"What I remember about the Elementian Rebellion? It was...a nightmare. They gave the Umbarans a run for their money, no probably even placed over them. We weren't part of the initial first wave of men to get on the planet, but what we did experience was something that I'll never forget for the rest of my life. None of them who participated ever did."
Elementian Campaign. Day 10
The Imperial fleet hovered in the space above Elementia. More ships had arrived to bolster the fleet, transport ships numbering the most. Inside their ships, the ground forces were readying for the inevitable invasion. Seven Imperial-class Star Destroyers, around ten Victory-class Star Destroyers with multiple Imperial transport ships were positioned a good distance from the planet, kept it under blockade. Inside their hulls, their ground crews were readying. Each ship carried over a legion of stormtroopers and other Imperial Army personnel. They would be shuttled their by transport ships and LAAT gunships down to their designated landing zones. In all, over 74,900 stormtroopers were ready to be deployed with plenty of armor to back them up in the full campaign. Other transports waited with Imperial Army personnel who numbered four corps, or an army: two armored corps, a line corp and atrisian corp that numbered 147,456 altogether. Altogether they numbered 222,356 personnel with all kinds of equipment and vehicles at their disposal. Around 210,000 men would be used in the Earth Kingdom, the remainder to secure the staging area in the Fire Nation. Overall command of the sector would be under High General Merix. More men would be needed, but for now staging areas had to be set up. The stormtroopers, veterans of countless campaigns during the Clone Wars, were all briefed and ready for action. They knew they would be vastly outnumbered, but they didn't care. In almost every battle they had been outnumbered. To them, this was nothing new.
Some legions still carried their old unit numbers.
187th Stormtrooper Legion under High Colonel Kilik and Clone Commander Havoc.
7th Stormtrooper Legion under Clone Commander Bly
35th Legion under High Colonel Vinz and Clone Commander Darts
42nd Armored Legion under High Colonel Rall and Clone Commander Klick
41st Stormtrooper Legion under Clone Commander Oz
3rd Mobile Legion under High Colonel Charliss and Clone Commander Fury
66th Shock Legion under High Colonel Temple and Clone Commander Knight
They would be the first troopers to hit the ground and clear the way for the Imperial Army personnel to set up the prefabricated bases that would be dropped from orbit. The Star Destroyers deployed in that sector would have to make it fast due to the planetary gun on Elementia's surface. Tarkin had instructed them to be very aware and that the drop should be done while moving. There was a risk, but it would have to be taken. Since the capital ships couldn't get close to the planet, the transport ships would be escorted by V-wing and ARC-170 starfighters. A good portion of the V-wings were outfitted with proton bombs and would be used for air support. Each legion and Army brigades knew where to set up their theater of operations.
Each individual nation would be invaded. The Earth Kingdom would be split up into two-pronged attack. The western wing would spearhead the assault to Republic City while the eastern wing would make its way to Ba Sing Se. The Fire Nation would be invaded in an island-hopping campaign. The Water Tribes would be invaded at a later time due to the logistics that were needed for the larger nations. The Air Temples would also be dealt with, their locations offering nothing of strategic value for the moment. The Empire knew that trying to take the cities immediately would cause their forces to take immense losses. Under Tarkin, the men were to take away the planet's will to rebel against Imperial authority by any means necessary. The units would be split up as followed.
187th Legion would set up their base on a small island on the Fire Nation archipelago to launch future attacks.
7th Stormtrooper Legion, 41st Stormtrooper Legion and 66th Shock Legion would go through the western Earth Kingdom to take the city of Omashu, using the city as a staging area for the push to Republic City.
The 35th Legion, 42nd Armored Legion and 3rd Mobile Legion would subdue the eastern Earth Kingdom to begin the push to Ba Sing Se.
Both wings would start their invasion in the south, branching off to their first objectives. The road would be long, but if they took their objectives while laying waste through the countryside and the scores of towns and villages in their path, their campaign would demoralize the populace. At least that is what the Imperial commanders believed.
Bly, Oz and Knight and Colonel Temple debriefed their objectives in one last go before they were cordoned off to their transport ships through hologram.
"The Army units will cover our left flank before we move on to our objective. Our primary objective is the town of Gongying located in the southern peninsula. From there, our next point is the city of Gaoling. We take the city and use it as our jump off platform for Omashu," said Commander Bly.
"I don't like that ridgeline before we get to Omashu. I'm sure they've dug in nicely there," said Oz.
"Either way, they're not gonna make it easy for us to get there," said Knight.
"What kind of resistance are we facing?" said Colonel Temple.
"Besides their regular forces and militias, we're not sure Colonel," said Bly. "However, their benders are a whole other issue. They'll also have the Jedi fugitives on their side."
"We'll get through it. They're only rebels. Our men will storm past them," said Temple.
The clone commanders looked at him with a hint of disbelief.
"These Imperial birth-born officers just don't get it," Bly thought.
Temple was a 40 year old man with auburn hair cut short and clean shaven with hazel eyes. He was thin with white skin. He had served in the tail end of the Clone Wars, only seeing action in one battle and ever since then participated in Separatist cleanups and other small rebellions. He had no fathom of what the clone commanders knew they would be going through. Being enthralled with the propaganda of the Empire, he would be reckless on the field and indecisive if his nerve broke. In short, he was a liability to their effort. Luckily, he was the only one in their pronged assault. The other groups would be exclusively under birth-born leaders with their clone commanders playing second fiddle. Bly, Oz, Rex, Cody and a few other clone commanders still retained command of their overall units, but for how long?
"Troopers, load into your transports," said the loudspeaker.
"Let's get this on with," said Oz, his hologram and the others shimmering out.
Bly put on his helmet. His uniform was the same white as the rest of his men, though he had blue markings on his armor to signify he was a stormtrooper commander. He and other commanders had argued about losing their unit colorings, but they'd fallen on deaf ears. They all had to constrain to the new uniform codes. Bly was bitter about losing his kama and pauldrons, but he was able to retain his macrobinoculars. He loaded onto the waiting LAAT/i where thirty of his men awaited.
"Ready to go Commander?" said a trooper.
"Just like always Ops," said Bly as the doors closed.
Inside, the gunship was lit up with red light. The ship lurched up before it began its journey out of the hangar. They could feel its every move.
