Desert Treads and Sandy Armour
The wasteland of the Traetovian desert was quiet as all the wildlife had all but disappeared once the battles had begun. The cracked earth rose up as the terrain that would normally be covered in sand reached for the sky as if crying in agony. What little sand that remained, blew in the strong wind that had blown over the desert sending it far and wide.
Peeking out from under its hole a small Traetovian mammal peeked out as the sounds of the breeze had left and were replaced with a strange noise. Scurrying out it was immediately frightened back into its hole as large shadows filled the space of the wasteland and a loud whirring noise had taken place. Soaring low to the ground, kicking up sand and rocks, the large group phantoms flew carefully to their objective. Their task was a simple one as their job was to deliver their cargo to the drop area and let them handle the real mission.
This cargo was no ordinary supply run as they carried a special group of reinforcements known for their blitz like tactics and effectiveness on the battlefield. This "mechanized" mobile division that was currently being transported was also one of the few most highly decorated divisions of mixed species following behind the numerous medals and recognition given to Spartan teams. They are Hailey's Hornets.
The ground shook and dust was stirred as the phantoms released the tank divisions on to the now rugged terrain. The Hydra's and Sangheili Spectral tanks awaited as the humming of their vehicles filled the air and was carried by the phantoms held their positions for a moment before exiting the area leaving the Armored division to their task.
Holding formation, the lead tank, a Hydra, began to accelerate as the others followed closely behind. The heavy vehicles moved through the desolate land at a steady pace as the Lead tank led them to their destination. Inside this leading vehicle was Tank Commander Walt Miller.
Miller was a interesting man as, to his dismay, resembled captain keyes very closely. His hair was white and aged as his face was scarred and slightly wrinkled. He grumbled quietly as he glanced over their mission briefing for the 80th time it felt like. Their task, while simple, seemed to simple and that bothered him to no end. Distracting him from these worries, a loud thunk sounded out causing him to turn and look at his crew mates.
In a small command seat behind him sat his gunner, and good one at that, corporal Vasquez. He was a decent man of spanish decent and from the world of Traetov II the planets' moon. His face showed no emotion behind his visor as his light-skin stuck out under his dull colored armor.
Beside him sat their newest replacement and driver Private Griffin. He was their newest crew mate after their last driver was unfortunately killed in action during a previous operation. He smiled under his helmet as his he laughed at the misfortune of Vasquez who had hit his head on the armored ceiling of their cabin.
"Haha! How'd that feel vasquez?"
Vasquez quickly gave Griffin the middle finger salute as he rubbed his aching forehead.
"Ah. Fuck you Griffin. I hope you flip this damn rig."
Miller rolled his eyes at his two child like comrades before sighing and getting their attention. Joking aside, the two quickly shut up as Miller addressed them.
"Alright you two. Knock off the foreplay. Anyways I'm bout' to go over the mission briefing once more so listen up."
The two immediately nodded before focusing back on their jobs of handling the Hydra. The hum of its anti gravity generator thrummed loudly as it continued to move with its armored division. Miller tuned the loud sound out as best as he could before turning back to his station and activating their comms.
"This is Hornet Lead. All Callsigns check in."
"Hornet 1-1 checking in."
"Hornet 2-2 checking in."
"Hornet 3-1 checking in."
"Hornet 4-2 checking in."
"Sangheili group 1 ready for battle in."
"Sangheili group 2 ready for battle in."
"Sangheili group 3 ready for battle in."
Miller waited silently before giving a nod of approval. With all the units under his command checked in He began to brief the armored division once more before they entered hostile areas.
"Listen up. We've been briefed on this a dozen times so i'll make this brief. Currently our navy as made these imperial dirt bags high tail it out of here. Unfortunately, when they invaded this planet a few of their cruisers managed to land on the surface. Word on the street is they never left. Now we also are unaware of how many ships we could find in the area but according to recent intel we should encounter 2 frigates and a cruiser at the most.
A slight beep reached his ears before the hard english accent of a man reached his ears.
"Hornet 2-2. Any resistance we should be aware of sir?
Miller glanced at the briefing file he was sent once more before turning back to the comm device.
"Intel expects light infantry resistance but they have been picking up Imperial armor regrouping here at the cruisers as well. Be on your toes. Anything else?"
The same beep from before chimed before the low gravely voice of what only could be a sangheili joined in as well.
"Sangheili Lead reporting. Point us in the direction of these vermin. It has been long since my unit last drew blood and we wish to change that very soon.
Miller rolled his eyes before focusing back on the briefing file. He saw that while there seemed to be no Imperial forces in his way for some time he didnt want to take any chances.
"All right Hornet's fall in. We're moving out so keep the formation tight and your eyes peeled. got it?"
The response was instantaneous as the drivers of each tank fell in behind him. The tanks moving as one were deterred by little as they continued their advance towards what they believed to be a simple and weak imperial remnant.
Through his visor the clone stared on as he watched the column of I.S.A armour advance towards the location of the remaining Imperial ships. His partner behind him was anxious as he watched them as well his hand gripping his blaster tightly every few seconds.
Looking back on the tanks the ground they began to cover was astounding as they moved at full speed towards the landing zone. Quickly getting his feet, the clone grabbed his brother as he hurriedly spoke into his comms
"Commander we got heavy armour on the move to the landing zone. I count a whole division maybe more. they're gunning it to your location sir. what are your orders?"
The silence that greeted him was welcome until the stoic voice of his commanding officer reached his ears.
"Copy that. We'll have the remaining tanks engage them at one of the neighbouring towns and hopefully slow them down. You two keep up with them on the speeders and avoid detection. track their movements. if they so much as turn a degree in a different direction i wanna know about it. got it?"
The clone looked back at his brother who was well ahead of him already hopping onto his speeder and dashing off to keep with the tanks.
"Yes sir. We'll keep an eye on them."
