Chapter 29: The Skies Burn
This Chapter I dedicate to a long time reader and fan who requested an update for a special event that sadly passed before the update could be put out.
Thank you: ZabuzasGirl
"My lord!" One bowman captain called from atop the mighty walls of Dale. The king, garbed in wools and cloth fit for his people of Dale, and with armor lining his arms, legs, and chest climbed stone stairs along the wall and came atop the wall. The King of Dale, grandson of Bard the Bowman who slew the dragon Smaug, Brand rose to the top of the wall and looked out over the great hill blotted plains leading to Dale from the south and east.
He cast his eyes out as the calling captain looked worriedly to him and then back out where his kings eyes lay firmly planted and watching. Before them were tens of thousands of men garbed in brilliant golden colored armor, with cloth lining and masking their flesh. Only their dark eyes were visible but from afar those were not seen. Brand sighed and leaned one hand onto the stone of the walls of his city.
Far as the eye could see were endless hordes of men of Rhûn. Before them to the front were hundreds, and likely thousands of archers to the front of the great army. They stood silent and tall among their many comrades and fellow warriors. Around them were mighty and foreboding engines of war. Catapults, and ballista's were about them and fire smoke rose from their torches planted in the ground or hung from holding plots along their engines or their war horses even.
"There, my lord." The captain finally pointed down low toward the bottom of the wall near to the long since rebuilt southern gate of the city. Which had since been closed. Brand peered over with his men and own archers around him and lining the city wall. Below stood three horses. Two men were seated on their war steads covered in fine golden or iron colored armor and barring in one of their hands a mighty flag pole that ended into a spear and bore a snake along the fine cloth. It signified the realms of Rhûn, and the standard of its leader. The emperor of all easterling men. He sat atop his own steed, his hands clasped to his reins. A long flowing and noble blackened cloak fell down from his shoulders from underneath his armored shoulder plates, and he bore the regular armor and cloth that covered his flesh from all others. The same in fact as his men did.
"They came but a few moments ago, my lord. What shall we do?" The captain asked, as the men atop the wall kept their hands holding an arrow ready to fire outward and their bows at the ready. The Rhunnic men, however, did not yet have their bows at the ready and so Brand sighed.
"Lower your bows. They would not so easily send their master before us if they wished to start this war here and now." Though their hesitation was evident the captain waved the men to be at ease, and the order was carried down the wall lines. Brand steadied himself and looked back once into his unblemished city of Dale. The northeastern gates had also been closed, but not before hours passed the women and children or those unfit for battle were sent passed them in tears and sorrow to take refuge among the dwarves of Erebor, and Brand's good friend Dain II Ironfoot.
"Hail King Brand, lord of the lands of Dale!" An accented man cried from below catching Brand's attention. It was one of the banner holders who, along with their lord, and the other looked up toward Brand as he peered over the wall.
"My lord the Emperor of the East, and King of Rhûn, Úndrathill, wishes to teat with you. So that you may spare your kingdom, and more importantly your people of pain, misery, and death." The banner wielder declared. His mouth unseen, but his tone full of underlying condescension and pride when it came to his emperor and master.
"Forgive me if I don't go out of my way to open my gates! Nor come down to treat with your or your master. Who I see lacks the respect to speak to me himself, rather than have but one of his underlings talk on his behalf!" Brand spat back in a cool but venomous tone as his men surrounding him nodded and muttered in agreement. The banner wielder cocked his head to the side. His cloth and armor making it far too difficult to denote his expressions and reactions. That and the long fall of the wall was not the best for discerning movements below.
"It is not respect, that I lack, Brand son of Bain, son of Bard! Rather, it is concern that I am found lacking!" The Emperor in an accented but powerful voice called up as he pushed his armored steed forward and tightened his grip on his reins.
"Your people, your kingdom, but what is left of it, is now before my mercy!" He declared with terrible confidence and thunderous resolve. "The new master, and lord of all the Earth, Sauron, has given to me but one mission! To bring your kingdom, and that of the stinking dwarves in Erebor to your knees! You can either bend them to me in submission and be spared the wrath of the lord of Mordor through me! Or you can be made to bend piked upon a spear!" The masked emperor declared. Brand's man began jeering and hissing down toward the Emperor and his banner-wielders. The army beyond suddenly moved in terrible formation. The easterling bowman stepped into formation, drew their bows and raised them high against the men of Dale. They called and yelled to one another as the Dale bowmen raised their bows in return against the easterlings. All the while Brand and the emperor stared one another down silently and nearly unmoving.
"My people have contended with dragons, and legions of orcs of the north! Wargs and goblins, and not even a dragon could bring us to our knees, easterling! If you wish to try, then so be it! We will weather this storm, and the night and come out stronger with the glorious dawn of the day!" The men of Dale let loose a cheer and jeered for the easterlings to respond. The emperor merely nodded.
"So be it Brand, son of Bain. When your city crumbles this time you and your men will wish that a dragon had burned your city to the ground! For when we are done with it, it shall be but a burnt plot of soil!" The emperor snapped the reins of his armored steed and pulled it around and rode the beast of burden back toward the great easterling golden army. His banner-wielders followed, and Brand sighed.
"My lord, should we not fire and kill the vile fiend?" His captain asked with clear disdain. Brand shook his head.
"No. I shall not stoop to such a level to slay a king or emperor whilst treating with them. Once he returns to his armies, let his fate be decided there." The king patted the man on the shoulder, and he nodded. Though looked saddened by not being allowed to fire a bolt into the man's retreating back.
"Ready for war men! We defend the city of our fathers, and her legacy! We have made it through war, death, plague, and dragons! We shall withstand this foe, and we shall prevail!" The men cheered and kept themselves ready as more men below flooded the streets of the city towards the gates of the city with their swords drawn. Now was a time for battle and war.
Brand steadied himself and peered over the wall once more. As a call sounded through the army. A terrible horn that shook Brand in terrible vibrations as it was echoed by others throughout the army. And with a clap of sound the arrows were loosed. A terrible shadow fell upon Dale as the arrows of the enemy flew and made for Brand and his city.
"Fire!" Then the arrows of the men of Dale were loosed and flew forth.
The battle for Dale had begun.
The night had been long. Through it, men of Rohan, Gondor, and even clone troopers moved bout the sea of death that littered Pelennor and searched for signs of life. And assured themselves of the death of all the foul creatures that lay scattered. It was oddly quiet through it all. The smell of death permeated the air and caused nausea in those unused to it. Though there were few men here who did not know the smell well. Both the native men of the world, and clone alike.
The smoke stacks had finally ceased rising from the white city. It did not go lacking in its wounds that were barred to all the world of the battle that had come before. There were no more screams, and no more crying. For everyone was exhausted and fast asleep. Only the pained moans rising from the healing houses were heard if one came to close to them. Arrows had to be pulled out, wounds sewn shut, and some burned closed lest one bleed to death upon a cot.
A gift had been brought to the houses of healing. As Aragorn was working to heal the hurt shield-maiden of Rohan, master Kenobi arrived with two clones dressed in their amazingly different armor and hiding their faces and bodies from all. The Jedi master brought a strange gel fluid that he declared to be 'bacta,' and to be capable of healing and help heal grievous wounds, and sooth the mortally wounded. Maybe even save them as well. Aragorn accepted the aid and strange healing gel with open arms and watched the Jedi master apply the gel to wounded men with gashes and holes from arrows or scimitars of the orcs. Within moments the men and their pained groans quieted and rested easier. Their wounds would heal even faster than normal, and it was declared to be a miracle, and the gifts of the strangers from beyond the skies were celebrated. Though of course, the Negotiator, declared them to be no miracles, and that they were more than happy to help. Of course the actions of every man was seen as heroic who fought in the battle, but those two men, who were joined thereafter by others, who wielded glowing swords of light were declared to be powerful sorcerers who had come to the aid of Gondor.