"This gonna be another breeze through sir?" said another trooper named Arrow. Back when their armor was customized he had a yellow arrow pointed north on the forehead of his helmet. He had it tattooed in the same spot on his skin.
"Not in the slightest Arrow," said Bly.
"You never seen what these Elementians can do? I hear some of them can use water and drown you where you stand," said another trooper named Deuce. It was owed to his unit number CT-22-2222.
"That ain't nothin'. They say they can shoot fire out of their fists, and their mouths. They're gonna be tough," said Kordo, armed with a Z-6 rotary blaster cannon.
"What do you think sir?" said Arrow.
"Do not underestimate them. That is a direct order," said Bly.
"Yes sir," they chorused.
Back in the Clone Wars, Bly had led the 327th Star Corps as a marshal commander. A'den had led the 7th Legion. Since the Stormtrooper Corps had been reorganized, there were no longer 'army' designations, only legions. A'den was put under the 8th Legion while Bly was cycled down to the 7th. It didn't cause any ire with him. Since a legion functioned as it own army, it was almost like nothing changed except the number of men. His legion was actually around 11,685, but the rest of the men were deployed on other transport ships in the fleet since the Star Destroyers could only hold 9,700. However, many clone commanders were placed under birth-born Human officers. Some of them were very proficient, reminding some of the Jedi generals they had served under. Others...he sometimes wished they'd get hit by a stray blaster bolt.
He felt the gunship continue on its course, hearing the thrusters of others nearby. Inside the gunship, the men were quiet even as they went over last preparations. Bly checked his DC-15S, making sure the gas was secure and a new power magazine was in. He also had his trusty DC-17 blaster pistols on hand strapped to his hilt. Before he knew it, his thoughts went back to Felucia.
"Bly stay on my left!" yelled Secura as she charged towards the enemy lines, her blue lightsaber blazing in her hands.
He took a slow breath.
"Suppressing fire on those droids behind that fungal tree!"
The memories always kept coming back.
She sliced through the last droid just as the AT-TE walker took out the AAT that had crossed the ridge ahead of them.
"General, our scanners indicate the next droid lines are through this forest," I said.
"Very well Bly. The sooner we do this, the sooner we can stop the toxins from flowing in the water supply," said Aayla.
"Yes sir. Let's go men. You heard the general," I had said.
They walked through the forested terrain. The plant life on Felucia was unique and fluorescent even in the sunlight. The AT-TE, an AT-OT, and AT-AP walkers along with some of the men riding gelagrubs rode on as the troops walked on in their platoons. Aayla was at the head of the column along with me. I sprinted ahead and off the trail to get a view of the droid positions. I pushed away leaves and other plant material from my path, using my binoculars to enhance my vision and line of sight. As I rounded a fungal tree, I saw it. The droid force was up ahead, about a click away. From this vantage point, we could see what they had.
I hurried back to the column, seeing her now walking right underneath the AT-TE. Suddenly, my comlink chimed in. I opened it quickly. There before me was the Supreme Chancellor, yet he was wearing a robe of some kind and his face looked haggard. I'd seen the Chancellor up close before. He had a grandfatherly appearance. This was...it couldn't be him. Yet, he spoke with his voice.
"Commander Bly, execute Order 66," said the Chancellor.
It was like going into a trance-like state, yet it was still me.
"Acknowledged," I said, my holoprojector turning off.
I walked steadily towards her, hitting a few buttons on my comlink to send a notice to the rest of the men. A few of the men were hanging back from her, receiving the all call I had sent out to all units. However, I had my stipulations despite my...drive to do the deed. I wanted it to be quick and done without her noticing, not wanting her to feel any pain. Quickshot, Puller, Tank and a few others I called to my side as we got behind the general. We didn't want her to suspect anything. We all wanted to get this over with as fast as possible.
"General, there's a clearing up ahead where the Seps are gathering," I said, indicating it to her.
She nodded, following it. Another man came and we followed behind her to serve as her scouting party.
We cleared through the foliage, where we saw the incoming Separatists. My heart rate quickened. I started thinking hard. I didn't want to do this. I couldn't do this. We wouldn't have survived this battle if it wasn't for her skill and expertise. We went back all the way to the near the beginning of the war when I was assigned under her. After everything we went through, how could I do this now? I didn't think and didn't let those thoughts get to me. I was bred to be a soldier, and good soldiers follow orders.
I raised my blaster as did the others. My finger didn't let go of the trigger until he we had peppered her body dozens of times and checked to make sure she was dead. I breathed a sigh of relief. Our aim had been true and our promise had been kept. She did not suffer.
An explosion outside of the gunship broke Bly from his senses. The gunship careened to the side and everyone stumbled in.
"Pilot, what the hell is going on?" said Bly.
"Sorry sir, but we have a lot of problems out here," said the pilot.
From what Bly could see from the cockpit, incoming Elementian fighters were flying all around firing as they came. Flak and other laser bolts were flying past as we broke through the clouds. Another flak round exploded near their gunship, careening it more. The metal lodged into the door.
"This is gonna be a lot different than the last planet," said Deuce.
Outside was a chaotic scene. A gunship or two would get hit and fall down to crash or would explode outright. The Elementians, sending a mixture of V-wings, Z-95s and Interceptors, raced up to engage the transport ships and gunships. The escorting Imperial V-wings left them to engage their fighters to stave them off, however a few always got through. Ground fire from below fired almost ceaselessly. Below them was the ocean, but they were already passing the shoreline. Already dogfights were escalating around the landing zone, sending craft exploding in midair or plunging down in a fireball to their demise below.
The pilot zigzagged between the incoming fire and starfighters, the bubble turret gunners and his own forward guns firing to try and clear a path. They were approaching the enemy lines, seeing the artillery emplacements in the foreground. The landing zone was a wide open plain leading up to some more higher ground in the form of high hills that formed a long crest in the southern Earth Kingdom. The Elementians had set up what looked like two lines of defense on the raised land. The first line was situated at the base of the foothills while the the second line was situated on the military crest. The entire plain was their designated landing zone. Thousands of men and material were to get into this large area of land roughly 18 square miles. However, with the crest of hills meant that there would be some crossfire. However, they'd dealt with that before. It was no difference to them.
