The Burning Earth
I do not own Star Wars the Clone Wars. It belongs to LucasArts and Disney.
A/N: Pay attention to the days and time. In war almost everything moves fast.
Chapter 7 - Extraction
If we do not end war — war will end us. Everybody says that, millions of people believe it, and nobody does anything. ~ H.G. Wells
New York City, New York
Day 1: Sunday, July 21 - 1:15pm
"Ugh, come on!" Aaliyah Smith shouted, honking her car horn. She was stuck in one of New York City's famous traffic jams, much to her annoyance. "I'm gonna be late for work." She complained, honking again. "Knew I should've just took the bus like a normal person."
Aaliyah currently worked as a New York City Police Lieutenant. The NYPD is the largest municipal police force in the United States, having primary responsibilities in law enforcement and investigation within the five boroughs of New York City, and is one of the oldest police departments established in the United States.
She sighed and slumped back into her seat. Letting her eyes wonder all over the car, she saw the radio. "Hm, might as well." She said, reaching over and turning it on.
"In the wake of President Chan's National Address, there seemed to be more questions than answers. Can we really trust this Galactic Republic? So far, from what we've seen, they've led this Separatist Alliance to our planet and have failed to prevent the fall of the U.S. West Coast. The Droid Army has killed thousands of innocent civilians and members of the Armed Forces in a little more than five hours.
People across the country have little faith that these so called Jedi Generals of the Galactic Republic Military can really protect us and assist our government in expelling these droids from our land.
Also, earlier today, the Pentagon reported that the Separatist have hacked the CIA database, taking a lot of information on, well, everything really. Information on the United States and every other country on Earth. Weapons and tactics, maps and base locations, different alliances, everything of importance they now have.
The good news though, the Droids have halted they're advance and for some reason have pulled their air defenses back to space. No one knows why, but the Pentagon says this gives them time to plan more strategies. They believe that, for the time being, the East Coast should be relatively safe, for now. President Chan urges our Armed Forces and Police Forces to remain vigilant and to be ready to act at a moments notice.
We shall bring you more information as it becomes available. Until then, our hopes and prayers go to those affected by this invasion and to our entire country. May God bless these United States of America."
Aaliyah shook her head and turned off the radio. "Let's not think about that right now." She said to herself, and honked her horn again. "Come on, people!"
North Atlantic Ocean
12:52pm
"Sir, we are almost at the launch point." A young Naval officer said to Russian Admiral Boris Vorshevsky, who was made the Commander of the entire Russian Invasion Fleet by the President himself. With him was the Northern Fleet, consisting of two massive aircraft carriers, eleven destroyers, ten cruisers, five submarines deep under the ocean, and many more support ships. All thanks to Russia's new and improved military budget.
How did they get here so fast? Well, a lot has changed in the last few years. Months after the Second Russian Civil War, President Makova almost immediately began to rebuild and restructure the Navy and within two years, the size, strength, and even speed of Russia's great Navy was two times more than what it used to be. Granted, it's still nowhere near as large and powerful as the U.S. Navy, but it's still almost a match. The Russian Navy was already doing several practice drills in the Atlantic and one of their biggest ship yards was there as well. The size of their Navy is sufficient enough that their reach could touch almost all parts of both the Atlantic and Pacific.
"Very good. Launch the first wave of paratroopers and fighters on all three fleets, and prepare for a confrontation with the U.S. Navy once we reach their shores." The Admiral ordered.
"Right away, sir."
Within ten minutes of his orders, a fleet of fifteen An-124 cargo planes, flying in groups of three, escorted by hundreds of Separatist vulture-droids and a squad of Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, flew over the Northern Fleet, heading for their target: New York City.
On all three fleets, the Northern, Southern, and Center Fleets, the same thing occurred simultaneously, unleashing their might on the unsuspecting Americans.
"Have one of the New York squadrons hit John F. Kennedy International Airport. We'll use that location as an airfield." Admiral Vorshevsky said, watching the planes and fighters fly over the command destroyer. "Are their satellites and surveillance technology down?"
"Yes, sir. They won't see us until it's too late. Their reaction time will most likely be slower now."
"Excellent. Ready the weapons systems. Once we reach New York City we'll lay waste to whatever ships in the way and engage the U.S. Navy."
"We'll be ready, sir."
New York City, New York
1:24pm
Aaliyah sighed again. She'd finally made it out of that traffic jam, and was now in Times Square, at another stoplight. "Come on, I don't have that much further to the station." She said to herself. Earlier, she'd already called the police station and informed them that she would be running a little late.
As she sat back in her seat, she noticed in the corner of her eye that people were looking up and pointing at the sky. Her police instincts immediately kicked in and she put the car in park and got out.
She looked in the direction they're pointing in and saw them. Three cargo planes flew over, flying a little too low for her liking.
"Why is it flying so low?" Someone asked out loud as people looked on, their fear rising.
Above them, the cargo bay doors of the planes opened, allowing the Russian paratroopers to see the Big Apple below them.