Cutting the transmission he readied himself on his speeder bike as well as he sped to keep up with his comrade and track the all to unaware I.S.A forces.
Miller sighed as they had continued their advance for almost two hours now and had yet to encounter anything even slightly resembling a imperial. Pinching the bridge of his nose he looked through the viewport as he saw they were entering yet again another decrepit town.
They had passed through so many on the way here that the anger and solemness at the sight of bodies had passed and had been replaced with only annoyance. Yet, Miller couldn't fault his troops for that.
Glancing back behind him his crew were ever silent as the continued their never-ending drive to wherever the Imperials had decided to hide their last few cruisers.
"You all right Grif? You've been going at this for a while."
Griffin glanced down at Miller before donning a slight smirk as he continued moving the heavy tank forward
"Aww you really do care sir. Next you'll be wanting to marry me.
Vasquez chuckled as Miller shook his head regretting he even decided to speak to griffin before turning back to see what was in front of them. This Town seemed to be bigger than most as it even had a few warthogs sprawled about. The real surprise came as they rounded the corner and came face to face with a destroyed Scorpion tank.
Halting the tank Miller leaned forward as he tried to get a good look at the tank from his viewport. The comms, having been silent for most of the trip, came to life as they too got a good look of the tank.
Vasquez was the first to ask he kept his eyes out for anything suspicious. He cautiously rotated the large turret of the battle tank around in a sweeping manner as he searched for anything.
"Anyone we know sir?"
Miller not responding yet strained to look at the tank as he failed to notice any indistinct markings about the tank. He felt like this tank shouldn't be here but he couldn't figure out why.
"Sangheili Lead, Hornet 2-2, heads on a swivel. Something doesn't seem right about this."
"Copy that sir. Come on Split-Lip."
"whatever you say primitive."
The two heavy tanks rolled to the front as they scanned the area for anything out of the ordinary as Miller tried to figure out what this tank was doing here.
Not too far off on a ridge outcropping the town the two clones watched as the tank column halted before glancing at each other. Nodding the scout pressed and opened a transmission on his wrist-communicator before rushing off with his partner on their speeder bikes zooming back towards the landing zone.
Their job was done and hopefully this tank column would be wiped out if all went to plan.
Miller continued to glance at the a moment longer before he almost gave up on identifying this tank. As he motioned for the tank column to move out he halted as he spotted something he hadn't noticed until now.
"Ay Vasquez...weren't scorpions with automated infantry weapons decommissioned for manned gunners?"
Vasquez halted his scanning of the area to look down at his commander with a look of confusion upon his face.
"I believe so. why?"
Miller sucked in a breathe as he glanced back at the destroyed scorpion as things started to become all clear to him.
"because this one doesn't have either…."
As Miller and Vasquez continued to discuss the out of place scorpion Hornet 2-2 continued their task of monitoring the area for any signs of attacks. Carrying the same 3 man crew such as Miller's the gunner scanned the area while dis driver and tank commander awaited further orders. Scanning the many hills and craters the gunner saw nothing out of the ordinary until he spotted a odd rock formation.
"Huh?"
The rocks all lied on top of a hill as if they had buried something but as the gunner began to examine it more he could see that whatever it was was slightly sticking out.
Zooming in on the weird object he could tell it seemed to be some sort of tube and was about to dismiss it until it suddenly lurched knocking more of the rocks off of it and turned towards the gunner as it were looking back at him. The gunner did not have long before he finally realized what he and his allies had gotten themselves into. His eyes widened as he quickly reached for the comms as the barrel fired a large blue laser bolt almost silencing him before he got the chance to speak.
"Contact! It's an Ambush get -argh!"
Miller turned as soon as he heard the word contact only to see Hornet 2-2 go up in flames as their tank exploded in a large fiery ball.
The comms erupted at that moment as all the tanks began to spread out and search for the tank. Miller's tank began to the same as they moved behind the destroyed scorpion until they figure what was going on
"Holy Shit! 2-2 is burning up somebody help em out!"
"They're gone 1-1 now shut it and keep your eyes peeled before you end up like them.
Miller quickly grabbed the comms as his gunner quickly scanned the area for the shooter.
"Sangheili what do you see?"
"Very little. These imperials wish to pick us off before we reach their cruisers. We cannot allow any further delays...or deaths."
The sangheili solemnly glanced at the burning wreck of 2-2 before he continued scanning the area.
Miller was about speak before another explosion rang out as a large laser bolt sailed over his tank and smacked into the wreck of 2-2 once again.
Before he even had to ask, all units had quickly spun their turrets towards where the shot came from and spotted the perpetrator. A lone AT-TE stood atop the ridge as it fired off another shot only for this one to go wide and destroy one of the many buildings of the city.
"There he is! Smoke the bastard!"
"Hornet 1-1 moving to engage."
Miller watched as the large Hydra battle tank mowed forward its large cannon booming as it punched shot after shot towards the walker.
Unprepared for such a immediate response the walker was taken back as one of the plasma shells pounded into its' plated armor. sizzling a large hole through and exposing the inner workings of the tank. hurrying to turn its vulnerable side away from the Hydra's onslaught the Spectral's began their attack as well.
Their large mortar like cannons raised to the sky as they fired large balls of plasma towards the walker and raining hell upon it. The plasma shells decimated the top of the walker as its mounted cannon and gunner were vaporized instantly leaving just the pilot.
Hornet 1-1 pumped shell after shell into the walker as it finally managed to land a shot through its previously made hole decimating the inner workings of the walker
The walker lurched as the damage to its inner parts became to much as its it exploded from the inside out in a large explosion. The silence that followed was ominous as the armoured division waited for further instructions. Hornet 1-1 kept its barrel aimed at the wreckage of the once mobile walker as the rest scanned the area.
Miller was silent as well before quickly breaking the silence as his loud voice rang over the comms.
"Everyone good?"
The rest of the division quickly responded with words of assurance as they continued to scan the area for more hiding walkers.