A gunship carrying an AT-TE walker exploded, the walker falling down to the ground, the gunship not too far behind it as it left a fiery trail of smoke and flames. Other ships were being hit left and right.
"Sir, I'm gonna bring her down here," said the pilot, the ship still around three miles from the Elementian lines.
"All craft, begin landing now," said Bly into his comlink.
The pilot brought the gunship down, other surviving gunships and transport ships following suit. As long as they were somewhere in their zone, they would be fine. The gunship landed amidst explosions from the artillery raining down, sending up piles of earth and rock in all directions with every hit. Their shutter doors opened and the troopers raced out. Bly, blaster in hand, led his men forward as he always did. The Clone Wars had ended three years ago, but this would never change. He'd always lead his men from the front. All around, other ships began to land. A few Elementian fighters made strafing runs before they were chased off or shot fire even got some ships before they could take off, incinerating the men inside. No fire came from the Elementian lines as they held their fire, relying on the range of their artillery and the guns on their own walkers. Though the Elementian armed forces relied on infantry, they possessed a fair share of mechanized Republic walkers and craft as well as vehicles of their own.
One of these was the Earth Kingdom LT-C tank. The tank was made of thick metal and strongly resembled the earlier earthbending-powered tanks from the Hundred Years War save for some new design inputs. The tank was more segmented to allow nimbler and swifter movement between obstacles. The tanks were now powered by engines instead of relying on earthbending for mobility. Their shutter doors were still in place, opening to reveal either an earthbender, metalbender, or an armed soldier. The tanks also carried four fixed repeating blaster cannons on their sides and two light cannons fixed on the sides in the front and rear end that could take out a walker or a tank. The tanks utilized spiked caterpillar tracks that could take them over any terrain and move to a top maximum speed of 60 miles per hour on open ground. They were over sixty-five feet long, eight feet high and 6 six feet wide and could carry ten crew/gunners and twenty passengers to carry men onto the field from the ground.
Another addition was the HT-D tank. This tank was a repulsorlift design. It was heavily armored, even more so than the LT-C tank, with two heavy blaster cannons that pointed forward and could be angled upwards to 60 degrees and could around in any direction due to the square turret design. The design was squared, the front jutting out like two large spikes. These two ends housed concussion missiles, carrying 20 missiles in all. The tank was crewed by four men: a pilot, two gunners and a commander; it could move at a maximum speed of 40 miles an hour. The tank was a mainstay in every nation and the EDF, colored to their nation's national colors. The Fire Nation possessed their own tank design modeled on the firebending tanks they had unleashed during the Hundred Years War, the turret replaced with a heavy blaster cannon instead of a firebender.
Among the troops landing were their own machinery of war. AT-TE walkers along with AT-RT walkers grouping into parties to rapidly make for the Elementian lines. However, these were just the remaining vestiges of the machinery of the Old Republic. Their own artillery, the SPHA. After becoming the Galactic Empire, new walkers were introduced. The AT-PT, the new AT-ST units, the upgraded TX-130T fighter tanks and even a few Juggernauts still in service. More transport ships were arriving soon with a more feared weapon in their arsenal, upgraded since its debut during the Battle of Jabiim. Bly and his men moved forward, using the vehicles as cover while artillery rained down.
"Why can't our own units hit their artillery?" he said to his communication operator.
"Apparently they placed their artillery on the other side of the hills. We can't accurately shoot at them and their fighters are giving their ground forces adequate air support and tearing apart ours" he replied.
"Tell those damn Navy officers that we have a lot of problems to deal with down there. We don't have proper air support, this whole operation is in detriment," said Bly.
"On it sir," he said.
Bly took shelter in a shell crater with a few other men, coordinating with the other leaders. Their six legions in all were under heavy fire with virtually no cover save from destroyed craft and vehicles. Bly wondered wildly why the Elementian positions hadn't been properly sighted beforehand, and how they knew they would land here? These questions ran through his head as he rallied the men he could. Due to their close proximity, units were already getting mixed up. In short, it was a chaotic battle scene.
"Men, forward! Only way we're getting out of this is to get to their lines," said Bly.
"On it sir!" said Deuce. Bly and a few platoons moved forward, followed by more as they tried to assemble some semblance of a battle line. Their vehicles that could began to make their way in with them, all still under fire and subject to the occasional strafing run.
They watched as the Imperial force, though hampered, begin to advance on their established positions. Overhead, the Venator Centennial was firing at the still incoming ships and those that were leaving to ferry more men and material back to the staging area. Overhead as starfighters ducked and weaved and fought, the men on the ground readied themselves. Their artillery, a combination of AV-7 Antivehicle Cannons, a few SPHA-T guns, and other artillery pieces including some built domestically. They kept a steady stream as their spotters issued out the coordinated. Heavier guns kept constant barrage on the gathering transports and gunships while the smaller caliber guns kept pace with their advancing infantry and targeted specific vehicles.
All on a holographic map displaying the battlefield, the Elementian generals of the EDF and the Earth Kingdom looked on. They consisted of four corps each numbering around 40,000 soldiers: the 1st Earthbending Corps, the 5th Scout Corps, 2nd Elementian Defense Army, considered an army but numbered a corp due to the smaller size of the EDF to the forces of the other nations, and the 7th Mechanized Corps. Other elements were incorporated from the surrounding area in the form of a division from the army defending Gaoling and militia units, bringing the combined force up to 180,000 strong. Though they were outnumbered by the Imperial force before them; they possessed the terrain advantage. However, most of the Elementian units were just seeing actual combat for the first time. Only the EDF forces had real experience. However, this was their home. They'd fight for it with their very lives. They constituted one whole army marked down as Army Group South. The rest of the Earth Kingdom was split into Army Groups North, East, and Southwest. In addition, there were other armies and militia forces in the interior that would hamper away at any Imperial force that reached their areas.
"The artillery is having desired effect," said Long, general of the army. As one of the few generals with real combat experience, it made sense for him to be in charge of the army group.
"However, they're starting to get some momentum going," said General Yang of the 7th Mechanized Corps, a man of muscular build with the tan skin and green eyes of the Earth Kingdom, his hair completely shaved off of his round head.
"It's expected. When you have enough men, you can get anything going. However, they'll be walking right into the jaws of our men," said Long.
