Chapter 5 The Meeting
24th June 2535
UNSC Bonaventure Upper Hanger
Marcus stared in awe and slight concern as the boxy Republic struggled to maneuver through the UNSC hanger it was clearly not designed to land in.
"I seriously wonder who thought that folding wings would be a smart idea?" Marcus heard one of the Marines say aloud.
"It's not an idea without merit as some sea carriers from long ago had planes with folding wings to help with storing them. The issue here is that we don't have the vertical space needed for space for this ship to land easily," Another Marnie replied as the shuttle finally started landing.
"Get into formation and stand to attention, men." Colonel Glenn shouted. Marcus quickly got behind and to the left Captain Smith and as one of the other men. Brisko he thinks it was got behind himself as the other two escorts got behind and to the right of Rear Admiral Nelles.
"First Squad Right face," Glenn ordered. While not part of the Alpha squad for this, Marcus and Brisko follow the order anyways.
"Second Squad Left face. Glenn ordered as both Beta squad, and the escorts by Rear Admiral Nelles obeyed the command.
"Frist Squad Right Shoulder. Glenn continued to order as the Marines and ODSTs brought their rifles to the position.
"Second Squad Left shoulder. Glenn finished his orders as the Marines and ODSTs brought their rifles to the position.
It looks like history will be changed here, Marcus thought to himself as the shuttle finally landed and the ramp on the front of it began to fall.
Felucia system 20 BBY
UNSC Bonaventure Upper Hanger
As the boarding ramp of the shuttle finally finished lowering. Anakin saw two squads of men off to separate sides dressed in what looked to be white dress uniforms. Standing closer to him was a set of eight people. One of them appeared to be Rear Admiral Nelles with three other men to Nelles's left side. Six of the men wore black uniforms, with one of the black uniforms looking different from the rest. Admiral Nelle and the man to his left were wearing a white like the uniform that the two squads were wearing. If Anakin had to guess, the five similar black uniforms were most likely from the same branch. Same with the white ones too.
Stepping down the ramp, he was quickly followed by Admiral Yularen and followed by Plo-Koon and Rex afterwards. For a brief moment, Anakin could've sworn he saw what he assumed to be the high command of the Battle Group as they called it tense up as Master Plo exited the ship.
With everyone that was going to be in the meeting having exited the ship. Admiral Nelles stepped forward and said. "It's a pleasure to have finally met in person Admiral Yularen. If you could please follow me, we can get this meeting underway. But that before we'll have to do a quick search for weapons." Upon hearing that, Anakin and Rex instinctively started to reach for their lightsaber and two blaster pistols while Master Plo, on the other hand, handed one of the men in black who had walked up following the Rear Admirals words. Begrudgingly both Anakin and Rex handed the trooper their weapons. "Your weapons will be returned to you when we've finished the meeting. Now, if you could follow me, I'll lead you to the meeting room. The UNSC Rear Admiral said as he turned around and started walking, soon followed by the other three that were standing beside him in a row.
As they started moving, they noticed that the four men were now walking in front and behind them with a spacing of a few meters.
Rex said in a voice that was loud enough to be heard by the three other Republic men looking at the weapons that the four escorts were carrying. "They appear to be still using slug throwers.
"Astute observation, Captain. Despite being able to build ships as large as the one, we're currently in. They still chose to use such rather primitive weapons." Plo-Koon replied to the Clone Captain.
"I also think we're dealing with four different branches of men. Observably Rear Admiral Nelles is Navy. The men in white and that older-looking man being one of them. These four men in black, and that was to the right. With the one beside him being from a different one.' Rex added
"I also agree. I think we should be wary as I think they tensed up when they saw me exit the shuttle." Plo-Koon said.
"So, you're saying that what Yularen told us could be true?" Anakin asked, not liking where this could be going.
It's certainly a possibility." Plo said as they neared a room the UNSC men went into.
Upon entering the room, they saw what looked to be a table along with four chairs on their side, Rear Admiral Nelles and the three other men seated, and their front two escorts walking to the far side of the room.