"Ok. Hornet 1-1 fall in everyone else prepare to move out. And for god's sake try not to end up like 2-2. I do not feel like handling anymore paperwork then i have too.
Miller's orders were carried out in silence as the tank began to move into formation once again as they awaited for hornet 1-1 to fall back in line.
"Hornet 1-1 this is Hornet 3-1 you mind hurrying the hell up? I am not getting any younger."
"Oh yea? Well 3-1 why don't you suck my-argh!"
Once again all the tanks quickly turned their turrets towards 1-1 as the tank hit the ground with a thud. Its large anti-gravity generators giving out as the tank lost all its mobility. The armoured division quickly searched the town for the culprit finding it to be a fast small walker backed by many more as well as AT-TE and Speeder bikes.
Miller yelled into the comms as the rest of the division broke off to attack. The I.S.A tanks were worth their weight in a fight as they rained plasma back at the oncoming imperials. AT-RT walkers found themselves outgunned as they tried their hardest to outrun and maneuver past the oncoming fire. The large AT-TE walkers remained far back, hoping to outrange and abuse the I.S.A tanks only to realize their error as the Sangheili mortar tanks rained plasma on top of the walkers and destroying their main gunners
"All Units Fire! Fire at Will! Spread out and smoke the bastards. 3-1! Get out there and check on 1-1 they're quiet and I do not like it!"
"Yes sir! Moving to assist. Keep me covered back there"
Miller watched, as his gunner behind him continued to rain plasma on top of the enemy walkers, 3-1 quickly move to the downed tank as he spotted the area around 1-1 the whole time. He silently awaited until finally he spotted a hatch opening before the commander of 3-1 quickly exited. Covered head to toe in standard I.S.A combat armor and hefting a battle rifle he made a quick check of the tank before kicking the hatch door.
He could see that the commander was talking to, who he could only guess be the 1-1 crew before the hatch of Hornet 1-1 opened as well. The three crew members quickly filed out and hopped on the side railings of 3-1's hydra. The commander of said tank gave the thumbs up in miller's direction as he lobbed a grenade in the now useless 1-1 Hydra. The explosion that followed was hard to miss as the substantial amounts of plasma and HE shells exploded in a large and colorful fireball.
"3-1 lead here Miller. Hornet 1-1 crew rescued. Permission to pull back until the battle is over?"
Miller smirked as he turned his attention back to the battle at hand. In the absence of his attention the Imperial forces had got a run for their money as their forces had been nearly decimated. In the combined attack his forces suffered little to no damage as they continued to push back the Imperials.
The six legged walker lay destroyed as plasma burned through the tops of them while the fast and heavy hitting walkers lay sprawled over the town. Their riders crushed under their heavy mounts as the vehicles legs bent at useless angles
The numerous speeder bikes quickly retreated realizing the fight between the I.S.A armoured vehicles was a losing battle. As they sped off into the distance no doubt towards the last ships that remained on the planet.
Miller reached for the comms as the armoured vehicles of the division regreouped and awaited further orders. Battered slightly the heavy tanks and artillery scanned the area furthermore not in the mood for anymore incursions from imperial forces.
"All units. Status."
Hornet 3-1 was the first to respond as he tended to any injuries the crew of the now destroyed Hornet 3-1 tank might have.
"We're good as we can be sir. Though being two tanks down doesn't make me feel better about doing this sir."
Hornet 4-2 rolled beside Miller's tank as the tank commander of it spoke up as well. The female commander's breaking into the now morale dropping conversation.
I agree with 3-1 sir. We barely had the firepower to deal with the cruisers. Two tanks down though….even if we manage disable enough Anti-Aircraft guns for a strike to get through. I do not think we're making it out of this.
Miller frowned as stared at the two behind before shaking his head. He felt a fire burning inside him as his eyes practically glared a hole through the comm channel as he,himself, voiced his feelings to the rest of his men
"I understand our backs are against the wall 4-2. But we have a job to do and damn it we're not backing down now. I know we all have fears and doubts. But when have they ever got in the way of us completing our objective?
The silence that followed was all that he needed for a answer
Look at 1-1! You really wanna back out now after they fought and died here with the rest of this now dead rock's population? We're Hornets! You kick the nest and you deal with the rest! And right now i'm boiling to pump plasma into the Imperial bastards. We've been in other situations where the outcome looked bleak but guess what we've fought through. It's in our blood to fight!
He was again greeted by silence as he continued to speak.
We've all tried the numbers. Ran the simulations. The imperials are tough but they aren't invincible. They may be numerous as all hell and they may be crafty bastards but we've been there before haven't we? With the Great War. Now you all can pull out if you want. Call up some Phantoms for evac. But me? I'm making sure I finish this
Silence was all that answered Miller as he worriedly wondered if this would be the first time the Hornets would back down. Through Hell and more so they did more dangerous ops to the more suicidal and they always came out on top. Though unlike this one they didn't lose a single tank, they've come close many times, but never did it happen.
Right as he was about to give the order to Griffin to move out he heard the thrum of the other tanks outside as they moved beside his. All was silent besides the heavy thrum of all the tanks as they silently followed their commander into what was no doubt hell. But no one spoke up. They didn't need to. They had a mission and they were going to complete it. End of story.
A small smirk made its way onto Miller's face as he was more ecstatic than ever at the sight of his men following to the depths of hell
"All right then. Let's move out."
The thrum of the anti-gravity generators of the tanks and artillery intensified as they pushed forward from the town leaving behind what had been a struggle of a fight. They hoped to return and gather 1-1's remains as they moved full speed towards their objective.
The Imperial Admiral was furious once he received word that the ambush set up for the armoured division heading towards him and the last remaining cruisers had failed. The intel reported that while 2 tanks had been destroyed nearly all of the armor sent to delay them had been destroyed. Only the speed of the speeder bikes allowed any survivors who were quick to relay what all had occurred.