"Do you really think we can stop them?" said General Bao of the 1st Earthbender Corps, a barrel-chested middle-aged man, his hair worn in a top knot with graying hair and brown eyes.
"We can certainly try, or make them pay for thinking they could land without a fight," said Long.
"Our scanners indicate heavier transports on incoming," said General Hayato of the 5th Scout Corps, a skinny yet athletic man around forty years old with brown hair tied back and onyx colored eyes.
"They're probably carrying more men and vehicles. Relay a message to Admiral Hatook to have the Nomad ready to move and scramble more fighters," said Long. "And have our long-range soldiers commence firing."
"Sir, what about the Avatar? And the other Jedi?" said Yang.
"Don't worry. They know more about what they need to do better than all of us combined," said Long, looking over the holomap.
The men held their fire, seeing the Imperials steadily getting closer. The men of the 2nd Elementian Defense Army, really a corps in size, waited with a Zen-like patience. They were use to this type of combat. They held the center of the lines. The 1st Earthbender Corps held the right flank, 7th Mechanized Corps on the far left and the 5th Scout Corps holding their immediate left flank. This was where the attack would fall hardest due to Empire's central tactic of dividing its enemy and overwhelming them with their superior firepower. In the works themselves, Taran and Ahsoka looked over a holographic map of the battlezone with General Huruk along with Byph and Katooni on the military crest of their lines. While the Earth Kingdom armies were mostly comprised of those of Earth Kingdom descent, the EDF had men comprised of all nations integrated together. In one platoon, an air bender could be stationed with a firebender and non-benders from any of the nations. It was highly effective force which allowed platoons to function with a degree of autonomy. The 2nd was labeled down as a line corps, comprised mostly of infantry with heavy and light vehicles and other mechanized units for support.
The plan had went well. Thanks to Ahsoka's intuition on where the assault would land, the Elementians had time to improvise their positions and wait. Ahsoka had counselled that this area of the Earth Kingdom was the most vulnerable to an assault, the Empire not daring to make a direct landing on Ba Sing Se or the other major cities. Instead they would sweep in from the 'weak' underbelly and fight the Elementians armies on their own terms. In short, their position offered the best one for defense in the south.
"The force heading for us looks like a stormtrooper legion," said General Huruk.
"They're using them to spearhead the combined assault while the army units fill in any gaps and provide reinforcements. They're to punch holes in our defenses if they mass up enough," said Taran.
"A few of those heavy transports are landing now. From what our rangefinders can see, they're huge," said Huruk.
"I already know what's probably inside," said Ahsoka, think grimly of the effect they would have on the battle. "For now they have their light and medium vehicles."
"We can hold them off with just that. Their only choice with the terrain is to get in as close as possible to the frontline to negate our artillery," said Huruk.
"And that's where we'll come in to help out where the line threatens to break," said Ahsoka.
"Will you be up for the task?" said Huruk.
The four of them nodded. They knew the risks, but they were not about to run and hide. They were done hiding.
"Whatever it takes," said Taran.
The men in the trenches waited until the order was given. All throughout the positions, the men fired. Those with blasters chose their fire zones and picked their targets. Men with mortars fired them off in quick succession. Those in any of the forward positioned vehicles or fixed gun emplacements let loose their primary weaponry. In all, a hail of fire erupted from the main and the secondary lines. All around Bly, men were hit or blown into the air. It seemed like an endless torrent to him as he took cover behind a destroyed TX-130 along with Arrow, Deuce, Kordo and a few other men. The shrapnel and debris bounced off their armor as their men kept up the advance despite the overwhelming firepower of the Elementians.
"This is murder sir!" yelled Kordo over the din.
"We'll be shot to pieces before we can even get close," said Arrow.
"Oz, where are those blasted AT-AT walkers?" said Bly.
"The walkers are offloading now, but we'll only have so many," said Oz. "They have to be parceled out to the entire assault."
"Damn it! Tell them to get a move on! We're pinned down here!" yelled Bly, taking cover as a mortar round exploded near the tank, killing a stormtrooper who dared to try and make a run to another position.
General Merix watched the battle unfold from space onboard a Star Destroyer. He wrung his hands at the manner the battle was playing out. Of course they had known the landing would be challenged by whatever forces were in the area, but he had believed they would be concentrated closer to the cities and other heavily-populated areas. For them to come out here where only a few towns and villages dotted the landscape and have concentrated forces waiting for them to arrive was beyond his explanation. Either way, he had to have his men assembled. They were too spread out and easy targets for the Elementian forces before them. Units were mixed up and those at the front were pinned down. Merix gulped. Tarkin was watching the battle too, sitting behind him at the circular meeting table and was to make a report on the progress of the battle. Even he was astounded at how the battle was progressing.
"Admiral Dillier, we need more air support," said Merix.
"What will you need?" said Dillier.
"Bombers, as many as you can get a hold of. Those positions need to be softened as much as possible," said Merix.
"I'll have their squadrons scrambled and ready," said Dillier.
"I need all the commanders on comm now. It's too chaotic down there for anything to get done," said Merix.
Tarkin watched him with approval. Merix had served in the Clone Wars and was an experienced leader. Though a new, sudden predicament might overwhelm him momentarily, he would do all he could to right it and get his men going no matter the obstacle. He was a league above some the 'generals' in the New Order. He now watched his every move with renewed interest.
On the ground, Bly coordinated the best he could on the ground.
"Tell those battalions to hold their ground. Don't make any movements until the walkers are on the move. Use them and the vehicles for cover else we'll be picked apart," said Bly.
Above him, an Elementian V-wing zoomed past, dropping a proton bomb directly on a Juggernaut. The vehicle exploded in a massive fireball as secondary explosions from its ammunition racks got in the inferno. The explosion was powerful enough to topple over a nearby AT-RT walker and the soldiers alongside it. The Army personnel and stormtroopers were still mixed in together, but Bly could see they were beginning to branch off into their own units to create some cohesion. Bly looked back to the Elementian positions finding them still blazing away.
"Gotta give it to them, they're definitely keeping us off our toes," he thought.
He hastily put his head down as a blaster bolt glanced off the temple of his helmet and sank to one knee to the ground to ensure he was covered.
"Easy sir. Can't have you dying on us," said Arrow, using his blaster to return fire.
