Key:
"Speaking"
'Thought'
"Mystical being speaking"
'Mystical being thought or jutsu'
XxXxX=Scene break
'1400 hours. It seemed like months that we have spent on this planet where it has only been a few days. This dry godforsaken plant. It almost seems like around every corner, under every rock, on every cliff, a Speck sniper has our position. Now Speck artillery fire is almost constantly hammering our position. It seems that Naruto must have provided this task force with the weapon that he memorized back when he killed Master Secura. These shells though simply exploded though and I don't think anybody else has them… for now. We have no idea where Naruto is because there is an entire planet and we have no idea if he is here with this section or with another, but we will soon find out.'
Ahsoka and Anakin just finished telling the troops of what is going on and where having a heated debate on whether or not Anakin trusted Ahsoka enough, but was interrupted when Master Luminara and her Padawan Bareis Sophee disrupted the conversation.
"Well if you are finished with your little discussion we do have a factory to-," Luminara said, but was interrupted when an explosion erupted nearby.
"Shelling! Everybody in your caves!" a trooper shouted as dropships where put into the air and troopers ran into the caves where their tanks stayed safely. Anakin and Ahsoka pushed the new arrivals into a cave nearby. The shelling lasted for five more long minutes until it finally stopped. Once the shells stopped dropping troopers began to move out from the caves as well as the Jedi.
"What was that all about?" Luminara asked.
"A new Speck toy. They have artillery emplacements somewhere, but we have no idea where." Ahsoka said.
"Specks? What company?" Luminara asked.
"Fox." Anakin replied.
"Oh no." Luminara replied gravely.
"I have heard rumors of the Specks, but what is 'Fox Company'?" Bareis asked.
"The Speck are cut into companies just like ours and every company receives special training from their leader. So far there are the Eagle, Snake, Pig, Lion and Fox companies that are taking jobs while others are still in training." Luminara explained.
"So why are we so afraid of the Fox company?"
"Have you heard of Naruto?"
"Yes… wait. Does that mean…"
"Yes, Naruto is the leader of Fox Company. Naruto's snipers are said to be able to take out Padwans so keep a look out for them and if you see Naruto then retreat. Got it?" Luminara said.
"Yes master." Sophee said with a bow.
"Well then now that that is out of the way, Bareis, please introduce yourself." Luminara ordered.
"Padawan Bareis Sophee at your service." Bareis said with a bow. Ahsoka held out a hand which Sophee took.
"Glad to meet you. My names Ahsoka."
"It's good to see both of you again." Anakin said.
"I wish it was under more peaceful circumstances." Luminara said as Anakin placed a hologram of the factory in the center of the group.
"A frontal assault could prove risky. Casualties will be high." Luminara said as they looked over the map, as the only way to get across was a bridge.
"Not as high as they'd be if that factory comes online." Anakin said.
"Indeed, but there is an alternative. Every Geonocian building has a series of catacombs beneath them underground." Luminara said as an image of a massive maze tunnels appeared beneath the factory.
"Some of the tunnels are close enough to this cliff wall so we could cut a hole in the side and make an entry point." Bareis said as indeed some of the tunnels near the bottom of the cliff that makes of the bridge are close to the cliff wall.
"Once your inside you can find the main reactor, plant the explosives, and blow the factory inside out." Luminara finished.
"It looks like a good way to get lost if you ask me." Anakin said.
"To the unprepared perhaps. I have instructed Bareis to memorize the labyrinths all 200 junctions." Luminara said.
"You always where thorough." Anakn said with a grin.
"It pays for one to be prepared, right Bareis?"
"Very much so when others lives are in danger." Bareis said.
"How do we keep the Geonocians occupied while we are setting the bombs?" Ahsoka asked.
"Good point Snips. Whoever's going in there gotta b successful. Were going to need a diversion." Anakin said.
"Precisely. That task will be carried out by you and I, Skywalker, while the destruction of he factory falls to the Padawans." Luminara said.
"Now hold on there. We still got a few things to discuss." Anakin said.
