Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars
Two weeks have gone by filled with nothing but fighting and destruction. The clone army was making very slow progress; even with the combined power of Obi-wan and Anakin's forces, their advance only stretched for a few miles. They needed a push and they needed it soon on the hell hole known as Felucia. The tropical planet teemed with life. Disease was common and attacks from creatures such as Aklay, Rancor, and even the plants were getting old.
The clones had set up a temporary base with multiple tents serving as barracks and hospitals. At the command tent the two Jedi generals, Obi-wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, along with their clone commanders, Cody and Captain Rex, were discussing new strategies. They needed to take a nearby separatist base where General Grievous was personally overseeing the battles on Felucia.
"So," Obi-wan said, stroking his beard, "do you have any ideas, Anakin?"
"Why do I always have to come up with the plans?" Anakin asked, smiling.
"You always seem to want to," Obi-wan answered, laughing.
The two clones stood firm, grinning under their helmets.
"Fine. . . How about we send in Cody and Rex as recon? They're our best men." He turned toward the clone commanders. "You two just get as close as you can and report the base's defenses to us. We'll get a better idea of what we're up against, and hopefully it'll give us ideas for attacking the fortifications."
Obi-wan nodded with acceptance. Cody and Rex stood straight and also nodded.
"Yes sir," Cody responded.
Rex stepped forward, "Permission to speak, sir?"
"Go ahead, Rex," Anakin said.
"Are we permitted to bring other men, sir?" Rex asked, confidently.
"Of course. Just keep the team small," Obi-wan answered.
The two clones were dismissed and had orders to leave for the base at dusk. They were allowed to each take one man along with them. Cody went to his barracks and searched for a rookie.
This is a simple recon mission. It would be good training for a rookie.
He observed a small group of shinies who were joking around with each other in the center of the tent. He was about to randomly choose one of them when he spotted a clone who was sitting in the corner, reading. Perfect. The clone looked exactly like his brothers except for a small patch of facial hair on his chin. Cody calmly took his helmet off, walked over, and sat next to the clone.
The rookie didn't notice Cody until he sat down. He quickly threw his book aside and saluted him. "Sorry sir, didn't see you there."
"At ease soldier," Cody replied, smiling at his reaction.
"What can I do for you, sir?" the trooper asked, sitting back down.
"I want you to come with me and Captain Rex on a recon mission. Do you have a name?"
"Yeah, the others call me Bookworm."
"Ah, I see why," he said, pointing to the book. "So, you think you're up for it?"
"Yes sir," he replied, strongly. "It would be an honor."
"Good. Meet at the command tent in one hour." Cody stood up and took his leave.
Meanwhile, Captain Rex was searching for one of his top men to go. He entered his barracks to find most of his brothers minding their own business. Many were asleep, but a few were still up cleaning their weapons. Rex walked over to a bunk to find one of his elites polishing his rifle. The clone's face was worn with age and experience, light streaks of gray beginning to appear in his side burns.
"Hey, Hotshot," Rex said, casually.
The clone turned to his captain and nodded, "Hey, Rex. What d'ya need?"
"I need a man to join me and Cody on a reconnaissance mission. It should be quick and simple. You ready to get your hands dirty?"
"Sure thing, Rex. When are we leaving?" he asked, continuing to clean his weapon.
"In about an hour. Meet us in the command tent," he replied.
"I'll be there, sir."
Rex nodded and made his way back to the command tent, only to find Cody leaning back on a table with his helmet on. Rex stood next to him nudged him with his elbow.
"So, boss, who are you gonna take along on this little adventure of ours?" he asked, playfully.
Cody hit Rex in the shoulder in response. "A rookie named Bookworm."
"A shiny?" he asked, a puzzled look hidden under his helmet.
"Yeah. It's a simple recon mission. It'll be good training."
"Remember the last time you said something was going to be easy? I ended up half dead and you were horribly burned," he said, matter-of-factly.
"It'll be different this time. Who did you get?" Cody asked.
"Hotshot," Rex stated.
"What? That guy couldn't be stealthy if he was invisible!" Cody laughed.
"Well, we need a good shot guarding our rear and he's one of the best," Rex said, confidently.
"You better be right, Rex."
The hour went by quickly as the planet gradually darkened. Hordes of glowing bugs started to hover around like stars in the night sky. The brightly colored plants glistened under the moonlight, illuminating the dark forest floor.
Cody and Rex were already prepared, waiting for their men. Bookworm and Hotshot came out of the barracks fully armed. Bookworm's armor was the regular white, with the exception of a yellow line going down the middle of his helmet and chest. He carried a pistol and a sniper with him. Hotshot's armor was covered in blue stripes and his helmet was recon. He carried a precision rifle, along with a pistol. Both walked up side by side and saluted their superiors.
"At ease," Cody said. He had his usual white and yellow armor on and carried a precision rifle as well.
"Come on, we better get down to the gate. The generals are waiting for us," Rex reminded them. He had his signature captain armor and dual pistols equipped.