"Takes a little more than that to kill me," said Bly.
The ground beneath him trembled. At first it happened in intervals, but soon the vibrations were continuous. He and the men around him looked back to see their feared weapons begin their advance towards the Elementian positions. They stood over 20 meters tall, looking like massive beasts of a creature probably not seen for a millennia in the galaxy. Their strong durasteel armor made them impervious to all but heavy artillery rounds or the proton bombs/torpedoes of a starship. Walking on their four heavy durasteel legs, the All Terrain Armored Transport, known universally as AT-AT walkers, made their attack.
In all, a total of 67 were engaged on the whole front. Quite a few had been shot down before making the landing and others had been knocked out by Elementian starfighters or a shot from the artillery. The ground underneath their massive feet shook. The Elementian defenders, especially the earthbenders, felt their every step. They had never seen these beasts of war before. Taran and Ahsoka looked grim as the threats loomed before them in the distance.
"Things are about to get really up close," he said to her.
"I just hope the soldiers won't break and run," she said.
"They won't," he said.
The AT-AT walkers were now close enough to fire their massive blaster cannons. Their red beams fired all and down the Elementian positions. The Elementians intensified their fire on the walkers.
"Damn, those walkers sure are powerful," said Long as he and the other generals watched the battle unfolding. He saw as an artillery round hit a walker, causing it to stop momentarily before it continued on its path.
"Sir, our scanners are picking up a large contingent of enemy bombers approaching," said an aide.
"Tell Admiral Hatook it's time," said Long.
On the ground, explosions rocked the Elementian lines. Men hunkered down from the onslaught of the AT-AT walkers. Earthbenders erected protective barriers of earth, not that the stone and rock could do anything against the firepower of the steel behemoths. The Jedi took cover with other soldiers of the EDF. An AT-TE walker nearby them was hit with a salvo and exploded, showering the area with debris.
"They're a lot more powerful than I remember," Ahsoka yelled over the din.
"Sir," said the battalion commander Major Yong in Yanyu*, the native language of the Elementians. "We're getting pounded all over our lines. The men can't even fire back."
"Hold for now. The artillery and our air support will thin them out," said Taran.
"I hope so!" yelled Katooni, shielding her ears.
Byph held on to Taran's hand, huddling to himself. Taran felt the Ithorian's grip, feeling how afraid he was. He reassured him the best he could as the earth shook from the long-range bombardments of the walkers and their heavy feet stamping on the ground as they made their way towards the Elementian lines. The Elementian artillery kept its guns blazing, now focused almost entirely on the walkers. Bly noticed as the rounds that had been falling amongst them began to target the walkers behind them.
"Sir, should we start moving forward?" said Arrow.
"No, the walkers are buying time for our own artillery to set up. We'll move in due time," said Bly.
"Sure hope so. With all this going on, I'm just spoiling for a fight!" said Arrow.
"I know exactly what you mean," said Bly.
In an AT-AT walker, the officer in charge directed the fire. His men followed his every order, firing on the coordinates he set out. Even from here he could see the devastation and suppression he and the other walkers were wreaking all around the front. An artillery round exploded on the hull of his walker, but it couldn't penetrate deep enough to cause damage to the walker.
"Might as well be hitting us with pebbles," he thought.
"Aid Walker 356 at the crest of that hill," he directed.
"Yes sir," said the gunner, angling the walker's head as another round hit the side of its head.
The officer looked at the smoke beginning to trail up from the Elementian lines. He smiled to himself as he thought of the devastation they were inflicting all on their lines. They'd break through and allow the smaller vehicles to trail behind along with the infantry to mop up any more resistance, if there was any by the time they were finished. Looking up, he noticed something in the sky. He continued to peer up, discerning its shape to the best of his ability. It was triangular in shape, making him wonder if it was one of their ships. His answer was given as blue laser fire rained down from the sky. The fire was devastating as walker after walker was hit. The officer's own AT-AT was hit, bits of steel and other metals exploding into pieces and shower those below. Bly and his men took cover as the turbolaser fire from the Venator Nomad hit their positions.
"Now a kriffin' Star Destroyer! What don't they have?!" yelled Kordo over the din.
Elsewhere, Elementian starfighters wreaked havoc where they could. One Z-95 fired a proton torpedo directly into the unprotected neck of an AT-AT walker during its strafing run, the head exploded and the walker toppling over on its side. Any men and vehicles who didn't get out in time from the fall were crushed underneath. The Imperial tide that had begun to finally break forward was stopped nearly again in its tracks. Men rook cover where they could as the remaining AT-ATs maintained their forward approach. Units kept pushing on behind them in their wake, knowing how horribly exposed they were to the fire from the Venator.
On the bridge of the Nomad, Admiral Hatook looked on as the gunnery officers had their men change their firing positions. When given the confirmation by Long, he had done his part. The Nomad had been hiding in a cloud embankment away from the battlefield. She had also deployed more starfighters and taken in those that were damaged. With the Venator in the air, the air force was reinvigorated and kept up its attacks.
"Good hits down here Admiral," said Long.
"All in a day's work. Should only be a few more minutes of this," said Hatook.
As Hatook spoke, his radar officer saluted him.
"Admiral, we have a large swarm of incoming starfighters to the battlefield," said the officer.
"How many?"
"More than 300, no 400," said the officer.
"300?" said Hatook.
Right now, he knew there were only around 300 Elementian starfighters out there now, heavily engaged with the already present Imperial starfighters and ground forces. The Nomad only had a total of 90 that could be scrambled out in time. Hatook knew the closest airfields wouldn't arrive in time to stop the first waves, yet they had to do something. He hastily issued out the command for aid and his laser fire halted on the Imperial ground forces. The turbolasers and anti-aircraft batteries angled to the incoming starfighters, firing when in position. The starfighters hastily scrambled from the hangar raced out to meet the approaching ARC-170 and V-wing starfighters. Explosions of destroyed starfighters, flak and laser projectiles erupted as the two groups clashed. The Imperial bombers, the ARCs and V-wings equipped with proton bombs, flew towards the Elementian lines and the Nomad.
The former Jedi looked up, seeing the bombers make their way towards them.
"Major, get your men down!" yelled Ahsoka.