"Are we really doing this?" A Russian paratrooper by the name of Andrei asked his CO as they watched the doomed city.
"Shut it and drop the supplies, Private!" The CO ordered over the loud wind
Without having to be told twice, Andrei pushed a large, steel military crate full of ammunition, medical supplies, and equipment off the ramp and watched it fall through the sky before the parachute activated and it gently, but quickly, sailed to the ground.
Aaliyah eyes narrowed as she tried to see what was falling from the cargo plane. "...Uh-oh, get back!" She shouted, tackling two young women to the ground. The large, steel military crate slammed into a nearby car, but luckily the owner had already exited the vehicle.
"What the heck was that?!" Someone shouted in anger and confusion.
Ignoring the shouts, Aaliyah watched the sky closely as the cargo planes looped back around for another pass.
"Alright men, this is it." The paratroopers CO, Mikhail, said as they prepared to jump. "This is where we write history. For the first time in over 200 years, the Americans will know what it's like to have your home invaded and your people killed. Fight for your families, fight for President Makova, fight for the motherland!"
With a furious war cry, the soldiers ran forward one by one and jumped off the boarding ramp and into the city.
Andrei was one of the last men and looked down in horror. "We're spotted, sir!" He shouted to the CO as the U.S. anti-aircraft cannons, which were discreetly set up on the roof of numerous tall buildings, opened fire. The air-raid sirens began to sound all across New York City, alerting them to the enemy above.
"Of course the Yanks see us, that's the point! Now, quite being a wimp and jump already!" Mikhail shouted, shoving him forward. "And try not to land on a building! You're no help all the way up there!"
Andrei nodded weakly and leaped off the ramp, gasping at the scene below him.
All around him, as far as his eyes can see, were thousands of parachutes carrying his fellow Russian soldiers to the ground through the bursts of anti-aircraft rounds. The citizens of New York were already running around in a panicked frenzy while the NYPD directed them in the right direction and fought the paratroopers at the same time.
"Move, move!" Aaliyah shouted to the people around her as the Russians fell from the sky. "Get out here! Head to Central Park! Go, go!"
Down the street, numerous paratroopers landed and opened fire on the fleeing civilians, cutting them down right in front of her.
"Hey!" She shouted in anger, firing her standard police issued pistol. She managed to hit one of the soldiers in the head, angering his comrades.
Quickly, Aaliyah ducked behind a car as the enemy fired at her with their automatic weapons. "Lieutenant Smith to Dispatch, requesting back up in Times Square, over!" She shouted into the radio before firing a few rounds at the Russians who were advancing towards her.
"Back up already on the way, Lieutenant, standby."
She grunted in annoyance and ran towards her car, firing at the Russians to keep their heads down. Once she got there, she opened her trunk and went through her police duffel bag to retrieve more ammunition for her pistol.
"Back up better get here fast. I need to get more effective weapons; this pistol's not gonna cut it." She said to herself, firing again.
Washington D.C., The White House
8:38pm
"Contacts right! Contacts right!" Ash shouted, blasting his rifle at the small horde of droids to his right down another hall. "Cover fire!" He ordered, gesturing to Dagger to move up.
Quickly, Dagger dived into a roll and over to the other side of the hall. Without stopping he tossed a grenade to the droids. "Fire in the hole." He said as the explosive went off, destroying the droids inside.
"Alright, we have to move faster." Ash said, turning to Ion. "Ion, take the rear with the agents. Dagger, scout ahead."
"Yes, sir." Dagger replied, rushing quickly but carefully down the long hall.
"Okay people, we have less then 15 minutes to get to the South Lawn. We've got to move." Ash said urgently, following the direction Dagger went. "Storm, where you able to pick-up our extra package?" He asked into the private, team comm.
"Affirmative, sir. Swinging back to the extraction point. But, uh, I suggest you hurry it along. Our passenger isn't exactly thrilled to be on our ship and the droids from that transport are marching on the White House."
"Ah, we're working on it, Storm." Ash said, pulling out his side DC-15s hand blaster and blasting a paratrooper in the chest.
Ahsoka, impaled another droid in the chest before whipping around quickly and slashing down another.
She and ten other clones from the 501st were currently engaging the enemy paratroopers and droids on Pennsylvania Avenue and 13th St. and were pushing them back so far.
"Sir, I just received word that another landing craft is preparing to land in the Ellipse and the droids are advancing on the White House." Clone trooper Denal said, standing next to her.
"We have to help them." Ahsoka said with determination. "Hurry, troopers!" She shouted, as they all headed towards the Ellipse.
Washington Monument Evac-Site
8:43pm
"Sir! Just received confirmation that the enemy captured West Potomac Park and has set up multiple SAM (Surface-to-Air Missiles) sites!" A U.S. Army Ranger reported, looking up from his small portable computer.
Before the U.S. General or the Jedi Generals could respond, the bunker shook violently. Everyone glanced fearfully up at the ceiling as a bomb, missile, or cannon shell hit above them. After a moment, the shaking stopped and the ceiling held.
