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Command Bridge, CSFV Amazon, FTL Space, Separatist Alliance controlled System of Byzral
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"Exiting FTL in three, two, one" Navigation counted down as Eiji waited alongside the Captain standing beside the holomap. The blue and purple swirl of FTL space disappeared and was replaced by an electrical crack back to real time. The forever blackness and star dotted expanse of the cosmos returned but it was the blue and dark green planet in front of their view port. The holo map then brought up new images of enemy ships guarding the blue and white tinted world of Byzral spread out over the planet's equator in a loose formation, clearly not expecting an attack within this star system.
"Weapons status?" Fisher turned to Weapons Control.
"Particle cannons one and two ready to fire, sir"
"Target the light destroyer on the starboard side of the lead cruiser" Eiji eyed the unfortunate enemy vessels soon to blown to kingdom highlighted on the holomap. From the intel given to them from their Imperial allies the ship Captain Fisher had chosen to face their wrath was a Recusant- class light destroyer, the only one of its type in the opposing fleet. The rest consisted of a single 'Providence' destroyer, one Lucrehulk class carrier and eight 'Munificent' class star frigates.
"Target locked"
"Fire" Fisher ordered calmly as he like Eiji and a few of other the crew members on the Bridge, watched the powering up of their primary weapons, a scene he knew was repeated across all allied ships. The first to fire was the Hawthorne, blasting out three thin yellow beams of energy toward the lead ship, shortening the distance in mere seconds and piercing straight through the Separatists warship's forward shields.
The particle beams punctured through the energy shields and hit the armoured hide of the destroyer, burning and cutting the forward section of the opposing vessel like a hot knife through butter. Eiji managed to catch in time the Providence destroyer forward bow the Hawthorne struck turn into an explosive mess staring out to the battle behind the viewing windows, when the mixture of yellow and blue energy beams of both sets of allied ships extend out toward their designated targets.
The frigate support was, for no better word the CSF Naval officer could describe, obliterated from the first volley of fire. Eiji made a quick study of the results from both sets of energy weapons, finding the interesting comparisons from CSF and Imperial ships. Their own Particle Beam Cannons breached the shields of the Separatists after a couple hits from multiple strikes, slicing and blowing chunks of their armour leaving the interior of some frigates exposed to the vacuum of space. Whoever was ill fated enough to be in those parts of the ship would've met a grizzly end.
The Chimera's more powerful Plasma cannons blew the ships they attacked outright, turning them into fiery display of explosions and debris fields. The energy shielding protecting the enemy warships did little in preventing their destruction from the raw power generated in the main guns of their Chimeran allies. It further proved to the Lieutenant commander despite the Commonwealth's ever advancing in all fields of technology, they still had a ways to go to match the Empire's level of advancement.
Of the 20 ships guarding Byzral thirteen were now lifeless wrecks, three more were on their way in joining the other destroyed vessels and the remaining other four had sustained heavy damage. Eiji made out amidst the destruction the Amazon's targeted prey broken in half from combined firepower from her main guns and that of a Imperial corvette, floating helplessly amongst the demolished Separatist ships.
"Got fighters incoming"
"Give our pilots the go ahead. Bring the ship forward and above orbit over the capital. Tell the Talos crew to be ready for deployment"
"Yes sir" One of the Ensigns acknowledge the Captain's orders, relaying Fisher's commands into the his headset. The ship took a sudden hit from one of the still serviceable Separatist light destroyer as the fleet advanced closer to Byzral, attempting to put up a last ditch fight despite the drastically drop in Naval support on their side. In kind the Amazon's mass drivers unleashed a barrage of electromagnetic slugs into the offending warship, tearing into their exposed armour plating stripping away their last defensive capabilities.
Eiji took his eyes of the holomap again and stared out into the combat outside the confines of their Marauder- class cruiser. Red and white plasma with the yellow MD rounds were exchanged between each other, the finally acts of defiance from the Separatist Navy in a futile attempt to prevent their invasion. The remains of the light destroyer who fired upon their ship blasted it's last barrages at the Amazon before becoming another lifeless hulk from the joint firepower from their own guns and the Ankara.
The starfighter carrier was the last to go despite putting up a better fight than the others. The shower of red from their 'turbolasers' was blasting at the nearest vessels which happened to the Hawthorne and the Redemption's Fire. Both lead ships combined their mighty firepower and turned the valiant carrier into an exploding ball, leaving them to split their forces preparing for the land invasion.
