The Mission
On the bridge of a Venator-class star destroyer of The Horizon, the four commandos entered the command center. They had been summoned no more than a few minutes ago, yet here they stood, fully armored, fully prepared for whatever orders came their way.
As they gathered around the holo-table, a hologram of a trooper in Phase I armor projected. CC-3692, their brother advisor began to speak. "This line of communication is secure." The Advisor announced, a once precaution now turned habit CC-3692 picked up during the war. "Task Force Sierra, your previous successes in this region in the Mid-Rim has opened up another opportunity to slow down the Separatist war machine."
The four commandos stood stock still, waiting for their advisor to continue.
"At ease Task Force Sierra." The Advisor said, the four of them becoming more relaxed around the table."
"What's the mission?" The commando with black highlights around the white of the Katarn III-class armor asked. His armor had antennas coming out of his survival pack, helmet decorated with the number of successful operations.
"Intelligence from some of our reconnaissance efforts in the Expansion Region have revealed a potential target, data suggests a droid manufactory of considerable size in a nearby system."
"Any intel on what droids are produced there?" Again asked the one known as Sierra Leader.
"Nothing promising," CC-3692 pulled out a data-pad, quickly looking for the information requested. "We believe it to be primarily B2 Battle droid foundry, but it is likely that destroyer droids and other specialized battle droids are produced there."
"Have any other recon forces, or Jedi been sent planet-side yet?" Once again, the gruff voice of Sierra Leader spoke up once more.
"None as of yet, as intel suggests, this planet has been a well-guarded secret by the Separatists." Quickly responded their assigned Advisor.
Sierra Leader put his hand up to the chin of his helmet. "This could complicate things."
"Wait a moment are we going in blind?" The commando at the other end of the holo-table, his Katarn III armor painted in various shades of gray, his helmet having an electro-binocular modification attached to it, and a black kama at his waist. He held his hand up, raising with a single finger up as he continued his thought. "Or is the plan that we are going to be the first ones to scout?"
"Affirmative RC-3096." The Advisor gave a curt nod as he shuffled through the number of data-pads that were certainly in his general area. "This will be, as our superiors often refer it to, 'a standard reconnaissance and data collection operation'. Find out if there is any truth to the intel we currently have, and if so, report it back and a plan of attack will be formulated."
"Love being the first recon to a planet!" Exclaimed Recon Commando, clearly pumped at this opportunity to explore the unexplored and seemingly uncharted enemy territory.
"The world is not entirely unknown," Remarked the Advisor, turning for a moment to pull out more information on the planet. "Having the archivists through the archives on Coruscant has yielded some useful information, albeit outdated."
"If there is any truth to it, do we have permission to go ahead with the… deactivation of important components within said facilities?" The third commando to pipe in, this commando having a variety of explosives strapped to his survival pack, and in his hand, currently tossing a thermal detonator up and down.
The advisor turned away from Task Force Sierra for a moment, putting one finger up to the communicator of his helmet, and a moment later a response was given.
"Command states that if that foundry truly is there, and you believe that you can hinder or neutralize aspects of the foundry, you are clear to do so, however, remember, this is a reconnaissance mission first, you will be without, and I repeat, will be without support for most of the mission."
"Loud and clear 'Visor." A single nod of acknowledgment came from '02, the demolition's expert.
"You say that we are going to be operating in this mystery system, yet you haven't told us of it yet." The final member of the squad, the armor of this commando still the color it left the factory, however, modifications to it give it more plating around where the black undersuit would be seen.
"One moment RC-2105." Shuffling once again through more data-pads and once looking up at what they could only assume to be a screen, the advisor pulled up a holodisk with the appropriate information. "The map should appear alongside my hologram." On cue, the galactic map appears, soon zooming in on the desired area. "This operation will be occurring in… the Cossul System, on… Cossul III."
All members of Task Force Sierra found their heads turning to the system in question. Although it was indeed close to their current position, it was a lot closer to the border where the "civilized galaxy" meets the Unknown Space regions.
"This archaic data suggests that the system has four planets in it, however only two of them are unable to meet the Separatists standards for building a foundry due to their hostile conditions."
"And the other two?"