It was slightly uncomfortable for masters Fisto and Koon. They were ogled and pointed at. Their alien appearances frightening most and fascinating others. They were cordial through the night and into the day. Openly meditating when they came to the city as guests of the returned, but yet un-crowned king of Gondor. Aragorn son of Arathorn, heir to the thrones of Gondor and Arnor and to Isildur. It was this, even above the coming of the strangers and so called sorcerers from the stars that enraptured all men of the city.
So the night turned into day. Those in need of healing were being taken care of. Those alive on the fields below were brought into the city and were being treated. Including young Merry, accompanied by a worried Pippin. The armies of the Republic remained beyond the city and had set up a rudimentary base of operations with supplies, and the wounded being transported back and forth between the surface and the fleet. The day was now here, and so those who were in command, those in control and who led the war against the darkness gathered in the halls of the king. It would be one of many meetings as they licked their wounds.
"We haven't the strength yet to move out against Sauron." Aragorn mused as he paced the great whitened halls. With him in the hall were but a few. Gimli, Legolas, Gandalf, Anakin and Obi-Wan.
"It will be only a matter of time before Frodo and Sam make it into Mordor. My sight wains, and I fear for their safety now among the dark passes into that place of shadow." Gandalf lamented as he too paced with his back facing the rest.
"Even if we could round everyone remaining within these walls against Sauron, they lack the will to do so. It's been but a day!" Gimli added, with Aragorn nodding.
"We will not march tonight. Maybe not even tomorrow. But we shall soon. For now let us speak of it no more." The man, seeming ever more kingly declared. His eyes distant as he seemed lost in his own thoughts, and then fell upon the Jedi knights.
"We have much to be grateful for. Not only in your allied defense of this city alongside the men. But also of defending it against your own enemies who sought to give to Sauron a mighty gift through victory. What news of them do you have? If any." Aragorn asked as the daylight flushed in through the many windows along the hall that lit the wondrous white of the room. Anakin kept silent. His master having enough of him speak as of recently, and Obi-Wan cleared his throat.
"We're happy to help of course. Anakin has...secured us to remain and deal with the remaining forces of the CIS. We extend now a full offer of support in defeating your enemy alongside our own. In orbit above your world lay a fleet of warships. Many times larger than those you've seen our forces fly through the air. I know the concept may be hard, or difficult to understand. But among the stars fleets of metal fight and destroy one another. The CIS had a massive fleet fighting our own during the battle of Pelennor. We are fortunate in that the enemy fleet fled from the battle. We may not have been so helpful had they not." Obi-Wan looked to Anakin for confirmation. The younger Jedi shrugged his head to the side in acquiesce.
"We don't know why they fled, but nonetheless we do not think they will be returning. There's concern that they are planning something against us beyond this world that will be massive but we do not know what or when if anything will happen. Of course this does not concern you." Gandalf turned back toward them all with an oddly knowing, or possibly inquisitive look in his eyes.
"From what we can tell our enemy has a sizable force now based behind those mountains. Many thousands, maybe even tens of thousands of those metal soldiers you had seen. Not to mention many vehicles and smaller craft to fight us in the skies. We can defeat them we feel confident in that." Again he looked for confirmation from Anakin, and his old padawan numbly nodded again in agreement.
"Can we expect them to attack on their own?" Aragorn asked.
"We do not know. Sauron may be allied with them, and I do not know that amount of power he wields personally, but certainly the droids can attack near anywhere if they are given the chance to move from beyond the mountains. We will maintain watch, and follow your lead in finishing this. But if the droids attack we will be sure to handle it." Anakin nodded more enthusiastically at that.
"Very well. Until we have regained more of our strength we cannot move against Sauron. No more than a few days can we take to rest from the battle." Aragorn warned with Gandalf nodding somberly, Legolas watching stoically, and Gimli huffing at the notion of waiting.
"Until that time, we should rest, and I shall attend to...other matters concerning the city and its...my people." Aragorn self corrected with a hint of hesitation about him. A rare sight for them all indeed.
"What news of the north, Gandalf?" He turned to the old wizard. Anakin and Obi-Wan couldn't fathom how he would know anything. As far as they were aware the elder man hadn't left the city or received news from anyone. Though they had also learned to never underestimate the wizard. Or assume certain limitations about him.
"Sauron's forces are moving against Dale, and undoubtedly Erebor thereafter. The easterlings are in full force. If they breach the city, and take the lonely mountain they will undoubtedly move into the Greenwood."
Both Gimli and Legolas looked to the wizard with different levels of worry about them, and a sense of anxiety came off of them in waves. The two Jedi had been around them both long enough to know well enough why those places were of importance to them. They were home.
"We cannot hope to intervene on their behalf. Not when our number is so low, and the way so far to travel." Anakin glanced toward Obi-Wan, and the master caught the look. He sighed and forced himself not to roll his eyes.
"Perhaps...we could be of some assistance?"
"How so?" Aragorn turned back on them, as did everyone else. Obi-Wan turned to Anakin and swept his hand forward. Motioning the younger Jedi to take the floor and speak. He smirked and bowed his head.
"We currently have at our disposal several dozen squadrons of aerial bombers. They are units that can fly over positions, or armies, and drop explosives right down on top of them. Think back to Helms Deep, and what those canisters the Uruk's brought could do. Only bigger, and we can be precise when we drop them." Aragorn nodded and crossed his arms in thought.
"Those weapons were quite devastating. Are you certain you could drop similar ones on the enemy and not cause harm to allies?" Legolas asked. Anakin nodded enthusiastically.
"I've had to do it many times myself in other battles all across the galaxy. I know they seem rather...cruel. But, I would say anything that relives friends, and enemies of Sauron is a good enough excuse to use them." Legolas did not respond. Only looked to Aragorn who seemed concerned and undecided.
"I'd lead them personally. If we encounter any problems I'll handle it. Or if you want to call it off Aragorn, I'll do so. I know it sounds cruel and gruesome, but these are the same people who want to wipe you and your people out. They are in full league with this Sauron. And, I have no doubt that our enemies will eventually come to the same conclusion that using their bombs against your cities and towns or villages will give them all an edge psychologically over your people. If that comes to be, I'll handle that personally as well. I say we take the fight to them now. Show them their strike against us here at Minas Tirith hasn't weakened our resolve!" Anakin offered with impassioned vigor in his voice.
Aragorn lowly sighed and looked to Gandalf. The old wizard glanced back, but said nothing. Almost as if silently letting Aragorn know the choice was his alone, and that he could offer no clear advice. For he said nothing, and the man soon turned away and sighed again. The hall was silent as he seemed to ponder it for some time.
Until then Aragorn turned back to Anakin upon ending his pacing. His fingers were now to his lips or lightly tapping his own chin in thought. He eyed the young Jedi for a moment, before he finally gave a single low nod.
"I trust you, my friend. Do be quick, and careful though, and watch for our allies." Anakin smiled broadly and felt his adrenaline rush as he turned to Obi-Wan in silent request to begin preparations to go. The Jedi master nodded.
"Work out the finer details with master Koon, Anakin. I'll return to base and gather some monitoring and communications equipment, so we can all watch your progress, maintain updates and receive immediate reports. Wouldn't want any accidents happening." Obi-Wan added with a cocked brow line and pointed look to Anakin who sarcastically smiled and bowed to everyone before bounding out the hall.