Even with the enemy fleet no longer a threat their fighters were still operational. Eiji caught glimpses of Reaper, Wasp and Chimeran Revenant starfighters engaging the robotic drones left over, having little choice but to fight now their parent ships were gone. As they moved closer the planet of Byzral he resumed his musing back to holomap, observing the allied fleet split with the Imperials heading to their area of the alien world they were soon to set foot on. The first of many in their counter invasion.
"Sir, we're now in stationary orbit above the capital city" Navigation reported from her terminal screen.
"Give the go ahead for the troops to deploy. Have Griffin wing escort the dropships to the surface, Silva"
"Yes Captain" The Lieutenant obeyed. Keeping his eyes on the holomap Eiji scrunched his face at the leftover carnage over the brief battle with the Separatists Naval forces, feeling a little dissatisfied with the result.
"Something wrong, Lieutenant commander?" Fisher asked him looking over from the other side of the projection table.
"No Captain-san. It's just this battle felt one sided" He admitted to his superior.
"I know Eiji. We had the element of surprise on our side this time and took full advantage of it. Next time I don't think we'll be so lucky"
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Buzzard G/T dropship, CSFV Amazon Hangar Bay, En Route to To Separatist Alliance controlled Byzral
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Ben couldn't deny he still felt nervous when boarding the Buzzard, one of many awaiting to take off and leave for the planet of Byzral. The green and black of army troops and blue and grey of marines stepped aboard the wing of dropships preparing for the invasion of the Separatist Alliance controlled world. He was glad the mask was covering his face, hiding away his uneasy feelings to the rest his squad and the other soldiers of the 115th on the transport.
Including his own squad the Buzzard held 15, all of which were fellow one one fivers as well as Captain Pires standing at the front near the cockpit having a small chat with the pilots. Stepping aboard he took a look around at the others waiting for their part to begin in this new war. Straight away he checked over his squad, finding them all ready and fully armed for the battle ahead. His mask's HUD read out each soldier's tag but Ben didn't need it's assistant to pick out his comrades and friends.
Dan and Natalie stood on the right hand side of the passenger bay with Michelle and Victor on the other, holding on to the handle bar above their heads with one hand and using the other to grip to their weapons on choice. Behind them the names of other soldiers of the 115th highlighted up, notably picking up Muller's ID and those new to his own squad.
"All set Corp?" Michelle's amplified voice echoed in his ears.
"That I am. You guys ready?"
"Ready as we'll ever be" Dan answered resting the the other end of his Hailstorm on the floor.
"Mind the doors!" One of the pilots called out. Straight after the warning the mechanical clunking of the side doors sliding into place, closing them all into the dropship's now full compartment.
"Alright ladies and gents this is it. What is happening on Byzral today is happening on nine other planets" Pires announced just as the dropship began to lift of the Hangar Bay's floor "Only difference is we'll be having the honour of returning the favour for the loss of our friends these bastards inflicted on us back on New Babylon. It's time to show what happens to those who cross the one one fivers and the UEC!"
A chorus of cheers sound all around Ben from the Captain's words. As Pires turned back to face the cockpit the Corporal stared ahead toward the only windows the Buzzard possessed, watching as they left the protection of the Amazon and out to the exposure of space. The planet picked for their joint task force first taste of action dominated the view with other dropships and pieces of what used to be the enemy fleet dotting over the place. Reaper strike fighters flew by their dropship heading out in front of their slower counterparts which the Corporal assumed was their escort to the capital.
There was chatter in the cockpit between the pilots talking with other Buzzards pilots and command back aboard the Amazon. It wasn't long before the bright azure skies of Byzral engulfed the view as they entered the alien world's atmosphere. Even with the lack of conversations amongst the soldiers Ben could pick up the feelings of those aboard. There was nervousness, excitement and fear but like him they knew they had to push all distracting emotions aside and focus on the battle at hand.
"Wonder who'll be-"
"We've got incoming!" One of the pilots warned just as their dropship took a jolt, cutting off whatever Dan was going to say.
Ben gripped tightly onto the overhead handlebar, looking over his shoulder to see the Lance Corporal take an involuntary step back from the choppy approach they were now facing. A pair of Reapers screamed passed their transport, going out to meet whatever threat was coming their way. He couldn't make out much but a distant fiery flash gave away something was destroyed from their fighter support's attack.