"Things aren't looking good." Anakin said, looking over a large map of D.C. "We're fighting a two front assault. And I'm almost certain more droids and paratroopers will arrive."
Rose nodded and gestured to the west of the map. "The Droid Army is marching on us from the Arlington Memorial Bridge and the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bridge. On top of that, the paratroopers are coming in from the air and on foot to the Northeast."
General Alexander grunted in annoyance. "The Russian Naval Fleet is annihilating our Navy presence in New York, and because of the Separatist first strikes, the Pacific Fleet is too weak to help the West Coast. Luckily, our Naval forces elsewhere in the world are speeding home to help but they won't be here for another day or two."
Anakin sighed and shook his head. "We might not have another day if they keep pouring into the city. Without Republic reinforcements our defenses will break under pressure." He said as the bunker vibrated softly again.
The White House
8:48pm
"Hallway clear." Ion said, looking around at all the dead droids and Russians littering the floor.
"Good job, Commandos. Now, let's get out of here." Ash said and they quickly exited the hall into the South foyer. The door to the South Lawn was long gone, in its place a still flaming gaping hole where the Russians had used a rocket launcher to destroy the entrance.
"Dagger, take point."
"Moving up." Dagger replied and walked at at slight crouch towards the smoking hole and peered around the corner to look outside. Bodies of dead Secret Service agents and other people, who were most likely other White House personnel, littered some parts of the recently cut grass. "Clear."
"Okay, Storm, we're exiting the building now. Where are you?" After a long moment of no response, Ash started to get worried. "Storm, come in. Storm." Then, to his relief, Storm finally answered.
"Sorry about the wait, boss. Ran into a little trouble for a second there. Alpha 68 en' route to the RV now."
"Understood." Ash replied, stepping through the hole with the President and his kids following close behind.
"Boss, I have visual contact on a company of droids (over 288 droids) closing in on the South Lawn from the Ellipse. ETA of those droids, less than 1 minute." Storm reported frantically.
Ash held up his hands, causing Ion and Dagger to immediately stop where they are. He then silently pointed two fingers to the ground and the Commandos quickly crouched down.
Ion peaked behind a stone pillar nearby and looked for the incoming droids. "Confirmed visual. Droids inbound 12 o'clock."
Dagger looked as well and saw two B2-HA series super-battledroids aim their forearm rocket launchers and open fire. "Rocket launcher!"
"Get down!" Ash order the agents behind them. Two secret service agents quickly grabbed Chan, and his children, and pulled the three of them to the ground right as the explosive projectile slammed into the wall behind them, throwing debris in every direction.
"Storm, bring in the transport, now!" Ion shouted as the droids opened fire on their position.
Ahsoka, clone trooper Denal, and the nine other clones of the 501st found themselves at the end of the avenue, southeast corner of the White House South Lawn. There, they found the horde of battledroids and super-battledroids rushing through the quite large hole in the White House fence and attacking the severely outnumbered commandos and secret service agents.
"Commander, I have visual on the President. How shall we proceed?" Denal asked, looking through his elctro-binoculars.
"Okay, uh," Ahsoka said, looking around the area, "you and your men attack from behind when I give the signal. I'll try to get over to the President and help from the front. We'll meet in the middle until the transport arrives."
"Are you sure, Commander?" Denal asked in concern. "There's got to be well over 200 droids down there." He said as the sound of more Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets could be heard coming for them.
Before the jets could attack their target, three ARC-170s appeared and took them out from behind.
Ahsoka turned away from the smoking fighters as they plummeted towards the city in the distance. "Yes, Denal, I'm positive. Stay here until I give the command." Without waiting for a response, she moved low and quickly along the White House east-facing fence, towards the commandos position.
"Boss, on your left!" Dagger shouted to Ash, who quickly whipped around and fired three shots into an approaching battledroid, killing it.
"The droids are advancing!" A secret service agent shouted, firing his P-90.
"We don't have enough cover!" Ion shouted, quickly pulling out his side blaster and firing bolts into two more droids that were right in top of him.
"We have to hold the line!" Ash shouted, ducking his head as laserfire whizzed by. "Russian paratroopers are entering to the North. We'll be trapped if we head back inside!" He explained, tossing a grenade which destroyed a handful of supers.
"He's right!" Ron said, crouching back down. "We'll hold out until our exfill arrives!"
"Uhh, sir, I don't think we can wait that long!" Ion said, pointing in front of them. To their horror, the droids had reassembled themselves and were now moving in a full-frontal assault to take the building.
"Get down!" Ash ordered as the droids simultaneously opened fire.
"What'd we do now!?" Ron asked the commandos who were peaking behind cover to keep the droids back with blasterfire.
"Ah, we've been in worse situations." Dagger said, somewhat dismissively. "I'm almost certain we can make it out of here."
"Almost?" President Chan asked, who hadn't really said a word this entire time.