"If there are any safe hyperlane routes to the Cossul system, we do not know of it, however, we do know that the Separatists have been traveling back and forth for some time in the past few years, we predict before the war truly started."
"Your suggestion advisor?" Sierra Leader looked up at the hologram.
"My tactical suggestion is to stowaway on one of their vessels," The pressing of a few buttons could be heard, then appeared the hologram of a Trade Federation Super freighter "If the information we have is accurate, this particular Super freighter is making a pass soon."
'96 scoffed whilst looking at the Trade Federation's Super freighter. "The Wealth of Trade, as always the Separatists have their pompously named ships." Soon he held out a handheld holo-projector, the schematics of the ship now in his possession.
"What are the time parameters on this mission?" Sierra Leader ignored the comment of his squadmate, head-turning back to the advisor.
"Once aboard The Wealth of Trade, you will have no more than seventy-two hours before exfiltration." Again, the Advisor turned his head, his index and middle fingers on the communicator. A moment later another response. "If you are discovered before seventy-two or take longer than that, you will need to find your own way back."
"Seventy-two hours is more than enough time to do the damage necessary." '02 looked to the Advisor.
"We will contact you once we've gathered some intel on what we're up against." He looked at The Wealth of Trade super freighter once more. "How do you plan on exfiltrating us from the planet."
"Recent developments in stealth technologies have the engineers eager to test out their newest inventions." The sound of one holo-disk ejecting and another entering, the Cossul system soon being replaced by a Nu-class attack shuttle. Although its appearance was near identical to the standard Nu-class attack shuttle, the difference in designation caught their eyes. "This is the Nu-class Stealth prototypes, these four have been assigned to your Commando Squad, in fact, they are already onboard The Horizon."
"If we have these stealth ships, why don't we go in ourselves and save the boarding action?"
"Very well… we will prepare to leave immediately."
"Copy that, over and out." The holographic image of their Advisor soon disappeared and the lights in the room came back on.
"Gather all the gear you'll need; you've got no more than forty-five minutes to be in the hanger." Sierra Leader ordered his squad, and with that they began to move.
"Another mission where we have to overcome overwhelming odds." RC-2105 sighed, walking alongside his squad leader. "Suppose just another day in the life of a commando."
"Indeed it is '05." Sierra Leader looked and began to quicken his pace. "Another glorious day in the Grand Army of the Republic."
RC-2105 sat beside his brothers in a standard Nu-class assault shuttle in the hanger. Clone pilots and engineers outside the vessel were finishing up all the pre-flight checks. This was perfect for pre-mission weapon checks, to see if his weapons would give him any hassle while out in the field.
His hands first gently moved along the many groves and other scratches of his DC-17m ICWS. His hands deftly swapping the many interchangeable modes of the weapon from anti-armor to sniper mode, back to the base rifle, everything in order. Satisfied with the status of his blaster he holstered it, moving on to his pistols.
He unholstered both DC-15, deftly checking the status of his weapons. Most commandos had switched to the newer DC-17 hand blasters, but stopping power means nothing when you have no shots left. These pistols were modified to his preferences, specifically a larger cartridge, which would aid him in those longer missions, the only downside being that it adds weight to the gun itself. Like with the DC-17m, was satisfied with the status of his weaponry.
All weapons locked and loaded. His hands were soon moving to begin a check on the contents of his survival pack.
Checking his bag, the number "05" brightly glowed from the identification number he was born with. Within this survival pack, the expertly packed medical supplies and rations that would sustain him in the event of a long deployment to this planet. On the outside of the bag, ammunition was where the two handles were. Pulling it out, all the ammunition he would need was there. Once the survival pack was put back where it belonged, he looked to the emergency bacta tubes strapped to his arm, and the extra power cells strapped to his right leg.
I'll be fine for a good while. He thought to himself.
These missions often brought up memories of his days in the simulators. He remembered the many training drills and near-fatal training exercises he had with his original pod. All the bravado shoved into four men, they thought themselves invincible. He could not remember the name of the Acclamator-class assault ship that had transported his squad to that forsaken planet.