"We're four clicks out from the target!" The other pilot announced glancing back quick to them all.
"Hey Stanovich. Remember to say hello to the hunchback for me if you find another bell tower"
"I'm sure he'll be a better conversationalist than you, Modric. Probably better looking too" Nat threw back at Vic, much to the humour and laughter to everyone else.
"Never know, could be a distant relative" Michelle joined in.
"Or a love child he hasn't told us about" Dan was the next to take the piss out of the Serb. Despite the situation awaiting them Ben could help a chuckle at the banter at Victor's expenses yet again.
"Alright that's enough" Pires shut his jestering squad up however Ben could tell he was smirking behind his mask at the jokes directed at Victor.
The lively environment inside their Buzzard was cut short by a violent rock of the dropship. Regaining his footing Ben stared up at the cockpit once again catching sight of tell tale signs of enemy flak. AA rounds went off all around them exploding into black clouds but for one unfortunate dropship in front. The enemy fire turned the friendly Buzzard into a wingless bird, bringing it down into a spiralling nosedive.
"Hang on back there. Things are going to be a little hairy here on out" Taking in the dropship pilot's advice Ben copied the others actions in bracing for a possible harsh landing.
Through the hail of enemy anti aircraft fire, smoke and the blaze from another Buzzard meeting a combustible end he made out the architectural constructs of buildings, large ones too.
"Landing point acquired" One of of the pilots said for all to hear.
"This is it soldiers!" Pires informed them as the dropship began to descend down to the city's outskirts.
Ben released a small breath as the Buzzard drew closer to the ground. The AA fire lessened but was replaced by ground fire from enemy forces,their small arms fire pinging off the dropship. The seconds ticked by as their troop transport hovered over the ground, the side doors opening up letting in the daylight beaming from the alien sun to enter into the darkly lit compartment. With it came the whine of laser fire and mortar shells going off all around them.
Jumping out the side door with Michelle, Victor and the other troops behind him Ben charged forward with the other soldiers, avoiding the zips of crimson laser bolts and mortar rounds hounding their advance.
"Let's go, move out!" Pires ordered their regiment forward.
In front was the capital but the first obstacle was a bunch of small fortifications manned by a mix of skinnies and thumpers robots, firing indiscriminately at their approach. Ben fired a burst from his Razor at the defenders, searching for cover for whatever was around considering there was a lack of such a thing. The rest of the 115th engaged the machines but with no cover it looked as if they were all soon going to be slaughtered in droves before breaching the defences they weren't briefed about.
Cries of pain rang out as those struck went down from the robotic soldiers energy fire, having the misfortune of being the first set of causalities.
"We need air support dammit!"
"Where have the fucking Buzzards gone?!" On cue a pair of dropships which doubled as gunships too flew over their heads, answering Michelle's anger fuelled question.
Scattered about the place were small boxy buildings with dome roofs being used as cover by the rest of their unit. The structures were quickly becoming crowded as the only source of protection from the incoming fire from the Separatists forces.
"This way, hurry!" Ben ordered his squad to the closest building.
One by one to his relief they ran behind the battle scarred building, with Ben being the last providing covering fire. On both sides of the walls someone was poking their heads over the edge of the wall, returning fire in an attempt to hit any of the robots blocking their entry to the city. Overhead the Buzzards unleashed missiles and peppered the machines with heavy chain gun fire, bring hell down on the Separatists forces in hopes of giving them an opening.
Ben watched as Dan popped from cover and activated his Hailstorm minigun shield, protecting himself as he fired the heavy gun's subsonic bolts at the defensive lines.
"Hai get back into cover, let the flyboys finish the fuckers off" Henrik's voice bellowed over the com. Searching for the whereabouts the gruff Sergeant, Ben poked his head out finding Henrik a few yards further down by another small hut.
Reluctantly following Henrik's orders Dan moved back behind cover, deactivating the shield once again as the whistle of missiles and roar of explosions continued from the gunships assault on the robots fortifications. More heavy fire lashed out from behind their position in the shape of bullets, missiles and dark green energy bolts joining the pummelling of the Separatist defences. Ben mirrored the rest of those around him in finding Cheetahs speeding forward with each possessing a different armament to the other, backed up by recently dropped Prowlers.
A huge bang rang and pieces of metal and dirt showered over their heads, bouncing off his helmet and shoulder guards as a sign the fortification had finally been breached.
