Having crashed on the base side of the gorge the Jedi sprint their way right into the attacking ground forces of the Empire. Luckily as Arkton had explained earlier the ground forces are attacking the base directly. Although Imperial gunships continue to pound away at the defense guns they have yet to successfully dispatch any clones on the landing grid. Even though the rebel battle droids are putting a dent in the Empire's ground attack the clones have had their experience in fighting droids!
The Jedi move in, striking down several clones before they even know what happened. Jori stops inches before an AT-RT and scissor cuts its legs taking it down. She moves on and Force jumps on top of an AT-TE, she immediately destroys the cannon blasting away at the base along with the clone manning it. As she continues to slice apart the walker piece by piece; Ryaan and Ranik both jump into a low level flying gunship before it can dispatch its troopers. Within seconds the clones and the gunship are decimated and crashes as the two Jedi jump off.
Using rocket launchers to strike at the six legged walkers, Balek and the others notice the Jedi entering the fight.
"Are they trying to get themselves killed?" Kaeon wonders.
"No they're helping." Idayk replies.
"Yeah but he's got a point, we don't want to risk hitting them ourselves." Balek replies.
"Not to mention the droid bombers are headed this way and the battle droids already out there!" Nkard adds.
"The battle droids were reprogrammed not to fire on them." Balek adds as he begins to yell trying to get the Jedi's attention.
Jori is the first to hear someone calling them and looks over at the front line of defense.
"Master!"
Ryaan looks up from the clone he just cut down and notices a group of rebels pointing to the sky. He looks up and sees the droid bombers en route to attack the Imperial ground forces.
"Let's go!" Ryaan yells deflecting a blast from a clone.
The three Jedi quickly make their way to the front line taking out several more clones and AT-RT's in the process.
"We're grateful for the help but we didn't think it was a good idea to have you out there by yourselves. Especially with those bombs about to come down!" Balek says.
The first wave of bombers come through taking out two walkers, four or five AT-RT's and numerous clone troopers. However several bombers are shot down in the process.
The Jedi remain at the front line providing cover by blocking and deflecting incoming blaster fire. As Ryaan sends a bolt back into an AT-RT he suddenly notices the black Jedi interceptor and its escort flying overhead.
"What is it?" Jori asks noticing his attention is suddenly elsewhere.
"Vader, he just flew over the base." Ryaan says.
"He's gonna land on the grid?" Jori says curiously.
"Or just outside of it, let's go, looks like we'll have to take him on after all Ranik." Ryaan says.
He informs Balek and the others that they must fall back to deal with another threat that may be coming through the landing grid.
"So far no gunship has successfully landed." Kaeon says. "The shield will stay up until the smaller transports are ready to launch."
"Not clones, Vader." Ryaan says.
Already having served aboard a ship with Vader at command, Balek and the others realize the scope of the task at hand for the Jedi.
"And he could easily take down the shield generator." Ryan adds.
"You're right, go. I hope we see you again." Balek says firing his rifle.
"Third transport is about to launch." Arkton reports to Garan.
"Ready the N-1's." Garan replies then turns to Sheltay. "You're getting on that transport!"
"No I'm staying here to fight." Sheltay says pulling out her blaster pistol.
"Sheltay the rest of us may not escape, the transports are what's important. And if we're going to have a hope to keep the DCS we have to take out that Star Destroyer." Garan adds. "It is imperative that you don't link us to Alderaan and Senator Organa. You must go now!" Garan stresses.
"Very well, make sure the Jedi are warned about Dantooine." She says as Garan orders someone to take her to the last transport.
"I will now you must go, they'll make sure you get home safely." Garan says as she exits the room.
As N squadron receives the order to escort the third and final transport out two more N-1's are destroyed.
"We're taking heavy losses up here and the DCS is taking more hits than she's shelling out. The Empire hasn't once diverted forces to attack the transports! I'd rather not decrease our battle group anymore than it already is." Lt. Sogan says.
"Copy, stay where you are and keep it up." Arkton says as he looks at Garan.
"I just hope he's right." Garan says concerned for the passenger he just put on the ship.
After evading a few pursuing V-wings Gleim and Xafus find the wreckage of a downed ARC-170, they circle the area looking for any survivors.
"How do you know this is where they crashed, this could be one of the Empire's." Xafus states.
"Because there's over a dozen dead clone troopers down there!" Gleim says noticing the bodies. "They probably headed for the base, take her in and contact the command center before we approach. We don't want to get shot down by those turbolasers." Gleim says. "On second thought just land on the base side."
"Admiral, the attack on the moon base is going well however over half of our space forces have been destroyed. The DCS is taking a pounding from us but we aren't in good shape either with no shields; our weapons systems are being pulverized as well." An officer reports to Prusta.
Prusta ponders the situation for a moment then orders all hands not assigned to the bridge or weapons systems to evacuate.
"Fill every long range shuttle first and dispatch them to the moon to assist in the attack!" Prusta orders.
"Yes Admiral, and shall I dispatch Lord Vader's shuttle to await him on the moon?" The officer asks.
"Yes immediately." Prusta replies.
In the command center Garan receives an update from the droids aboard the DCS. Having been severely damaged as well as the blow they've dealt to the JH1, the droids in the DCS predict that both ships might go down together. Someone in the command center back on the moon offers a bold suggestion.
"We could ram it!"
Having lost almost all outer defense weapons on the DCS they figure it's their last shot to take out the JH1.
"Can you give me the status of the JH1?" Garan asks.
"Shields are gone, turbolaser batteries are decreasing but not fast enough. We've hit them hard but I fear if we don't take them out soon they'll eventually repair and rebuild. The whole effort would be for nothing." The reply comes back from one of Arkton's men.
Garan convenes with Arkton for a moment discussing their options.
"If we lose they lose. Granted the transports are away but there are still a lot of men and materials here, I say go for it." Arkton says voicing his opinion.
Garan goes back to the com and gives the order. "Pull back all fighters to counter the ground attack! Make sure all hatches are sealed off before you ram it and if possible make ready to dispatch the core ship to the surface." Garan orders.
"Roger, roger." Comes the reply from the droids.
As Xafus brings the ARC-170 to land outside of the base he notices a ship far off to the left.
"Gleim take a look to your right." Xafus says.
Gleim does as instructed and notices the Arawak resting on the ground. "My baby!" Gleim says excitedly. "Wait, that's means Ishisz is here." He adds.
"That's what I figured as well." Xafus replies.
Gleim instructs Xafus to land near the Arawak.
The two friends quickly make their way to the port hatch, armed with the small blaster pistols they requisitioned from the base they enter the ship. They find it empty and finally realize that Ishisz is obviously still determined to claim the bounty on Ryaan and Jori.
"He's out there somewhere and we haven't even found Ryaan and the others." Gleim says.
Xafus then notices Gleim's double barreled shotblaster is still mounted in its place. He grabs it and hands it to his friend.
"Go find them, I'll stay here so I can come get you if necessary." Xafus suggests.
"Okay, if you see Ishisz coming take off and blow that ARC fighter." Gleim says.
"Will do, good luck." Xafus replies.