Braga Platoons First Mission Chapter 8
Our First Losses
Only one of the Corvettes had escaped after Anakin's fleet arrived in the system. Little Lady were badly battered with 43 % power left on shields. As the side doors to the second gunship opened Paulson assisted Cortana in walking out. Ford were assisted by Kemp as the gunship pilot, a clone called Cloak because of his swift maneuvers and quick getaways after attacks, placed Cortana's other arm over his shoulders to help her.
Paulson nodded thankful for the assistance.
"Don't worry, sarge", Cloak tried cheering Cortana up. "You're gonna be fine".
Coby and three medical droids waited for them. They gasped as they saw Dover place the none-responsive Panzer on a gurney and a blanket were placed over him. He had died on the way back from the shot he received in the back. His injuries had been to sever. They had lost both Panzer and Quickie today.
"Are, you okay"? Nigeria asked Cortana.
She nodded slowly.
Nigeria, who wouldn't take her word for it turned around.
"Doc, over here"! He waved.
Coby jogged over.
"Sergeant", he said. "Alright, put her and the Corporal on the gurneys. Quickly people".
In the infirmary Emilie jogged up to Cortana's bed. She grabbed Coby by the arm.
"Is she okay"? She asked panting.
She had run here immediately upon hearing Cortana were injured.
"She have only light injuries, a blast wound, two broken ribs", Coby assured. "She will heal soon by herself. No need for a bacta tank".
Emilie sighed of relief.
She had another feeling nagging in the back of her mind. This were the unit's first battle. And yet, her injuries caused by Smash and Panzer had forced her to spend it all in bed. She have gained no experience for the next mission at all.
"Thanks doc".
She walked over to Cortana.
"Hi, you gave me quite a scare", she confessed.
"Sorry about that", Cortana smiled. "How you feeling"?
"Me"? Emilie snickered. "You're the one who got shot".
Dani entered the infirmary with Jiba. The little girl run over to Cortana and crawled up on the bed. She looked very worried.
"Hi, little one", Cortana smiled and held her hand. "Don't worry about me. I've been through worse. I'm going to be just fine, promise".
Jiba smiled of relief and lay down to hug her. Cortana happily hugged her back. She ran her hand through Jiba's brown hair. She were wondering what were going to happen to Jiba now. Her parents are dead. Did she have other family that could take care of her?
Briefing room
Anakin looked around in the clean room. Rex were by his side as Braga Platoon Commander Helford stood across from them.
"Something tells me we haven't see the last of these… reptilians", Anakin said.
"No. you're probably right on that, sir", Helford nodded. "But we'll be ready next time".
Dover entered.
He saluted to Anakin.
Helford smiled.
"I'm glad to see you Dover", he said.
"Same here, sir", Dover nodded. "But… two men didn't make it".
Helford's body tensed. He were almost afraid to ask.
"Who, did we lost"? He managed.
Although he hadn't chosen any member for the unit they were his men and he were responsible for bringing them all home safely.
"Quickie and Panzer", Dover answered. "Panzer was hit just before evac. He died during the trip back".
Helford closed his eyes and clenched his fists. First Quinton chickened out, Bolton snapped and ends up in the brig and now two of his men have died.
"I am sorry Commander", Anakin said censer.
Anakin knew it were always hard to lose your men. It were for him but still… he led a Legion of about ten thousand clones. A unit of twenty-five to thirty men will take any losses heavily. They live close and meet every day. They live even closer on a small ship like this.
"Injuries"? Helford asked.
"Ford and Cortana", Dover replied. "I'm going to put Cortana in for a promotion".
"Oh", Helford were slightly surprised. He knew Dover didn't like Cortana much. It were because of her criminal past.
"She saved Ford's life", Dover elaborated. "He took a blast to the leg and fell. She went back for him and rescued him", he cleared his throat and straightened. "More importantly sir. I could have probably done it but I failed. I believed he took a far more critical hit and I was positioned too far away".
"Don't worry about that", Helford told him. "It happens".
"I actually do have the authority to promote in the field. Anyone under Commander", Anakin spoke.
"She deserves that promotion", Dover meant.
Helford nodded.
Cortana were resting in the infirmary with Jiba's head sleeping on her chest. The little girl were crawled up in a ball and slept comfortably. Nigeria had fallen asleep on the chair beside her bed.
With light footsteps Anakin entered the room. He looked chipper and smiled.
"Sergeant Cortana, I presume", he said.
Cortana looked up at the man.
"Eh, yeah"? She replied. "And you are".
"Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker", he presented himself.
Cortana's eyes widened.
"G-general", she stammered.
She felt dumb not having realized who he were earlier. Nigeria returned to the land of the awoken. Nigeria stayed with her because he mostly felt bad for leaving with Dover when Cortana were still fighting. He had thought that she were on her ship at that time.
"How are young feeling"? Anakin asked.
"Pretty good, considering", Cortana said.
"Excellent", Anakin nodded. "Well, I'll leave you to get better, Staff Sergeant".
Cortana stared at the jedi. The way he focused on the word Staff Sergeant, he didn't mistake on her rank, were he promoting her?
"Am I-I being promoted"? She managed to ask.
"Pretty much, yeah", Anakin smiled. "Congrats".
Nigeria chuckled and turned to her.
"Congratulation Aisha", he smiled warmly.
Anakin left a shocked Cortana lying on the bed. The shock on her face might in fact have made his day. He had only a while earlier read the mission report and also given Corporal Aiden Ford a promotion. Now, Sergeant Aiden Ford were even more shock but also amazed. Promoting men that had done their duty and even beyond it were a part of command that Anakin enjoyed.
Briefing Room
Helford, along with Anakin and Rex meet with holograms of Obi-wan Kenobi, Grand Master Yoda, Plo Koon and Mace Windu.
"I'm afraid the Special Ops Division demands that all charges against PFC Greg Bolton is dropped", Windu spoke.
"Is that not my call, not there's"? Helford insisted.
"Usually, yes", Windu nodded. "But they are very insistent and even took the matter high up. Let's be clear Commander. This time, the Council has decided to support their decision. This time".
"So if he falls out of line again"? Helford understood.
"He will be brought up before a Court Martial", Plo Koon assured him. "We are for, second chances".
Helford sighed and nodded.
"Concerning these reptilians", Windu changed subject. "The report is most troubling".
"Hmm, the beginning of something bigger, it is", Yoda said.
Windu nodded.
"We are considering transferring more ships into the sector", he said. "But these are matters you don't need to concern yourself about. Now anyway Commander. Now, on to congratulating you at your teams success".
"Thank you General", Helford nodded firmly.
The holographic image of a planet appeared.
"This is your next mission", Plo Koon explained. "Nova Prime, the 317th Legion are battling Grievous here. However unexpected reinforcements have devastated my fleet and our supply lines are crumbling. Obi-wan are on his face with the 212th Attack Battalion and reinforcing ships. You're mission… Commander will be to assist in breaking through the enemy lines, seizing the capital and… if the force is willing, capture or eliminate Grievous".
The chief clanker. An ambitious play. "You can count on my Platoon to do whatever it takes and use all of our abilities", Helford saluted.
Plo Koon turned to Windu who turned to Anakin.
"I know, I know", Anakin raised a hand. "Return to the rallying point".
Obi-wan smirked and Windu nodded.
"Exactly", he said.
Alright, our first story ends here. The first mission ends here. But as a begin the second and longer story arc, the Braga Platoon will return on Nova Prime as the battle commences and they descend straight into the madness.
I'm going to put out the first chapter of the second story the same day as I put out this chapter.
In that story the unknown enemy return and we finally find out who they are and what they want.