"Do you think this is a good idea, master Obi-Wan?" Aragorn asked coming to stand beside the elder Jedi.
"I think Anakin has a point. But we should be careful. I, and I know he doesn't either, want to unleash too many horrors upon this world of yours. It has seen enough I would think?" Aragorn nodded and smiled sadly.
"The boy is right. In that we should strike back against Sauron's forces! And push the easterlings back from Dale and Erebor!" Gimli gruffly announced from where he sat with as clear of thought and mind as Anakin had.
"We saw what Saruman's weapons of war could do at Helms Deep Gimli." Legolas responded with his calm voice. "I would hate to see what such weapons would do when dropped upon an army of men. Even if in league with Sauron." The elf lamented.
"It is a burden I alone will undertake. If successful in its purpose I shall have to find it within me to accept the choice." Aragorn assured, and stood tall and rigid. Ever more taking on a kingly, or lordly look as resolve. All the while Gandalf nodded and seemed even a tad proud when Aragorn spoke. Obi-Wan could only smile hopefully, weakly and let himself feel outward through the Force. As the darkness beyond crackled ever powerfully.
"I shall have my forces posted near to your black gate. But maybe two or three divisions. That would put eighteen-thousand give or take droids and additional forces to be guards. The further of my force will be battle ready for takeoff in our aerial vehicles if need be. I shall drop them across this continent given the word and bring fire to all peasants who stand against us." Vica assured with a fiery temper in her tone.
Standing before her, as ever cloaked in utter darkness and his face seeming to disappear into utter darkness was the head of the Nazgûl for now so it seemed. Khamûl as he, or it rather, identified itself. The two of them were in the high throne room of the tower. Vica had in fact seldom left the Dark One's sanctum since arriving. Only once to inspect the droid armies that were being broken into groups for her. Now she maintained contact via holo-communicator with the droid commanders.
A vile rasp escaped from the void of the creature, and the metal covered hands of the Nazgûl fell onto the table they both looked over that showed all of Middle-Earth. Vica had her hand resting upon the black gate as she had pointed out where she would place her forces, and looked up to the creature for a response of some kind.
"We strike in the north. Orcs are moving from Gundabad, and goblins are marshaling from deep within the Misty Mountains. My lord Sauron wishes for an assault planned against the elven holdings of Mirkwood and Rivendell. Given a few days more orcs will move out from Dol Guldur, and may launch an attack upon Lothlorien." The creature looked up to Vica from the map as she followed his placements of where the sites were Sauron wished attacked. She met his 'gaze,' as it were.
"He has commanded that your forces join in all these attacks when they come. Only once Dale has fallen shall we commence such attacks." He added almost as an afterthought. Vica found the city he referenced and the Dark Lord had spoken of as well. The singular powerful mountain depicted on the map lay just north of the city, and her eyes narrowed. Her thoughts falling to the notion of waiting, and it was driving her wild with rage. Her golden eyes kept flicking back to Rohan.
Oh how she wished to but land a small army of droids in the heart of that pathetic kingdom of men and see it burn in totality. To march then onto Isengard and burn the slate clean. To bombard Helms Deep into a crater and then see the rest of this miserable continent and its rebellious inhabitants burn!
'Such is the dream.' She smirked to herself and chuckled. Khamûl looked to her and cocked his head to the side as the madwoman kept giggling to herself for a few moments longer. She waved him off upon seeing him 'look' to her again.
"Never mind me. You and your lord will have my full support. No city, no matter who inhabits it will not stand up against the power of our combined armies. That I promise with utter certainty." Her golden eyes seemed to burn just slightly brighter with power as she spoke, and the Nazgûl only nodded slowly before retuning in silence to the map. Vica sighed and did so as well. Letting her eyes dance over Rohan, and imagine a small fire spreading across the map.
A fitting metaphor, she thought anyways.
Anakin stood next to his ETA fighter with G6 whirring and moving its worried little droid head back and forth in swivel. He was at the base set up some ways away from Minas Tirith as the field still bare the scars of the battle with many dead still all about. Men of Gondor and Rohan, with some aid from clone troopers went to work moving the bodies. Those of Rohan and Gondor were to be buried. Even the easterlings and southrons were to have burial places. Aragorn had nonetheless given them that much respect in death as to not burn them or bury them alongside the orcs. Which were to be, of course burned. The mumak bodies were to be a problem in and of themselves, that Obi-Wan had offered the services of the Republic to clear up in time.
Of course the clones were firstly going to work clearing away their own dead, but also of gathering all material and technology of their own dead or defeated forces, and that of the droids. Aragorn had made himself quite clear at an earlier point. He had not wanted the people of the world to come into such powerful weapons and technology before they themselves were ready to wield it. Anakin couldn't say he agreed, but understood.
The Jedi stood fastening his right hand's glove and idly looked up to the blue and clear skies above. Circling overhead were several dozen fighters and bomber units awaiting him. He gazed toward Mordor and cast it a sneer as the volcano beyond rumbled with power and rage. He shook his head and finally finished fastening his glove and patted his cloak checking he had what he needed for the raid. He found himself oddly worried about what was to come. In fact he almost swore the Force was somehow trying to warn him. Before he shook it aside and chalked it up to nerves. Which in and of itself was odd.
"Anakin." He turned to the familiar and quite obvious voice of master Koon as he walked up from behind him, with his hands clasped behind his back among his Jedi robes. "Master Kenobi has taken a mobile command unit with him to the city. He informs me he wishes to keep watch of the operation among a select few of those in charge here. So to speak. Those I met earlier I presume." Anakin nodded.
"Yeah well, I have to make sure not to screw up and hit someone who's not an enemy. Best to have those native to the planet tell me whether or not I'm near doing that I suppose. Master is just being thorough is all." Plo nodded. The Kel Dor master looked to the ETA idly.
"Whatever the case I wish you luck Anakin. Myself and master Fisto will also be watching your progress and maintaining contact between you, your squadrons and master Kenobi. The Republic is not usually one to sanction bombings on native populations below our own technological capabilities." He worriedly mused.
"I can only speak to my own experiences master Koon. And frankly, if anyone on this planet of sane mind who isn't an orc or some other foul creature chooses to align themselves with this Sauron then they really have a loose coupling upstairs." He patted his temple, and Plo bowed again in a nod.
"That may be so. All I ask is that you take caution. The road we take even if for allies, and for what we perceive as the greater good, is slippery. We should take great care in what we do." Anakin smiled and nodded.
"Will do master Koon." The two Jedi bowed and Plo made to leave. "Oh, wait master." Anakin called, and Plo turned back. "Did the troopers manage to establish a permanent and reliable uplink with the rest of the galaxy for communications?"
"Only contact with the wider galaxy from orbit is clear. This planet has odd amounts of interference with communications. It was a lot of work and fine tuning to get our connection with Coruscant working before." Koon cocked his head to the side. "Do you need to contact someone at the temple, Anakin?" The Jedi knight took a moment to internally sigh, before he finally shook his head, and forced a small smile onto his face.
"No master. Just wanted to know what our situation looked like at the moment." Plo nodded, and Anakin bounded up his ETA's wing and planted himself in the pilot's seat, before closing the hatch.
"Alright G6, take us up buddy." The droid whirred and the ETA burst to life as Anakin took the controls and helped direct the ship up himself. The ship whirred loudly and sent up dirt into the air from where it blasted off from. It pierced up into the skies and through the center where the bomber and escort fighter squadrons were awaiting him.