"And what is that?" Ahsoka said with venom.
"First things first, what about the Specks? If Naruto is in there then he is going to be expecting this." Anakin said.
"Really? You think Naruto will know of our plans?" Luminara asked.
"It's true. Naruto will know of our plan and is likely to have blocked off the area by now or have men covering the area." Ahsoka said with a sigh.
"Agreed. So that only leaves no option." Luminara said gravely.
"I'll call for reinforcements immediately." Ahsoka said.
XxXxX- One day later
'0244 hours. Shells hit overnight as we waited for the reinforcements to arrive. Once word arrived at the Senate that Fox Company where holding the factory they said that they where sending a platoon of Senate guards and a whole mess of equipment. Conflicts are said to have raised quickly and a new weapon known as the Separatist Super Tank have been seen throughout the battles on this horrible planet. I can only hope that they aren't lying in wait inside that building. Anakin looks undisturbed by the shelling as he continues to sleep though the artillery fire. Hopefully Naruto isn't inside that building.'
'0917 hours. I hardly got any sleep last night because of the four shellings that we got over night courteous of the Specks. Not many people died because of it because they where all hiding inside of caves, but there where some. It seems though for now that they have given us a break… for now. It also seems that Geonocian tanks and other vehicles attempted to cross the bridge during the night, but our fighters seemed to have destroyed them while looking for those fucking artillery sites. Once we find them I will be the one to destroy those guns personally. I know it may be weird for a Padawan to have a dairy, but I really don't care what others think of me.'
The four Jedi where standing around a hologram of the factory once more when dropships began to land in the area. A few captains, including a Senate Guard captain, and Obi-Wan approached them.
"Ah, Master, I see you're feeling better?" Anakin said.
"I am. Why isn't this factory taken yet and why are there so many other reinforcements?" Obi-Wan asked.
"It seems that Fox Company is holding the factory." Anakin replied.
"Ah, I see. So the only way to take this factory is by a frontal assault?"
"Yes, and we estimate a high casualty rate."
"True, but the factory is not yet up and running so we still have a chance to destroy it."
"Agreed. So what are the plans?" Anakin asked.
"On the way we saw Geonocian line being built here." Obi-Wan said as a red popped up on their side of the bridge.
"So that's why the bugs where sending supplies across the bridge." Ahsoka said.
"They where preparing a line in front of the bridge." Anakin finished.
"Indeed. Why they would make a line here, I have no idea, but my guess is that they are leaving the defenses up on the other side of the bridge up to the Specks." Obi-Wan suggested.
"Is that why fighting in other areas of the world are becoming more fierce?" Luminara asked out loud.
"I think so. Well, prepare the men. We should attack before another of those shellings hits." Obi-Wan said as the captains of the troopers said in unison. "Yes Sir!"
XxXxX
The Jedi all huddle behind rocks and other objects as the men and tanks prepare to charge the enemy lines. Ahsoka peers over the rock that they are hiding behind and sees bugs and droids all preparing to fire along with a few Super Tanks. Anakin presses a button on his wrist communicator that connects to everybody's comm. link.
"This is it everybody. We will destroy this factory today! Even if Naruto is in that building he will be brought down along with his men! Once you start you can not stop!" Anakin said, as Ahsoka looked back at all the men ready to charge at the enemy lines. "Ready? Go!!!"
As soon as Anakin said that all the troopers jumped over their cover and ran towards the droids and bugs. Red lasers flew past as troopers returned fire. The dreaded boom of artillery fire could be heard as large explosions began to explode everywhere as well as large white laser blasts could be seen smashing into the mass of troopers as we charged across no mans land. Ahsoka, Anakin, Obi-Wan, Luminara, and Bareis where in all in front deflecting blasters as fast as we could.
The Jedi finally made it to the line of trenches where droids and bugs waited. Some bugs where in the air, but where shot down by the troopers. The Jedi and troopers quickly cleared the trench and waited for more troopers to make it past the fire coming from the last trench. A tank made it to the first line, but was smashed by a huge white blast that came from a Speck anti-tank gun on the far side of the bridge.
