Dodgers Stadium
The entire stadium was left in a state of disarray from years of abandonment. Much like the other buildings and structures of Los Angeles, the entire stadium was covered with growing plant-life and was partially crumbled. It was a greener version of the Collisium of Rome. The stadiums parking lots were also in an altered state, with it's asphalt paving cracked up, cars that were parked were left to become small piles of scrap, and the painted bordering nearly faded out of existence. The area had remained undisturbed until now.
The Hardcell-class interstellar transport ship was descending at a slow and steady pace. All six the ships thrusters were blasting out heated exhaust that was spreading whirlwinds of heated air and dust across the parking lots. The ship had extended all three of its landing legs, which are located on the underside of the ship, to allow a steady landing onto the spacious and nearly emptied parking lot. After it did so, a large platform was lowered down by thick metal arms extending from the center underside of the ship and in between the three landing legs. This was a turbolift, a sort of advanced version of a elevator, and it was lowering down Bula with groups of twenty B1 battle droids, ten B2 super battle droids, and nine droidekas.
"I want all of you to be on alert for any possible threats or for any inhabitants, and report on whatever you find." Bula announced to the droids as the platform had reached the concrete. She then pointed off to the direction of Los Angeles. "You are to scout the surrounding area. Then, you are to make your way towards those tall structures, it appears to be a city of some sort, and continue scouting there. Report back once your done."
The droids replied with their usual "Roger, roger." saying and went off into separate groups of three in all directions. The B1 and B2 droids made the groups consisting of one B2 and two B1's. While the droidekas made groups consisting of three droidekas. As the 13 groups left, Bula stayed behind to wait for the next group of droids coming down the turbolift while eying a nearby structure. She then turned around to the next group of droids as they reached the concrete.
"The rest of you will stay with me to set up a base of operations Inside of that structure," Bula stated while pointing towards the Dodgers Stadium.
Like the previous group of droids, these droids also replied with their signature line, except for one.
"Um, excuse me Ma'am, but where should we set up the equipment?" the B1 droid asked while pointing to the metal crates that were on top of a few hovering repulsorlift cargo carriers.
"Place them aside, until we have determined that the structure is safe." said Bula.
"Roger, roger." The droid replied and turned to direct the droids that were with the cargo placements. "We'll drop the equipment aside for now until ready."
"Roger, Roger." all the droids said in unison as they pushed the carriers off to the side and await for further orders.
Meanwhile, inside of the stadium, Bula's group of droids were combing through all areas of the stadium. From the seats, to the locker rooms, and even through the restrooms. While Bula stood on the pitchers mound.
"This structure appears to have been a stadium of some sort. Probably for some sort of sporting event." Bula started to speak to herself as she noticed the stadiums wide range of seats and the grass and dirt field, that had grown with weeds of all sizes, had barely visible white lines that formed a diamond shape. She had also noticed that some of the droids that were in the dugouts, were holding aged equipment that consisted of a glove, a metal or wooden club, and a ball of leather and red thread.
"Excuse me Ma'am" said OOM command battle droid 147 as he approached Bula. "We've secured the structure."
"Excellent, post guards around the building and have the equipment set up here on the field, we'll make this our base." Bula ordered.
"Yes Ma'am!" #147 then left to carry out the orders.
Outside of the stadium, with the crates of equipment in waiting, the B1 droids were either sitting or slouching as they were still waiting for the orders to set up the equipment. Until #147 had arrived, and they all stood in attention.
"We've been given orders to unload the equipment inside, so we're making this building our base. Set up the equipment on the field inside." #147 ordered.
"Roger, roger!" the droids responded and went to move the carriers. leaving #147 to go back inside.
While the B1 Droids were getting set to move the crates, one of them noticed something wrong with one of the crates.
"Hey CS-203! Take a look at this!" The B1 droid called out to another droid named CS-203.
"What is it DC-901?" CS-203 replied and walked over to droid DC-203.
"Looks like one of the crates was already opened." Droid DC-203 said while pointing at one of the crates placed on his carrier. The top of the crate was slid-opened. "Like something opened the box from the inside and got out."
"Your wiring must be crossed. There's nothing in these box except tools and computer parts." Droid CS-203 said as he was giving a logical explanation for the opened crate. "It's not like the equipment could just get up and walk away! It probably wasn't closed all the way and just opened up by accident when it was moved."
"Ah, yeah that makes more sense. Your probably right." DC replied in agreement.
"Of course, I am a CS-series droid, and you DC droids don't exactly have the highest processor power." CS said with a sense of pride.
"Yeah, we don't have the-" CS stopped in mid sentence as he noticed the insulting remark. "Hey!"
Unbenounced to the droids, the cloaked figure from the ship had hid himself in the crate and had jumped out of it before they had to move them to the stadium, and he was now rushing off towards the city.
'Since the Valor won't arrive till later, I might as well do a little exploring while I'm here. Starting at that city, might as well find out if there are any inhabitants.' The figure thought to himself as he hopped his way with incredible speed towards the city.
Meanwhile, again, back at the U.S. Bank Tower, otherwise known as the Capital source building. Diego had finally reached the main floor and was completely exhausted.
"Huff-huff, pant-pant" Diego was breathing hard while he was leaning on a wall next to the stairs. "Who ever said coming down the stairs of a building was easier than going up, obviously didn't go down 73 floors!"
After he managed to catch his breath, he then rushed himself out of the build through the broken glass windows that surrounded the entrance and headed around the building down South Hope St with his increased speed, and in 20 minutes, he arrived at the crossing point where South hope St turned into North hope St and noticed something out of the ordinary. he noticed a trio of tall and thin figures, one was bulky and the other two were skeletal-like. In reaction, he had ducked behind the remains of a bus and observed from behind in caution. At first Diego thought it could be the visitors from the rocket he saw earlier, but then he managed to get a good look at them and noticed that they weren't human. They seemed really familiar to him.
"Hey, I think I saw something" one of the skeletal figures said in a monotone-nasally voice.
"What is it?" said the other skeletal figure with the exact same sounding voice as the other figure.
"I don't know. It ducked behind that large broken down vehicle ahead of us." the first skeletal figure said while pointing at the broken down bus that Diego was hiding behind.
"Uh-Oh! They noticed me." Diego thought to himself, unsure of whether that would be a good thing or a bad thing.
"Go check it out." said the Bulky figure to the Skeletal figure that noticed Diego in a much lower monotone voice. "If it moves, kill it, we'll have it examined by the general."
"I don't like the sound of that." Diego said in grimace.
"Roger, roger" the two skeletal figures said in unison.
"Roger, roger? I've heard that before, and I recognize those three..." Diego thought as a light bulb ding in his head. "Those are Separatist battle droids."
Diego began to worry as the two B1 Droid were coming closer.
Commander-Ookami: OK, I finally managed to get this chapter up. Sorry, it took longer than I had hoped it would. I had gotten an inspiration for another fanfic a different series and it was difficult for me to focus on this story without having to end up with a new idea for the other story popping up in my head. Not to mention the third season of the Clone Wars had just came out, so I couldn't miss that. Anyways, I'll have to juggle this story and the new fanfic to get myself in order. Please leave a comment and I'll get back to work.