By all accounts to his superiors, it was a successful operation, the data he retrieved aided in the destruction of a few Separatists transport vessels. He was even awarded a few medals for heroism and bravery, but he knew he did not deserve it. Why should he deserve it when his squad mates were not there to earn it with him when they were three of the 4,982 commandos lost hellish day on that wasteland?
Shortly after that, he found himself attached to Task Force Sierra, with other commandos in the same situation as he. It was a rough start for a lot of them, even with all the mental conditioning since birth.
RC-1004 was a reliable leader one could count on, managing to get the squad out of many hazardous situations, but for all the tactical expertise he had, he was coarse, but seeing as how his last pod was lost under his command, none of them could blame him. The squad simply calls him 'Sierra Leader' for that is who he is.
RC-3102 is an oddball, for the tough personality he puts up, nothing catches the attention of this commando better than the opportunity to blow things straight out of the atmosphere of the planet, and in this squad, his skill with explosives are unmatched, earning him the role of demolitions expert.
RC-2096 had the cheeriest personality of the group but is prone to bouts of cold detachment, but none could doubt his ability as both Recon and good with technology. His first role will always be recon, and will always find the thrill in going behind enemy lines.
RC-2105 easily found his place with the squad, becoming the designated second in command whenever Sierra Leader is not present. His modified armor has helped him survive the many harsh combat environments and superior knowledge in treating battlefield traumas helped many clones and other assets to the missions. However for the many lives saved, more could not be saved, and this has had him jaded to the war.
At the end of the day, they were brothers in both blood and arms, but they never gave each other real nicknames like members of the larger battalions or of other squads. They kept it professional, calling each other by their roles, or by the last two identification digits. It was never discussed amongst them, but each of them knew the unspoken rule.
Soon the pilot voice came over the shuttle's communications.
"Sierra Leader this is CC-8740-58 'Vector', are you ready for departure?"
Looking around, a simple nod from each of the squad members indicating their readiness.
"We are ready for take-off." Sierra Leader responded.
"Roger that." The pilot responded. After a moment of protocol take-off procedures, the Nu-class stealth shuttle was soon taking off from The Horizons hanger bay.
" Final Comms check." The voice of Sierra leader was heard.
Each member soon sounded off a confirmation with a "Loud and clear" signifying the optimal function of their communication devices.
"Comm checks complete, all comms nominal." Sierra leader soon turned to the tech specialist. "96 we're going to be docking on one of the ports found along the starboard side, and we will have only ninety seconds to board The Wealth of Trade before their sensors could detect the shuttle."
"I'll have it open thirty seconds," '96 spoke, prepping a cable along with a few splicing tools.
"Once it's open, '05 and '02, you two will go in first and quietly eliminate any immediate hostiles if any."
"Copy that." '05 acknowledged his orders. Pulling out his DC-17m
A curt nod from '02 easily showed his displeasure of stealth, as a thermal detonator wasn't "quiet"
The pilot soon told them. "Entering system… disguising ship signature… we are… undetected." A moment later, the sound of the shuttle's magnetic clamps docking to The Wealth of Trade's hull and soon the harnesses that kept them seated lifted. "eighty-five seconds."
Like clockwork, '96 had the docking doors opened in twenty-seven seconds, and then RC-2105 readied his DC-17m, jumping down soon after. His brother followed suit, landing right behind him. Weapons aimed, the two of them scan the opposite ends of each passageway.
"Clear" '05 and '02 both respond. Sierra Leader and '96 jump down, the docking clamp closing right behind them.
"I'm almost out of time! Good luck." The pilot of the Nu-class shuttle could be heard detaching, and just like that, the mission had truly begun.
"We have seventy-two hours starting now." Sierra Leader looked to '96, who pulling out the handheld holo-projector. "We are… here." '04 pointed to the blinking white dots that indicated Task Force Sierra. "96 will you be able to get the hyperlane map from one of these terminals?"
"Negative, we need to go to the communication vault located right… here." '96 pointed to a red dot on the map. "There I can acquire the holo-disk with the proper lane route and then send it to our advisor when we get planetside."
Sierra Leader nodded, looking at the holo-projector. "After that, we will be heading to the closest escape pod bay… here. '96 will fake a malfunction, giving the appearance of it having launched on its own. Once on the surface, we will cover our tracks and begin our reconnaissance ops. Remember, avoid detection, engage only if necessary."