"Send the tanks back! We need to take out those anti-tank guns first!" Obi-Wan shouted into his mic. The tanks began to fall back as troopers began to jump over the trenches because there are to many inside of it to hold them all.
"Up and over!" Luminara shouted as all the men and Jedi charged the last droid and bug line.
XxXxX
A man wearing a white cloak sat at the top of the tower looking at the battle below. A Speck sniper sat next to him as Speck fighters and anti-air weapons fought against the Republic fighters in the air.
"This is an interesting battle, is it not?" the Speck sniper asked.
"It is indeed. I haven't fought this type of battle in a long time." The cloaked man with a straw hat said.
"So you're in your own area of expertise?"
"Indeed I am." The man said as he lifted his hat just a tad. Underneath you could see a golden sparkle.
XxXxX
The Jedi finally made it to the last trench and finished off all the droids and bugs with ease. Obi-Wan jumped into the trench near Anakin.
"Well that wasn't so bad." Ahsoka said.
"That was the easy part. Now comes the fun part." Anakin said as all red lasers where now drained out and all that is left is white and blue. All the Jedi cluster in a spot inside the trench where a hologram popped up. A blue line appeared where the red line once stood symbolizing that all the Separatists have been eliminated. Now there are white dots on the bridge as well as a white line in front of the bridge. Several white dots are also around and on the building itself.
"Ok. Speck troops have made fortifications behind the debris on the bridge from last nights attack! There are also bunkers that have been built into the ground where anti-tank guns are waiting any tanks to cross! There is also and anti-air gun near the bridge as well and might fire at the bridge as well! I suggest we go for the anti-tank guns first and bring in tanks to take out the AA gun second!" Anakin shouted as artillery fire continue to hammer their position.
"I disagree! If that AA gun begins to fire on our troops then our men will not be able to support us in the assault of the AT guns! I think we should take out the AA gun first and the AT guns second!" Luminara shouted.
"I think we should split our forces and take all of them out at once! Luminara and I will go for the AA gun while you go for the AT gun on the left. The Padawans will hit the one on the right!" Obi-Wan shouted.
"Alright then! Once we clear the bridge we'll split up! Take a group of troopers with you as well! Ready! Go, go, go!" Anakin shouted as everybody charged the first position on the bridge. We noticed that fighting Specks troopers are much harder as the dodge and fight back with their bayonets. More troopers began to pour onto the bridge as clearing the bridge was much harder then originally thought.
Ashoka jumped over a supply truck and stabbed a Speck in the heart. The Speck reeled back and pulled out his pistol, but Ashoka cut off the mans hand and kicked him over the edge.
"Ahsoka! Calm down!" Anakin shouted as an AT blast flew past him.
"Why?! These are the bastards that shelled us every night and killed so many people!" Ahsoka shouted as she charged the next position. Ahsoka went to chop off the Specks head, but said man ducked and punched her back. Anakin was soon on the Speck and was soon dead.
"Calm yourself. If you keep fighting like this then you're going to get yourself killed." Anakin said as Ahsoka stood up.
"Yes master now lets finish this." Ahsoka said as the main force was on the mouth of the bridge. Anakin looked and saw that the AA gun begin to fire onto the bridge as well as the AT guns.
As soon as Anakin and Ahsoka reached the mouth of the bridge, Bareis was waiting for them as Obi-Wan and Luminara went on ahead.
"Good luck you two!" Anakin shouted as said person ran off towards his target as Ahsoka and Bareis ran towards their respective target.
Ahsoka and Bareis ran towards the bunker that was constantly spitting out shells at the men on the bridge, dodging stray bullets and explosions that came near them. After jumping into a trench that was built near the door two troopers with brown camouflage on their uniforms waited near the entrance.
"What's the situation?" Ahsoka asked once behind cover.
"Several Speck in there. Waiting for reinforcements to get here before clearing it out." A trooper responded as loud bangs could be heard from within.