Honestly to say he was furious was a massive understatement as the ambush had almost comprised of what remaining heavy tanks they had at their disposal and now they had been wiped out without so much as a fight.
Slamming his fist down on the Holotable the commander eyed it as he quickly strategized how to fend off such an attack. He watched as the Holotable displayed the current position of the enemy as they quickly moved towards their current location. He had little to no forces he could put in the way of the Tanks until the ship was fully repaired.
Unfortunately the three cruisers had suffered massive amounts of flak damage on the way down to the planet's surface. Engineers had been working around the clock to repair them and get them off this rock and back to the safety of Imperial space but they were running into issues and delays more than they had time for.
Focusing back onto the tanks. He eyed them as he tried his best to muster out forces to delay them. There was very little he could to do stop them after losing most of the heavy armor to them in the failed ambush. The ship's guns weren't possible to fire upon them and snuff them out quickly as all power was being diverted to the engines in hopes of the engineers catching a break. What was he supposed to do in the face of such a force heading towards them?
Wait. He quickly reached down as he pulled out a data pad and searched up the cargo of the other frigate beside his flagship. Scrolling through the data banks he quickly found his break as he bore a ferocious grin. Though they would need time to be deployed and powered he felt they were fully capable of destroying the I.S.A forces.
Turning his wrist holo communicator on he quickly contacted the Commander in charge of the ground forces.
"Commander. Do you read?"
"Commander Drek. I read you loud and clear sir."
"Commander Drek I need you to quickly send out two trooper divisions to delay those tanks."
Commander Drek body language showed his shock as his White and Blue Stormtrooper armor moved out of focus for a moment on the hologram
"But they'll be slaughtered sir?"
"Are you denying a direct order from me Commander? Or should i see to it that you are deployed with those troopers as well"
Drek showed signs of wanting to speak up but decided not to as he nodded before ending the communication.
"Useless clone. But hopefully their deaths will save our skins as he eyed the frigate that held hopefully their salvation out of this mess.
Drek sighed as the he watched the two trooper divisions he had practically ordered to die marched off to delay the armoured division heading their way. His troopers showed no sign of disloyalty as they marched off without a sound or comment of how (as he heard some of the I.S.A forces say) bullshit the orders were.
Then again clones weren't meant to think. Only to follow orders. As if..they were..droids. Drek shook his head as he thought about once again the clones that had rebelled with the Jedi and luckily allied themselves with the I.S.A. He never understood why they did such a thing. Betraying the chancellor was the most heinous act he thought you could perform but they did it. He constantly wondered what brought them to leave the Republic or now empire, for the Jedi that were considered traitors.
He had already dealt with any rebellion amongst his ranks unfortunately with the quick execution of any of his brothers who showed even the slightest hint of disloyalty by order his commander. He remembered each and every one of their faces, their personalities, and last words as they haunted his guilty and uncertain conscience
Drek sighed as he clenched his fists as he coldly glanced at the disabled flagship that held his so precious admiral. His stomach churned the longer he look at the flagship as the wind of the wasteland picked up carrying dust and debris all over. Ignoring the wind the clone commander angrily marched his way back to the cruiser getting himself out the elements leaving him to think as he checked on the few remaining clone divisions at his disposal
"A change has gotta come soon. With each passing day more and more things sway my loyalty. Something's gotta change."
Slamming the bay door seal behind him the large cruisers doors rolled up and closed shutting of the insides of the ship from the outside world.
"Go go go! Move the ammo and the ordnance! Move those rockets to the front let's go!"
"Armoured division dead ahead! Keep your eyes up and your heads down!"
"Incoming! Argh"
"Medic! Where's that damn medic!"
The two divisions sent by commander Drek moved to and fro as they quickly peeked and fired out of the makeshift trenches they had made. They had been lying in wait for no more than a few hours until the I.S.A forces finally showed themselves and making it known they were not in the mood for hindrances
Heavy plasma rained down on top of the troopers vaporizing some and turning large sections of the trenches they had dug into either craters or radioactive spots of death. Bodies were lined up against the walls of the trenches as the dead and wounded lay hidden from the world. Those that could fight, fought as valiantly as they could as they showed no fear against the armored harbingers of death.
Rockets fired from the trenches and soared towards the enemy lines as they made full contact with armor of the tanks. Yet, they proved be ineffective as possible as the tanks shrugged of the explosive shells as if they didn't exist contouring their slow but sure advance towards the trenches. The lieutenant of the trooper shouted orders to anyone who could hear him as he shot his rifle at the oncoming tanks.
"Damn rockets dont do a thing!"
"Push right! Push right!
"We need to fall back!"
The trenches became nothing but a mess as clones ran back and forth trying to get a position on the tanks. Clones flew back dead as constant explosions buried them in dirt and shrapnel. Plasma continued to hail their position dwindling the clones numbers further and further. Empty blaster lay strewn all over the dirt and mud as ammo was drastically even began to scavenge what weapons they could off the dead or wounded and even then it proved futile as the clones ammunition supplies continued to decrease minute after minute.
"Where are those mortars!?"
"The tubes are running hot and we're nearly out of ammo!"
"Dammit! Status!"
"They're right on top of us!"
The loud whirring intensified as the large battle tanks made their way. The clone troopers practically stopped firing as most of their ammo ahead ran out while others had realized it was pointless. The dirt shifted and shook as the slowly moving division proceeded to the trenches. The massive barrels peeked over the trenches before the entire bodies were visible as the tanks halted while peering inside the now silent trenches
The clones silently watched and waited for the armoured vehicles next move. Any ammo that was left was quickly handed out amongst as many as the clones could get their hands on while others quickly grabbed the wounded and moved them to a more safer area of the trench. The lieutenant sweated under his helmet as he grimaced at the sight of the tanks watching them.