"Yeah, it's like a 50/50 chance we'll get out of here." Ion said, ducking down again to reload.
"Give or take a few." Ash added, tossing a droid popper to disable a few droids.
Ron looked up after hearing something and timidly tapped Dagger on the shoulder. "Uh, sir, what about that new pair of droids coming for us?"
Dagger quickly looked up and spotted two vulture-droids heading towards them. "Boss, we've got vultures!" He warned Ash, who was still firing at the droids in front of them.
Without turning away from the battle, Ash asked, "Is it a flyby!?"
"Uh, no, sir. Looks to me like-"
Before Dagger could finish, the vultures transformed into its land form, trampling numerous droids in the process.
"Oh, uh, yeah now we're in trouble." Ion said slowly.
The vultures immediately opened fire on them, forcing them all to keep their heads down.
"Now what!?" Ron shouted over the intense blasterfire.
"Dagger, you still have that rocket launcher!?" Ash questioned, turning to his comrade.
"Oh, yeah, almost forgot about that." Dagger replied, removing the American rocket launcher from his back. "I see what you have in mind, sir. Cover me." He quickly crawled towards the trees to the left while Ash and Ion returned fire at the fast advancing droids.
Once Dagger was far enough, surprisingly without any droids spotting him, he got on one knee, raising the launcher. A moment later, he fired. The projectile sped through the air and slammed into the side of one of the vultures, causing it to explode in a ball of fire. The explosion also managed to blow apart handfuls of other droids around the vulture.
"Ha, yes!" Dagger celebrated, then prepared to fire a second rocket. Unfortunately, when he prepared to fire, a blaster bolt hit the launcher, near his hand, causing him to drop it in reflex. "Blast!" He shouted in annoyance as five BX commando droids appeared all around him.
The droids raised their weapons at the same time and prepared to fire at the lone clone. But, a second before they attack, they were all shoved by a powerful force, throwing them back.
Dagger looked up and saw Jedi Commander Ahsoka leap from the trees, landing in front of him. With a snap-hiss her lightsaber came to life and she began batting aside the incoming blasterfire from the recovered commando droids.
"Dagger, get back to your squad and help them. I'll handle the vulture!" She ordered before dashing forward and began to cut down the droids.
Dagger, shocked that she actually remember his name, quickly picked up the launcher and ran back to his squad, firing at the droids as he went.
Ahsoka, satisfied that he was away, sprung into action, jumping on top of droid after droid, beheading them, as she made her way to the vulture. A majority of the droids had turned their attention away from the commandos and were attacking her now.
Upon landing beside the vulture, Ahsoka deflected its cannon shots before jumping up and on top of the droid. Seemingly unfazed, the battledroids and super-battledroids continued to fire up at her. Effortlessly, she twirled her lightsaber in circular motions, sending the deadly, red plasma bolts in every direction, away from her.
"Denal, now!" She shouted into her comlink.
"On it, sir." Denal answered, turning to his men. "Begin the attack gentleman!"
"Sir, yes, sir!" The clones responded, charging up and over the White House fence and towards the droids.
One battledroid turned away from Ahsoka and the commandos, spotting the incoming clones. "Uh-oh, there are more clones coming from-" Before it could finish, Denal fired a bolt into its head.
Numerous other droids turned to the new arrivals and exchanged fire with them.
Ahsoka smiled as the droids moved around frantically, taking fire from the commandos and her clone team from two sides, effectively catching them in a crossfire.
Acting quickly, she raised her blade then brought it down, piercing the vulture-droid she was on top of. Then, she jumped off and cut off two of its legs. As the droid whined and fell to the ground, disabled, she ran towards the commandos to assist them, cutting down droids in her path.
Dagger gave a long whistle as they watched Ahsoka take out the vulture. "That kid's got skill."
"Yeah." Ash said nodding, then turned his attention back to the droids.
A super-battledroid smacked two battledroids aside then opened fire on them.
"Incoming!" Ion shouted, firing back at the super.
Another B2-HA series super-battledroid approached and immediately fired its rocket launcher.
Fortunately, before the projectile could reach its target, blue blasterfire intercepted it, causing it to explode in midair.
Denal and two other clones had made it through the horde of droids, moving towards Ahsoka's position.
"Ash, where's the transport!?" Ahsoka asked once she reached the commandos and began to deflect the blasterfire.
"It should be arriving right about now! Hopefully soon!"
Suddenly, cannon fire rained down on the droids from above, obliterating them. Everyone looked up to see the Republic Pelta-class frigate finally arriving to their aid.
"Alpha 68, arriving at RV, linking up to your HUD, boss." Storm said over their comms.
The ship's boarding ramp lowered and Storm could be seen waving them over.
"Go." Ahsoka ordered as the droids began to regroup. Behind them, the Russian paratroopers had emerged from within the White House and were making their way towards them. "All of you go!"
"You heard the commander, move it troopers!" Denal ordered. Everyone ran for the transport, helping President Chan, his children, and the few of his remaining staff members, aboard right as the droids opened fire again. The other nine clones in Ahsoka's group made it to the frigate as well and boarded quickly.
