Chapter 38
Right before the invasion...
"Sabine, do we know what we're up against?"
"They have a few tanks and a battalion of stormtroopers defending it. The four corners of the base houses AA laser cannons so air support won't be easy as long as they're operational," she says. "It also looks like they've been alerted to our presence so an orbital bombardment wouldn't be an option. They have a shield set up."
"And we'll be under fire during insertion," I say. I think for a moment and spot something. "Right here..." I mark an area west of the base. "This will be our landing zone. It's flat ground on the other side of this ridge. There looks to be a valley that leads straight to the base but we'll have to be careful if we're going to move through it. There'll likely be mines or even an ambush in place for us once we're set up."
"I'll take command of the air wing and provide air cover in case any TIEs show up," Sabine tells me.
"We're going to position our fleet in a blockade. Be ready for an Imperial counter attack," I tell the admiral.
"Yes sir!"
"Once the blockade is set, we'll take LAATs and those dropships down to the surface at the LZ with U-wings providing extra supplies and troops. X-wings will escort us down and strafe the base as best they can. One pass should do. I don't want to risk our pilots longer than necessary," I say. "Sabine, get to the hangar and get everything ready. I'll be down there shortly. Admiral, position the fleet."
...
I get to the hangar and see a regiment of our troops gathered. Sabine is standing on a box, directing troops and supplies into position. She sees me approaching and tells a captain to take over before she steps off the box and meets me.
"We're about ready to go, Ezra. I was about to start filling them in on the plan," she says.
"How many do we have gathered here?" I ask her.
"The admiral told me to expect one company from every capital ship in the fleet. If we need reinforcements, he'll send down another company," she replies.
"That'll do," I say. "Where's the company commander?"
"I just told him to take over deck movements, but the major is here," she answers. She looks over her shoulder and calls him over.
The major rushes up and snaps to attention, saluting me. I give him a quick salute. "At ease, major. Is your company ready?"
"Yes, sir! We're all ready to fight," he says.
"Good. Come with me," I say as I lead him and Sabine over to a holotable between landing zones. I activate comms and request all company commanders contact me.
A couple minutes go by before I have all the commanders. I start filling them in on the plan for insertion.
"The base is fortified and we're expecting a full battalion of stormtroopers defending the base, alongside a few tanks and cannons. It also has anti air defenses so we'll be landing at this area just west of the base." I mark the spot on the map. "Once we've landed and organized, we'll make our way through this valley leading to the base. We are expecting mines and potential ambushes so move quickly, but carefully. Mine disposal teams will be necessary."
"Once we have line of sight on the base, we'll mark the AA cannons and have the AT-AVs provide artillery fire to destroy the guns. Once that is done, we can receive reinforcements right on the base," Sabine says.
"Without a doubt, the Empire would recognize the importance of that ridge once we've landed. There is nobody up there now so as soon as we land Sabine will lead a team to take the ridge. Infantry will move over the ridge alongside AT-AV walkers, but the AT-BWs will take the valley. Holding the ridge will provide relatively safe passage through the valley for our walkers," I add. "Everybody understand?"
"Ezra, I thought I said I was leading the air wing," Sabine protests.
"I'll need you on the field, Sabine," I say. "The admiral will give us cover. I need you if this plan is to work."
"Alright. I'm with you," she sighs.
"Good. Now, does everybody understand the plan?"
"Yes sir!"
"Yes sir!"
"Commanders, look to your company. We leave in 10 minutes," I say.
...
"General, the fleet is in position. You are cleared to start your ground assault," the admiral says through the comms.
"Understood Admiral. Let's get moving!"
The gunship I'm in lifts off the hangar floor and the pilot closes the blast doors, sealing us in.
I lift my wrist to my face. "Sabine, do you read?"
"Loud and clear, Ez."
"What's your status?"
"We're mobile. All teams reported and following us in."
"Good. You know what to do when we land."
"Yes, sir. And Ezra, be careful."
"You, too."
As we descend to the surface, it was easy to tell how close we were to the base when the sound of flak filled the air. Not long after the first flak, the lights in the compartment turn red.
"Red light!" I call.
The call goes out through the group and they start checking their equipment and weapons. They didn't have to say they were ready. Everyone grew quiet and settled down, ready to hope out the gunship as soon as the doors open.
"We're taking heavy fire, general, but you were right about that ridge protecting the LZ."
"Bring us down, pilot," I order.
"Yes sir!"
The gunship slows to a stop and the doors open. I jump out of the gunship, followed by my team and I see all the other gunships lining up and landing, deploying their own troops. The dropships deploy the walkers right behind the line of troops.
"Company on me! Form ranks and make for the valley entrance!" I call out.
The dark air is filled with green laser fire and flak as gunships return home. U-wings strafe the base upon their own return to the command ship.