"This is general Skywalker speaking. Raptor and Wild-Boma squadrons, it's good to have you both working alongside me again."
"We're all happy to do so general." Squadron lead of the Raptors announced, followed by a similar call back from the Wild-Boma's. Anakin smiled and nodded within his cockpit.
"Joining us today, as I'm sure everyone can see, are two BTL-B Y-wing bomber squadrons. Delta-Forties and Alpha-Fifteens, are their call-signs. Good to have you both along for the ride as well." Anakin greeted and received similar greetings and professions of gratitude to help in reply.
"All squadrons on me. I'll let you in on the details as we go." The ETA swerved left and banked itself into a steady and air-bursting blast forward with the small swarm of starfighters and bombers following in strict formation. None could see the awed watch of the citizens of the city watching the display. The clear sight with the threat of impending death as with the battle before gave them clearer view, and more time to stare in wonder as the flying metal ships blasted off and disappeared from sight.
The many ships zipped faster than any vehicle of the world had done before and faster than any beast or man. As they flew north and east. They quickly passed over a great marsh land and into the open fields of dagorlad into the brown lands.
"Our destination is not far by ship from the base. Our local allies on planet have friends in the north under siege by a large army of soldiers allied to their enemies. That makes them our enemies. Our objective is to soften up the enemy force and bring their force down a few dozen if not hundred in number. This force lacks the technological capability of bringing us down, so no one has to worry about anti-air on this operation. What we do have to worry about is making sure we don't drop any bombs on allied positions. From what I know they're hold up behind a city with walls, and should still be behind said walls. The sea of men attacking the city from beyond the walls are the objective. Steer clear of the single mountain just north as well. Allies forces may have made their homes around or even in the mountain. I don't have the time to explain why, so it's better if you don't ask. Any questions?"
"Negative general."
"All clear, general" They answered in similar ways with clear negatives and understanding of what needed to be done. Anakin let loose a sigh as he steadied himself and continued to try and shake the bad feeling he had. He released it into the Force which brought him momentary relief, but it would return quickly thereafter.
"Anakin, do you read?" Anakin clasped his hand to his earpiece quickly upon hearing Obi-Wan's voice.
"I read you master. We're on our way to the coordinates. Does the fleet have a lock on activity in Mordor yet?" The Jedi had since being allowed by Aragorn decided to try and receive orbital intelligence on all enemy activity behind the mountains of the land of shadow.
"They're attempting to, but the ash clouds above the main strongholds near the volcano are blocking most scans. The ash clouds make even thermal near impossible. With that said no reconnaissance vehicles have detected movements. So far you look clear."
"Good to know master." Anakin chuckled lightly as he peered out his viewport to the fields below passing underneath him in a blur.
"If only we had these ships a few months back, the trip wouldn't have been so...long."
"Copy that." Obi-Wan replied with a faint laugh on his voice as well. Anakin quickly though concentrated on moving the ship forward as the two escort squadrons came up along side him with the bombers hanging back. The city had been pinpointed for him and the teams from orbit, so Anakin could eliminate going too far north or simply missing it altogether.
It wasn't long before the great Greenwood of the woodland elves came under Anakin, and he momentarily mused that Legolas would've enjoyed such a sight, before readying himself for the city. As they neared ever more.
"Fire!" The man threw his arm down, and the catapults sprung forward. The initial line of ten fired their massive boulders against the city walls. Then the second further back line fired their, followed by the third. Dozens of of them flew forward and whirred through the air. The men of Dale called out and threw themselves away as several slammed into the walls of the city and brought walkway sectors crumbling down into dozens of broken rock fragments. Further more boulder flung themselves beyond the city walls and into the city itself. Slamming into homes, shops, barns kept within, and statues.
The forward line of easterlings was loud with their calls to one another and orders, as they loosed their masses of arrows again and again against the enemy. The Emperor remained straddling his steed to the back for the front lines watching the siege come underway with a hidden feral smirk at the sights and sound of his impending victory. For he could not wait to receive the boundless fruits of his labors and commendations from his lord, Sauron.
"Captain!" He called with a rumble and commanding voice. The lead captain in command turned and rushed to him and barely missed a volley of arrows from Dale that landed near to his frontal position. He stopped and slammed his feet to the soil.
"Yes, my lord?"
"Have the battering ram moved forward. I think they've been weakened enough." The emperor commanded as his banner-wielders remained by his sides and flaunted his position and command for all, even the men of Dale to see. The captain stiffly bowed and ran back toward the front.
"Fire!" Again a hail of successive boulders flew overhead and all slammed against Dale. Smashing walls and buildings down. The wall remained mostly intact however, and necessitated the use of the ram.
"Bring up the ram!" The front men called in their native tongue, as the back lines began splitting a line down the center of the army columns which had since begun to blend together until now. A company of easterling men with shields of heavy metal armor strapped to their bodies slowly pushed a ram strapped to wood beams lined with metal tied tightly together along wheels, and a central swinging trunk of heavy wood etched with metal prods and jutting spikes. The men called and another mighty burst of the horn sounded out that rattled the armor of the men and the ear drums of all as the other horn bearers followed suit in an echo that turned into a synchronous call that sent a cry of elation through the ranks as all knew the ram was moving forward.
Emperor Úndrathill pulled the reins of his steed. It neighed in response and angled its body to the right and allowed him a more sideways look. Another third succession of boulders flew forward up into the air and down. Slamming against the city walls and beyond. It near brought a tear to his dark eyes, but just. The men spread themselves out, two more companies called and heaved, as they threw their shields over their heads and angled their backs forward. They strapped shields along their exposed flanks for those men on the outside of the company as it formed a shielded column of metal. The ram moved past them and the men pushing it heaved even faster as they passed a line of dead friends and countrymen into the no-mans-land between their great army and the city.
All was going according to plan. Soon enough, he knew this city would be ruble, and his. Then too would be the mountain beyond, and all that lay within. His mind filled with a sea of gold and silver, and jewels beyond wonder! All...well most of it at least, his to do as he saw fit.
Then came a loud whirl of air and warbling through the skies. His steed thrashed in fear and the men all fell to their knees. Some firing arrows nearly loosed them into a comrade at arms, but just managed to stop themselves. The men all scurried some and looked overhead. Úndrathill seethed and sneered behind his cloth and armor and turned to the skies. Above them zipped metal monsters they dipped low from the south and flew toward the north before turning to the west with undeniably awing speed and then turned back around to the south.
"By what sorcery is this?!" He called in anger, and no small amount of fear as it gripped his heart. He could not have expected what was to come as the swarm of metal monsters moved south, dove low, and made back north toward his army.
"I think it's safe to say that's them!" Anakin announced as he dove low over a great sea of men. Their armor glistened and sparkled in the daylight below. The city before him was riddled with wounds from catapults and a small line of men lay dead at the front of the easterling army. The men along the walls of the city all looked in awe just as their enemy counterparts did.
"Alright, follow me about! Bombers squadrons begin dropping payloads on back end of enemy army! Carry your delivery up to the front. We don't need the whole army riddled with bombs from back to front but follow in on normal carpet bombing procedures. Do not carry over to the city!" They copied and Anakin threw his ETA right and toward the west and zoomed to a high elevation with all his many other pilots following after him.
"Master, we're ready to drop our payload on targets. Do we have a continued go to do so?" Anakin made sure to call in as Obi-Wan undoubtedly maintained watch from the orbital monitor view he had moved to Minas Tirith.
"You do Anakin. Be safe, and be careful."
"Will do master." Anakin assured.