Taran and other earthbenders erected stone arches as they sheltered in their trenches and lied low. His hand found Ahsoka's as the first bombs fell, squeezing tightly onto hers. The bombs exploded all around the positions, sending dirt, debris, vehicles and men into the air in massive plumes of fire and earth. Worst hit were the artillery positions which were out in the open and had no cover. They were sitting targets. Those starships that didn't target the ground forces flew towards the Nomad, penetrating through its fighter screen, flak and laser defense systems, unleashing their payloads to deadly effect. Proton bombs and torpedoes exploded, punching holes through the ship's hull. Crew who were racing around inside to perform their duties found fire and steel in their faces without any warning. Explosions rocked the ship to its reactor core, the bridge trembling violently from the onslaught.
"Admiral, we're losing auxiliary power to the engines."
"All the port side turbolasers are destroyed sir."
"Sir, another group is coming back for another pass on our engines."
All these and more were sounded off on the bridge as Hatook and the crew struggled to keep their vessel in the air. However, Hatook knew that there was only thing he could do.
"Move the ship back. We can't risk us crash landing onto the men," said Hatook.
"Yes...yes sir."
"Hurry, before they pass again," he yelled out.
From the rear of the Nomad, a squadron of ARCs fired their proton torpedoes at the engines. The engines exploded as they collided, knocking all but one out of action. The Nomad began its rapid descent to the planet's surface. Luckily, the ship had been angled to land miles to the rear of the ground forces, taking it safely out of risk to those below. The landscape here was marked with streams, plains and other features. A town here and there dotted the landscape. Luckily, they were in no immediate danger.
"A few seconds to impact!" yelled an officer to Hatook.
"Brace yourselves!" yelled Hatook.
The Nomad slid across the ground, leaving a deeply furrowed trench from its crash landing. Anyone who was in the ship was knocked off their feet, including any equipment not bolted down or held securely. The ship ground to a halt in a lopsided fashion, the stern occupying a point higher than the bow that had plowed the ground before it. Fire and smoke spewed from the hull. Inside the bridge, some electrical equipment sparked as Hatook and others on the bridge shakily rose to their feet. Hatook had blood from a cut running down the side of his face, but he was alright.
"Damage report?"
"The hangar doors are damaged beyond repair. The engines are completely out and the hull is compromised in numerous areas. Thank the spirits, we're alive," said a damage control officer.
"Have damage control put out all the fires and keep only the emergency power on. If that reactor blows we're all done for," said Hatook.
His fist hit the side of the wall in frustration. Everything had been working out. Their close-range fire would have been all they needed to repel the Imperial forces. Now here he was, miles away from the battle on a damaged ship that was out of action forever.
"It's up to the ground forces now. Good luck," he thought.
Both sides had seen the onslaught the new wave of Imperial starfighters had put on the Nomad. The morale of the Imperials rose whilst the morale of the Elementians was dampened as they saw the ship descend to the ground. They couldn't see the final result, but the fact that the biggest trump card for the Elementians was now put out of action meant that the battle would swing back in favor of the Imperials. They renewed their assault with more vigor, reaching a level of desperation to take the positions. Though now totaling only 18 AT-AT walkers all around due to the firepower of the Nomad, the remainder of the ground forces could make their assault despite being outnumbered.
Taran carefully moved once he felt the bombing had ended and peered out to see the Imperial forces renew their assault. Their positions were now subject to artillery fire offloaded from another wave of newly arrived transports. Thankfully all the AT-AT walkers in their sector had been destroyed or disabled, but that didn't make him feel any better when he saw the groups of stormtroopers and other supporting vehicles advance on them now less than a mile away and closing in fast. Over 60% percent of their artillery had been destroyed, drastically cutting their fire support and only around 50% of their vehicles remained. Still, they were going to remain here and fight it out.
A TX-130T made its way forward, sheltering a platoon of stormtroopers. Bly, Arrow, Deuce and Kordo advanced with them, using the heavily armored repulsorlift tank for cover. A group of three AT-RT walkers rode forward to their right and to their left an AT-TE was helping to lay down suppressing fire on the Elementian positions ahead, almost a full company underneath as they made their advance. They were now only half a mile.
"All units, advance on the double. Consolidate and punch through anywhere you can," he said on an all-call to the other officers of the legion.
The men did as they were told, responding with their inherent battle-born senses. They fired as they advanced, the Elementians returning fire as well. Close fighting would be imminent as the stormtroopers advanced swiftly to the first defensive line. The stormtroopers formed into assault groups, knowing that spreading out over a wide front would make them easy targets. With this formation, they could bypass strong points and take the fight into the trenches and penetrate deep and cut off areas to be mopped up by the army units. Any armor that could be reached would also be used to exploit this tactic to the fullest. Bly and his men did just that, coming up onto the first trench line in a matter of minutes.
The men in the assault platoons hurled their thermal detonators into the works. Those Elementians caught in the blast radius were killed instantly, those just outside hit with the shrapnel and/or thrown to their feet from the shockwaves of the multiple blasts. Never stopping, the stormtroopers kept up a steady pace of fire as they jumped inside to engage in close combat. Kordo took the lead in their platoon, Bly crouching down next to the body of an Elementian soldier. The man had been shot in the head, the blaster burn still fizzling from his temple. Bly focused his sight away from the corpse and focused on making sure his men were in their proper positions to exploit the small breakthroughs the advance force was making. Kordo stood at the head of an assault platoon, his Z-6 firing continuously to suppress the Elementians in front of them. An earthbender before them erected an earthen wall to shield his men, who returned fire. Three of the men were hit before the rest took cover.
Elsewhere along the battlefield the men of other units were performing the same feats. The stormtroopers created the bridge gaps and the army personnel exploited them. Elementian vehicles made their attacks with coordination by the officers and men on the ground as they trudged forward. The men and women of the 2nd EDF faced off against the 41st Legion.
"They're trying to breakthrough the first line," said Taran, hastily getting to his feet.
"Then we can stop them," said Ahsoka.
"Katooni, Byph, try to stay close. The minute they see you by yourselves, they'll strike," said Taran. "Major, let's launch a counterattack."
"Affirmative Avatar. All units, charge!" yelled Major Yong, scrambling out himself with his blaster in hand.