"Ezra, we're going up the ridge now. So far there's no resistance, but a U-wing pilot has alerted me that there are troopers on the other side. They're going to get to the top before we do," Sabine tells me.
"Do what you can, I'll send more troops to reinforce you," I tell her. "Major Wilkins!"
"Sir!" Wilkins runs up.
"Take your men and follow Commander Wren up to the ridge. She'll need all the support she can get."
"Yes sir!" he says before rushing off.
"General!" a colonel runs up. "All companies are ready to go. Walkers are powered up, ready to assist."
"Good. Move to the entrance of the ridge. Send minesweepers to clear any mines ahead of us and watch for ambush!"
"Yes sir!"
We start moving up to the valley and I not only hear fighting, but I can see red and blue flashes at the top of the ridge.
"Sabine, what's your status?"
"There's heavy resistance, but we're pushing them back."
"Do you need more reinforcements?"
"No, we've got this under control. Start moving through that valley, we'll watch over you."
"Understood," I say. I turn to the troops and wave to the valley. "Move in!"
I look back up to the ridge and see the AT-AV walkers reaching the top. They plant their armored feet into the ground and start firing towards the Imperial base.
I look forward again and march with my men through the valley. We get about halfway through when something explodes in front of us.
"Ambush!" someone calls out.
I rush to the front alongside dozens of soldiers and we fight back against the stormtroopers. At first I just use a blaster pistol, but as we start taking more fire, and casualties, I pull my lightsaber from my belt and start deflecting blaster bolts. The narrow space in the valley rapidly fills with blue and red blaster bolts, and even the loud crack of slugthrowers from my side.
We gradually start pushing forward through the firefight. Anytime one of my men falls to blaster fire, we keep advancing, letting our medics further behind safely collect the wounded.
"Sabine, we're taking heavy fire down here. Think we can get some support?"
"I'm on it. Make sure you don't rush too far forward," she tells me.
Moments later, a wall of blue blaster fire rains from the top of the ridge on my right and left. The stormtroopers try to take cover and return fire, but they're fully exposed and take heavy losses. They start to fall back at a much faster pace.
"Keep the advance steady! Don't go too far ahead!" I order.
I hear the sound of a jetpack and sense Sabine landing next to me. She starts blasting at whatever stormtroopers are still visible, taking out a couple before they disappear around a curve in the path.
"Thanks for the support," I say.
"Looks like you got hit pretty hard," she says. "My company is waiting on the ridge until you get through. The Empire is trying to push us off the ridge, but with no reinforcements, they're not being reckless."
"I suppose that's good. Any sign of those tanks?" I ask her.
"They have some currently positioned just outside the base, but it's possible they may try to send a few through here to stop you. My walkers don't have the angle to help you once they reach the valley and you only have one at a time," she says.
"It's a bottleneck, I know," I say.
We keep walking through the valley at a steady pace. I order minesweeping droids ahead of the battalion to make sure the coast is clear.
"If the front walker falls, the entire operation could be at risk," I say. "We can't let that happen. There's no room to push it aside for the others to get past."
"It would make really good cover, though," Sabine says. "In case the front walker does fall you'll have a good position to hold."
"That's true."
The sweeper droids return and the colonel approaches me.
"General, the rest of the path is clear of mines," he tells me.
"Good. Let's speed up the advance a little bit," I say.
"Yes sir," he replies and he heads off to spread the order.
...
We make it to the other end of the valley without many complications, but before the main force moves in, Sabine flies back up to the top of the ridge to see what's coming to face us.
"It looks like a majority of the Empire's garrison here is gathering outside the base. They're dug in pretty well just inside their shield so artillery and air support won't work," she tells me.
"Well that just complicates things," I say. "Are they advancing at all?"
"No. After that skirmish in the valley, I think they know better than to charge at us."
"Well we can't just charge head first into their guns," I say.
"You should be able to deploy your troops just outside the valley. They can't shoot out unless they step out from the shield."
I look out into the field from the valley and see a couple burning Imperial tanks. Sabine's artillery has been busy as we passed through. Just a few minutes after the skirmish I heard her AT-AVs firing their main cannons. She did report a few tanks were advancing but her walkers kept them back.
"Test the shield with your walkers," I tell her.
"It won't do much good, but better to say we tried I guess."
A couple moments go by before I hear the cannons again. I watch as the shells travel through the air and hit the shield. The hits look powerful, but nonetheless did nothing to the shield.
"Nothing's happening, Ezra."
"Cease fire. Colonel, get me the admiral!"
"Yes sir, right away," he says.
I watch him pick his holodisk off his belt and the admiral appears.
"Colonel. What's the status of your forces?"
"We're holding just short of the exit of the valley. The enemy still has a shield up and our cannons are useless against it," he explains. "The general needs to speak with you."
The colonel holds the disk out to me and I take it.
