Echiva has it that it is like diamond - it attracts and shines. This beautiful planet has the fact that it has the most beautiful landscape in the entire galaxy. This world resembled a world torn out of some fantasy novel. Everything here was beautiful. One would like to live here. But unfortunately , the war was calling. People were dying - rather, they were hiding out of fear of the sinister Empire. Matteo Lorien Shepard De Arienze was once again involved in an armed conflict. Heck , some people collect FUNKO figurines or cars. And Matteo collects conflicts and war crimes. An interesting hobby it can be admitted.

Shepard was located at the hut. He browsed through numerous videos on an application called Youtube. There was nothing interesting. Nothing but they censor and make you censor words. This is stupid , but what can you do - the world instead of moving forward , focusing on problems is going backwards. He turned off the apps and hid the phone. He looked at the tree , which was in front of him. It reminded him of the tree from Avatar. A memory tree or what? It was similar to the one in the movie. Overall Matteo felt like he was in the movie Avatar. He is Miles Quartch and his job is to knock out the Avatars. He felt weird about it. He stopped looking at the tree. He looked down. Then John Price. He held a mug of tea in his hand. A firm British smile appeared on his face. A fookin' Brit. He sat down next to the Canadian and sipped his tea the way British people do. He looked at Shepard.

"What's up Shepard boy? Have you been browsing something on that phone or smartphone again?" He asked, wondering what modern phones are called in today's world. He took a sip of tea. "In my day, phones were different. Do you know what a phone booth is?"

"That's how I know. There are lots of them in London. The famous red phone booths. I've seen one of those. And yes it's called a smartphone. But , we won't talk about it no?" Matteo said.

"Here I agree." Price took another sip of tea. "You know what I'm going to tell you my friend? Some women on this planet look like Korean tea store moms. Clothing similar , hair arrangement too. All that's missing is some whining and shouting in Korean." Price took another sip of tea. "I'm already starting to miss Earth," he said.

"Because they don't have cigars here, just water pipes?" Shepard nudged the Briton. Price laughed softly.

"Here I'll agree Canadian son of a bitch. Here I'll agree. And you will start to miss. To hashish and vodka?"

"To the old world." Matteo began. "To the fact that the world used to be better. There weren't all these twitter women who know 'everything'. Humanity, instead of moving forward, is regressing. It is like the Titanic sinking to the bottom. Everyone is sinking only I am staying afloat because I can swim."

"Here I agree." Price said. "I miss the Falklands War. Old history. Well , life mate life." He refilled his tea and put the mug next to him. "It's even hard to even have friends these days."

"You're right." Shepard looked at the tree again." Sometimes it's not worth it to have friends and focus only on yourself."

"Egoism?" Price asked.

"Yes. Sometimes when you have friends , you are not sure that they will betray or expose you. A friend is a person who can become an enemy and when you find out it's too late. So yes John - Egoism remains as for me the only option. It's worth it to be a lone wolf or there Ronin."

"And I'll tell you there , sometimes it's worth having some acquaintances. A friend can care about you and support you in a fight. I know that very well." Price looked at Soap , Ghost , Gaz and Nikolai. Especially at Soap - he started out as a fucking newbie and ended up as one of the most important people in Task Force 141. Price could always count on Soap , at any time.

"Let's go back inside. Soon all this leader will want to start the briefing." Price and Shepard got up and went back inside.

Meanwhile.

Doctor Nuvo Vindi was working on a deadly gas called NOVA-7. Since he had been released from prison on Coruscant (he had been held in solitary confinement) he had enjoyed his freedom - preferably in the lab. He loved science , he loved working on deadly weapons of death. It turned him on. When he found out that Senator Padme Naberrie - Amidala was dead, he exploded with joy. It was because of her. Because of that stupid bitch, his Blue Shadow Virus project had failed. Her and that stupid Gungan Jar Jar Binks. But nothing can stop him now. No Senator from Naboo , Jedi or other clown. Today the triumph will belong to him. To Nuvo Vindi.

While the respected doctor was working on NOVA-7 , a hologram of Royce Hemlock appeared on the holostool. Hemlock and Dr Warren Vidic became interested in him. They had heard about the famous Blue Shadow Virus. There are very few scientists like him in this galaxy - perhaps even fewer. Hemlock being impressed by Vindi included him in his initiative - the Hemlock Initiative , a team of scientists working for the Empire. The team already includes Lina Ru , Nala Se and Emerie Karr. There are still a few spots for scientists. Mad scientists. Royce grabbed his cybernetic arm - the price he had paid while working on the experiments.

"Dr Vindi how is the work on Nova-7 going?"

Nuvo turned to look at Hemlock. A sinister smile appeared on his lips and that meant , it was good news. "Sehr gut. Ze NOVA-7 will be completed in a short time. Meine work will soon be used on these anfallig civilians."

"I am glad , that the gas will be completed. I have a request - I want to get a sample of this gas. I would like to see how the gas works."

"Ja vol. My assistant will fly to Wayland. I can even send it now. It will be faster."

"Thank you doctor. I and our team appreciate your work. You are one of the few aliens in the galaxy that possesses such . . . rare gifts and skills in the creation of deadly weapons. The Empire appreciates your work."

"Funny. The Empire is so racist and xenophobic , it is beginning to appreciate the work of aliens." Vindi said.

"It depends who appreciates the work. The emperor or the team leader. I have to go now doctor. Enjoy your work." Hemlock disappeared from the hologram. Nuvo continued to finish NOVA-7

Team Shepard and Team Price moved towards the city. They walked through numerous jungles and forests. But they didn't stop - they didn't have time for that. The teams had their task. It was time to complete them. Price was ahead and spotted an Imperial patrol. One speeder and five stormtroopers on the flanks. He raised his hand , to stop the teams.

"Stormtrooper patrol. We'll wait for them to pass. "

The Imperials walked slowly. Except for the stormtrooper , who was on a speeder . He was going slowly , so as not to be faster than the movement of his other comrades. The stormtroopers were talking about the war. Nothing interesting - everyone talks about it. The most popular topic in the whole galaxy. They were in no hurry to go anywhere. Like every person in the imperial army. One of the stormtroopers received a call for help - the rebels had attacked a convoy. The group quickly accelerated moving to help. Price waved his hand forward twice . so that both teams could pass. Shepard was at the rear - occupying the rear in case the Imperials were about to attack from behind. It's worth taking precautions. Just in case.

The groups walked on. The Rebels are dealing with convoys going through this juggernaut. It's called a diversion. The first target is the airfield. Cutting off the Empire's air support will be a big blow to the Empire's back. That's what Price's team will take care of. Matteo's team will take care of the communications centre. It's going to be stabbing the Lightsaber not only in the Empire's back , but in its heart. They stopped in place. Price looked at Shepard.

"Good luck Shepard." Price said. Matteo said goodbye to him by squeezing his hand. Then they headed off in their respective directions. Time to kick the Empire's ass.