"Ok. You two cover the exit while we clear them out." Bareis said.
"Yes sir!" The two troopers said as they stepped aside.
"Ready?" Ahsoka asked.
"Ready." Bareis replied.
"Go!" Ahsoka shouted as the two ran into the room. The bunker was a single room with boxes set up in a defensive formation at the door. To the side a small closet sat out of sight. Two men at behind the AT and turned when the two Padawan's entered the room.
A man sprang up when Ahsoka and Bareis entered the room from behind the boxes and started to fire at the Padawan's. Bareis and Ahsoka began to block the blasts and move slowly towards the box wall as the two men on the AT gun pulled out pistols and fire at the Padawan's. A deflected blast hit one in the head as Ahsoka finally made it to the barrier. Ahsoka slashed across the chest who then stumbled back and fell to the floor, dead. Bareis soon followed stabbed another in the heart, who gurgled on blood and was dropped to the floor. The last man looked towards his friends and dropped his weapon. After this action he put up his hands in the air to surrender.
"What? No fight left in you? Well after the hell you gave us the last couple of nights I think we are in the 'take no prisoners' business now." Ahsoka said with a sadistic grin as the trooper began to step backwards.
"What are you thinking?" Bareis whispered. As the Speck grabbed his pistol and lifted it to his chin.
"I always knew you Jedi where evil!" the Speck shouted as he pulled the trigger. A white blast flew through his head with blood erupting onto the walls. Ahsoka and Bareis where shocked and wide-eyed as the two young Padawan watched their first suicide in their lives.
Suddenly they could hear clapping from behind them. The two turned to see a Speck sniper wearing all the expected clothing and the greatcoat. Ahsoka knew this was the sniper from before.
"Very good. You made someone commit suicide! This is the first time I have ever seen a Jedi make someone commit suicide. The only ones that I have seen do that are the Sith." The sniper said as Bareis got into ready position.
"Shut up." Ahsoka mumbled.
"I think you may have a thing for this. So far I have only seen you commit evil deeds. Are you sure you're a soon-to-be Jedi?"
"Shut up." Ahsoka said a little louder.
"From what I've seen you should be a…"
"Shut up!" Ahsoka shouted.
"A Sith." The Sniper said mockingly. By this time Ahsoka was shaking with anger.
"I'll kill you!" Ahsoka shouted as she charged at the sniper. The sniper blocked the slash that was sent his way with his bayonet and shoved her back into Bareis.
"We'll meet again soon. Real soon, then you can kill me." The sniper said as he dashed out of the bunker. Ahsoka jumped up and ran out of the bunker to see where the sniper ran off to, but it was impossible to tell as plenty of Specks where retreating from their positions and into the open doors of the factory. Flamethrowers where holding most men back as the doors closed. Occasionally rifle fire could be heard, but the firing seemed to have finally stopped besides the AA guns that were still left and the fighters in the air. Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Luminara where standing near the entrance of the factory when Bareis and Ahsoka approached.
"So, how did it go?" Anakin asked.
"Not so good." Ahsoka said with her eyes on the ground.
"Oh? What happened?" Obi-Wan asked. Ahsoka looked at her fellow Padawan with pleading eyes. Bareis slightly nodded and turned to the group.
"We saw our first suicide." Bareis said. The three Jedi nodded.
"Ah, I see. It is one of the hardest things to see besides your first kill." Obi-Wan said.
"I saw also saw a Speck run out of the bunker after you two went in? What happened?" Anakin asked.
"That was one of the snipers. He managed to escape and blend in with the Specks that where retreating." Ahsoka said.
"I see. I also encountered a sniper in my bunker as well, but he surrendered after he learned I was Jedi." Anakin said, which made Ahsoka flinch.
"Lucky for you three. Master Luminara and I had a hard time taking out the AA emplacement. No one surrendered." Obi-Wan said.
"Do you think taking the factory is going to be hard?" Bareis asked as Anakin ordered Rex and the rest of the troopers to clear the area around the factory, leaving only a few troopers with them.