Ahsoka immediately began to deflect the incoming blasterfire, keeping the droids back. But, behind her, the paratroopers had arrived and fired as well. Thinking quickly, she cartwheeled away from the Russians, causing their gunfire to hit the droids.
Ash ushered the non-combatants towards the middle of the ship, where the sleeping quarters and mess hall were, then turned his attention back to Ahsoka, who was surrounded on all sides.
"Dagger, you still got that rocket launcher?!" Ash asked, firing his at the droids and paratroopers, attempting to help the young Jedi.
"Already on it, sir." Dagger said, crouched on the ground, preparing to fire. Taking aim, he fired his last rocket.
The explosive slammed almost directly into the middle of the horde of droids, blowing a majority of them to bits.
"Commander Tano!" Ash shouted to Ahsoka, who looked up momentarily before deflecting more blasterfire. "Come on, sir!"
Nodding, Ahsoka leapt backwards, flipping in the air, before landing on the boarding ramp. "Storm, get us out of here!" She shouted into her comm.
"Copy that, sir." Storm replied, closing the boarding ramp and taking off from the war torn White House.
A super tactical droid watched, from his position in front of the landing craft, as the Republic frigate flew off into the sky with multiple clone ARC fighters close behind.
He took out a small holoprojector and hailed his commander. After a few moments, an image of General Grievous appeared.
"Sir, the remaining Republic and U.S. forces have fled the White House with the U.S. President." The droid reported to Grievous who only laughed.
"Storm the building and secure it firmly in our grip. This entire complex will be our command center for the duration of this invasion. Prepare for my arrival."
"But sir, Count Dooku ordered that we bring him the President."
"I am well aware of that! I will handle President Chan, just do as I command!"
"By your command, sir." The droid replied, cutting the connection. "All squads move up, now. Set up our defenses and prepare for the General's arrival."
"Roger, roger."
Multiple droids walked off the Separatist landing craft, bringing numerous crates towards the captured building. Inside the metal crates were 10 double-barrel repeating blasters, which were going to be set up around the building, and many RPS-6 rocket launchers.
Over a hundred Droidekas (destroyer droids) rolled off the boarding ramp and into the building, including hundreds of BX commando droids.
"Do not allow enemy forces to get close enough to the complex. Secure the Ellipse and the surrounding streets." The super tactical droid ordered.
"Roger, roger."
On the roof of the historic building, a team of five commando droids and five Russian paratroopers set up sniper positions and scanned the area for enemies. Two of the paratroopers quickly removed the torn American flag from its pole and dismissively tossed it over the roof, down to the South Lawn. Immediately, the Russian flag rose in its place, fluttering in the wind as the sun continued its descent in the distance.
Washington Monument Evac-Site
10:21pm
"Sir," an Army Ranger said to General Alexander, "the enemy has captured the White House and its surrounding area." He reported sadly.
Alexander sighed and shook his head. They all saw this coming, but nevertheless didn't like it at all. "And President Chan?"
"Not sure yet, sir."
"Sir," Lieutenant Appo called from his seat in front of a series of maps and a small portable computer, "Commander Tano is hailing us."
"Put it through." Anakin ordered, turning to a much larger holoprojector next to the center table.
An image of Ahsoka, who was sitting in the pilot seat of her frigate, flickered to life.
"Master Skywalker, I was successfully able to reach the White House and assist the Commandos in extracting the President. We're about to bring him to the safe-zone now."
"Change of plans, Ahsoka." Rose said, stepping into the projectors field of view next to Anakin. "Take the President and his staff off-planet."
"Get him safely to Coruscant and tell the Jedi Council about our situation." Anakin added, noticing Ahsoka's confusion. "We can't win with the forces we have here so we need more reinforcements."
"Just accompany the President to the Senate so that he could straighten everything out with the Chancellor, maybe even join the Republic. When you're done there, you can accompany the reinforcements back here." Rose explained.
"Uh, yes, Master Sapphire. I shall leave immediately."
"Don't worry, Ahsoka," Anakin said, giving her a smile, "I know you'll do fine. We're counting on you, Snips."
"Don't worry about us, Ahsoka, we'll hold out for as long as we can." Rose added.
"Alright, we shall leave immediately. Don't panic while I'm gone." She joked, bowing her head.
"Good luck, Snips." Anakin said as the connection was cut. He then turned around and proceeded to leave the room.
"Hey, where are you going?" Rose asked with a raised eyebrow.
"To the surface. You know I hate being cooped up in command center." Anakin replied, gesturing for Appo to follow him. "Besides, you had a lot of action in Virginia and I got absolutely none. Even Master Yoda is up there."
Rose rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'll stay here and coordinate our forces."
Anakin smiled and hurried out of the room, Appo right behind him.
