Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Changing Tides: Volume 11
“To withdraw isn't a sign of weakness... It is a sign that a
man knows the limits of his capabilities and the most probable outcome
of the future. To retreat isn’t weakness if it provides the
opportunity to fight another day.”
The white, smooth ridge of the chest plate sank with a deep exhale. The Major stood quietly; his head hung down towards the blue, frozen image of a trooper cradling the fallen battalion commander, his baptism by fire.
Rex noticed on his approach Vallen’s jaw tightly clenched. With only a glimpse of the image, the captain felt a void form in his chest.
Vallen’s thumb pressed down through the flickering image deactivating the projector before stowing it away within his utility belt. Rex un-clicked a single compartment on his left side. Then using his middle and pointer fingers, pulled out a folded tactical knife which he flicked open. Gripping the blade firmly, it bore down upon the blue paint. Pieces flecked slightly as the edge dragged across four separated tally marks. Neither man sought to make commentary. To them silence was a reverent salute to the commander who preferred fewer words.
“Yes Captain?”
“We are 1 click from the rendezvous point. The Reproach is planet side, but has not landed. Keep those clankers guessing until the last possible moment.”
“Ha! Soon it won’t take a B-1 or a tactical droid to figure out where we are headed.”
“Where exactly are we headed sir?”
“An officer recruiting station for the GAR. It has a suitable landing pad and hopefully armament if it hasn’t been raided.”
“Sounds more than feasible Major. I’ll take a look!” Rex dashed to the center command AT-TE, and darted up the handle bars on the sides of the armored plating. His hand rested on the main gun which held him steady as the lumbering giant jostled to and fro with each step. Rex’s range finder clicked into position in front of his helmet. His view zoomed into a pair of illuminated white republic logos.
“We’re in sight sir!” shout Rex through his comlink. Sakiko and Master Hett walked through the ranks of clones between the tanks towards Vallen’s command squad. Hett’s eyes sharply focused met Vallen’s, “Things are about to get interesting..” Hett spoke calmly raising his chin as if sensing the force through the air.
“That they are General..That they are.” The Major adjusted his rifle’s sling comfortably on his shoulder.
Sakiko reached forward to A’ Sharad Hett’s shoulder. In hushed tones the female jedi spoke to her companion, “Master Hett, have you noticed the cease in traffic above..It is as if everyone else knows what is going on, except for us.”
Hett’s arms uncrossed, lowering to the pommels of his lightsabers, still fastened to his belt. “Your vigilance; keen as always Sakiko. This has had me troubled as of late too. Major, is the recruiting installation still intact?”
Raising Rex on his comlink, “Captain Rex, have you been able to reach the facility’s detachment?”
“Negative sir. Only Comm static. Shall I send a picketing patrol sir?”
Vallen lifted his helmet over his head, pulling it into place. “Hotsh, bring your squad up to the tank with 2 BARC speeders AND Rex, have your lads rack up a few jet packs. We’ll be taking a field trip shortly.”
“Yes sir!” The two clones replied over the line.
Sergeant Kano speedily crawled down the side of the command tank, quickly pacing toward Vallen and the Jedi. Halting to provide the customary salute the trooper spoke, “Major, General, Commander, the Reproach has broke radio silence and is requesting permission to land. Captain Taggart mentioned several packs of droid fighters are hunting for them. Your reply?”
“Shit..Tell them to mask in the high occupancy port utilizing the number of ships to mask their signature for the time being. We NEED to clear out that landing zone. Tell him to commit to a landing in 30 minutes.”
Rex and Hotsh both stood with their squads assembled behind them. Vallen paced through the troop to be in front of them. “Gentlemen, our next way point is that structure with Republic emblems. Make it then clear the landing pad for the Reproach. It’s going to be a decisive dust off. Rex, his squad, accompanying the two Jedi will board upon arrival. Kano and Boomer, you two will lead the tanks to set up a defensive perimeter once your reach the structure!”
One of Sakiko’s elongated ears raised. Her head quickly diverted, her raven hair fluttering behind. Her attention pulled to pin point what her ears were barely picking up. Whispering…“An attack is imminent master..” Her soft, fair hand wrapped around the grip of her saber.
“AHHHH!! ” “What the..?!” “FIRE..FIREE!!” “Hold! Hold FA..”
“We need support! Bring up the guns! BRING UP TH..Gaah” “Your left, on your LEFT!”
“CCrrrrSSHHHHH”
Vallen turned abruptly, raised his rifle and looked through his range finder. Rex already using his range finder provided an assessment, “Sir our picket line is under attack! Those scouts are being ripped to shreds out there.”
