Well I hope Brad survives this little episode.... But I also have to wonder if his brother is one of the ones chasing him.

I also have a question that just popped into my head. The Yar'Zanti seem to be brining at long of firepower into play against a planet that they effectively controlled after a few days.

Just what are they afraid of, and why did they need to set up shop here? Is there an even bigger bad guy out there chasing them?

Good questions. Too bad if I answer them directly I would be giving away plot points. :(

However to answer generally, the Yar'Zanti are a very militaristic society. There are no civilians and everyone from top to bottom has some sort of rank. Plus, they're the type to fortify and guard every base and city even if there are no serious threats. (That's all I can say for now without giving away more.)

Tail wags.... Well that just means that your story has me thinking and curious... pants happily

Ok, well that's makes sense of the situation..... But it also makes me wonder if any of the Yar'Zanti feel any sort of respect for those brave or foolish enough to fight back. I understand that they'll still massacre those who resist, but will they massacre them with malice in their hearts? Or will they have a begrudging respect for the fool hardy and misplaced bravado.

Of course I can imagine Brad yelling at his brother if he was the one to capture him..... Asking him how many of the Marines he died trying to save had been slaughtered by his new friends.... Or asking him how it felt to cause the death of his own family (the wife and children).

Maybe if he was to think quickly he could also throw in something about the oath of service his brother took, and how feels to break it now.