"Get off your hides and give the bastards what for!" Henrik's voice bellowed through the comm.
"You heard the man, let's go!" Ben ordered his squad, going out amongst the war crying 115th.
The enemy defensive fire had drastically reduced giving them lead way to advance into the city proper. A section of the fortified wall and its surrounding barriers that at first halted their attack on the city were now rubble with its former occupants nothing more than pieces of scrap. As they crossed over the destroyed wall Ben saw some of their unit split off and turn to the remaining machines holding the wall. With the support of the Prowlers climbing over and joining the fray the Corporal knew it wouldn't be too long before they took the first set of Separatist fortifications.
Raising his BM08 Razor he fired off at a skinny before the robot could fire off a shot at anyone. There were more of the B1 type bots in front moronically marching out in the open to meet them. Red lasers were firing their way again only this time with more cover and intelligent thinking they made short work of the Separatist mechanical troops. Kneeling behind some type of hover car Ben pulled the trigger of his battle rifle and brought down another two robots that lacked common sense to dodge the incoming fire.
The bark of a M2A5 went off next to him, meaning he didn't need to check to know the assault rifle was Michelle's. Bringing down another skinny he searched for the rest of his squad, spotting to no surprise Dan blasting away with his shield protected Hailstorm at the machines. Next to him was Victor firing off shield barriers from his Auger for other soldiers to take cover behind then switch to the primary high energy rounds, blasting off two transient radiation bolts at the droids managing to take down half a dozen before phasing out.
The last of his team Ben couldn't find but knowing Natalie she would of found a good hiding or high spot to bear her L5 Sharpshooter down at the enemy. The skinnies numbers were beginning to whittled down, only to be replaced by more thumpers or 'B2s' as their model were correctly known as. They were backed up by a trio of larger, four legged spider robots. As the silver, bulky droids fired their inbuilt wrist guns, the bug eyed spider droids shot at the Cheetahs providing light armoured support with heavy crimson laser bolts.
Two struck one of the quad-scout vehicles front, smashing straight into the engine compartment and blowing the front end up killing the driver and the gunner of its twin machine gun turret. In revenge for killing the crew another Cheetah drove forward running over a skinny, unloading two HEV missiles from its Wildfire launcher into the Spiders turning the two into battlefield debris.
"Hedgehog!" Michelle called out, chucking one the barbed spiked grenades at the clustered thumpers.
The familiar sight of the lethal grenade hitting the floor then levitating up in the middle of the robots at head height made Ben and Michelle duck. Despite all the loud gunfire fire and explosions around he could still hear the dull pitch whistle of the barbed needles rushing at and impaling anything within it's radius. Popping his head back up he found the deadly impact of the Hedgehog's effects in the form of four thumpers down on the ground impaled by the long needles and one aimlessly wondering around with one stuck in its face.
"Bloody good throwing arm you got there, Colton" Ben complimented his friend's throwing skills.
"Thank Chicago High coaching staff" She replied going back to her rifle.
"Come on, push up. Don't want those damn 89th pricks beating us to the enemy HQ!" Henrik's voice rang over comm once again.
His words appeared to be having an effect as Ben watched the rest of the 115th Assault Regiment advance. Jumping over the wheeless car Ben joined his visible team and lead them all ahead, shooting off the head of another skinny. Thanks to the combined firepower from Dan, another soldier with a Hailstorm and the Cheetahs the droid forces blocking the road to the inner parts of the city were now near machine free, except for a small group further down the left hand side.
If the place wasn't embroiled in a battle Ben would've taken in the strange, alien architecture of the buildings of this world but keeping his friends and squadmates alive were more of an important interest to him. Black smoke and evident signs of someone or something meeting an explosive end decorated the city from not only his regiment's entry to the capital but those of who used be part of the First Frontier Division.
Entering a three story building Ben found it to be a complete mess from the carnage. The shocker however was the civvies huddled under a nearby table, fear evident on their faces and screams of terror from a child. The shock was one of the civvies was an alien, a non human and wasn't Chimeran.
"Stay down!" He shouted offering a friendly hand gesture, shaking off his own shock.
The others quickly joined him, taking up position by the windows dragging over another unoccupied table as reinforced cover behind the windows of this diner layout style floor. Outside were more skinnies and thumpers but the robots were backed up tall, ball headed walkers. The walkers had four legs and three chin guns under, one each situated under their three sets of 'eyes'.