"This is amazing! To see so much!" Gimli cried as he looked to the holo-projection being formed from Anakin's flyby. Next to it lay a screen with transmission from orbit of what they saw of the city. Surrounding Obi-Wan was Aragorn, Gimli of course, Legolas, and Gandalf as they all watched, and looked to the Jedi's technology with mixed levels of awe.
"This is quite normal to us Gimli. Though I do understand your amazement. The feeling is mutual, however." Obi-Wan chuckled. "Your world is far too odd for me at times."
"Indeed. Never had I imagined such things possible. Even with the magic of the world." Aragorn added in a quieter, and more leveled fashion. Legolas nodded along silently agreeing.
"Well given a couple thousand...more years I suppose, your world may well come to these same inventions as well."
"Time will tell." Gandalf simply put it with an elderly and knowing smirk upon his features as he watched with similar but not as much amazement as the others.
"Coming about!" Anakin relayed as his ETA followed by the fighters at higher elevation zipped over the heads of the tens of thousands of easterlings and then over Dale and passing Erebor.
"Targets locked, in sight." The first bomber squadron, Delta-Forties' squad leader announced. As the bomber units dropped low and nearer to the scared army of men as they feebly brought their shields above themselves to stave off the metal beasts that shrieked terrifying sounds as they flew.
"Bombs away!" The ships came over the army and beneath them the proton bombs were let free and fell like balls of cascading light onto the men. They hit the ground atop and near men of the easterling army and explosions rocked in succession of the ships as they zipped over head.
The men cried out in terror and fear as fireballs erupted from the ground. Dozens upon dozens of tightly packed men in this grand army were thrown into the air and then in all directions. The lucky ones hit by the bombs themselves vaporized or torn, and burnt so completely that they died instantly or in a matter of seconds.
The Delta's finished their run before reaching the front lines of the men and they zoomed off to the right and clear of the mountain as many hundreds of men lay dead or dying. Some mutilated beyond belief, missing limbs or sections of their torsos. Yet little blood came from them as the heat and bombs cauterized their wounds leaving them in burning and unimaginable pain. Their cries of pain rung out even to the far front of their Emperor's army, who watched on in horror and hate as a line of destruction was rained down onto his men. As if a dragon had come to them, and laid waste to them!
"Second squadron move in for the kill!" Anakin ordered as he and the fighter units hung high in the air watching as they circled high above. Te first squad broke and the second moved in. They moved along lines where the first hadn't attacked and commenced their own successive bombing runs. Leaving another trail of death where they went.
An uncomfortable, lump formed in the pit of Anakin's stomach. He fought against it and forced it down. He forced himself to harden to the attack and let all emotion, or as much as he could go into the Force.
"By the Valar." Brand intoned as he peeked over the wall upon hearing and seeing the fireballs rain onto the enemy from the strange...'creatures,' flying in the skies. Some of his men looked on in terror and screamed or cried that dragons had come to lay waste to them all. Yet they had not touched his city or Erebor. He looked back to the mountain in wonder and no small amount of worry. His close friend Dain Ironfoot was to come with a small army in no time at all. He worried the rumblings of these beasts would keep his friend from doing so.
A horn sounded loud and furious from the easterling army. A series of men atop horses moved along the front of the army and yelled to them. It took some coaxing but Brand watch the men shakily pick their bows back up and unleash another volley.
"They are resolute to carry on the war!" Brand called and ducked down as they unleashed their arrows again. They fell beyond his men and into the wall as his archers remained hidden with him.
Then came another horn. This one bellowing and piercing from not south but north. Brand smiled and laughed from where he sat hidden from the enemy swarm of arrows. The far horn of Dale sounded out signaling the nearing of his dwarven comrade and king.
"Open the gates!" Brand hollered over the sounds of war and cries coming from within and beyond his walls. As the screeches of the beasts sounded again and the ground shook with a terrible and tremendous rumble.
"Hold fast men! Give them a volley!" Brand commanded as he himself gathered an arrow up into his hand and hoisted the bow of his father and that of Bard up and readied the arrow to fire into the sea of easterlings.
He aimed with steady breath and hands and loosed the arrow. It flew forth and fell into its target. One man of many fell over with an arrow to his chest. The rest of the men along the wall stood up and loosed their own arrows into the easterlings as the beasts whirled overhead again but did not attack them. Brand began to almost think they were sent by the Valar themselves. But, he wasn't going that far just yet as he loosed yet another arrow into the army alongside his men, and rallied them to fight on.
The enemy arrows came back against as did another slew of boulders that smashed several watch towers lining the wall.
"Stand fast men!" Brand called again as the easterling horns sounded again and the army cheered out a terrifying and hateful call to one another.
"Having a bad morning are we?!" Brand swung around and ducked low as he heard the familiar voice come from behind. Below in the city, astride his usual oddly swine mount sat the King under the Mountain. Dain the II Ironfoot. With him came clamoring and moving rapidly in columns dwarves of all manner. Some slammed themselves to the city gates whilst others begun running onto the walls and up. They carried with them batches of finely made arrows and bows. Others carried throwing axes. Dain climbed off his armored porcine mount, and hiked up his axe.
"Dain! The host of Mordor and the east smash against us! And whatever those things happen to be!" He called as they flew overhead again and beyond the ground shook again. The dwarf looked and watched the metal creatures fly overhead.
"Ah! But a wee problem laddie! They'll all wish they hadn't thrown their weapons away and run in no time! Not when they'll have to meet dwarven metal and the arrows of Dale!" Brand laughed and nodded as the dwarven king made his way up to join him along the wall.
A cry sounded from the dwarven captains, and the dwarven reinforcements called back in loud, uproarious, and resolute reply. The men of Dale cheered out as the two Kings came together to meet the challenge before them both. As the ever present metal beasts flew passed and overhead.
"If the city is mounted along a ride of rock that will make conventional ground attack a nasty endeavor. I guess that's what artillery is used for." Vica commented aloud and rubbed an idle hand across her brow sweeping aside a loose strand of her golden hair. Khamûl didn't speak or nod in reply merely watched. It bothered her that she got no feedback. Then again, she took it to mean most of her reasoning was coming off as sound to the thing anyways.
As Vica traced her fingers along the route to Rivendell along the map the room began to rumble with furious power. A whine, as if from the very oxygen sounded and the temperature somehow dropped to a bizarrely cold level as Vica's breath became immediately visible.
Khamûl dropped to his knee and bowed his unseen head. Vica turned slowly, but not before wrapping herself up tightly with the dark side of the Force for protection. As Vica turned standing before her was a dark shadow of a man. Spawning from it were many dozens of tendrils like vines of tentacles that slowly wormed their way back into the figure. Shadows crept along the walls and the room shook but son turned to a slight tremor. A mixture of searing heat and freezing cold somehow made itself known to her at the same moment. As the purely black creature, soon began to take form and shake.
The vision of a man in armor, that bore a great many spikes and protruding barbs showed itself with blackened and seemingly endless eye holes and skeletal like nostrils made into the form of a crowned helmet that bore the greatest of spikes.
It was the vision of an ancient and terrible lord of war. With a mighty and heavy stomp of his boot, Sauron stepped forward and near to Vica. Who could do nothing but hang her head slightly in tremble and fear.
"My lord Sauron. You grace us with your presence and form." Khamûl shrieked out in what almost seemed like pain. A rumble came from the form taking phantom, as fire almost seemed to be burning within him just kept at bay by the armor he had formed from sheer nothingness.
"As we speak," His terrible booming voice spoke. "Your enemies are raining fire onto the easterlings besieging Dale. Mounted within those metallic beasts of war you and your enemies felled onto my world they rain death like dragons from above onto my forces!" He rumbled with terrible wrath and rage.
