On Route to Mimban
Expanded Region
" The swamp world of Mimban was originally with the Republic in the beginning of the war. That changed six months ago when a separatist funded coup lead by a Houk by the name of Gaul has forced the governor and his supporters to flee to Coruscant. Jedi Master Einar Bassus and his Learner Padawan Aleius Dux have been fighting on Mimban for six months now, we have not heard from them since, we are sending you and your forces, Skywalker, down there and you are to assist them in taking the planet." the stern Master Windu stated in holo form the projector showing the planet of Mimban and the Separatist commander Gaul, a hulking hoak with a nasty looking vibro axe on his back. The Republic Fleet carrying the 501st clone battalion, ready to invade the mud ball of a planet.
" No problem master, we'll have the system in Republic control in no time." Said Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, in his ever present cocky attitude.
" Let's hope your bravado doesn't get in the way of your training Skywalker." Replied Windu before ending the transmission.
" He's as serious as ever." Skywalker mumbled to himself. He turned toward his faithful Captain, CT-7567 or Rex as he prefers to be called.
" Are the men ready to go?"
Rex looked at Anakin with his ever straight face and replied. "Yes sir, the 501st are ready and waiting."
"And Ahsoka?"
"She's waiting in the hanger with the boys."
Anakin smiled, "Let's go then."
Mimban
Trench Warfare is a bloody affair, both sides of the conflict can suffer if the correct measures are not taken. The soldiers of the 13th Battalion know this better than most other clone troopers. Potshots by the enemy are one thing, you learn quickly to keep your head down, but what's worse is that drilling artillery. Super heated shells that are designed to dig deep, explode and cause a huge amount of damage. Most of the time you won't find any of the droids of the CIS as the machines get stuck or break down in the mud. So the seps send in the natives, who are right at home in the swamps and bogs of Mimban. But the 13th were special in the Grand Army of The Republic, as they weren't clones. No this particular battalion was made up by volunteers from across the Republic, mostly from Coreillia, Coruscant, Kuat, and Concordia. Yes, the Republic forces were not in the best of Republic base of operations on the planet was not a base so much as it was a crash site of the command Venator Class Star Destroyer that fell to the planet, with a labyrinth of trenches surrounding the whole thing. If you are wondering where the rest of the fleet was, well the rest are burnt-out wrecks in orbit, or are also crashed ruins on the planets you may know, the main forces of the Grand Army of The Republic wore shiny, white armor, however the General found that armor that helped the enemy see you from far away in the grey muck of Mimban, was not the best way to fight a war. So the soldiers were ordered to basically camouflage their armor and gear in anyway they could, which mostly meant rubbing mud on their armor. Some of the soldiers have even modified their armor with pieces of the command ship, heavy gunners slapping bits of the hull to the front of their weapons and armor for more protection with the sacrifice of mobility. Others have done the opposite stripping themselves of most of their armor save the necessary parts, comlinks and things like that.
Today was a quiet day as it seemed the seps didn't plan to make another go at the republic position. So the men and women of the battalion were going throughout their day with a mix between relaxing and tension. In the HQ, General Aleius Dux, Jedi of the Republic, was speaking with the rest of the officers in preparation of what they all hoped was the final battle for the planet. Alieus was a young man being of 16 standard years of age, with short cropped dark hair and a medium build, but due to the armor he wore, you couldn't see most of his body, really you can only see his head, his body armor being made of heavy modified jedi armor from the old days, his master was a warrior jedi, and wanted his padawan to follow suit. Most of the armor was covered in his jedi travel rove, with the bottom caked in mud and dirt.(*)
" Are the troop transports ready to go yet?" Aleius asked as he was looking at the holo projection of the operation area. A middle aged man with short blonde hair on the other side of the table nodded, " Yes sir."
"And the troops all know their orders and assignments?"
" Affirmative."
Aleius looked up at the man and smirked, " If we can push through their outer defenses we can finally storm the capital and take the planet." The young Jedi looked over to the officer in charge of the artillery, Captain Maria Bendel a middle age twi'lek with a blue complexion. " Is the artillery ready to begin bombardment, Captain?"
The woman crossed her arms and gave the Jedi a look. " Of course general, when as my troops ever not been ready to blow something up?" She spoke with a heavy accent. Aleius gave the Captain the same look she gave him," Last time your shells almost blew me to dust."
"But you didn't die did you?"
"No."
"Then it was a successful bombardment, yes?"
"I suppose so." Aleius then turned his gaze to everyone in the room, " Once the artillery does its work, I want the LAATs to bring troops across and into the city, we need to hit hard and fast, if we are to take them by surprise and take the capitol building before they can bring up their defences to stop us." The young general then looked at Lucius, " Is that understood?"
Everyone gave a sharp"Yes Sir!"
" Then go and get the troopers ready, dismissed!"
Everyone gave a practice salute, and started to leave the tent. After the tent was mostly empty, Lieutenant Lucius started heading out. "Lieutenant Lucius, wait a moment if you will." The Blonde officer gave a puzzled look, but stayed behind all the same. He gave a quick, "Yessir."
After everyone left, Aleius motioned to the table in the corner with two simple chairs on Each side of it. When both of them sat down, Aleius spoke,
"Garratha is dead", he spoke in a serious tone, "Passed in his sleep last night." Lucius leaned back in the chair with a tight jawed face. He then shrugged, and spoke,
" He was an old wookiee, about 390 years old last time I asked him." Aleius smiled,
" Yes." He then looked right at Lucius, and then pulled out a set of Captain insignias. Aleius then placed them on the table in front of Lucius,
" I'm giving A Company to you, I believe you are capable, and the men won't accept anyone else." stated Aleius. Lucius looked at the Badges, before standing up and slowly picking up and replacing his Lieutenant badge with the new Captain badge, he then gave the young general a sharp and respected salute.
"Thank you sir" Lucius stated, " I won't disappoint you." Aleius stood, and returned the salute to the newly appointed captain.
" Go and address the men of A company about the change in management, and prepare them for combat, it's going to be a long day tomorrow and i need everyone ready and well rested."
Lucius saluted again, and left the tent with newly minted pride. Aleius smiled a bit before he placed his lightsaber on the table and started to tinker with it, adjusting the lense, tightening the out cover bolts, before holding it out and activating it. A bright, blue blade shot up, before the to handguards sprang out, and the blade's edge continued along them creating a perfect T shape blade.(*) He looked deep into the blade calling on the force to guide him and his Legion to victory.
"For The Republic."