War in the Expansion Region! As the
Separatists tighten their grip over vital
but isolated supply routes, the Republic
launches a lightning strike into a remote
Ghost Nebula to control the strategic
system of Nocturnus. Republic forces smash
through the Separatist blockade in an
effort to claim the shadowy world...
On a Republic cruiser, members of the 212th and 501st were listening to a briefing by Espio and Shadow. Emerl projected a hologram of the Nocturnus landscape "Master Zavok and Mole will be supporting my troops in the south while Shadow's battalion comes in from the north and takes out enemy reinforcements. It's imperative that we conquer the capital city as quickly as possible and hold it" Espio said. Shadow stepped forward "Our biggest problem is gonna be the local militia. The Nocturnus have aligned themselves with the Separatists and are heavily armed. ARC Trooper Mighty will be assisting my units on special assignment". Mighty nodded "Ready to do my part, General Shadow" Fang smirked "Nice to have you on board" "Just like old times, Fang". Espio pointed to part of the map "Armand and I will be 12 klicks to your south. We're counting on you to take out those local fighters or I'm afraid the capital will never surrender". Shadow sighed "Does my battalion have to do everything?" "Well, you do seem to always volunteer" he joked. The 501st entered a gunship with Shadow and it took off along with dozens more.
They headed to the surface of the planet which was dark and covered in fog. The gunships were met with cannon fire "There's a lot of surface fire, sir" Fang said, "They got nothing we can't handle, sir" Bean added which amused Shadow. They saw one of the gunships get shot down, Fang noticed a young bee clone on his left looked nervous "You hanging in there, Charmy?" "I'm good, Captain". Shadow's commlink activated "General Shadow, night vision isn't doing too well. We might overshoot the landing sight", the pilot told him "Just get us as close as you can". Bean got his minigun ready "Time to lock and load" he said excitedly. The gunships dropped Cyclones onto the ground which charged through the battlefield. They saw soldiers in fully covered black armour with glowing eyes. "After em, boys!" the lead cyclone driver said as the Nocturnes aimed the cannons at them. The Cyclones managed to make it and destroy the first line of cannons allowing the gunships to land. Hundreds of clones ran forward being led by Shadow "Take them out!" "Go, go!" "Take them all-AH!".
Many clones were getting killed but the army was able to advance "Incoming!" "Give it to em!", the Nocturnus began to retreat. Fang ran up to Shadow "The map says there's a ridge at 23 degrees north, northwest" "Good. We can use it as a staging area". Fang charged forward with the other clones "Come on, boys! We gotta claim that ridge. The other battalions are counting us!". Shadow tried to cover them as best he could "Don't stray too far. The enemy could have the whole place rigged with traps" "I can't even see the enemy!" Charmy yelled sounding scared. "That's why Nocturn's in their name, Charmy!" Jet told him. A Nocturn fighter flew over and bombed a group of troopers. Bean was with a lemming clone when he tripped over something "It's just a vine. Keep moving, Bean" "Yeah, I got it all under control". As they ran the vines started moving and grabbed multiple clones including the lemming, Mighty and Charmy. Bean turned and saw they belonged to an octopus like creature in the ground. It dropped the lemming into its mouth and swallowed it whole. Bean was disgusted "That's not right". Mighty was being thrown about when he saw the creature extend its tongue to try and grab him. He took a grenade and threw it into the mouth which then blew it up dropping Mighty and Charmy. Bean helped the two of them up "Nice work, Mighty" "Bean, isn't it?" "Yeah, that's what they call me" they continued.
They made it to the ridge, half the battalions were watching for enemies while the other half was resting. Shadow had his binoculars out and was watching a battle in the far distance "How's General Espio, sir?" Fang asked, "They're pushing towards the capital. We'll need to move out as soon as the men are ready". A coyote clone wearing straps on his chest in the shape of an x and a red and white belt ran up to them. He stood to attention "All platoons have reported in, General" "Good, get some rest". The coyote didn't move "Thank you, sir. I'm fine", before Shadow could say anything Fang stepped forward "The general's giving you an order, Antione". Antione nodded "Of course, sir" he walked away. Fang turned to Shadow looking apologetic "He's wound tight, but he's loyal", Shadow chuckled "He kind of reminds me of you" "Maybe… back in the day". "What is that!?", shadow and Fang turned around and saw a group of clones shooting at the ground when blaster fire came from behind the ridge. "Ambush! They're behind us!". The clones fired back as Shadow saw a small insect robot running through the ridge shocking clones to death. He quickly cut it I half before covering the clones. Fang ran up next to him "I've called in an air strike on the enemy positions" "Let's hope they're not too busy helping Espio". The two used the ridge for cover "There's an opening to our south. I recommend we move all platoons off the ridge in case the air strike overshoots" "Good thinking, Fang. Everyone, move out now!". The cyclones gave them cover as they ran out of the ridge and made it down the hill. They used the rocks and trees for cover when Fang ran up to Shadow "All here, sir" "Stay covered. We have to hold this position". Charmy was standing next to Mighty "Are we sure those bombers are coming?", Mighty didn't answer as the whole battalion waited in silence. Then suddenly a group of fighters flew over head and dropped bombs down on where the Nocturnus were firing from. Jet laughed "Good old Oddball. Always on target" "Glad we got off that ridge" Charmy said, "Yeah, that'll teach them" Mighty said grinning.