"Where's Dekker when you need him?" Dan said as they all concentrated on the infantry support.
"He's probably kicking ass on the other side of the city" Michelle replied firing a short burst at the small force of skinnies marching their way.
"It appears our Prowlers prefer to be the glory themselves" Victor pointed to their own walker support.
Seemingly out of nowhere a force of five Prowlers joined the fight, taking on the Separatists own octopus looking walkers in a duel. With their armour support's focus now off them it gave his squad and the others of their regiment to handle the infantry. Shooting a Bullseye tag into a thumper he ducked behind the table and fired the Razor's bullets, raising the rifle up over their cover.
"You got him Corp!" The Lance Corporal confirmed his kill.
Pleased he got the tougher made machine he raised back up from the table again, seeing the droids numbers dropping but the fight that got his attention was the one being fought between the walking AFVs. The octopus walkers had the size advantage and 360 degree weapon position but it was the heavier firepower and better protection of the Prowlers that was winning their battle. All five of the friendly walkers activated their shields deflecting and absorbing the laser bolts surrounding the slower moving walkers, peppering their taller foe with their chain guns and missile pods.
The battle became a one sided affair with each octo walker crashing to the ground into smouldering wrecks, leaving the Prowlers to now turn their attention to the droid infantry forces. One dropped their shields, only to met by a lucky missile slamming into the part that joined the main body into its legs. Smoke and fire soon engulfed that part of the scout walker, causing it to drop down to floor in heap. The crew compartment flung open and one of the crew jumped out pulling his fellow crew member out of the walker, not appearing to be moving.
Another missile followed hitting into another Prowler with it's shields still up, making the walker take a couple steps backwards from the force of the impact. Soon straight after the building across the street which contained more troops took a hit, blowing the insides and anyone unfortunate inside into pieces.
"Jesus. Can anyone pinpoint where that fire is coming from?!" Pires frustratedly asked over the comm.
"Got the location sir. There appears to be a bunch of robots carrying rocket launchers fifty metres from your location. On top of that strange spiral building" Natalie's voice came through, just as the same Prowler from before took another hit and stumbled back again.
Looking back at the Prowlers Ben found it safe to presume the Captain had relayed Natalie's information to the crews with them all now turning toward the building in question and concentrating fire on the rocket droids. All marched down the road still firing, ignoring the other robots shooting at them. Problem was now their shields were beginning to flutter from too much enemy fire, or were beginning to shut down and recharge. Either way Ben knew it left the walkers vulnerable to the rocker droids if they didn't take the machines out quickly.
"Let's see if we can give them hand" Ben told the others, jumping out from the glass free window.
Running across the war torn street he lead his squad to a nearby building opposite the spiral, dodging enemy laser fire and passing several troops laying down suppressing fire on the rocket droids position. Upon entering he heard another loud bang and the screeching metal signalling the demise of another Prowler.
"Nat, you still got eyes on the robots?"
"Yes but I've had to change vantage point. After popping the head of one of the metal toshchiy, one of the others spotted me and blasted a rocket my way" His distant squad member reported in.
"Funny, I didn't hear a bell toll" Victor commented, despite the war going on all around the place still teased the youngster.
"How many are left?" Ben ignored the joke.
"Nine. There are two skinnies manning some kind of laser machine gun and the rest equipped with rocket launchers"
"Ok, try and pick off the machine gun crew, We'll deal with the rocket troops"
"Da, Corporal" Natalie acknowledged from her end.
Running up the partially intact stairs of the complex they entered with other one one fivers occupying different levels, they made it to the top floor providing a good point of attack for his plan. Taking up position by one window he peered down below briefly seeing the Prowlers and others of their unit firing non stop at the rocket troops but the thick masonry the defenders took cover behind was holding out pretty well, preventing further advancement into the city.
"Targets at two o'clock"
"Dan, how are you gonna hit them without a tripod?" Michelle questioned the standing Lance Corporal by another window facing out to the rocket firing obstacle.
"Like this" He simply put by resting the front of the Hailstorm onto the window seal.
"Creative" Vic's sarcastic voice came from the other end of the room.
"It still got better better range than your Rossmore, Modric"
"Ha, you forget I carry this Hai" The Serb pulled out his Auger, placing his shotgun on the magnetic clamp on his back.
"Bet I'll still take more down than you" The Lance Corporal challenged him.