The squad nodded as Sierra Leader formed them up, soon taking point. The squad filed behind him, moving silently through the long hallways, halting whenever large numbers of droids made themselves present and continuing to move forth.
A robotic announcement soon came online over the communications systems of the ship.
"Entering Hyperspace, approximate time of arrival: Ten Hours."
"You heard the droid men; we have ten hours to get all of our tasks before we get planetside."
So far, the plan put forth by Sierra Leader has found itself holding up quite well. Task Force Sierra easily retrieved the vessels travel logs which outlined the safest route for hyperspace travel to occur, only having to dispose of less than a handful of droids. The team eventually continued to the escape pods, and found themselves entering the atmosphere in it.
Upon crashing on the surface, they quickly went to work and resealed the pod. An explosion was also needed to sell that it was a malfunction.
Contrary to the day provided, the world was no longer a swamp world, the environment of this world was more akin to arboreal, the dense treelines making it easy to sneak past any droid search patrols sent to investigate the crashed escape pod.
Traveling an additional two hours away from the crash site, they took up positions overlooking where the Wealth of Trade had docked. Upon reaching the overlook, '96 put down his electro-binocular visors.
"What do you see '96?" Sierra leader asked the recon specialized commando.
"Nothing that we don't already know, the ships manifest stated that they would be unloading many crates filled with raw metals that would be sent to forges, which will be transported to another two facilities in different directions…" His hand began to zoom in further. "I see the entrance to the main foundry. Confirmed, Foundry is here, and an additional one is in the distance."
"Our primary objective is complete; we've confirmed the presence of the foundry. Now to the secondary and tertiary objectives." The Sierra Leader looked to his second in command. "05, what do you suggest?"
"If we are looking to sabotage them, the most tactically sound way to strike would be to split up." He looked away from his own electro-binoculars, pointing to the main factory. "If we all travel together, we will not be able to hit every target, however it seems that they have two foundries, communications array, and the docking bay.
"I was hoping we wouldn't have to split up." The Sierra Leader looked to the squad, his hand to the chin of the helmet. There was a tense silence among the squad, as the idea of splitting up had not ended well in the past and they knew their effectiveness would be hampered by such a move. "Contact Advisor on the comms, we need to consider all options."
"Copy that." '96 gave a faux salute as he set up their larger holo-projector, messing with a few dials and other antennas. He put in the encryption code specifically for Task Force Sierra and moments later the squad was patched through to their advisor. The four of them turned off their squad comms to speak through their helmets. "Advisor we are here to report."
"Connection is secure." Their Advisor responded. "Tell me what you have discovered."
"First, we are confirming, repeat, confirming the existence of the foundry, we can see two distinct foundries a good distance apart."
The Advisor put his hands together, his thumbs twidling. "That is concerning."
"On the bright side, we do have the safest hyperlane route to this system, I will send it when we can."
"Always the optimist RC-2096." He stoically responded to '96 soon turning back to the Sierra Leader. "What is your current course of action?"
"05 has suggested that we will need to split up the team if we are to hit all targets." Looking to the team. "I believe if will be best if '96 goes to the communications array to send you the routes and after that sabotage the array itself, '05 makes his way to the farthest foundry, and '02 and I sabotage the main foundry and docking bays. We will disable them like we did on Geonosis." Some malice could be heard at the end of his sentence.
"Crippling their main power supply?" '05 stated.
"Affirmative, the surge should disrupt many operations."
The Advisor looked down for a moment and sighed. "I would advise against it; it is not your primary objective to take out the foundry. My tactical suggestion is for Task Force Sierra to move to the communication array together and sent those hyperlane routes so we may start our assault on those foundries as soon as possible."
"Advisor." Spoke up '05. "If we can sabotage the foundries, their combat effectiveness will be reduced greatly, making it easier for our forces to take out the facilities in one fell swoop." He looked to '96, who took this as a cue to pull up the droid foundries. "Taking out the power sources of the foundry will cripple their efficiency, so our forces aren't bogged down by the factory's constant deployment of new B2 Supers and potentially Destroyer Droids."