"General, I hear you're having trouble with that shield?"
"We are, admiral. Is it possible an orbital bombardment could soften it up?" I ask him.
"It is possible. The blockade is stable and there's been nothing as of yet so I can redeploy a couple Legacy star destroyers to provide the bombardment."
"Actually, I was thinking the Avenger star destroyer," I say.
"If you want the Avengers I'll get them in position."
"Good. Do you need coordinates to lock on to?"
"We'll be just fine, sir. There's no interference."
"Understood. You may fire when ready."
I end the call and give the colonel his holodisk back.
"Orbital bombardment, sir?" he asks.
"We'll be safe in the valley and the troops on top of the ridge will be fine. The LRACs are very precise."
"Understood, sir. I'll order the men to take cover once it begins."
"Sabine?"
"Right here, Ez."
"I've called for an orbital bombardment of the Empire's shield. You should get your men to take cover near the walkers," I tell her.
"Understood. Thanks for the heads up."
I look up just as the dark sky starts to turn blue.
"Here it comes! Everyone get down!" I shout as I crouch by a boulder on the side of the path.
There's multiple calls to get down all through the battalion and LRAC shells from space smash against the enemy position. The extent of the bombardment spans nearly halfway between the valley and the base, guaranteeing relative safety for our own forces. Everything around the shield would be pulverized by the firepower. I didn't count the time, but about 30 seconds to a minute passes before I order the bombardment to halt.
When the smoke clears, the shield is still intact, but it visibly looks weaker.
"Sabine, tell your walkers to open fire on the shield. Keep their forces pinned while I get organized." I look to my men. "Alright, get moving! Out of the valley, let's go! Form up outside the valley!"
My entire force gets moving out of the valley, walkers and soldiers alike. Sabine's artillery does their job and keep the Imperials pinned as I get my forces organized.
"Steady advance, let Sabine's artillery do their job. Walkers are the first through the shield," I say. I activate my comm. "Sabine, send your forces down the ridge. We're advancing."
"Understood."
We maintain a steady advance and meet up with Sabine's forces. The advance continues and our front line of walkers makes it through the shield. Their guns immediately start shooting at the Imperial lines.
"Push up! Take those trenches but stay with the walkers!" I shout as I ignite my lightsaber and pass through the shield. The stormtroopers entrenched in front of us start shooting at me and my men, their tanks trying to take out our walkers, whose armor is proving tough and resilient. However, one of the Empire's shots manages to take out a couple of our walkers before we take the trenches. I watch a rocket fly past me and it strikes the cockpit of one of the walkers. Another rocket connects with the forward legs of a second walker and it stops. The front of the walker falls into the ground but fortunately the crew is able to get out safely.
"Medic! We need a medic over here!" someone calls out from the walker with the cockpit destroyed.
I spot a stormtrooper readying another rocket at them. I jump in front of it as he launches it and block it, but the blast knocks me back and I black out.
...
I open my eyes and see a medic kneeling over me. Even though my vision is a bit blurred, I notice I'm surrounded by my troops, trying to keep us covered. The medic shines a light in my eyes, then yells something to someone before turning back to me. The ringing in my ears fades just enough for me to hear.
"General! Can you hear me?"
I groan and put my hand against my head. "Yeah... How long was I out?"
"Not long. It's only been a few seconds, sir. Can you stand?"
I wiggle my toes and fingers, then move my legs and arm. A sharp pain shoots through my right arm and I yelp.
"Don't move your arm, sir. I think it might be broken. You're lucky you're wearing your armor, sir, or you'd have shrapnel in your chest," the medic tells me.
"Help me up," I order him.
"Right away, sir," he replies. He holds my left arm and helps me to my feet. I look around for my lightsaber and find it a few feet away from me. I use the Force to pull it into my left hand once the medic lets go.
I look at my right arm and see blood and a burnt sleeve, but not much else. I try to move it again and yelp again.
"General, I said don't move your right arm. I'm taking you off the front lines to get it fixed," the medic tells me.
"No, I'm continuing the fight. Just put a splint or something on it," I say.
"General," he starts, but I interrupt him.
"That's an order, corporal!"
"As a medic, I technically outrank you, sir," he protests.
I groan and snatch a small medical injector from my belt and inject the contents into my right arm. It quickly feels better and I sigh with relief.
"I'm not leaving the field, corporal," I tell him. "I'm not telling you again."
He sighs and nods. "Yes sir... But I must warn you that you'll cause more damage if you keep fighting."
He finally puts a splint on my arm, then wraps it in a sling. "Sir, don't move your shoulder too much."
"Understood," I say as I approach the front line again.
I notice a few of my walkers stomping over the enemy trenches, with stormtroopers falling back to the walls of their base. I jump into the trench and see my troops setting up for another charge.
"Ezra!"