The com-line was filled with static before being clipped silent. Hotsh stepped forward, “Lets complete the mission sir. It’s our time now!”
Vallen nodded to the clone troopers who had been waiting to make their move. “Follow my advance! All troopers, FORWARD!”
Rex and the two squads broke into a sprint as their jet pack boosters flickered on, pulsing them into the air. The pair of Jedi leapt onto the two BARC speeders, zipping by the hulking AT-TEs whose steps had also sped up. The rest of the company began to advance as quickly as possible without losing the mobile defensive posture.
Hett and Sakiko watched as the jet packs raced high above them. Sakiko accelerated, drawing the lightsaber from her hip. The blue blade extended steadily, illuminating the side of the speeder as she held it behind her. The distance between her and the attacked scouts closed.
A sizable force of B1’s and B2 battle droids hand turned their backs on the recently dispatched clones, lying scattered across the street. “What’s that humming?!” a battle droid turned around, “Jedi?!”
Sakiko and Hett simultaneously squeezed the triggers on their bike’s handle bars hurling a devastating spray of blue laser fire into the machines. Sakiko was the first to break through holding her arm straight out beside her extending the reach of her bright blue blade. Droids were instantly cleaved into pieces! Their torso’s baring a bright orange slash as they fell in two.
A B2 fired a rocket from its arm mounted launcher. Hett was still catching up as he watched the missile's trail draw near! “SAKIKOOO!!”
Her right hand shot out with her fingers spread wide sending a force burst from the tips of her hand. A shock-wave of droids toppled over as the rocket averted her speeder, striking a group of battle droids on the other side of her, obliterating them.
Hett sped through the line, letting go of the handle bars and igniting his two green bladed sabers. His arms stretched behind him before he leaned forward, thrusting his arms to hurl the lightsabers spinning into the droid ranks. As the twirled, the green blades shone brightly cutting dozens of droids down all before being recalled to their master’s hands.
“Should we finish them Master?”
“The troops will mop them up.” Hett spoke confidently, turning to look behind him. The tanks anti-personnel weapons honed in and began to devastate the remaining attackers. His attention returned to the building. Hett saw streets lined with battle droids and insurgents, standing at the ready as he passed.
He shouted into his comlink, “Kano, Boomer, tighten your firing arcs! An ambush lies ahead of you.”
Kano replied, “If they choose to attack, we’ll be waiting for them. Their move sir!”
Hett and Sakiko leaned forward, pushing hard against their handle bars to speed on towards the tall rising building.
Nearing the entrance stairway, few lights adorned its edifices; like all other military installations provided by the republic, this was no different in terms of its cold, featureless architecture. Hett’s tattooed face squinted through the bright light which pierced around the edge of the station adding to its ominent presence. A shadow followed by a dozen others darted above.
Major Haide Valhallen, aka Vallen, shouted through his comlink over the gusts of wind whirling about him and the jet pack troopers that followed, “Rex, you’ll land up on the top while I repel in through the windows. The Jedi have the ground.”
Vallen used his pack to hover near a row of windows. With a rifle tucked tightly beneath his arm, the Major’s gloved finger squeezed the trigger unleashing a rapid barrage of blue bolts into the mirrored windows. Each bolt burned through the glass plate forming a hole with an orange shell of melting glass which splintered beneath its own weight, weakened by the newly forged holes.
“Sound plan sir! Let’s get to it lads!” Rex yelled in a vigorous reply. The flames of his jet back grew as he sped to the roof. His hands reached down for the familiar feel of his dual pistols. Swiftly they were pulled from their holsters and raised into an aiming position; his heels hit the floor. Following from behind, Hotsh and his squad landed on the roof with all rifles drawn.
In an instant the clone troopers scrambled across the rooftop aiming down their sights.
“Top is clear sir. Pile up!” Hotsh spoke. He stood with his back against the wall next to door. With a nod from Rex; Wraith, Pike, Shine, and Hotsh lined up on the wall.
“2..1…NOW!” Rex’s boot kicked through the door..within a moment the squad poured through the door into the dim space, their tactical lights activated. Tup and Jesse pushed through a door on the opposite end of the towering roof. The jetpack troopers poured onto the roof and began their descent into the towers stairwells and barracks..into the darkness…
COOL ART:
http://theirishrogue.deviantart.com/art/Commission-for-TheIrishRogue-02-354903835?q=favby%3Atheirishrogue%2F47859756&qo=135