The Advisor seemed to once again turn away, most likely discussing it with a superior. Soon he sighed. "Yes sir." He turned back to look at the group. "You are clear to commence sabotage operations, be sure to mark your exfiltration points, watch yourselves out there."
"Copy that Advisor, over and out." Sierra Leader turned off the holo-projector. Each squad member pressed a button underneath the chin.
"How many explosives did you bring '02?"
"Enough to cripple a Subjugator-class heavy cruiser." '02 responded, some humor in his voice.
"I wish you were joking." '96 sighed looking to the three of them. "I will need to start moving, I'm guessing non-stop, it'll be a thirty-hour hike, here's to hoping I find a STAP to commandeer."
"Same here." '05 chuckled, stopping right in front of the leader. "Lucky for you and '02 to be right here."
"I hope your travels are uneventful." '02 looked at '96.
"Please, we're commandos, we eat, breathe, and sleep action." '96 chuckled, before taking his leave. "Don't have too much fun without me."
'05 put his hand out to his senior for a warrior's handshake. "See you back on The Horizon."
Sierra Leader returned the gesture of comradery. "You'll help me add the next mark on my helmet, you've got the steadiest hands of us all."
"Sounds like a plan." With the handshake over, he began to head to his objective.
The plan was simple and well-executed. '05 did have some hassle getting through, for the foundry he was told to sabotage was a manufactory for commando droids.
He was uncertain how he managed to get through undetected for much of the mission, narrowly being caught by patrols of Destroyer Droids and B2 while in the heart of the factory, only being spotted upon his departure from the foundry.
After having taken down a few B2's and some wandering B1's, he made it out without so much as a blaster bolt to the body.
The alarm sounded, and he knew that Commando Droids had been deployed, but at that point however, the charges had been planted and it would be nigh impossible for the droids to disarm them before detonation.
He could hear the explosions from the first foundry and the dock from where he stood, and he had just departed from his objective, making his way to the exfil point. Their targets were eliminated, their objectives sabotaged by their precise strikes.
But he could not stop just yet, for he could hear around him the footsteps of commando droids, perhaps a squad of them at least.
Exfil zone is coming up. He thought as he continued to sprint through the boreal forest.
Red blaster bolts began flying over head, as he entered the clearing. Taking cover behind a tree, he returned fire using his DC-17m, managing to hit two of them in the head, before something patched into his communications.
"RC-2105, I advise you to take cover now."
Suddenly, missiles flew out of the gunship which was supposed to be taking him to safety, unloading a few more missiles from its dorsal fin and its front guns shooting green lasers. The hum of the gunship hovered close to the ground as a few clones grappled out of the front.
"Set up a defensive perimeter!" One of the clones shouted over the chaos, many of them taking cover, and preparing to see if the site was clear.
As they prepared for an assault, it was a silent moment as the flames began to die down.
"I think we-AH" One clone was cut off as he fell to the ground.
"Dancers been hit!" Another clone shouted as the blaster fire began once again.
Commando Droids exited the destroyed area around the drop site, around five of them now.
It surprisingly took a bit more than expected to down the squad of them, but they were no match for a full squad of clones, quickly being overhwlemed by the superior firepower of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Looking in the directions of the other two foundries, he knew his companion's mission went off without a hitch.
Perhaps too well.
"Mission go well sir?" A clone ran up to him, giving a salute. From the markings on the breastplate, he could tell this clone was a sergeant.
"Very." '05 pulled a detonator from his belt. Upon pressing the button, the flames from the explosion could be seen from the distance. A few cheers from the number of clones that came along. "Casualties?"
"A man was hit, but he'll live." The Sergeant explained.
"Get the men ready to depart." The Republic Commando did a hand gesture for said order, most troops acknowledging it as he gave it.
"Yessir, you heard the commando, load back up and ready for departure!"
Looking down at the heaps of destroyed and deactivated commando droids at his feet, he noticed something seemed off with them.
Kneeling down to the most whole droid he could find. Aside from damaged limbs and a number blaster bolt singe marks, this droid was in surprisingly good condition.
He first noticed that the droid was of a different color instead of the usual black and brown BX-series, instead the bulk of its body was bone white and its joints a shade of grey. Finally was the obvious markings on its forehead and chestplate, which he had come to recognize as their 'captain's.