He hurriedly racked his brain for any ideas and plans to further better their situation but so far it was looking more grim by the second. He glanced around at the remaining clones still able to fight as he started to give orders by communicator,but was cut off as a loud voice rang out. He glanced back towards the tanks as the loud voice seemed to resonate from them.
"This is tank commander Walt Miller of the I.S.A armoured division Hailey's Hornets. As you can very well see your forces are in no condition to fight. And as much as I would love to blow you and all of this trench to hell. We're not like you. We don't slaughter those who cannot stand for themselves. So I very well suggest you surrender and take your forces to the nearby city. Commanders Cody and Theron will treat you and your forces fairly. So i suggest you make the right choice."
The lieutenant was slightly shocked by the information that other clone legions were planetside and assisting the I.S.A but ignored it as he stared down the tanks with a hateful gaze hidden by his helmet. But turning to his men, he saw they were worse for wear as bodies littered the walls of the trenches and the painful woes of the wounded reached his ears from the other side of the trenches. The men standing tall beside him shook as they carried little to no ammo as well as fought through exhaustion as best as they could.
Sacrificing lives needlessly was not a act he wished to commit. Though his commander had done the same thing to them he was simply following orders even if they pained him. The lieutenant remembered seeing the sad and sorrowful look on his commander and friend's face as he practically had sentenced them to death. Even now he was pretty sure Drek believed them to be dead and overrun and under worse circumstances than these. Though under worse circumstances than these he wouldn't be wrong to think so.
Turning back to the still awaiting tanks the commander stared at them stoically before pulling out his holo-communicator. Quicker than he expected the image of commander Drek appeared fully armored as his body language showed happiness at what he believed to be the lieutenant even surviving.
"Lieutenant. It's good to hear from you I expect that you delayed the enemy successfully? Your unit's now reassigned to-"
"We did not delay them sir. In fact we've currently been overrun and am now negotiating the immediate surrender of our unit...what's left of it at least.
Drek body language showed his shocked as he slowly regained his composure before facing the lieutenant once more.
"Lieutenant you have a duty. A order. To hold them back even at the cost of your lives in the name of the emperor. Now if you do not follow through with this you will be court martialed and more than likely executed. You know this?"
He shifted under his commander's gaze before hardening himself under his helmet as he gripped the holocommunicator tighter.
"I do sir. But will not needlessly sacrifice my men's lives during a battle that was not intended for us to survive. Eighty percent of the unit is dead commander! With another fifteen percent of us wounded! Do you understand commander? Less than five percent of us are able bodied! I will not send anymore of my men! Your men! Into a hell that they did not need to enter!
Drek stared at what used to be his trusted lieutenant before lowering his head solemnly.
"I see. I...I will inform the admiral of your decision. I hope you and your
men are shown fair treatment by the I.S.A forces. It has been an honor to have you as my lieutenant.'
"It's not too late Drek. No more of our brothers need to die. Just don't stand against them sir."
But his words fell on deaf ears as the commander slowly looked back at him before ending the communication.
"Goodbye lieutenant."
He was slightly hurt as he witnessed his friend and family suddenly cut them off as if they were dead weight but he also felt such anger towards Drek he gripped the holocommunicator until it cracked and crumpled in on itself. The men around were stunned as well as if all vigor had left them as the sudden change of loyalty from their commander had struck. He had chosen the empire over his own kin.
Once again the loud voice resonated from the tanks reaching all the ears of the clones as the voice spoke solely to the lieutenant as he gathered all the men together and checked them for injuries
"Phantoms are en route lieutenant. Recommend you hold here and tend to your forces. The phantoms will take you to the metropolis nearby where commander Cody and Therom can deal with you lot. Sound good?"
"Yea. That'll do us good. I..thank you."
The voice chuckled as the whirring of the tanks intensified as they began to hover off the ground once again before moving over the trenches and continuing on to where the frigates awaited.
"Don't mention it. As much as we'd love to help clean up the mess we made here. We still have a job to do. Commander Drek in the way or not."
The Imperial Admiral smirked as he watched the giant weapons be unloaded from the hangar of the frigate. The two massive walkers slowly but surely marched towards the direction of the enemy armoured division. Though he had disappointed and furious at the report from the useless clone Drek that his unit failed to delay them long enough but to top it all off they had willingly surrendered and were being transported to the captured metropolis
The admiral showed slight shock as well at the mention of commander Cody he cared little about the washed up traitor of a clone. He continued to stare at the barely working Holotable as he watched the armoured division once again gun it towards their location.
Activating the holotable's communicator the admiral contacted commander Drek once more as he watched the massive AT-AT begin their slow walk to halt the I.S.A forces.
"Commander! Gather whatever forces that we have available to halt these vermin. The AT-AT walkers will provide support and crush the enemy forces before they proceed any further."
"Yes...Sir. They won't get past us"
The admiral frowned at the clones overconfidence as he smirked before shutting the communicator down.
"See to it that they don't commander. For all our sakes."
Miller continued monitoring the comms as well as scanning the area as the remaining armoured units sped towards the frigate location. He had already contacted Cody and Therom and alerted them to the worse for wear imperial division, if you could even call them that anymore, heading their way.
Though they had enough on their plate with the repairs of the space elevator going at abysmal speeds. He did not want to leave the troopers to die in the trenches they had dug and he surely did not feel like killing anymore of them.
"Sir I've got something on the scope. Dust storm dead ahead in our path of the enemy position. If they plan to stop us one more time than now would be the chance to do it."
Miller glanced at Vasquez before staring back out on the scope in front of him as well as he saw the massive cloud of dust. It seemed to fill the land in front of them as it went on forever it seemed. The massive cloud of dust hindered their visibility greatly as many of the tank commanders could hardly see through the massive storm as it slowly but surely barreled towards them as well.
Miller grimaced as he reached for the comms never taking his eyes off of the storm as he contacted the other units.