"As of thus far I find more evidence proving your incompetence and foolishness than anything other. Should you not deal with this challenge to my will, I shall see to it you are removed from my list of allies. No matter what superiority you dare claim." The Dark Lord commanded in such a fear inspiring tone that Vica could hardly find her voice to respond.
It took her a moment, and she deciphered what the Dark Lord had said about falling fire. It hit her, and it hit her so hard it made her momentarily forget her fear as her yellow eyes burned hot in sudden understanding.
"They're bombing you!" She half sneered and smirked as she flung around toward the map in astonishment. "My my, I hadn't thought it in them to do so. At least not first. What an amazing breach of the norm for the civilized Republic." She smirked. The cold tingle up her spine reminding her of the very much enraged and frostily voiced dark Lord behind her. She let her eyes travel along the map a moment before it came to her. A thought of how to respond, and she slammed her left forefinger onto the map on top of a city plot.
"What is this?" Khamûl rose slowly and looked to where the woman pointed, and looked to his lord for the freedom to speak. Sauron did nothing, but the Nazgûl knew he had his blessing.
"It is the Gondorian city of Pelargir. Their main port city and refuge of their long since decimated fleet." Vica nodded.
"Has it been taken or attacked by your forces my lord Sauron?" She asked over shoulder, as she dared not look directly toward the terrifying creature again.
"The corsairs of Umbar attacked, but failed in taking the city, or committing anything of lasting use to me. It holds little value otherwise, for the moment." Vica smirked.
"But it has a sizable population of men?" Khamûl looked to his lord, who stood motionless, before answering.
"It is one of the last cities of any sizable portion to the men of Gondor. That among cities further west such as Dol Amroth." Vica maintained her smirk.
"Those too. In time my lord, they too shall suffer. For now we shall impart onto Gondor retribution, and visit onto them what they have allowed my enemy to visit onto you. I can command what flying forces I have at my disposal to rain death and fire onto any city you so desire my lord. Give me the okay to do it, and I assure you my enemy will attempt to meet me head on, and recall the fools attacking your men at Dale." She finally turned with a measure of bravery returned to her as she clasped her hands behind her back and amongst her blackened robes.
"You can set a whole city to destruction from above? As a dragon can?" Vica took a moment to recall the lore of dragons before she nodded. The analogy worked well enough. Sauron, looked to Khamûl and then to Vica. His armored head swiveling and blackened eyes unseen, the huff of his breath like a great furnace. It was all surreal, and terrifying for Vica. A fact she would ever be loathe to admit to...as ever.
"See it done. Level Pelargir, and relieve the easterlings at once. If not, it shall be your head." In but an instant the figure exploded into a flash of fire, and as a great cloud of shadow and whirling winds left form their sight along the far stairs from the room and out of sight. The heat almost had Vica thinking she had been burned along her body.
Nonetheless she breathed a shaky breath of relief and snatched her holo-communicator up and placed it onto the tabletop. Dialing in the code to the droid squadrons that had come down to the planet with her she waited but a moment before the small figure of a standing Vulture droid, and Hyena droid came into view. In front of them stood an OOM commander droid that turned to face her.
"Commander, I will be sending map coordinates to a nearby port city. You are to send three bomber squadrons escorted by no less than ten Vulture squadrons and two Tri-Fighters squads to these coordinates. The Hyena's will drop as much bombs as is needed to level the site. Leave not one building standing, and destroy all Republic resistance."
"Roger-roger, mistress." The droid bowed its coned head, and Vica sent the coordinates and then cut the connection before moving passed the table and the ever present but silent Nazgûl and unto the terrace of the high up level she found herself.
In a few moments time, she watched as a swarm of droid fighters and bombers take off north and turn in formation back west. Like a sea of locusts moving in the wind toward an open field. Their whirrs sounded through the air, as an omen of death to come raining down onto this world. Vica smirked like a feral nexu as her blood pumped in anticipation.
"General Koon! We have visual contact!" Plo bounded out the command tent and turned his head up to the sky as a flurry of droid fighters and bombers just barely swerved out of firing range of the Republic camp and sounded out throughout the whole of the battle marked plains and even dangerously nearing the city before banking to the south.
"Cody! Contact master Kenobi, and inform him we have a large swarm of enemy fighters...and bombers moving rapidly to our south!" The commander nodded and ran to the communicator as Koon watched the droids swarm on. The Force spiking with warning and sending the Kel Dor into an odd sense of concern.
"General Kenobi, this is Cody! General Koon reports a large movement of enemy fighters and bombers moving south west of the base and city!" Obi-Wan sighed as he looked to the orbital monitor and saw them on screen indeed swarming out from underneath the veil of Mordor into the open skies.
"I see them Cody!" Obi-Wan felt the rush of anxiety flood through him and turned toward the gathered others who seemed flushed with similar worry as they watched the screens. Save for Gandalf who seemed hardened as his eyes narrowed and face seemed stoney.
"Aragorn is there anything to the south west of us? Anything that Sauron would see destroyed out of retribution?!" The man looked momentarily frazzled and closed his eyes in thought and brought a hand to his chin. He snapped his eyes open and looked to Obi-Wan and then around himself, before wide-eyed with worry, he spoke.
"Nothing, but Pelargir."
"Pelargir? What's Pelargir?" Obi-Wan asked.
"A city, the great port bastion of the faithful of Numenor, and Gondor." Gandalf sadly intoned, as he above everyone seemed to understand the significance of destroying such a place. Especially in the name of Sauron. The great deceiver.
Obi-Wan cursed under his breath; a rarity for him, and snatched the communicator.
"Cody, can you scramble fighters from orbit?"
"Yes general, it will take them some time to get here where do I send them?" Obi-Wan dialed the coordinates and sent them.
"Sending them now Cody. How long will it take for reinforcements to arrive?"
"At current orbital levels, fifteen to twenty minutes, sir." Obi-Wan shook his head, and hurried his eyes back to Anakin's position.
"Anakin can get there faster Cody. Order them down nonetheless! And watch out for the city!"
"Aye, general." Obi-Wan quickly dialed in for Anakin's comm channel as Aragorn seemed deeply disturbed with Legolas and Gimli looking to one another silently sizing the others thoughts on the matter. As Gandalf stared off seemingly into nothingness.
Anakin circled his ETA over the massive army of men, and noted that the damage done was considerable, but that they fought on. And that tens-of-thousands remained. The bombers rounded off from a run and were making ready for another pass, before his comm rung in his ear.
"This is Skywalker."
"Anakin!" He jumped form the loudness of his masters voice.
"Go ahead master." The Force suddenly pulsed with anxiety and distress from his connection to his master and Anakin's eyes narrowed.
"The droids have launched a counterattack. Not against the base or headed your way! They're moving south of the city with bombers and fighter escorts! Aragorn and Gandalf think they're target is a port city of Gondor called Pelargir!" The young Jedi felt his pulse race, and rage spike.
"Did you or either masters Koon or Fisto call for-"
"Yes yes, I've ordered Cody to do so!" Obi-Wan cut him off curtly. "However, you and your fighters are closer! If you don't get there soon the whole city and thousands of civilians will be bombed to death! Call of the attack and meet the separatists head on!" Anakin nodded.
"Gladly master." His features hardened as the Force sung out with his rage, and he violently threw the controls of his ETA left and swerved around, taking his fighters with him.
"All bombers, abort contact and on me. Separatist forces are attempting to counterattack by launching an assault on a civilian target. And, we're the closest help they can get."