And the vibroblade it wielded. Unlike the cleaver-like blade most BX's usually wield, this one was shaped like an exquisite saber, a caliber of its own.
Can't make out the metal. His eyes glanced over the rest of the droids and their weaponry around.
Whereas some of the BX's had varying weapons, all of them were made of the same metal, or whatever remained of them. This one was the only one with a vibrosaber on it.
Doesn't look like a standard-issue… command might want to see it.
"Sir?" The sergeant called to the commando, breaking his train of thought. "Something wrong?"
"We're taking the droid and the vibroblade." He picked up the smooth metal weapon and turned to two clones who stood nearby, poking at the remains of the droids. "You two, get this thing on board."
"Why do I always get stuck with the heavy lifting." "Deluxe models I tell ya…" The two clones gripped, but complied, bringing the damaged droid.
With a nod, he walked towards the shuttle with the vibroblade. He decided it would be best to bring it back to command, see if there is anything unique about it. As he got into the shuttle he could see the heads of his brothers turn.
"A trophy from your hunt huh?" One of the clones onboard commented about the saber as he passed by him.
"Something of the sort." He replied back, not willing to tell more.
Storing the vibroblade in one of the many weapon compartments in this vessel, he soon took a seat by the sergeant.
"Sir." One of the clones entering the shuttle now looked to him. "Your new mascots been loaded into the outer storage."
"A pain in the ass to get it up there."
"Carry on."
The two clones moved to their seats, most likely grumbling over squad communications.
The stealth shuttle rocked as they left the atmosphere, soon in enough they were in space, heading to the edge of the system.
"Initiating hyperdrive… 7… 6… 5…" The pilot counted down.
The hyperdrive stirred to life as it prepared to make the jump. It wouldn't be long before he would be told the success and undoubtedly the good that came out of this mission, more awards possibly and then Task Force Sierra would find itself back on the field.
"Evasive maneuvers!" One of the pilots could be heard over the shuttle's communication, the harnesses locking all into their seats before a violent turn occurred. "Disengage jump!"
The sounds of oncoming turbo-laser fire could be heard from the interior of the shuttle.
"Pilot, what's the issue?" '05 patched himself through the comms to the pilot.
"Hyperdrive navigation computers gone haywire!" The co-pilot shouted over the communication link, clearly panicked, the sounds of several warning beeps followed violent attempts to power down the hyperdrive. "Prepare for jump!"
Soon followed the sounds of the shuttle jumping, the sounds of turbo-laser fire ceased. However, it became clear that something was off.
Before he had a chance to ask another question, it felt like they were going… faster, which should be impossible given the form of travel they were already in, he began to speak, to only realize no words were coming out of his mouth, and as he looked around he could tell the other clones onboard were beginning to worry as well.
Then a violent halt, the sudden change causing everything around him to go black.
The Gods were confused.
How did such a collection of new pieces make its way onto the board?
Such strange pieces to be identical!
One looked at the other, either in confusion or in anger, believing that this had to be one or the others doing.
It isn't long before they begin to bicker amongst themselves, accusing one another for the sudden manifestation of these pieces!
Only the Truth and Illusion could recognize such a piece, but for one of that games pieces to end up here is nothing short of a surprise! Truth moves in to fix this mistake, one by one, removing each piece, without malice, without hate.
Illusion wished Truth didn't do that, the amount of fun they could have with them, the limitless adventures and tales they could create!
Truth ignores Illusion, continuing to remove each piece, that was, until there was one. He picked it up to admire the artistry put into this piece. Although it was similar to the other pieces removed, there was something unmistakably different… something… unique.
A devious grin spread across Truth's face as he put that piece back down.
This does not go unnoticed by Illusion, but he is already moving away from the board. He turns to Illusion, telling her to follow.
They would have to see how far that game has progressed since they left it.
I've been looking into a lot of Goblin Slayer as of late, and after a bit of perusing through the many fictions of this community, I have decided that I will give it a shot! Seems like a fun concept to toy around with anyways!
(Vader: The Goblins Bane by DWAR and Deathtrooper by ErrorPleaseReload were primary influencers on FFN)
Tell me what you think about the concept!