"GET DOWN!" Grenades flew through the air and landed five yards from us, the mass of white plastoid covered bodies that were huddled behind an outcrop of rocks and droid remains. I could feel the shock wave of the impact travel up my feet and shake my molars. I covered my head, with my blasters in my hands, as a hailstorm of debris peppered my helmet and left a fine layer of charred dust clinging to the what was once pristine white armor. The smell of blaster fire, metal, dirt, smoke, blood, and adrenaline pumped bodies filled the air with a singe your nose hairs potency. Through my helmet I could hear the short frantic breaths of my brothers fighting to stay alive; with screams of agony and death, orders, and blaster fire coupled with the slow monotonous clanking of metal feet in advance. We were few in number, and pinned down.
Smoke was raising from just about every orifice, including the delicate rubble of the fallen houses to our right, painted by its crushed owners. We would retreat if we could, but retreat wasn't an option; not because we were ordered to stay, but because there was no where to go. It was either go forward and take your chances against the hordes of SBD's and B1 battle droids, or vault yourself off the cliff-face and hope the Kaminoins gave you wings. The hope of an evacuation was also slim. With the amount of enemies we were facing, there was no way for a LAAT/i to land safely and remove us, even if it did get past the sea of vulture droids. Despite how hopeless our situation was, we would fight to the last man standing.
I ordered more grenades to be thrown towards the metallic wall; if we could take a few more out, we could create a barricade with their bodies, which would slow their advance significantly. They would topple over each other and add to the pile while we used it to mow more of them down. The only problem now was aiming and throwing the explosive without being shot first. Being in charge comes with great responsibility; I must now order my men, my brothers, to risk themselves; to give everything they have for a fleeting chance at survival. 'They are prepared to die,' as much as I wish that were true, no one is ever prepared to lose their life, no matter how noble it is, and that is what keeps us going; Survival. To survive another battle, and see the promise of tomorrow, even if you're not entitled to it. To end the suffering of not only ourselves but the ones we were created to protect. To survive the onslaught, to protect your brothers, to end their martyrdom; that's why we fight.
"Grenades! Aim! Fire!" The sounds of pins being pulled from their casings, echoed in my ears; the whistle of the objects being thrown through the air, stopped my breathing; the walloping boom of the explosive's struck my chest and hot bright light flooded my H.U.D., temporarily blinding my sensors with a gray fuzz. The first row of droids shattered and fell. Their companions stopped, and looked at their fallen comrades as if contemplating their own demise. A green painted commander droid called a halt. "Crap..." They opened fire on the shrapnel encased bodies. The metal splintered and crumbled under the heat of continues point blank fire. The commander lifted his arm and called a cease fire and then an advance. We were back to where we started. I yelled as loud as i possibly could even though my brothers could hear me just fine through their helmets com-link. "ALL OR NOTHING BROTHERS! TURN 'EM INTO SCRAP!" We opened fire, not holding anything back. This was our last ditch effort. I did my part for my brothers and this war, and if today is my last, then I'm taking as many of those clankers with me as i possibly can.
A missile fired hitting our makeshift shelter, sending not only me but several of my brothers backwards towards the cliff. My back skidded on air and my weight gave way. The sensation of falling gripped my stomach, I reached out for whatever I could grab. Nothing; gravity was pulling me down now. Where the battle was, was now above me. I grabbed once more, this time grabbing the heel of one of my brothers, he let out a small yelp as my weight was added to his fingertips. Only me and him had actually fallen off the side. The others were running back to the wall to continue the fight. I reached up and took hold of solid earth and started climbing; death awaiting above and below.
A low whistle of engines echoed above us, a vulture droid was inbound. I hugged the wall as tight as I could, closed my eyes and held my breath. "This is it." I whispered. This is how I die. The next sound was blaster fire ripping through metal. The air literally shook. I slipped a peek at the sky and saw the droid shredded and falling in a twisted, smoking rain. A gunship had come to the rescue. It opened fire on our adversaries mowing them down like caged animals. Its doors opened and closed in a blink of an eye, then its engines flared and it roared back into battle. Two forms fell to the ground, and the distinct Vzzzzzmmm of lightsabers igniting almost brought me to tears. The general and Ahsoka had arrived. Cheers erupted on the com-link between me and my brothers. The general might not be able to hear us, but he'll know we're glad to see him. Droids were screaming in that high-pitched tone they call a voice.
"Jedi, run!" Most of them didn't even finish their sentences. They were being hacked to bits in a way that only a jedi could do.
"Thank you general." One of my brothers said.
"Where's Rex?" The General asked.
"He.. uh... sir... fell off the cliff."
"But that doesn't mean I'm dead!" I nervously spat.
A couple of heads appeared above me. The brother above me lifted off the wall, he flailed a little bit and grumbled in nervous disapproval. The force was being used on him, I'll be next. Once he cleared the edge I felt my body weight disappear, my boots slipped out of their holds and my fingers lost their grip. I was now suspended in mid air by nothing but the concentration of my general. 'Oh force please no one distract him.' I elevated slowly. The force always gave me an odd sensation, as well as the feeling of complete helplessness. I have never liked it. My feet hovered above the ground for a few microseconds, then my weight was restored and I savored the feeling of firm earth holding me up. The general smiled and Ahsoka put her hands on her hips.
"I had no idea you had a love for rock-climbing Rexster." The commander said flaunting sarcasm.
"Ha ha. Very funny, littl'un." I smiled under my helmet. The throbbing pulse was calming down and the adrenaline was starting to ebb. I've survived. The general frowned and pointed towards the demolished remains of the houses.
"Please tell me that happened before you arrived."
I stared at the dirt. Never knew dirt cold be so interesting...
"Rex?"
"Uh.. no sir.. there was an ambush. Took some of ours too."
He faced the ruin for a couple seconds with his eyes closed tight. "Something Isn't right..."
"I sense it too master... danger."
"Rex stay here. We'll scout ahead."
Pfffft yeah right, his danger radar goes off and he wants us to sit here while he faces it alone? "With all do respect sir, that's not going to happen."
"Rex there's no time to..." His eyes snapped open and he stared just past the battle droid strewn debris field. "Rex do NOT follow us." He bolted, the sheer force of his dash seemed to ripple in shock waves. Force jump perhaps? Ahsoka also seemed to jerk out of concentration.
"Oh!" She said and quickly darted to her master's side who was making amazing headway.
Everyone stopped to watch them. Something was definitely wrong.
"Sir? Your orders?"
"We're going to follow them."
"But sir! We were told to stay put, sir!"
I know, I know! They need us despite what he's ordered. "Just because he said to not follow doesn't mean we can't just go in the same general direction he is..." The general will be furious. "This is a battlefield after all, not a very good place to hang around for caf and cookies."
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A/N: Alright! I want to thank all of you who decided to take a gander at my story I hope you enjoyed it. Star wars does not belong to me, but you already knew that I'm sure ;P
Anyway, I'm new to writing, so I would really appreciate some feedback. Thanks!