"Well, gentlemen, if you would kindly take your seat and I'll introduce everyone here. I'll start with myself as you could've guessed I'm Rear Admiral Charles Nelles, Captain of the Bonaventure and Commander of Battle Group Carolina, beside me is Colonel Chestly Glenn he's in charge of the Marines attached to the ship they were the men in white suits that were standing on both sides. Beside him is Captain Gabriel Angelos. He oversees all intelligence assists attached to the fleet, and finally, we have Captain Erwin Smith, who is in charge of the ODSTs aboard the ship. In case you're wondering, they're the four other men in this room. Now, what about your names? Admiral Nelles asked.
"Of course, Admiral. Yularen said
24th June 2535
UNSC Bonaventure Meeting Room
Standing guard for the meeting got boring real fast for Marcus as he kept having to refocus his eyes on something least, he started to nod off. So far, the UNSC officers had explained how they ended up here and a brief history of mankind that continued a short history of Earth, the interplanetary war, the centuries of peace that followed, the insurrection, and surprisingly, Marcus, even the war with the Covenant. The Republic men also shared a few things about their side, namely the Republic's history, which, unfortunately for everyone in Task Force Carolina, told them that they weren't in UNSC space. The Republic also told them what a Jedi was, which was something that intrigued Marcus. Finally, they told them about the war with the Separatists, the clones, which came as a shock to everyone, even Angelos and shared ship profiles of Separatists ships if Battle Group Carolina ran into some.
While not intently listing to what was going in the meeting, he was busy paying attention to everyone's hands. A few things piqued his interest, like how the two men identified as Anakin Skywalker and Plo-Koon weren't proper military but belonged to a group of warrior monks called the Jedi Order, another being that there is this thing in the galaxy called that force that allowed those sensitive to it to do all sorts of things one of them being the ability to move objects with their mind telepathically. When Master Plo started to pull on his lightsaber, which was revealed to be something similar to an elite's energy sword, Marcus noticed that Brisko almost levelled his rifle on him till he realized he was only doing a demonstration of some of the abilities that the force offered those sensitive to it. He returned his lightsaber to Brisko after doing the demonstration. Lastly, the fact that the Republic was using clones was odd to him, especially this far into the war, as there would've been time to train volunteers into soldiers.
Now with a basic understanding of each side done, it was time to talk about what the UNSC had been doing in-between the hour they arrived and when they started to talk to Yularen.
"When we arrived, we attempted to figure out what happened to our ships and started tracking every ship in the system. Thanks to the ship profiles you shared, we've been able to identify all but one ship." Nelles said as the holotable zoomed in on the ship in question. Marcus noticed that Admiral Nells got a glare from Captain Angelos when he said that they were tracking all the ships in the system.
"Admiral, that ship isn't a Separatist ship." The man, identified as Anakin, said while starting to stand up. "That ship belongs to Trandoshan game hunters. Anakin stated, a little on edge.
"What are these game hunters?" Nelles asked inquisitively
"Trandoshan game hunters kidnap people and hunt them for sport, Admiral, and given the timing of your arrival, we now suspect that they might've taken one of our men," Anakin stated with some anxiety
Upon hearing those words, Nelles felt an anger he had only felt for the Covenant. How could an intelligent race hunt other all for sport? It felt like complete barbarism to him. He couldn't understand how species who had mastered space travel could do such a barbaric practice.
"Gentlemen, if you'll excuse us for a moment, we need to discuss something among ourselves for a moment." Nelles said as he got up from his chair."
Now outside side the room. "Well, I think we have the leverage to get a few things we want," Gabriel said.
"I assume you're talking about trading the location for their missing person for information?" Smith asked, cluing slightly into what Gabriel had planed. "If it's what I think it is, then I want two squads of ODSTs going in then. Need to find out how well these blasters perform against us and how well our weaponry performs." Smith stated.
"Of course, Captain. Of course. Besides, I think your men would love such a fight. A battle against monsters deserving of no pity or mercy, and we get information on who the Republic operates. I assume you have a list of men you'll like to use." Gabriel said as a massive grin started to appear on his face
"I just want them dead. So do your little op." Nelles said rage clearly in his voice
"Colonel, any objections?" Nelles asked.
"No. let us kill the bastards," Glenn stated
"Then let's head back in." Nelles said as he started to walk to the door."
Sitting back down in his chair, Nelles looked at the Republic men and said. "we have a possible lead on your missing man. We'll help you track the Trandoshans in exchange for two things, the first being a Galaxy map, and the second is that we want two squads of elite troops to accompany the rescue op.
