I give the signal, I need teams of 10 to follow Oiden, Hinze, Gladlock and Vereng on my six."
Not a noise was heard aside from Astron's voice. This was all critical information and each soldier needed to process every single word.
"After we've breached this holding cell we're counting on our status tokens to reveal the location of our fighters. Once we reach them, Vereng is going to disarm the bay door locks using the on-board material diffuser on Denstrolle 1117. Destrolles 1120, 22, 30 and 38 will standby until I receive the go signal from Vereng."
Astron looked around the room to ensure there were no questions.
"Now folks, this is very important. What I'm about to tell you goes contra to what you might have been taught in training quarter."
Astron's audience sat tranfixed.
"Should any of us fall to the hands of our captors, or should anyone become too injured to proceed with our mission here, we are to not offer assistance of any kind."
A few confused glances were exchanged amongst the team and some concerned chatter could be heard.
"Listen. We're getting out of here. If one of us becomes a burden on the rest, that could mean a recapturing for all of us. I repeat, do NOT offer assistance to the wounded and do NOT, under any circumstances, attempt to portage a dead body. I cannot emphasize this enough."
Silence returned to the group.
"Now. We have about 20 minutes to execution. Please take this time to gather only what you need from now until we reach our vessels. Am I 100% understood by everyone in this room?"
A booming "YES SIR!" caught the glance of a passing guard. Thankfully the species that inhabited Ibitus 412N didn't understand a word of English, otherwise the team's captors might have caught on to their plan.
The next few minutes passed quite quickly for everyone in that holding cell on Ibitus 412N. As the time drew nearer, the silence in their living space became almost painful. Finally, about three minutes prior to their planned time of escape, Astron brought his leading team of four close to the front of the cell.
The time had come. Escape was imminent.
Oiden gripped the Fluff Crystal Gun with trepidation. He had positioned the Zalhfarian pouch of piss just above the crystal and had the blade of the femalien hand weapon at the ready for puncturing.
Hinze began howling in fake pain.
Astron's heart rate escalated as a team of guards approached their cell.
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