"We're with you general!" They replied, and Anakin nodded, and initiated a heated full thrust forward back south. Leaving Dale and Erebor to contend with the still vast army of Rhûn.
The lead Vulture droid buzzed and clicked in its binary and relayed the target's approaching coordinates to the Hyena-class bombers who acknowledged. The vast swarm of Vultures kept on course flying south as the Hyena's all banked down left and lowered their elevation away from the escorts as the clouds parted on the sunny, and otherwise serene day. Coming into view then came a city, partly on land and partly among the waters. White stone, and glistening buildings shone like a bastion of peace and power. As columns and statues moved toward the sky and showed to the world the might and majesty of Gondor, and of old Numenor.
The Hyena's suddenly banked down ever more steeply and toward the city. Their dive sending out a piercing screech through the skies as they neared and readied their bombs to fall across both land and sea. To level and lay waste to this ancient city of men.
The people of Pelargir went about their day. The same as any other. The war weighing on their minds, and the threat of Harad or Umbar ever present. The calming waves and sounds of the sea being a respite for the once mighty city. Having since waned in power and might. They nonetheless stuck to their old pride and renown. No fleet or ships lay within its harbors. Having long since been destroyed or taken by pirates of Umbar, but still they remembered, and awaited faithfully the day the sails of the Kingdom would hang high in the seas for all to see as they went about their work, and lives in Pelargir as men and women of Gondor.
It was while doing this, nothing special than any other day, that a piercing cry sounded that became so loud all turned their heads to the skies. Soldiers, watchmen, farmer, shopkeeper, peasant, and lord all looked upwards as the sky showed hanging high into the air what seemed to be a flock of glistening birds moving over their fair city into the south.
But then to their amazement there seemed to be many more such creatures diving downwards and letting loose a combined scream of terror as they neared the city. Like gulls coming to swoop fish from the waters to feast upon. But all of that awe, amazement, and wonder, or benign curiosity ceased. As the first of these creatures swung up and straightened before falling from its belly came blue lights. They fell onto the city portion built on land, and in a heated, ground shaking and ear-piercing instant, the city came alight with clouds of smoke and fire billowing up.
The men and woman of the city screamed and fell over as the creatures followed by others, continued to drop the light onto them all. It fell and successive blasts followed in its terrible wake along with the others. Six flew over in an arrow formation like birds and dropped their fire as they did. Whole city blocks erupted in fire and sent stone, water, hay, man, and woman, or child into the air.
The creatures passed over, and the people ran about in disarray. Their cries and screams soon mingling with fire, collapsing stone, and the rumble of more fiery death following in the wake of the next batch of the flying creatures of death. They too, would soon scream of dragons, and of the coming of the Dark Lord's wrath. They were not wrong.
The next wave fell across the sea and leveled ancient quarters that were once built to house the faithful Numenoreans escaping the persecution of their mad king Ar-Pharazôn who had since come to worship Morgoth at the treachery of Sauron. Now the Dark Lord who brought about the ruin of the greatest kingdom of men, would see that which had been home to those rebellious to his rue through the mad king, burn. Indeed the distant mountain of fire exploded in wondrous fury as the Great Eye watched in unspoken mirth.
The third line of beasts came and set fire and death to the bridges connecting the water fortress's to the land sector of the city. Those on the bridge were either burned, vaporized, or thrown into the seas to be swept up in their terrible whipping waves full of stone and floating dead. The beasts circled back and dropped a series of fiery explosions along the plains and fields that grew food, and acted as home for their farm animals. The crops were set alight in fire, and animals burned as were their owners and handlers, and pieces of them thrown to the wind in malicious torn furry.
The second, and returning flock of beasts homed in and leveled themselves coming from the north toward the city once more. This time taking aim for the central stone pillar rising out of the water. The tallest and most noticeable building of all of Pelargir. The lead Hyena buzzed to its comrades and they felled their bombs onto the plains, and walls, and buildings lining the ground of the city as they traveled up onto the water and decimated the central connecting bridge. Until the main bomber loosed a last bomb and quickly swerved left. The one bomb fell into the base of the building and whined out as the whole of the pillar fell into the sea crashing onto and sending all manner of water and fishing boats into the sky for them to crash back down.
Men were torn to pieces and left laying where they fell or where the fire fell onto them. Soldiers ran like the civilians and abandoned their posts as foolish, and brave archers took up the bow and arrow and fired into the amazingly fast, too fast even, monsters attacking their city. They too would be thrown from where they stood as the beasts fell their lights of fire and death atop their heads.
Women were not spared, and nor were the children of the calculated and cold massacre of the city. Streets became littered with debris. It fell onto men women and children. Crushing mothers holding babes and children desperately trying to escape. Ever more running men and women ran int the sea seeking the refuge of the raging waters. Yet even here the fire fell and sent people hurling into the sky with mountains of water before crashing down with rocks, stone, and other people falling atop and along with you back into the water.
Fire burst across the plains, and cities. Palaces and peasant homes burned. Livestock were mutilated and burnt, as were their human handlers. Walls crashed down and blocks of ancient zones and sectors ceased to be. Memorials and statues to honor those who had come before were thrown to the ground or sea never to be seen again. The ports were set alight to fall into the water and be washed away. Pelargir was burning, Pelargir was dying. So was the pleasure of the Dark Lord to watch it do so.
The beasts came down to fire another bout of fire along more farmland along the soil. They readied to loose their bombs, but then one was shaken. Its wing thrust downward as fire and spark came off of it. Then a flurry of bolts flew from above down onto them like water droplets of death. Te rest of the squadron broke and the hit Hyena went hurtling to the ground below. It erupted into a fireball and was thrown back spinning up into the air and crashing down again and again until it slammed into a distant tree and finally lost all momentum whilst throwing the tree forward on fire.
"All fighters break and take out those bombers! Bomber units do what you can, but bail out if you come under heavy counterattack!"
"Aye, aye general!"
"We copy loud and clear!"
"Let's scrap these flying junk-piles!" They sounded out in anger and resolve all to Anakin who could only slightly smirk upon seeing the chaos and death erupting on the city below.
His ETA, followed by the ARC-170's and bombers all fell from the skies even further up than the looming Vulture droids. They zipped passed them as the Vultures all broken formation and dipped down to follow after the Republic units. Anakin slammed down on his trigger with G6 helping with his aim and watched as bolts fell onto the first bomber squadron attempting to commit another run.
His bolts slammed into one bombers head unit and sent it wildly shooting left crashing into another bomber and sensing both careening into the open ocean, as their three fellow bombers broke off formation.
The ARC's of Raptor squadron fell onto the second bomber squad that was dropping another payload onto the water ports of the city. They fired a furious bout of bolts that slammed into the water and near to the bombers, but they broke up hard and fast clearing the city as a sea of Vulture droids locked in on the Arc squadron.
"Break, break! Teams of two, break!" Squadron-lead called and the six ARC fighter broke into three teams of two and scattered as the Vultures unleashed a vast red sea of fire that rippled into the skies and down into the city causing even more damage from stray fire.
"Dammit! Break them off from the city!" Anakin cursed as he threw his ETA left and homed in one one of the first squad bombers and opened immediate fire as it made to dive bomb into the city. He nearly struck the bomber, but before he could level with it a series of four Vultures dived in front of him and Anakin just barely missed as he swung his ETA right, and shot down one of the Vultures as it smoked and burned before crashing with a rocking explosion into open plains below.
G6 whirred loudly as a series of flak like explosions filled Anakin's cockpit in front of his ETA.