"I don't know, but opening this door will be very har-," Obi-Wan started, but was interrupted when the large door began to open.
"As you where saying?" Anakin remarked as smoke began to spew out of the entrance. The few troopers readied themselves for anything that may come out of the door as the Jedi lined up for an assault.
Smoke continued to spew out of the door as silence greeted the Republic troops. Suddenly, white lasers flew out of the smoke, hitting the few troopers that where with them.
"What the-" Ahsoka said but was interrupted when the smoke began to disappear.
Standing in the entrance of the door was a man with a white cloak and a straw hat that shadowed his face from view. Standing next to him where four snipers.
The two forces stood across from each other, staring each other down until Anakin decided to break the silence.
"We know it is you Naruto. You are the leader of Fox Company and no one else could put up this much resistance then you." Anakin said.
"I thought you would notice. I'm surprised that I was going to meet you, but that is fate I suppose." Naruto said as he removed his hat and sealed it away.
"How much are they paying you? I'll pay double what they are paying you to stand down." Anakin said, surprising Luminara and Bareis.
"What are you talking about? We do not affiliate with terrorist." Luminara said.
"You really need to get out more." Anakin said.
"Sorry, but I must complete this last task before accepting your offer." Naruto said as the four snipers next to him activated their bayonets along with Naruto's black lightsaber.
"And what might that be?" Obi-Wan asked.
"You know I can't tell you that." Naruto said with a grin.
"Are you ready guys?" Anakin asked getting nods from everyone.
"I suggest we all take one." Obi-Wan said.
"That will leave one of us with Naruto." Anakin said.
"Yes, I know. I'll take Naruto while you guys take out the snipers. After you are through with the snipers, support me with Naruto." Obi-Wan said out of earshot of Naruto and his men. While Obi-Wan was saying this Ahsoka was searching for the sniper that disgraced her so many times. Using the force she searched for the man.
"Ready? Go!" Anakin shouted as everyone charged the Specks. Naruto met blades with Obi-Wan as well as the four other Jedi. Almost immediately the fights moved to separate areas of the entrance. Ahsoka found the sniper that disgraced her so many times. The sniper was fighting with Bareis at the other end of entrance.
XxXxX-Anakin
Anakin ducked underneath a swipe from a bayonet while slashing back at the Speck. The Speck jumped back while firing his rifle at the Jedi who chased after him. Anakin blocked all blasts and returned them to the sender. The Speck was able to dodge the blasts and block the vertical slash that Anakin sent.
Anakin force pushed the Speck into a nearby wall who immediately stood and began to fire at Anakin. As Anakin blocked the blasts a familiar 'click' made itself known to Anakin as the blasts stopped.
"Shit." The Speck muttered as he ducked underneath a slash courteous of Anakin. The Speck attempted to reload, but Anakin force pulled the clip that was in his hand towards himself. The Speck then reached for his pistol, but realized it wasn't there. Looking up the sniper realized that Anakin was holding the pistol in his hand and a lightsaber across his neck.
"Concede." Anakin said strictly. The Speck sighed and put his hands out in front of him, but stopped midway when a scream could be heard.
"Bareis!"
XxXxX-Luminara
'Drop under the shot. Jab at heart. Blocked. Kick in chest. Connected. Force push away and charge while down.' These where the thoughts that where speeding through Luminara's head as she fought the Speck sniper in front of her. Said Speck was trying to get up after the rather hard push, but noticed that he broke his knee from the push. The Speck flipped over with his pistol pointed at Luminara as he began to fire away at the Jedi.
Luminara blocked and dodged every shot that was sent her way until she was close enough to kick the pistol away from the downed man. The Speck was out of weapons and had a broken knee.
"Do you give?" Luminara asked.
"Do I have a choice?" the Speck replied as a shout overlapped all other voices.
"Bareis!"
XxXxX-Obi-Wan
'I can't get through his defense. What should I do?' Obi-Wan thought to himself as the two again locked sabers and again pushed away from each other. Naruto began to do hand seals. 'Shit.'