"Hey, we're still fighting a war here!" Michelle interrupted the two "You can compare dick sizes later"
"Alright, cool it!" Ben brought their focus back to the battle at hand "Dan, Vic, you take the ones the left. Michelle you and I take the ones on the right. Nat how you doing on the gun crew?"
"Done, you shouldn't have any problems" She replied back. Looking back at the rocket troops continuing to block the 115th, the Corporal saw where the machine gun crew were and found the heavy gun's crew were no longer operating his squad's biggest threat.
Peering his eyes down the sights of his Razor, Ben got the long, elongated head of one of the skinnies blasting off another rocket at the Prowlers as his next target. Squeezing the smaller secondary trigger down he catch a quick glimpse of the green Bullseye tag go forth and latch on to the robot's neck, to the bewilderment of the one next to it who pointed a metallic finger at his brethren's neck from the new flashing light. Ben gave the machine a reason to be concerned when he changed triggers and sent two tracking bullets its way, sending them into the robot's marked area depriving it of a head.
The other one faced his way but went down joining its friend's fate of another three round burst from his increasing marksmanship. The combination of three types of ammunition brought a killing blow to the rocket droids, including one hiding behind one of the square pillars only for an Auger transient energy bolt to go straight through and take out the remaining threat from the spiral tower.
"Captain, this is Howard. All rockets troops are down, I repeat, all rocket troops are down"
"Good work Howard. Alright everyone, let's get going. We're not far from the enemy's headquarters now. Don't let up!" Pires egged them all on.
"You heard the Captain" Ben said to the others, getting up from cover leading the way back out of the battle damaged building.
Rejoining the 115th they were once again on the move, combating the seemingly limitless machines defending this alien world. Up ahead he spotted a pair of Eagle heavy bombers fly over the northern section of the city, where he knew the 89th were pushing through in their race to reach the capital's centre first, only it would appear they were having trouble if the big birds had been called in. Amongst the black smoked filled skies Ben could see tiny specks of silver and grey then the occasional orange flash from a starfighter meeting their fate.
Ejecting the spent magazine and clipping a fresh the Corporal fired at the new wave of droids. The three Prowlers that remained stayed with their unit, cutting down the dumb machines marching with no care their battle tactics were inflicting heavy losses on their side. The slow, out in the open steps forward only made their metal hides easy targets for the Cheetahs and Prowlers. The advantage he was soon finding though was they had the numbers to replace each blown up. bullet ridden or crushed robot.
Making matters worse was the uncomforting sight of tanks coming down the enemy controlled road, trailing closely with the company sized unit of thumpers replacing the low number of skinnies. As predicted the Prowlers drew the tanks fire blasting at their only reliable source of counter armour. As tank went against walker Ben resumed back to the battle with the heavy droid infantry, hitting one in its thinned armoured stomach adding it to the growing number of scrapped bots littering the city streets.
Another turned to face him and extended an arm out rapidly firing its wrist laser toward him. The aim was sporadic with a few shots pinging off the half collapsed wall still clinging to a shattered remnants of a building Ben used as cover from the enemy horde, with one coming blinding close to his neck. In front one soldier took a couple shots to his torso from a thumper's wrist laser weapon, killing him outright and slumping his dead form to the ground in a heap.
"How many of these damn things are there!"
"Enough for your bullets. Now keep firing!" Henrik answered the panicked voiced soldier close by.
Ben was beginning to share the same feelings of concern over being overrun. No matter how many he, anyone in his squad or those of the 115th first and second battalions killed more and more machines just kept on coming. Through the gaps of the square formation robots brown balled shaped objects rolled up then stopped in front of the amassed robotic troops, unfurling into another unwelcoming entry into the battle.
"Rollers!" Somebody needless called out at the 'Droideka' droids.
"Everyone get to cover!" Another voice rang out just as each spring out robot activated their shields and blasted the same coloured laser bolts the other Seapartist robots had been shooting.
The Corporal watched several of his comrades who hadn't heeded the advice seconds before join the fast growing casualty list, having their lives snuffed out from the twinned laser cannons of the bubble shielded robots.
"Everyone, fall back!" Pires ordered through the comm once again.
"What, we're pulling back?!" Michelle barked astounded by the order.
"It's not like we have much of a choice, Colton" Ben reluctantly supported the order, moving back providing covering for a few soldiers retreating over a piece of debris.
"Where's our armour support?"
"No longer with us" Victor dryly responded.