The group were resting when a gunship arrived releasing a red Zeti with back horns "General Zavok's here?" Antione asked to Mighty, "Something big must be going on". Shadow and Fang went up to him "Master Zavok, thanks for the air support "Indeed, General Shadow. The locals have proven to be resourceful than we anticipated". Shadow looked at him curiously "But that's not the reason for your visit?" "No. The Council has ordered you back to Mobotropolis, effective immediately". This surprised Shadow "What? Wh-why?" "I'm afraid a request was made by the Supreme Chancellor and the Council obliged. That is all they would tell me". Shadow shook his head "I can't just leave my men" he said angrily, "I'll be taking over in the interim". Fang turned to him "Don't worry about a thing, sir. We'll have this city under Republic control by the time you're back". Shadow reluctantly nodded "Master Zavok, this is Fang, my first in command. You won't find a finer or more loyal trooper anywhere" "Good to hear that. I wish you well, Shadow". Shadow boarded the gunship, Fang and Zavok watched as it flew away "Your reputation precedes you, General. It is an honour to be serving you". Zavok didn't look at him "I find it very interesting, Captain, that you are able to recognise the value of honour, for a clone". Fang was surprised by that, "Stand to attention when i address you" Zavok ordered, and Fang obeyed. "Your flattery is duly noted, but it will not be rewarded. There's a reason my command is so effective". He then walked past the other clones and glared at Mighty "And it's because I do things by the book and that includes protocol. Have all platoons ready to move out immediately. That is all".
Zavok was leading the men single file through a ridge "Quicken that pace, battalion! This isn't some training course on Soleanna". Mighty walked closer to Fang "The new general really has a way with words" "He's just trying to keep us on schedule" Fang replied. "By raising everyone's ire?" "Either way, he's in charge and we've got a job to do. Just treat him with respect and we'll all get along fine" he said bluntly. They then saw purple bat like creatures fly towards them "Ready your weapons" Fang told everyone. They killed one but the other dove down and grabbed Antione before flying up. Zavok jumped up the trees and leaped on top of the creature forcing it to drop Antione. He then pinned it to the ground and took out his double bladed lightsaber, he then stabbed it in the head. "Anyone else want to stop and play with the animals?" he said to them all, there was silence "Didn't think so. Now keep moving!". He continued as the clones looked between each other.
As they continued their journey Cat walked up to Fang "Sir, we've been keeping this pace for 12 hours now. The men are getting worn down. We should rest". Fang nodded and caught up with Zavok "General, the top of this ridge will make a good place for the men to make camp" "The men don't need rest. They need the resolve to complete the task at hand" he replied coldly. "But sir" "CT-1994, are you reading me?", Fang hasn't heard those numbers in a long time "Excuse me, sir?". Zavok stopped walking "I asked you a question, CT-1994. Do you understand the need to adhere to my strategy?" "Sir, the terrain is extremely hostile. Despite the difficulty of the conditions the battalion is making good time. The men just need a little break". Zavok stepped closer making Fang timidly back up "Captain, do I need to remind you of this battalion's strategic mission in conquering this planet? Look back. See those platoons. Their mission is to take this city and take it swiftly. Time and rest are luxuries the Republic cannot afford. We are the key to this invasion". Fang didn't say anything, "The other battalions are counting on our support. If we fail, everyone fails. Do you understand this? Do all of you understand this!? Now move on!". Fang turned back to the others and gestured for them to continue.