The men fired as they ran, arriving in time to aid their comrades. Benders unleashed their elements against the stormtroopers while the non-benders fired away or hurled detonators and grenades of all kinds at them. Soon, melees ensued due to the sheer close quarters they were locked in. The Jedi's lightsabers blazed to life, Taran and Ahsoka in the lead. Ahsoka's lightsabers deflected incoming blaster bolts as she closed in on a squad. The yellow and green bars sliced through their armor with ease, long black gashes flecked with an inner fire appearing everywhere she cut. Taran was beside, cutting down a stormtrooper and deflecting a blaster bolt straight back at another who took the bolt directly to his chest. Katooni and Byph deflected any laser fire fired in their direction, only slashing if a stormtrooper got too close. In this small sector, the counterattack stemmed the tide of the 41st Legion's advance. Commander Oz observed from behind a wrecked TX-130, comming in his situation. Oz knew what a Jedi was capable of having fought under Master Yoda, Master Unduli and Quinlan Vos during the Battle of Kashyyyk. He remembered when he made it to the last known position the Jedi Master was at to find Commander Gree and another trooper's decapitated bodies.
"Yes, again copy. We have Jedi in this vicinity," said Oz.
"Acknowledged, rerouting armor to your position."
Oz looked on as his men were cut down before the former Jedi. His men began to keep their distance, firing as they took cover. Taran shielded them with an earthen wall, a few Elementians taking cover as well to keep up their fire. Explosions rocked around their whole sector from the Imperial and Elementian artillery, shaking the earth beneath them. Taran looked over to see the stormtroopers taking their second wind, this time with armor support. He saw a three TX-130s and a dozen AT-RTs with an AT-PT form a wedge to launch a counterattack of their own. Taran stepped back, focusing on the earth in front of them. He stamped his foot hard on the ground and thrust his hands out, the earth crunching at first before it exploded outwards in multiple pillars towards them. Those stormtroopers who reacted in time dove out the way. Others weren't so lucky as the pillars were five feet high. Some were hit violently in the air, one stormtrooper hearing the armor of his squadmate crunch from the impact as well as the bones breaking in his chest. The earth attack came at the speed of a tornado to the armored vehicles. Two AT-RTs were knocked over, the others dodging the attack. Three of them even jumped on the pillars and bounded forward. A TX-130 was completely flipped upside down as the earth below hit its underside with immense force.
After his bending attack, an LT-C moved forward and covered their position by exposing its flank. The flaps opened to let the soldiers fire their blasters or launch a bending attack before it was closed to protect it. A waterbender created a spear out of ice and hurled it with deadly precision at a stormtrooper on an AT-RT, impaling him and hurling him out of the walker. The AT-RTs targeted the tank, moving rapidly to outflank it and barrage it with their laser cannons. The LT-C wasn't able to move out of the way fast enough and it was soon knocked out of action. However, the engine encased in the armor, wasn't hit. Though the tank wasn't mobile, its crew and the troopers inside could still lift the metal flaps to hurl out their attacks. The AT-RTs stayed in position, hitting the tank with everything they had. The Jedi and other Elementians aided the tank crew to repulse them.
Ahsoka used the Force to jump onto the tank and onto an AT-RT, slashing the driver off and taking the controls. She sheathed her lightsabers and took control of the walker, firing into another one and knocking it out of action. Taran and Byph aided in her efforts, the two of them slashing through the legs of another walker and then another after tha. Katooni used the Force to open the hatch of the LT-C and beckon the men to get out, which they did, carrying their wounded out. It was only a matter of time until the TX tanks fired their concussion missiles. As soon as she was helping, one of the TX tanks locked in on the LT-C and fired two missiles. Katooni felt their approach.
"Take cover!" she yelled out.
The men who could hit the dirt, a few men still inside the tank firing the repeating blasters on the side or trying to evacuate. The tank exploded as the missiles connected into its armor, killing those still inside. Katooni and the others soldiers were thrown back from the explosion. Taran turned to see the two remaining TX tanks, one of them aiming for Ahsoka. He used Force sprint to get to the tank, his lightsaber cutting through its cannons like a hot knife through butter. On the hull, the turret gunner fired his beam cannon. Taran deflected the beam, straining to hold it as he directed it at the other TX tank targeting Ahsoka. The beam sliced through the armor and in a few short seconds with Ahsoka's help the tank was destroyed. Byph scrambled on the tank, his lightsaber cutting through the gunner who slumped into the inside of the tank. Byph used the Force to grab a thermal detonator from a fallen stormtrooper, arming it and throwing it down the hatch of the tank. They jumped off swiftly, the detonator exploding inside and killing all inside.
All around their sector, the Elementians had stalled the advance. However, there were problems all around the lines. The 42nd Armored Legion had managed to penetrate the first and second lines, routing the forces in front of them. The 66th Shock Legion was already at the second line and threatening to breakout. They were on the extremes of each flank, which meant they could outflank the entire force and possibly surround them. An AT-TE targeted their area, firing its main cannon. Ahsoka jumped off the AT-RT, the walker exploding from the direct hit. The shockwave sent her crashing to the ground hard. Taran stooped over her, helping her up with one arm and using his lightsaber to defend them. Katooni and Byph helped to block the incoming fire from the stormtroopers as they made it back to the first line. Soldiers there were dug in with them. Taran's comm went off.
"Taran, pull your men back," said Long.
"What's wrong?"
"They look like they're going to envelop us. We have men on the flanks acting as a rearguard to allow the rest of the units to pull back," said Long.
"Major, we have to retreat!" Taran yelled over the din of the battle.
All around the battlefield, the Elementians were pulling back. Those whose lines had held against the Imperial onslaught found themselves falling back. The artillery that could be moved was moved out as dropships and gunships hoisted them away and picked up retreating men to get them to other areas where they were desperately needed. Everyone else was on foot or any other beast of burden that could be taken, including ostrich horses. Those who could turned to fight the Imperials to keep the retreat from turning into a route. Any vehicles that could carried men on it. Ahsoka looked to see an LT-C loading up some retreating soldiers.
"Taran," he said, indicating to it as he helped her along.