"Alright boys hold here. Let the storm come to us once it passes we'll continue moving keep your eyes peeled and your weapons ready to-"
Miller was cut off as one of the other tanks cut in practically screaming as their turret rotated and the sound of a shell being loaded could be heard as it aimed dead ahead.
"Sir I've got contacts on the radar. Two divisions of foot mobiles again and my god! I've got 2 massive contacts heading straight for us!"
Miller wasted no time as he contacted all armoured units as Vasquez loaded a plasma shell into the main cannon.
"Alright then you heard him! Weapons ready and keep an eye out! If it ain't friendly butcher it! We've got a job to do people and i want it done!"
A chorus of yes sir reached his ears as the sound of shells being loaded was frequently heard until the only heard was the raging wind and the moving of the dust storm as it was almost directly on top of the tank unit. The near silent tings of rocks and debris bouncing of the tank began to become more frequent until it was never ending.
The group was silent as they awaited and watched as the radar contact get closer and closer. The massive two continued to move towards them as the ground slightly shook with each meter closer the contact became. The large sound of the whatever it was reverberated throughout the tanks as they continued to scan with their massive turrets directly in front of them.
Then suddenly it stopped. The sound was gone. The contacts on the radar had disappeared and the worries of the tank crew grew tenfold as the turrets continued to scan. Miller was about to give orders when a large blast was heard and a massive explosion followed rocking the crew inside the tank.
Vasquez quickly rotated the turret around his face seemed to have lost color at what he saw. Behind their tank sat the now smoldering wreckage of one of the Sangheili tanks as it was nothing but a burning wreck.
"C-contact! Sangheili unit down!"
Miller quickly took the reigns as Griffin gunned the tank to the side and the other quickly followed spreading out from the wreckage.
"Keep moving and stay spread out! Dont bunch up and smoke any foot mobiles you see whatever took one of our tanks down surely has the power to do it again. Once the storm clears we'll go on the offensive!"
No words were said as his orders were carried out as the rapid exchanging of infantry weapons and the tank's machine guns were exchanged.
As the hovering vehicles kicked up dust whoever they moved they did not stop for a moment as they gunned down any trooper that entered their line of fire. Like moths to flame the clones were drawn to the tanks attacking any and all that they could see before they were soon gunned down by another.
A massive blast occurred once again though this time a tank wasn't destroyed though a massive crater was left as the tanks continued their frantic and sporadic moving.
Miller frowned as their tanks evaded to the left as they avoided another one of the massive blasts before contouring on to engage the clone units. They had little to do against the unexpected mobility the tanks revealed and barely had time to line up any shots with missiles and mortars.
He glanced behind him as saw his two crew mates work tirelessly to move the tank and eliminate as many as the troopers as they could. The other tanks were following their lead as well as they used a nice between evading and attacking as they kept a eye out on whatever caused the massive blasts.
"Commander Miller! Storm's starting to clear up! Look!"
Acknowledging one of his fellow tank commanders he scanned through the viewport as the storm defiantly started to disperse and reveal what it had hid. Miller's eyes widened as the storm finally parted and had to suck in a breathe as he finally saw what had caused so much destruction. Standing high on four legs with a box like body made of pure durasteel as a small head attached to the front. On the side of its head sat two large blaster cannons as it looked down upon the I.S.A tanks as if they were insects.
Miller yelled out into the comms as griffin, his driver, rocketed the tank to the side and spread out decently from the others.
"AT-AT! Run and gun! Don't stop for anything.
"We gotta get under it!
The thrum of the hovering vehicles increased as they sped towards the massive walkers in hopes being safe under them. Small arms fire rained down on them as it bounced off their heavy armor plating in mass and in some cases ricocheting back at a trooper. Troopers dived out of the way to avoid being plowed by the massive vehicles as they sped past towards the stationary walkers.
Yet, while all this happened the walkers were not idle as they fired constantly at the tanks with great effort as the tanks were increasingly mobile. Though they had seen one tank was finding itself challenged to evade as it barely evaded missiles shot by the troopers down below. Taking note of this, one of the walkers nonchalantly aimed its massive head towards the I.S.A tank before firing multiple blaster bolts in its direction.
The first few shots were caught by vehicle's driver as he worked his hardest to evade the bolts. Zipping left and right, the driver was skilled enough to dodge a decent amount of the bolts but with so many there was very little he could do. It didn't take long before one of the many bolts finally connected not destroying the tank but disabling it instead. The AT-AT took aim again and fired before the vehicle could get moving again as the large energy bolt soared towards the tank and decimated the tank and its crew. The armor held the first shot but only slightly before the second came following and punching through the Spectral tank completely. A large hole that could give a clear view of the tanks insides was all that could be seen before the vehicle finally went up in a large plasma explosion as the smoke reached as high as it could to the sky. Satisfied with the destruction of it the AT-AT turned its headpiece back towards the main group of I.S.A forces ignoring the now smoldering wreckage.
"Shit! We lost a spectral! Come on! Get under it! We're almost there!
Miller practically screamed into the comm unit as he ordered the rest of his unit to make a dash for the underbellies of the massive walkers. They had rammed through trenches and troopers as they ignored anything in there way of what could possibly be the safest place from the massive walker tanks. Throughout it all they had fired everything they had at the walkers will speeding towards but their shells seemed to do little to them with exception of plasma as it seemed to actually harm the war machine.
"Keep firing plasma rounds. HE is ineffective!
Sir! Closing in On the things feet!
"Once we get under it turn its under armour into scrap!"
The thrum of the vehicles intensified as they sped under the two massive walkers before quickly halting and matching the slow speed of the titans. Even while this was going on troopers continued to fire whatever they find at the tanks as they used the massive tanks as shelter making firing rockets and explosives a harder task for them.
Aiming up the tanks spared no time in unleashing blast after blast at the bottom if the AT-AT. Plasma round after plasma round exploded as it slowly buckled the walker's bottom plating as it slowly was being pushed inward. Once it was weakened enough, HE explosive shells followed right behind the plasma shells as the loud dong and the sound of metal being bent could be heard outside as the walker tried it hardest to maneuver itself or at least crush the I.S.A forces under foot.