They made it to the main road to the capital "Sir, we're ready to bring our forward platoons in for a surgical strike on the city's defences" Fang told Zavok. "There won't be any need, Captain" "Sir?" Fang asked not understanding, "All platoons will execute a forward assault along the main route to the city". Fang was confused by this "But, sir, General Shadow's plan was to surprise them with multiple attack. If we come in from the main route, they're likely to engage us in a full-frontal assault". Zavok barley acknowledged him as he spoke "Change of plans, Captain. I'm in command now" "With all due respect, General, we don't know what we're up against. It might be wiser to think first". Zavok angrily turned to him "Are you questioning my order?" he showed a map of the capital "This battalion will take the main road straight to the capital. You will not stop, and you will not turn back regardless of the resistance you meet. We will attack them with all our troops not some sneak attack with a few men. That is my order, and you will follow it explicitly. Do I make myself clear, CT-1994!?". Fang reluctantly nodded "Yes, General" he saluted, "Now engage!".
Fang led a squad of clones including cyclones through the road. Charmy looked nervous and walked next to Jet and Cat "So why aren't we sticking to the original plan and scouting the city first?". Bean heard them and looked back "We can do this. Let's take 'em" "Leave it to Bean to dive in head-first" Jet said. Mighty sighed "The general's new plan is reckless", Antione turned to him "You ever think that maybe the general knows what he's doing?". Mighty rolled his eyes and went up to Fang "I know you think this is a bad idea", Fang looked away from him "I… raised my objection to General Zavok's plan but he didn't agree. So, this is it". That wasn't enough for Mighty "Well, what if he's wrong? Then what?" "This isn't the time for a debate. Right now, we have to stay alert". They continued and the silence was beginning to bother them when *BOOM* "AH!". Two explosions went off killing a few clones "Mines! Nobody move!" Fang yelled. Cat cautiously moved towards the dead bodies, he sighed "They're down". Mighty took a small device which projected a light at the ground revealing the mines "Looks like the whole roads been booby trapped. Follow me. Watch your step". Blaster fire suddenly came from both sides "We're completely exposed!" Antione yelled, "Hold your ground!" Fang ordered. Bean looked like he was having the time of his life "You want a piece of this?". A missile hit the road close to Jet who kept firing "I think Bean made em made". Nocturnes soldiers charged forward, Charmy killed one going for him when another tried to tackle Mighty. However, he managed to throw him to the ground and shoot him in the head. "Make em eat heat!" Bean was the only one not noticing they were being overwhelmed as more clones were getting killed.
"We don't have any cover!" Mighty yelled, "All squads pull back! Pull back now!" Fang ordered. They all ran back down the road with the Nocturnus chasing them. More clones along with Cyclones ran past them allowing them to force the now exposed Nocturnes to retreat. Bean laughed "Where you going!? Get back here!" he kept shooting. The firing stopped, Mighty was about to say something when Zavok pushed past him and went towards Fang. "CT-1994, do you have a malfunction in your design? You've pulled your forced back from taking the capital. The enemy now has control of this route. This entire operation has been compromised because of your failure" Zavok pushed his shoulder but Fang didn't say anything. Mighty walked up to him angrily "General Zavok, in case you haven't noticed Captain Fang just saved this platoon. Surely you won't fail to recognise that" he said defiantly. Zavok turned and looked down at the armadillo "ARC-06-1993, stand down" he ignited his lightsaber right above Mighty's shoulder. This caught Mighty off guard, but he quickly composed himself "Sir, yes, sir" he said before backing away. Fang had enough and went in front of Zavok "Sir, if I may address your accusation, I followed your orders, even in the face of a plan that was, in my opinion, severely flawed. A plan that cost us men". Fang took off his hat to make sure nothing stopped Zavok from looking him in the eye "Not clones! Men!".
Zavok looked down at him but didn't say anything "As sure as it is my duty to remain loyal to your command, I also have another duty, to protect those men". Zavok looked to the others before deactivating his lightsaber and sighing "You have a spark of tenacity, Captain. I'll give you that. I know that I don't command like the Shinobi you're used to serving. Certainly not like General Shadow. But I have my way. It may be difficult, but these are difficult times. And it's proven effective. I suppose your loyalty to your men is to be commanded. They seem to admire this. That's important to an effective commander. Alright, Captain Fang, your opinion has been noted. Dismissed". He walked away and Mighty went up to Fang "I think he almost complemented you" "Uh, it's hard to tell" "Incoming!". The Nocturnus returned, Fang put his hat back on and the battle continued "Everyone, we must hold this position!". "You think General Zavok still intends on taking the capital using strategy?" Mighty asked him, "I'll get back to you on that if we survive this battle".