Felucia system 20 BBY
UNSC Bonaventure Meeting Room
Anakin was shocked. He was expecting some kind of exchange for information on where the ship went. But it wasn't expecting something so relatively harmless a map and the possibility to take on the Trandoshans themselves.
"We'll have to talk about your deal for a quick moment," Admiral Yularen said
"Everyone's thoughts on it?" The deep voice of Plo-Koon said.
"I say it's a more than fair deal and one that can be done quickly. The more time we waste, the less change Commander Tano could be found alive." Anakin said, trying to hold back delight.
"We have a chance to rescue Commander Tano and have help. I say go for it." Said, Rex
"I have some concerns, but I think we should take the deal," Yularen said.
"We'll take it Anakin said. Upon hearing his words, the holotable moved again, showing the flight path of the Trandoshan ship till it disappeared. "Based on the trajectory, is there any way you could track it or figure out where it was going," Nelles asked the Republic team.
"There are a few places, but I'm pretty sure they're going back to their home system.
24th June 2535
UNSC Bonaventure Hanger
Upon hearing of the deal between the Republic and Task Force Carolina. Marcus and his squad found themselves to be one of the two squads selected to be on the rescue mission to save Republic Commander Ahsoka Tano. Marcus Wasn't surprised that Sargent Letho and his squad were the other squad chosen for the task as they both served escort duty for the mission.
During final flight checks on the Pelicans. Erwin Smith walked onto the flight deck in ODST gear and jet pack. Upon drawing a few eyes, he ordered all the ODSTs to form up.
"Men, while your squads are some of the best in the Battle Group, I expect the best from you. I expect amazing disciple, too, as we don't know who friend, foe, or startled survivor could be. While many of you have fought the Covenant and developed certain feelings towards anything that isn't human, that shit stays here. This is a whole new word. A world where there are friendly aliens. As such, I expect you to make sure you're firing at the right ones to ensure that happens. I'll be joining this mission and taking command of Beta-5. Sargent Letho will retain command of Beta-9. If I find out any of you are acting in an unfriendly manner to civilians or Commander Ahsoka Tano, there will be repercussions for your actions. Now then, let's load up and head out. Smith said
Space Above Felucia 20 BBY
"How did the meeting go?" Kix asked, attempting to breaking the silence
"The meeting went well. We were able to learn quite a few things about them, continue friendly relations, and started an operation to rescue commander Tano." Plo-Koon replied to the clone
"Sounds like your normal diplomatic meeting then." Fives said, "Wait, what do you mean by an operation to find commander Tano?" Fives said as the second part of what Plo said clicked in their mind.
"I mean that they were able to track the ship that took Commander Tano and are supplying two squads of elite troops," Plo-Koon replied to the clone this time with additional detail.
"So where has Commander Tano gone then since we weren't able to locate her," Fives asked with some concern in his voice.
"Apparently, she was kidnapped by Trandoshan game hunters and most likely taken to the moon of their home planet to be hunted for sports," Plo-Koon replied with a sense of unease in her voice.
"Now I understand why they're sending elite troopers to help," Fives said under his breath.
"We are beginning sequence Resolute Admiral." The Clone Pilot said.
"Roger that," Yularen said with a sense of relief in his voice
Space Above Felucia
Marcus looked around the Pelican with a sense of anxiety filling as he didn't know what to expect when the Pelican landed on the Republic ship or how this joint operation would turn out. Instead, he checked over his rifle once again, making sure it was mission-ready. "Nervous?" The voice of Captain Smith said to Marcus.
"Of course, sir, I have no idea what to expect. It's a complete unknown. Sir." Marcus replied to the Captain.
"Perfectly natural to be, especially with this mission, but I have faith that'll you'll be able to succeed. After all, you made it to ODST, and there's why I chose you to be an escort for the Republic." Smith replied
"Thank you, sir' Marcus replied, feeling relieved that the Captain believes in him.
"Alright, everyone, we'll be landing on the Republic ship in a few moments," The voice of the pilot came on over the speakers.
"Alright, everyone, I want everyone to be on their best behaviour. I don't want to hear about any blue on blue incidents." Smith said over the ODST comes as the Pelican began to touch down on the central hanger of The Republic Carrier.
A.N
Double feature tonight as I was able to get this into a state I wanted to release tonight.
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