"Focus fire on the legs! Bring this son of a bitch down!"
Quickly changing their primary target the same mode of firing followed as plasma shells pelted the somewhat weak legs of the massive walker as the sound of them bending and sound of burning as massive scorch marks were left on them. Just like before the HE shells followed soon after before the armoured division had fired enough at the legs to make on of them collapse on itself as the metal screeched in protest and the sudden listing of the walker was a large indicator that the war machine was soon to fall
"Move! Move! Move! It's coming down!"
Not a single word of protest was said as the tanks tried their hardest to speed out from under the toppling walker. Their engines were pushed to their max as they tried to escape out from the weight that would surely crush them. Sounding like a bomb was slowly coming to the ground the oncoming walker's body crashed into the ground kicking some much dust and dirt as it dug itself into the ground. Dust was kicked up en masse that some could have mistaken it for another dust storm as visibility was once again reduced to zero for a brief time.
Commander Drek leaped into the trench a small unit of troopers was hiding in as he watched the AT-AT topple to the ground. Though he had little to say about the I.S.A bringing one down he'd hold his breath in hopes of them failing to bring down the other. Pushing that to the side a loud thump of the walker hitting the ground was heard before a large gust of wind blasted Drek back as the dust cloud it had kicked up followed.
Shaking the dizziness away and the urge to fall unconscious Drek picked himself up as he looked around him in the trenches. The dust cloud was apparently a large one as it had been a few minutes and even then he could still not see anything. Though he heard the battle still raging as heard the common sound of blaster fire as well troopers yelling out to one another. The loud thumps of the other walker walking by could be heard as well its occasional blaster cannon firing.
Stumbling through the trenches Drek kept one hand on the wall as he tried to work his way out of the trenches and figure out what was happening above. Moving as quick as his exhausted state could he could hear a squad of clones up ahead as he quickened his pace. Making a quick turn through the maze of trenches he spotted a group of troopers who were firing blasters and rockets at the I.S.A forces. One of the troopers even spotted the commander and waved him over while the others continued shooting.
"Commander? Thank goodness. We sure could use your help. We've been pinned down by these guys since the walker fell. Don't know how spread out the others. Are but I'm sure-"
"Look out!"
A heavy explosion followed the troopers warning as Drek was blown back once again and everything faded to black for a short moment. Once again shaking the stars out of his vision he gathered himself before remembering about the other troopers as he looked back at the position they were using. The part of the trenches the troopers were using was caved in and blocked as the troopers lay around unresponsive. Shaking his head, Drek doubled back as he found another junction before turning and heading a different pathway. Visibility was starting to get better as the dust cloud finally seemed to be clearing up as he continued his way down the trenches.
The sounds of battle raged above the trenches as explosions and the yelling from other troopers was constant as he tried to find his way. Keeping his head down the voices of another trooper squad caught his ears as he listened in on them in trench.
"Pull back! Pull back! We're outgunned!"
"No! Ach!"
Another explosion went off as the troopers were thrown back the explosion while two of them landed in the trench with Drek. He watched silently as one slammed into the wall, his back plating cracked, dead. While the other was thrown head first into the wall, breaking his neck, and dying immediately.
Drek shook his head as he continued onward before finally finding a ramp that led out of the trenches and onto the battlefield. Quickening his pace into almost sprint he climbed up the ramp before staring out into the battlefield. To say his men were getting slaughtered was an understatement as bodies littered the area and the few remaining units held their ground uncaring of the hundreds of them that lay dead.
His body language changed to one of shock as he saw that the other AT-AT had been brought down as well. He didn't even know when it had been brought down as he watched the I.S.A forces zoom around the battlefield slaughtering each trooper in sight. Growling under his breath he ordered into his comm unit as he began to walk out into the battlefield as the I.S.A tanks noticed the sudden retreat but did not follow
"All units pull back to the flagship! I want the best of the best waiting for me at the bridge. Do not let him leave the bridge!"
Walking out to the halted tanks he noticed there were two less than what had originally had attacked leaving him to believe they were destroyed. They didn't even aim at him as he stopped a few meters from the armoured units. To say Drek was scared was the least as he worried beyond this world and back as he stood in front of multiple tanks. Gathering himself he stood tall as he spoke confidently to them.
"I don't know if you can hear me in those tin cans but if you let us clones handle this we'll make sure the imperials presence is eliminated off this planet."
Silence was all that responded to him before a stoic voice ,over some sort of intercom he believed, responded to him in a less than polite manner.
"I don't think you're in the exact positions to be making demands son."
"Trust me. We'll handle this then surrender ourselves. You have my word. Not like us troopers can put up much of a fight anyways."
Ignoring any response they had for him now he headed back towards the direction of the admiral's flagship as he tightened his fists and stared through the visor of his helmet at the bridge as he marched into the cruiser and closed the bay door behind him.
The trip to the bridge was uneventful as he passed the remaining units on his way up. Most of them were wounded and exhausted as they rested against one another and tended to those in far worse condition. The engineers that were tasked with fixing the engines had long been brought up as they waited idly by unsure of what was going on. Yet, pushing them to the side, Drek entered the elevator that would carry him to the bridge as he fiddled with his blaster pistols unsure of what was to come.
His hands shook and his legs shook on the smooth ride of the elevator as he tried his best to calm his nerves. Glancing up he saw he had almost reached the bridge as he took a deep breath before steeling himself. The elevator jostled before coming to a stop as the doors quickly slid open and 30 other troopers waited for him on the other side as they rested on the walls or sat on the floor.
They quickly stood and saluted the commander as he walked past and stood by the door but not opening as he turned back to look at the curios but ready soldiers. They stood weapons at the ready but he assumed they were here to stop I.S.A forces when instead they were her for a completely different reason. Stepping up he gave them rundown short and simple before standing at the ready by the door with his pistols drawn.