"I know they're firing G6, just hold on!" Anakin replied and punched his ETA into a sudden and harsh stall in midair. He swerved down and watched as the Vultures allbounded ahead of him. He punched the engines followed after. Unleashing immediate counterattack on the five droid squadron. He caught another set of two ARC's moving in the opposite direction of himself with seven to ten Vultures after them and firing wildly.
Anakin grit his teeth and kept up the fire as the bolts shredded into one Vulture and sent it smoking in a fireball down right again into the plains below, as Anakin shot continuously into the Vultures. Two broke off and the further two gave each other a wide berth and attempted to avoid Anakin's fire. He didn't let up and rolled his ship left and spun his shots as they ripped into the left ship and blew it away. The last swung down right and Anakin followed after. He unleashed more rounds of fire as the Vulture banked left and right to escape the onslaught. In front of them came into sight another squadron of Vultures following after a single ARC that was desperately trying to escape their fire. Anakin watched as three vulture bolts slammed into the ARC's left wing and it spinning in mid air as it fell to the ground and exploded on impact.
Anakin growled like an untamed beast and fired ever on and let his loosened shots fly down into that Vulture pack if they missed his main target. His bolts splintered into three of the droid fighter and sent them to their fiery ends. Until finally he sent a burst round of four bolts slamming one after the other into the main Vulture in his sights. It exploded with shrapnel and debris flying around him as he thrust his ETA forward and down.
"I'm hit!" Anakin looked around his cockpit and caught the bomber unit as his wing smoked black plumes as a Tri-Fighter fired with precise shots and struck the central section of the bomber and sent it exploding in midair. Anakin cursed through grit teeth again and swung up and fired a spray of fire into the heart of the Vultures and Tri-Fighter formation. His bolts tore apart two droids before the rest broke off and turned on him from separate direction. All of them firing a hail of fire that sent flak and explosive puffs around his ship. G6 whirred worriedly, and Anakin turned downward to escape the hail of fire and let the ships pass overhead. His little astromech droid beeped sporadically, and Anakin saw on screen a Vulture lock onto him.
"Hold on G6!" He swung up and flipped his ship around to come face to face with the Vulture. It fired at him and Anakin fired back. Both playing chicken until they passed each other without either getting hit. Anakin swung back around and so did the Vulture. The droid, however, fired a missile and broke off going high right. Anakin seethed and dove down ads the missile followed after and G6 screeched.
"Calm down G6! Just hold on!" Anakin could almost swear he was calming Threepio for a minute. The missile as Anakin swerved up and down and passed by a flood of Vultures firing after three ARC-170's. Anakin rolled the ETA right and the missile kept after. He swung back left and turned toward the south over the ocean water. As the booms and reverberations rocked his ETA and the skies around.
"Lock on the nearest Hyena-class, G6. I've got an idea." The droid beeped and whirred but quickly found a lone bomber moving from the sea back around toward the smoldering city. Anakin threw the full force of the ETA's engines forward and the ship exploded forward. The bomber didn't catch him yet and Anakin held off on firing. Within but a few seconds his ETA was before the bomber. He dove down hard and immediately back up under the belly of the ship onto its opposite side. Within a flash the missile slammed into the bomber and it went spinning in a fireball down into the ocean.
"We're getting swarmed general!" Anakin whirled the ETA around to see dozens upon dozens of Vultures firing against his now waning force of Republic ships. Who seemed to be more trying desperately to just escape being shot down than fight back.
"Dammit!" Anakin cursed again. He felt his teeth grind tightly and hands grasp the controls with total rage encompassing him.
"G6, take main control. I have a call to make." He seethed, and the little droid whirred in worry for the anger in his human master's voice but did as asked and made sure to watch Anakin's piloting as he keyed in a new comm channel to broadcast on and receive.
"This is Anakin Skywalker, broadcasting wide-band on all known separatist comm channels. I know you can hear me schutta! Call off your bombers and fighters! The city has been decimated, and you've made your damn point. The attack on the easterlings is over!" Anakin could almost taste the shock of his master and the other masters, heck the whole fighter and bomber corp as they heard his voice over all channels of both Republican and Separatist use. He could only imagine what his master would think. But, as Anakin looked to the city and how total its ruin was the more he heard the anxious cries and pleas of his men, and felt the deaths of countless civilians below the more his chest swelled with anger, and hatred. It needed to end.
"Ah, general Skywalker. We meet again. Well...meet is such a trivial and perhaps incorrect term, but I think you understand." The dark Jedi's voice came through sweetly and sickly into Anakin's ears. He bit back a scathing response and let some of his aggression into the Force.
"I haven't called to play games. I want you to call off the attack, and we'll call off ours. We go our separate ways this day. Enough dropping bombs on the city!"
"Now that is adorable." She slithered into his ear with what almost sounded to be an underlying giggle.
"I'm not the one who began these...'negotiations,' as they were with petty name calling. Now did I?" Anakin barely restrained himself and felt his back tightened as he swerved from Vultures zooming past him and firing rapidly at unseen friendlies undoubtedly.
"I am also not the one who took it upon myself to begin a bombing campaign today am I? See you Jedi, and your Republic are always so hypocritical when we bomb someone we perceive as an enemy, but of course when you do it it's noble and just. I don't think such hypocrisy is becoming of so righteous an order as the Jedi." She definitely and openly chuckled this time.
"Dear Skywalker, and all other Republic cronies and hypocrites within hearing of my voice! Be it a victory or defeat, this is but a taste of what is to come! For the eventual dominion of this world shall be fought and won by the Confederacy of Independent Systems, in alliance with our gracious lord Sauron!" She paused and Anakin felt his lips curl in further hatred. The Force curled and howled around him as he felt a looming darkness crawl along his back.
"I didn't start this little campaign, Skywalker. Oh, but I shall surely finish it. One way or another." The comms cut, and Anakin wished very much so that he could throw or throttle something as the Force whined and howled around him.
His thoughts were cut short as coming into sight came three Tri-Fighters with five following Vultures following after them headed right for his ETA. Anakin clasped the triggers to fire and readied as the droids leveled with his cannons.
"Coming in hot general!" Anakin was pulled from the thought and felt the Force call in his mind to look up. As he did he saw a sea of ARC-170's diving down and fire a vast volley into the droid ranks. He chuckled in relief and swung the ETA right and upwards into the sky. The other ARC's and bombers joined him an upwards dive away from the droids as over five dozen Republic fighters barreled down and tore into the droids.
Even still, the bulk of the enemy units broke off and avoided the fire and thrust themselves upwards and opened fire on the incoming fighters. As the battle over Pelargir continued on and grew more intense. The city became protected by the swarms of Republic fighters. Leaving the battered, bloodied and defeated people f the city to watch in terror, horror, and awe as the skies above them went alight with fire, beams of light ranging in all manner of colors. And as the metal beasts fought one another for dominance of the skies above their ruined city. They watched the skies burn.
Authors Note: As per my normal notes you can either ignore or point out any and all grammatical errors as there are bound to be some. Apologies for late updates as normal, but real life issues always take precedence, and as normal I don't like putting myself out there to read how terrible of a writer I am to people who wont even leave themselves open for a reply, or who have no solutions to my 'great problems,' and lack of writing skills. If you haven't any input then please just stop. I am finishing this story as I have written it since its inception. If you DON'T like the story then I suggest NOT reading it. We are in chapter 29 at this juncture WHY are you still reading it if you don't like it? Nonetheless, read, review, don't review it's up to you. If you like the story I hope you like this chapter, if you don't, then do as you will. I will not respond or bother reading your comments any longer.
PS: This is a message for someone named Visitor, my friend had me place this in here as proof for some bet.