The clones made their way to the main gate to find Obi-wan, Anakin, and Ahsoka waiting for them. When they reached them, Obi-wan approached Cody.
"Are you all set, Cody?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," Cody responded, respectfully.
Anakin came from behind and greeted all of them. "Good, you're ready. Now go get us some good info."
The clones began to leave. Ahsoka was near the gate seeing the men off. Cody, Bookworm, and Hotshot gave respectful nods to Ahsoka as they passed. Before Rex passed, he checked to watch the two Jedi generals go back to the command tent. He seized the opportunity to take off his helmet and gave Ahsoka a quick kiss on the cheek. She blushed dark red at the motion.
"See ya later," Rex whispered, winking.
"Be careful out there, Rex," she warned, a worried expression covering her face.
"I will!" he shouted back, putting his helmet back on. He then caught up to Cody, who was already laughing to himself.
"What?" Rex asked, annoyed.
"Say goodbye to your girlfriend?" he responded, laughing again. The other clones chuckled as well.
Rex punched Cody in the shoulder, "Shut up."
"I'm just kidding," he said.
The group continued on into the dense vegetation of Felucia. Noises sounded from all around them, but none sounded dangerous. However, they remained alert with their guns raised. Over the comm they heard static. Cody, without lowering his weapon, put two fingers to his helmet.
"Repeat last."
More static, and then Obi-wan's voice. "What's your status, Cody?"
"Almost in position, sir," Cody whispered.
The men reached a ridge and went prone. Rex pulled down his one-eyed visor and began scanning the base. The huge, dome-like complex was walled in with a countless amount of droids patrolling both the wall itself and the outer perimeter.
"What's it look like down there Rex ol'boy?" Cody asked.
"At least a thousand clankers and a couple hundred tanks," he sighed.
Hotshot crawled next to his commanders. "Sir, we should get this info back to base."
Cody nodded and was about to radio in when Bookworm got up on one knee and made the hand signal for movement. The group turned to face the disturbance behind them, guns ready.
"What do you see?" Hotshot asked.
Bookworm nervously turned toward him. "I think it's an Aklay."
Just then, a metallic laugh accompanied by some coughing was heard. "Are you sure, clone?" the voice scratched out.
"Grievous," Cody whispered.
Rex let out a small breath, "Shit."
Blaster fire came out of the woods and the clones ran to cover behind a large, red and white flower.
"Where's the fire coming from?" Bookworm shouted.
"North side," Cody responded.
Rex turned to Hotshot, "Follow me. We're flanking." Rex then turned to Cody. "Give us covering fire!"
Bookworm jumped to the ground and started shooting around the flower at the enemy. Cody joined in and gave Rex the signal to go. Rex rolled out into the open, pistols drawn and firing. Hotshot followed.
"Take this you tin plated bastards!" Hotshot yelled, diving to dodge an explosion. He and Rex found cover behind an old log.
Commando droids began to pour out of the thick, multi-colored vegetation.
"Visual," Cody shouted, quickly shooting down two.
Bookworm started sniping heads off as soon as they came. Hotshot blasted one flanking Rex, while he was busy smashing a Commando's face into a nearby tree. The shooting continued, with many droids still coming. Cody kept up the fire until a loud clank came from his gun.
Cody threw it to the ground, "Damnit, my gun jammed!"
Hotshot got up from his position only to be pulled back by Rex. "Hotshot, what the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Going to help my commander. I can fix it." He made a dash to Cody's position while Rex gave him covering fire.
"Get back here!" Rex shouted at him repeatedly, but he kept going.
Cody saw Hotshot coming and knew that it was a bad idea. "Get back to Rex! That's an order!"
As Hotshot neared Cody and Bookworm, a laser hit his foot, making him fall to the ground.
"Hotshot!" Rex yelled, running to his position. He clothes-lined a Commando and drop-kicked another on his way. Cody quickly stole Bookworm's pistol and shot two more droids down. Rex grabbed a hold of the injured Hotshot and began to drag him to Cody's position. As he reached it, the clones heard four lightsabers activate.
"Grievous!" Bookworm yelled.
The droid general jumped next to their position, his claw-like legs absorbing the impact with the ground, his four stolen lightsabers pointed at the clones. Cody turned to fire, but was brutally kicked away. A Commando came up next to Bookworm and disarmed him. Rex, who was patching up his injured brother, was smacked away by Grievous. With all the clones detained, Grievous saw this as an opportunity for intimidation.
"Sooo," he growled, pacing around the injured clone like a predator circles prey, "you tried to save a fallen comrade." His voice was broken up by a bit of coughing. "Such a pity." He grabbed Hotshot by his neck and raised him off the ground. "Any last words, clone?"
Hotshot struggled and looked Grievous straight in the eye. "Go to hell!"
Grievous chuckled as he crushed the clone's neck.
Rex burst toward him, "You'll pay for that you son of a bitch!" He brought his knee to the General's gut. Cody and Bookworm attempted to break free by head-butting their captors. However, all three were quickly restrained again.
Grievous, coughing from the blow to the stomach, straightened himself out. "Take the prisoners to the hold!"