"Prepare to breach"
The clones looked at each other confused and unsure before slowly following Drek's lead as they stacked up on the door. There was nothing but silence as the troopers waited while Drek placed a small charge on the center of the door. Once it was placed and charged there was only a few seconds of pure silence before the charge made a small controlled explosion and forcing the bridge door to slide open.
The clones quickly filed into the room as the bridge personnel fired back with their issued blasters at the troopers. One trooper fell back as a blaster bolt singed through his shoulder and throwing back out the room while others continued filing in. A small firefight began for a moment before the troopers being equipped with armor and better training made short work of their brothers who were always tasked with managing the bridge, Though it pained them to do so they kept their emotions to themselves as they quickly ended the lives of the bridge personnel.
Drek walked past them as he ignored the bodies of the fallen clones before setting his sights on the real target. The Admiral. He sat silently with hands folded behind his back while staring out upon the battlefield staring at the fallen troopers and craters caused by the battle. Realizing the commander was in his presence he slowly turned around a smirk upon his face as he addressed the clone commander.
"Ah commander Drek. A pleasure it is to see you here. As I can clearly see the enemy forces still holding I'm guessing you have something different to report?"
Drek was silent as he raised his blaster pistols at the Admiral. His men stood warily behind him as they wait for him to act.
"Indeed Admiral. I'm here to apprehend you and hand you over to the I.S.A as a war criminal. Hopefully if they enjoy having scum like you around in their detainment cells they'll not execute me and my brothers."
The admiral was honestly shook at the venom in the clone's voice as he spoke of what he would do with him. His capture would no doubt be a great blow to the Empire for who knows what ways these vermin could extract information. As much as he pained to say it he had lost this game the moment he had detected the armoured unit heading their way. But maybe he could at least soften the blow as he glanced towards the data tables. All he had to do was-
"All files have been extracted sir. All ships are primed and ready to overload their cores sir."
'What! How could these feeble clones thought ahead enough to extract all the files! I gave no indication of my intentions. No warnings. How? How? How?'
The admiral was showing nothing but rage in his mind as he tried his hardest to hold his stoic outside expression. The clones milled about complementing one another about a job well done as if they hadn't even betrayed something like the Empire. He grinded his teeth together under his emotionless expression as he quickly running out of options. While Drek still had his blaster pistols raised at him while another clone held onto a pair of cuffs. Realizing he had no other acceptable options the Admiral quicker than you could blink pulled out a blaster from behind his back and blasted the cuff wielding clone in his side. But before he could fire any more shots he now had every blaster in the bridge trained on him.
"Drop your weapon Admiral! The game is u-
"You dare order me! You pathetic tank bred insolent insects! I knew you clones were beginning to have too much free will no matter how much brainwashed you from birth. Undying loyalty! Completely subservient! You were bred to obey the emperor and his generals with a word! Now look at you! You failed attempts at creating an effective army have gone to have feelings and emotions for others when they are useless when wanting power!
"My men and I don't want power! But now i see the Empire for what it truly is! And though it pains me it may be too late for my others brothers. It not too late for us! So if turning you over can secure that for them! Then i'll do it and won't regret it the slightest!"
After commander Drek had said his words the silence returned as the standoff between the admiral and the group of clones continued until they saw something. Something the Admiral couldn't see. Lowering their weapons the troopers slowly and cautiously backed away from the Admiral as did Drek as they all slowly got away from him.
Unsure of what they were seeing he slowly turned around and gasped as he came face to face with three of the beings he had learned were called Elites as they hung around the large viewport before lunging in and shattering the glass. The admiral had no time to fire off a shot before he was grabbed by the throat and dragged out the window by one of them while the other two didn't say a word as the weary clones eyed them before they raised a clawed hand and pointed at landing zone of sorts for many I.S.A drop ships.
Commander Drek examined it before looking back at the Elite as he stared at him quietly.
"Me and my men surrender. Can I trust we will transported somewhere safely?
The Elite nodded before leaping out the bridge port as well following right behind his comrades.
Walking up to the now shattered viewport Drek stared at the landing zone as he watched his men quickly load up the wounded and severely injured over themselves. His expression under his helmet had not changed as he watched his safely loaded into transports while he and the few others gathered up any ammo and began setting the core of the flagship to blow. The clouds in the sky spread apart as Drek had to shield his face from the sudden sunlight as it parted the clouds even more. Turning around he addressed the others on the bridge before all of them quickly rappeled out of the bridge's shattered viewport before meeting up with the rest of the units at the drop ships.
The I.S.A forces while tending to the wounded troopers still eyed the troopers wearily as they all loaded in before the final drop for Drek and his company was loaded in. He watched as he saw the Armoured division fire round after round into the cruiser before finally hitting the core sending the cruiser into critical as they sped off to avoid being caught in the blast. Little did he realize he saw something quick enter his vision before striking through the cruiser and sending it into a fireball as it exploded and taking the other cruisers with it.
Turning around he asked one of the troopers accompanying him if they heard where they were supposed to be going as they somewhat the enjoyed the smooth ride on what they had heard was called a phantom.
"Any idea where we're going?"
"Heard it's some close by metropolis that was re-taken by I.S.A forces. Has some type of space elevator there or something sir. I believe they said the lieutenant and his forces are already there. But, if you don't mind me asking sir. What do we now?
Drek sighed as he stared out the open door of the phantom watching as the land sped by and they passed over the numerous towns and some of the places they had even took part in battling for.
"I don't know. But i'll figure something out. For all our sakes.
Not much for me to say here except I'm glad to be back in the game writing guys. I'm glad to have finished the chapter and i hope i can finish the next by next month but life being the way life it is. It has become more and more challenging to find time to write. But all that moping aside i do hope you guys like the chapter and i hope you all have a great day. See ya later. Signing off RC-5555-Sektor