Opening a door, they found themselves in a large, open space. The room was full of clones from the 501st 2nd Battalion (576 troopers) and the 3rd Ranger Battalion (about 300 soldiers) of the 75th Army Ranger Regiment that were attached to the 501st. The clones and U.S. Rangers seemed to be getting along perfectly, which was great. Most of them were holding conversations, joking around, and just bonding.
But, even from here you could still almost clearly hear the intense battle happening directly above them.
One ranger came running into the bunker, a wounded comrade on his back with a blaster wound to the abdomen.
"Wounded! I've got a wounded here!" The ranger shouted as he made his way to the back of the room where numerous Ranger and clone medics stood, tending to many other wounded men.
"Set him down here!" 501st medic Jesse ordered, pointing to a blanket laid out on the floor.
Anakin turned away from the scene and looked over his Battalion. "Appo, give me a status report before we head out." He ordered as he and Appo walked towards the exit of the bunker.
"Yes, sir. Captain Rex has already taken his Battalion to the surface. His last report stated that they were storming the Smithsonian Institute Building on Jefferson Dr. Intel suggests that the enemy has already captured that building, so of course the Captain wanted to liberate it." Appo reported as they both stopped at the exit. "General Kenobi has linked back up with Commander Cody and the 212th are pushing towards the Capitol Building."
Anakin nodded and began to leave the bunker. "Ready our Battalion, Lieutenant. I'll wait out here."
"On it, sir." Appo replied and headed back to where the men were enjoying themselves.
Upon re-entering the large room, Appo found clone troopers Hardcase and Tup sitting on the floor, having a conversation with three Army Rangers.
"So, I said to her, 'baby you and me could go a long way...'" Hardcase was saying to his comrades, but was interrupted by Tup.
"You've never even met a girl." Tup said, smirking.
Appo chuckled and walked over to them. "On your feet, troopers!" He shouted, tossing Tup a DC-15S blaster, which he easily caught. "We're heading up, men, let's go!"
The clones began to quickly put on their phase 2 helmets and pick up their weapons.
"3rd Ranger Battalion gear up!" Appo ordered, helping one ranger to his feet. "Let's go, move it!"
"Sir, yes, sir." The clones and rangers shouted in unison.
Once everyone seemed ready, Appo began to speak. "Listen up cause I'm only saying it once! We need to by this Evac-Site some valuable time to get these civvies out of here. The enemy has set up a nest in the Department of Commerce Building and are using it as a sniper position. We're going to storm the building from three points of entry and take out that nest, understood?"
"Sir, yes, sir!"
"Good. Let's move!" Appo said, leading them out of the bunker and to General Skywalker's position just outside the bunker.
"All here and ready, sir." Appo said, crouching next to the Jedi. "Plan of attack, sir?"
"You know me, Appo. I almost always have a plan." Anakin answered, smiling.
"Uh, almost, sir?"
"Yeah, I'm not afraid to admit that. Just follow me to the objective."
"Right behind you, General." Appo said, preparing himself.
"Ready? Let's move." Anakin said with confidence, activating his lightsaber and running out of the trench they were in and into the bloodshed. The hundreds of clones and U.S. Rangers followed close behind, firing at the hordes of droids and paratroopers that were converging on the Evac-Site from two sides.
"You heard 'em lads, let's go!"
"Fight like clones!"
"Go, go, go, go!"
"Cover fire!"
"Take 'em out, take 'em all out!"
"Come on, men!" Anakin called out, jumping into another trench. The soldiers followed him, moving through the trenches towards the Commerce Building on Constitution Ave.
Along the way, they passed an AT-TE (All Terrain Tactical Enforcer), which was firing at a Separatist AAT. Eventually, the tank was able to destroy the AAT in a ball of fire.
"Heh, nice fireworks." Tup stated from behind Hardcase.
"You know how I like to see things go boom." Hardcase replied, smiling. "Bet you a hundred I could destroy one of those tanks singlehandedly."
"Stow it, troopers." Appo said through their closed channel within their phase 2 helmets. "Besides, you wouldn't have won that bet."
Above them, high in the sky, the Republic frigate carrying the President sped through the incoming laserfire from the enemy vultures, escorted by the ARC-170s.
Ahsoka and Storm sat in the two pilot seats, though Ahsoka was piloting.
"I still think I did a fine job flying this thing." Storm said to his fellow commandos who were sitting behind them.
"Face it, Storm, she's a better pilot." Ion said, chuckling as Storm just crossed his arms.
The door behind them opened and President Chan, along with Secret Service agent Ron, and someone she'd never seen before, entered the bridge.
"Mr. President, please, strap yourself in, it's going to be a bumpy ride." Ahsoka said and Chan did as she said and sat in one of the empty seats, along with Ron and the unknown man.
"Did the Jedi say where we're going?" Chan asked as he buckled up.
"Uhh, yeah. I am to take you off-world to Coruscant."
"What?" The man next to Chan said, "no, no, no, no, we can't just leave while our people die down there."
Ahsoka raised an eyebrow at him.