Taran caught her message and the four of them made their way, other soldiers behind them. They scrambled onto the tank, the hatches closing as the tank reached its capacity. It sped off, the sound of the battlefield muffled. Inside, though tense, they tried their best to relax. The tank was moving fast and they could hear the frontline fading behind them. Taran hugged her close to him, steadying his breath.
"Are you two okay?" said Taran.
"We're okay," said Katooni. Byph nodded in agreement.
"You did good today," said Taran. "This isn't over, not by a long shot."
The battle in this sector was over. Now the Imperial forces cleaned up the aftermath. Prefabricated bases jettisoned from the Star Destroyers that dared to get close enough to drop them were being set up. One of them had been destroyed, but it had delivered its essentials. Bly and his men enjoyed a rest, the men of the 66th and 3rd harrying the Elementians past the peninsula bottleneck. From there they would await further order before pushing on as the rest of their armed forces amassed and acquired new armament. Their losses had been heavy. Over 42% of the invasion force altogether was on the casualty list. The Elementians had managed to successfully retreat their ground forces, though one division was caught in the pincer with its soldiers surrendering when no escape was possible. They had lost a good portion of their armored units and needed to be resupplied before they pushed on.
The Elementians didn't escape unscathed. Their artillery had taken the heaviest losses due to their exposed positions in the bombing run. Their armor had taken some losses too, especially against the AT-AT walkers to which they had nothing to answer to it. Altogether Army Group South suffered over 55,000 personnel casualties, which including the division that was surrounded equaled it to 61,000 overall equaling more than 33%. The Elementians didn't stop their retreat until they reached the mountains. There they dug into their ready made fortifications and waited. The plains before them were well-sighted, the only obstacle in front being the crashed Nomad. Engineers were stripping the wreck of it's point defense guns on its broadsides to be used as gun emplacements. Its turrets were destroyed.
"Overall, the battle was a defeat but we did inflict serious losses on them," said Long. "That might have brought us a few days before they try for the mountains."
"They'll have to attack on a unified front like they did today. Once they're through the mountains, the terrain allows them more mobility," said General Bao as the generals look on the map.
"Thankfully we have supporting armies coming in. The focal point is Gaoling. From here we can resupply and move men and materials about," said Long.
Bly got the final count from his company commanders. His legion was down to barely 6,200 men who could still fight. Other units posted similar figures, the heaviest hit being the 35th Legion who could now only field 4,000 of its original 9,700. They were kept in reserve as new men would be cycled through to replace those lost. The Army units were still considered combat-ready, but they would have replacements soon enough. They and the other combat-ready legions hounded the rear of the Elementian forces for a few more miles before they halted. They were stretched thin as is was and a pronged flank attack would have had them encircled. For now they held their territory and waited. They had seized control of the town of Gongying and used it as the ground force's HQ until the bases were set up. As they passed through the town, they found it had been abandoned prior with no civilians, the only inhabitants being some of the planet's local fauna. Bly set up in the mayor's house, giving his status report and establishing contact with the other units.
Kordo had been killed in the fighting, shot three times in the chest as he had bravely led a charge to secure the top of the ridge. Deuce had been wounded, his leg broken from an earthbender. Arrow had escaped unscathed, but was shaken up from the combat. Bly sighed as he thought of the men, men he would not see who had been there for his unit from its earliest days. Even with his former larger command where he was in command of a corps, he still knew men here and there. Their faces and own individual charisma they brought to the unit; they were vanishing before his eyes. He sighed as he took a seat in the empty chair. He was so caught up in his own thoughts, he didn't notice he had a visitor.
"Are you alright?" it said.
Bly opened his eyes and looked around wildly. It was high-pitched, like a child's.
"I'm right here," it said and he felt a gentle presence on his right shoulder.
Craning his head he saw a sprite-like butterfly glowing green. He sat up quickly, swatting it as it flew out of his hands reach.
"Talking insects?" he said aloud.
"I'm a spirit. Your people should leave," it said, flying around before him.
Bly studied it for a few moments.
"Sorry, we can't do that," he said.
The spirit 'studied' him, flying close to his face and causing him to back up. It did it again before Bly swatted at it, the spirit hastily flying out of the swing. It disappeared, making him wonder what had just transpired.
"This planet has a ton of mystery to it," he thought.
(A week later)
Taran rested in an artillery emplacement overlooking the plain. His eyes were on the Nomad as it loomed pitch-black not too far out in the distance to the left of the position during the dawn hours. He inhaled deeply before exhaling slowly. The battle was still fresh in his mind. Once again their plan, which had been working so well, proved a defeat.
"Taran?" Ahsoka called out.
He looked to see her walking in. After the battle he had taken her to a medical station. She had a cut on her brow but other than that she was fine.
"Mind if I join you?" she asked.
"You never have to ask," he said, holding out his hand. She took it and sat down partly on his lap between his legs, her back to his front.
"Are you okay?" said Taran.
"I'm okay Taran," she said reassuringly. He sighed.
"Hey," she said. His eyes fixed on hers. She pecked his lips lightly. He smiled, pecking her back. She let out a small chuckle, her hand touching his cheek.
"This isn't over, not by a long shot," said Ahsoka.
He nodded, though his thoughts went elsewhere. He thought of not what would happen if the Empire broke through. He was worried about what they would do to ensure victory.
"Thinking of something?" said Ahsoka.
"How can you tell?" said Taran.
"I know you. Your eyes fixed onto something and then you get quiet," said Ahsoka.
"I'm thinking of...Zephyr," said Taran.
She bit her lip, her eyes saddening. They hadn't seem him since they had left for the previous battle since there was to be no unnecessary moving of ships due to all ships being needed in their battlezones. This was also due to the threat of enemy starfighters. For now, they were confined here.
"I want to hold him again," said Taran. "And tell him we're still here and see how much he can do now."
Her hand intertwined with his.
"We will. That's what we're fighting for. For a world he can grow up on without running in fear," said Ahsoka.
The artillery crew ran inside, their sergeant noticing them.
"Oh, sorry commanders. The Imps are on their way. It's gonna get loud in here," he said as the men took their positions.
Their eyes met. Back to their reality. They looked off, already seeing the gathered formation of Imperial soldiers heading their way. They held hands as they stood on their feet and walked out of the emplacement. As soon as they turned the corner, the sound of firing resonated throughout the tunnel network.
*Yanyu- speech in Mandarin