I look to my right and see Sabine running up. She pulls her helmet off. "This entire trench is clear. It's a good place to give the troops some rest for a little bit."
"I agree. Collect the wounded and get them situated here," I tell her.
"Will do."
She looks at my arm and frowns. "When did that happen?"
"Just a minute ago," I grumble. "I'm fine."
"His arm may be broken," the corporal medic says.
Sabine stares at me.
"You should sit out, Ez. Don't get yourself any more hurt," she tells me. She's keeping somewhat professional, but I can see the worry in her eyes.
"I'm not going to sit this out, Sabine. I can't send my men in without their general."
"You have me here to lead them for you. I was a general, too. I'm more than capable..."
"I'm not sitting this out," I grumble.
"Do you not want me to lead?" she asks me.
"No, it's not that, I just..."
"You just what?" she interrupts. "I get it, you don't want to be sidelined while everyone else fights, but you're hurt! All the other wounded aren't able to fight!"
"I'm still able to fight, Sabine," I say.
She sighs, clearly getting frustrated. "Can I speak to you privately?"
I nod and she leads me back from the front line. She stops in front of me and stares into my eyes.
"Ezra, please don't continue. Let me take over the operation from here. Let yourself recover," she says softly.
"Sabine..."
"No!" she interrupts again. "Ezra, don't get yourself killed. That base is still heavily fortified and those cannons could turn on us at any moment. The shield still needs to come down but artillery can't get a clear shot from within the shield. Resistance will be heavy and you won't be able to fight them off even with all of us here."
"I need to lead them..."
"And you can still lead them, but not from the front. Leave that to me." She puts a hand on my chest.
My head starts hurting and I press my left hand to my head.
"Look at me, please," she requests.
I comply and look at her. She grabs a small flashlight and shines it in my eyes, telling me to follow it. When she finishes, she clicks off the light.
"You might have a concussion, too," she informs me. "You'll have to be sidelined. We won't be able to call a medevac until the anti air cannons are destroyed."
I wanted to say I was going to continue to lead my men, but it would've made me sound like a child than a general.
"Alright, fine," I say.
She kisses my cheek quickly and smiles. "Thank you. Now try to get some rest."
...
I watch from an ad hoc field hospital as Sabine's AT-AV walkers breach the shield and get set up for the assault. Moments later, their massive cannons go off and I follow the shells to their target. Two of the anti air cannons on the top of the base walls explode and all our remaining infantry and AT-BWs advance on the walls.
"General?"?
I look over to see the medic corporal.
"I thought you were still leading the troops," he says.
"Sabine convinced me not to," I grumble. "I'm sorry about earlier. You're right, I should just sit the rest of this out."
"Apology accepted, sir," he says.
He kneels in front of me and shines a light in my eyes, instructing me to follow it.
"What's this for?" I ask calmly.
"Commander Wren informed me you might have a concussion. I think that might be a reason why you were so aggressive earlier. It's unlike you to ignore your men."
He shuts off the light and I nod softly. "Yeah, it is, isn't it..."
"May I speak freely, sir?" he asks.
"Go ahead," I reply.
"I think you stress yourself out too much. You try to control everything in a battle. You should lighten up a little and let the other commanders do their part," he says.
I sigh softly. "Yeah, I do tend to try to control everything. I just don't want to lose everything again."
"I understand, sir. You know, before I was a medic I was a company commander. I tried to control everyone's movements and everything. Sometimes, it could be necessary, but for a large operation, there's too much going on at one time and in the heat of battle I started making good calls to the wrong people. I ended up losing my entire company."
"When did this happen?" I ask him.
"About a year and a half ago. We were in charge of our base on Maridun for a time before being relieved by another company. We were sent to a moon next that monitored the sector we were in, or a portion of it at least. The Empire arrived with no warning and attacked us."
"I think I heard about that fight. There weren't a lot of survivors."
"We would've all been killed had we not received reinforcements. While the Imp fleet was busy defending against our own, they sent shuttles to retrieve the survivors. We barely made it out," he says. "And I wouldn't have lost so many men had I kept my cool and not micromanage everything. My men had their orders. They knew what to do and I kept screwing it up."
"So then how did you end up as corporal?"
"I felt I didn't deserve my position after that. I turned in my rank and accepted the role I have now."
"I'm sure you'll make a fine commander again some day," I say. "You're very persistent."
"Thank you, sir, but I feel I'm of more use as a medic," he replies.
The sounds of battle in the distance gets interrupted by two more loud explosions, followed a few moments later by a third. The shield over the base disappears.
"You should get some rest, sir. I'm sure a transport will be here shortly."
I nod and sit back against a crate, watching as Y-wing bombers emerge from space and bomb the last holdout in the Imperial base. Not long later, U-wings and LAAT gunships arrive and start loading up the wounded and the rest of our troops.