"Uhh, Commander Tano, this is Secretary of State, Bill Conway." Chan said, gesturing to the man, "Bill, this is Jedi Commander Ahsoka Tano of the Galactic Republic."
"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Secretary." Ahsoka said, shaking his hand. "My apologies about the situation, but Master Sapphire's orders still stand."
"Why must we leave, and why was I forced to come along?" Bill asked. He was still upset about being taken basically against his will.
Bill was at the Department of State's headquarters, the Harry S Truman Building located at 2201 C Street, NW, a few blocks away from the White House, when the invasion sirens started.
Most of building was evacuated ahead of time so it was only him and a few others who were going to be some of the last people to leave. He was led out of the building by a squad of U.S. Army Rangers and were going to head towards George Washington University to evacuate.
Just as he was about to enter a military humvee when a Republic gunship landed in the street. Five clones from the Sixth Systems Army, dressed in their red and white phase 2 armor and helmets, walked towards them.
"Are you the Secretary of State." One of the clones asked, stopping in front of them.
"Yes, yes I am." Bill answered, nodding. For some reason, the clones intimidated him with their armor and how their entire head was covered by the helmets.
"I'm Captain Hawk, General Sapphire and Skywalker sent me here to get you." Hawk said, arms clasped behind his back.
Bill took a moment to take in this clone's armor. He wore the same red and white as the rest of his men, but had a few differences. On his left shoulder was a red and black pauldron. On his waist was a kama, a kilt-like piece of flexible, leather, anti-blast armor worn from the waist, fastened to his belt with snaps. Also, on his left chest-plate was a black outline of a bird, presumably a hawk. Finally, there was a design on the top of his helmet that looked like a pair of weird looking eyes.
"Uhh, I'm sorry Captain, but I'm already being evacuated. Please inform the Jedi Generals that I don't require any assistance at the moment." Bill nodded to them and prepared to enter the humvee again, but Hawk spoke up again.
"I'm sorry, Sir, but we aren't taking you to one of the designated Evac-Sites, or the safe-zone. I've been ordered to take you to a Republic frigate where you'll then be taken off-world." Hawk said, looking up as a Pelta-class frigate approached from the east and landed in the middle of the street behind them.
"Off-world?!" Bill asked in a shout. "Why would I do that?!"
Hawk sighed in annoyance, "sorry, sir, but everything will be explained later. Please, follow me." He said as two of the five clones moved behind the Secretary.
Bill turned to the Rangers, who just stood there, not intervening. "Sergeant, please explain to Captain Hawk that I cannot leave the country, let alone the planet, at a time like this."
The sergeant shrugged and shook his head. "I am sorry, Mr. Secretary, but orders are orders. Our hands are tied."
Well, he technically wasn't 'forced' physically to come with them, but he didn't have much of a choice. So, he reluctantly followed the clones, who lead him into the ship, placing him in the care of clone commando Storm.
"Well," Ahsoka began, turning around so that she was facing forward again, "you are the Secretary of State, sir. From my limited understanding, you're the President's principal adviser on U.S. foreign policy and you conduct negotiations relating to U.S. foreign affairs. We'll need your assistance if we're gonna convince the Galactic Senate that your world needs our direct help."
President Chan nodded. "So, we're heading to the Republic's capital?"
"Yes, sir, the city-planet of Coruscant." Ahsoka answered.
Suddenly, the ship shook violently as they were hit from behind.
"What was that?!" Bill asked in a panic as he gripped tightly on the bottom of the seat.
Their frigate broke through a thick cloud of smoke, seemingly from an explosion, and found themselves in the middle of the intense space-battle above the planet.
Multiple vulture-droids flew by the bridge at high speed, followed by a squad of Republic ARC-170s. About 500 meters in front of them was the Separatist blockade, comprised of 15 Providence-class Destroyers, 5 massive Lucrehulk-class battleships, and thousands of vulture-droids and tri-fighter droids.
Opposite the Separatist was the Republic fleet of 15 Venator-class Star Destroyers and 10 Acclamator II-class assault ships, firing their cannons and torpedoes at the enemy.
"I almost forgot about the battle up here." Ahsoka said, maneuvering the frigate through the battlefield of starships and laserfire.
"Mother of god..." Bill exclaimed as they passed one of the massive Lucrehulk battleships.
General Grievous' Command Ship
10:30pm
"Uh, General, we're tracking a small Republic frigate that just left the planet and is attempting to bypass our defenses." A B1 battledroid reported to Grievous.
"Ah, the U.S. President I assume. Launch a round of tracking torpedoes at that frigate. I want it destroyed by any means necessary." Grievous ordered, standing from his seat to look out the large windows of his command bridge.
"Missiles incoming!" Storm reported, looking at the monitor in front of him.
Ahsoka nodded, "I see them. Ugh, I hate missiles. Divert all power to the engines, now!"
"On it, sir." Storm replied, doing as she commanded and giving the engines more power, boosting their speed.
You could hear the ship groaning under pressure as Ahsoka pushed the frigate to go faster, the tracking torpedoes right on their tail.