"Fire style: Fire shot no jutsu!" Naruto shouted as five fireballs flew out of his mouth towards Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan used the force to veer the fireballs away from him. Naruto was on Obi-Wan once the fire was deflected as the two where again in a power struggle.
"What is your final task?" Obi-Wan struggled to say.
"You will learn in due time." Naruto said as he jumped backwards towards Ahsoka. Obi-Wan chased after Naruto.
XxXxX-Ahsoka
Ahsoka was having a hard time with the sniper as he continued to back off and fire rather then going into hand-to-hand combat. She tried force pulling the rifle away from him, but he was fully prepared for any actions against his rifle and held onto it for dear life. Ahsoka then remembered what the other sniper said.
'I'm no Jedi. Unlike you I play by no rules.' Ahsoka remembered as she prepared for anything that he pull as they have no rules.
Said sniper continued to fire as Ahsoka was getting tired of dodging and blocking all the blasts as she was tiring from the constant barrage as it was easier to fire a weapon then dodging one. Ahsoka force pulled the sniper towards her. Once close enough she slashed the rifle in two. The Speck jumped backwards and looked at his rifle and began to shake.
"How could you." The Speck said in anger.
"What do you mean?"
"How could you destroy my rifle like that!" The Speck shouted.
"It's just rifle! You can get another!" Ahsoka shouted back as Naruto jumped to his sniper.
"Calm yourself. We will get another one for you." Naruto said as he put a hand on the Specks shoulder.
"But it won't be the same." The Speck mumbled.
"True, but it may be better." Naruto said with a smile, calming the sniper.
"What's going on?" Ahsoka asked.
"I think I can tell you." Obi-Wan said as he walked up next to Ahsoka.
"Really? What is it then?"
"Think about it. What would you do if Naruto destroyed your lightsaber?" Obi-Wan asked. Ahsoka's eyes widened.
"I see, but can't they simply get a new one?" Ahsoka asked as Naruto decided to answer this part.
"No. Just like you Jedi, I make my snipers make their own rifles, which are customized to their approval. Even their pistols and bayonets are customized. This is why my snipers are so powerful." Naruto said.
"I see. Naruto puts his snipers through the same treatment as we Jedi when it comes to the connection with their weapons." Obi-Wan commented as a motion came from behind Naruto and the Speck that caught the eye of Ahsoka.
"Bareis!" Ahsoka shouted as the two Specks turned to see what happened. Naruto looked upon the scene and could only grin.
XxXxX-Bareis
Blood dripped out from her wound as a white beam stuck through her chest. Pain erupted from her lungs as breathing became harder and harder. How could this of happened?
She had everything calculated out. She had him on the ropes, but when he raised his hands in defeat and she approached the defeated; she let her guard down. She went to cuff the Speck, but the Speck quickly detached the bayonet at the end of his rifle and shoved it into her chest. This went against everything the Jedi stood for. How could such a dark move defeat her?
Now she leaned against the Speck who still had the bayonet through her chest.
"How could you?" Bareis managed say as the pain from the bayonet intensified.
"I'll tell you exactly what I told your friend. I am no Jedi. I have no rules." The Speck said as he pushed her off his bayonet and to the floor. The Speck stood over Bareis as she looked up into the tinted glass of the Specks gasmask as she began to think for the last time.
'I understand now. I understand why Anakin fights, why Luminara fights, why Obi-Wan fights, why Ahsoka fights, why these Specks fight, but there is only one thing that I cannot understand' Bareis thought as she sees the reflection of Naruto in the cold glass eyes of the Speck.
'What do you truly fight for?'
XxXxX
A/N: Ok guys, I need an answer and it may kind of be like a poll of some sorts. Do you want me to continue with the side story or move onto the main story line? I'll have to finish this part of the story, but after this do you want me move with the main story of back off? This is all your choice so please give me an answer! Put them in your reviews or send via private message!
Apart from that, I hope you like the story! I'm trying to get better at posting sooner and longer chapters, but I don't really have a lot of time. I will start writing more though, I promise! ^^