"Uhh, that doesn't sound good," Bill exclaimed, "and why are we heading straight for that ship!"
Ahsoka ignored him and kept going towards a Separatist Providence-class destroyer. "Alright, hang on everyone!"
Once they were close enough, Ahsoka pushed the frigate up and in a steep climb towards the destroyers bridge.
"Uhh, Commander Tano..." President Chan started, afraid for his, and his kids below, life.
At the last moment, meters away from the large enemy bridge, Ahsoka jerked the ship to the right, causing the commandos, who weren't sitting, to stumble over and onto the metal floor.
The tracking torpedoes couldn't turn in time and they all slammed into the destroyers bridge, completely annihilating everyone inside and crippling the entire ship.
"Woohoo!" Ion shouted in victory as the darkness of space lit up brightly as the destroyer fell apart, explosions big and small appearing all around its massive hull.
Chan released a breath of relief, which he didn't even realize he was holding. "That was terrifying."
Ahsoka just laughed and piloted the ship towards the Republic fleet. "If Master Obi-Wan or Rose were here when I did that they would have a heart attack."
Grievous yelled in frustration as he watched one of his Providence-class destroyers go up in flames.
"Uhh, the tracking torpedoes missed their targets, sir." A droid reported the obvious.
The cyborg General quickly ignited one of his lightsabers and beheaded the B1 droid in anger.
"Anyone else have something to say!"
"Uh, no, no."
"No, I, uh, don't think so."
"That's what I thought." Grievous said, twirling the saber around before deactivating it.
"Storm, set the hyperspace coordinates and get us to Coruscant." Ahsoka ordered the commando sitting next to her.
"Right away, sir." Storm replied and began setting the coordinates.
"Incoming Republic Frigate B-97 this is the Resolute, identify yourselves." The voice of a clone officer said over the comms.
"This is Jedi Commander Ahsoka Tano, requesting permission to pass. I have the U.S. President aboard my vessel and I have orders from General Sapphire and Skywalker to get him safely to Coruscant."
"Standby, sir."
"Standby?" Bill said in frustration, "we can't just sit here waiting for those droids to finish us."
"Relax, Mr. Secretary, they won't hold us on standby for long." Ash said, trying to calm the annoying man.
True to his word, the clone officer returned. "You have permission to pass, Commander. General Plo Koon and General Mashu Sapphire wish you safe travels."
"Thank you, officer." Ahsoka replied and cut the transmission. "Those coordinates set, Storm?"
"Yes, sir, coordinates set and hyperdrive ready."
The ship vibrated again as they were hit by blasterfire.
"We've got vultures!" Storm said as the ship shook again.
Ahsoka maneuvered the frigate through the laser field and pushed the ship faster. "Are we clear?" She asked frantically as the frigate passed the Republic cruisers.
"Fleet cleared, sir, make the jump." Storm said nodding.
"Hello hyperspace." Ahsoka said happily, activating the hyperdrive.
The stars in space appeared to stretch as the ship jumped into lightspeed, back towards Republic Space.
Grievous howled in anger as the Republic frigate carrying the U.S. President jumped into hyperspace and out of the Solar System.
"Tighten our blockade defenses and send another wave of droids to the U.S. Capital. I must get down there and prepare my new base of operations." He ordered the super tactical droid standing next to him.
"Of course, sir." The advanced tactical droid said in acknowledgement.
Coughing, Grievous turned and left the bridge.
Well, that's that. Ahsoka and Alpha Squad were finally able to get the President and Secretary of State off-world and are now taking him to Coruscant.
Next Chapter: Return to Coruscant
A/N: Check my deviantArt page to see what Commander Blaze and the rest of the Sixth Systems Army looks like (armor wise). There's a link on my profile. Hope you like them.
ATTENTION! I am in need of some assistance! Okay, I can't decide what other country should join the Separatist and help them and Russia attack the rest of Earth. Please go to my profile and pick one of the choices I've added off the top of my head. If you have another suggestion that's not mentioned, either PM me or just write it in a review. THANK YOU
Review Replies:
Guest (spellchecker011111) - Thank you very much for the kind review and suggestions! :) As I said, I already have a picture of what Commander Blaze looks like, but as you've probably already noticed, I haven't really given a description of in the story. I apologize for forgetting that, but I'll fix that when I update the other chapters soon. And your suggestions about Alex could work as well so I'll think about adding that.
I've also taken your suggestion and added Denal into the story as well. I have to admit, I almost forgot all about him. And, yes Blaze wears a kama around his waist.
Guest (Derek) - Thanks for the review! :) I'm not gonna say much about the nuclear weapons yet, but know that they will play a big part in this war.
jeremy krupinski - Thanks for the review! :) Yes, eventually Russia and the U.S. will have to make up and be friends, but I won't say much about that.
gawilliams - Thanks for the review! Glad you like it.
If we do not end war — war will end us. Everybody says that, millions of people believe it, and nobody does anything. ~ H.G. Wells