His words rang truth to the dismay of Ben as seeing the burning bodies of the Prowlers and some Cheetahs, with one on its back and former crew sprawled out dead having been killed either by the impact or attempting to escape the capsized vehicle only to be killed by the encroaching droids.
"What about the 32nd?. Surely they should have broken through by now, why doesn't the Captain call for their support?" Dan said in frustration. The Tau Ceti born heavy gunner's finger pressing down as the swarm of sub sonic rounds poured into their metal skinned foes.
"The 32nd are being held up by anti tank and AA guns" Henrik cut into their conversation swinging his rifle butt into a skinny, causing it tumble back and placed 8.2mm bullets into its boxy chest "We'll have to make do with what we have until a miracle springs up and deals with those tanks"
Humiliation was all Ben was beginning to feel, as well as fear of that of his squad's lives. It looked as if their first invasion into Separatist territory was going to take a turn for the worst. The comm was overloaded with people calling out to fall back, pointing out targets or having their last words cut off by an enemy laser bolt.
UECAF guns of different calibres, ammunition, grenades and even the weapons themselves gave an impressive barrage but the Corporal was watching the defenders now move on the offensive. One tank took a hit from a Wildfire MRL right into the turret, blowing the turret half off the tank and sending it sideways crashing into another tank. Despite this there wasn't enough of the missile launchers to stop the Separatist armour in their tracks.
Firing over his head was one of the remaining armed Cheetahs, shooting off long yellow beams of energy from it's Hellfire turret taking down swathes of the endless blasting thumpers. With this success it caught the attention of a Separatist tank much to the horror of the crew who in vain turned the Hellfire turret its way, doing little in the way of stopping it.
"Corp look out!" Dan's voice came too late as the heavy energy bolt fired and struck the Cheetah.
The resulting explosion sent flying as the erupting quad IFV met its end. Ben felt his body crash back down to earth and hit the concrete surface hard and roll half a dozen times. Blinking his eyes his vision became hazy and a high pitch whistling noise sang in his ears, he raised his head and found the right side of his visor smashed and leaving his eye exposed to the outside world. Muffled voices reached him but he hadn't a clue what they were saying.
Pain etched into his ribs as he tried standing up, only getting up one foot and the other leg still kneeling. Black and white smoke blew across his line of sight and figures of thumpers stomped by ignoring his predicament. That relief was snatched away by the converging of a sandy brown coloured hover tank. The long, thin barrel of the armoured beast pointed down as it continued floating in his direction.
Closing his eyes expecting the reaper to chose this moment in time to seal his destiny, the ear splitting screech of ripping metal and the ground shaking like a mini earthquake put in check a particularly nasty end. Snapping his eyes open Ben no longer saw the hover tank pointing its main gun down at his hurt form. In its place were pieces of the enemy armour sheared in half and a massive, black talon like foot squashing it like a insect.
His vision and hearing returning to normal he gazed up at the cause of the tank's destruction, to the welcoming sight of the colossal armoured monster which would strike new found fear in the enemy.
"Corp, you ok?!" Michelle's worried filled voice reached him whilst somebody else helped him off the floor.
"I'm alright. My sides are killing me though" Ben said wincing finding his whole squad surrounding him.
"Suck it up, Howard" Henrik's barked unsympathetically, passing by them with the rest of their regiment.
"Yes Sarge"
"Our miracles here Corp. They've deployed the Talos!" The unmistakable sound of delight was in Dan's tone at the heavy mobile siege platforms entry into the fight.
As if it needed to confirm its presence further the loud whooshing and multiple buzzing of anti personnel chainguns rattled ahead, taking out targets out of their line sight. The Separatist forces turned their full attention to the Talos, firing everything they had at the most powerful AFV of the UECAF. The machines blasted at the heavy armoured hide of the giant walker only to watch it all harmless bounce off.
"Everyone, advance with the Talos. And for God sake don't get trampled on!" Pires commanded through the helmet comm.
Not needing to be told twice the new found confidence within himself and the others charged forward again. Ahead the Separatist armour was retreating backward, pointing their cannons upward to the Talos in a desperate struggle to stop the walker from reaching the main objective of the mission. In turn one of the Talos' big missile launcher arms twisted downward and unleashed a barrage on to the tanks, turning that patch of road into crater and a mess of metal, concrete and fire.
"Ha, the scum are in for it now" Natalie said in glee, swapping her L5 Sharpshooter over to a captured Separatist blaster rifle.
"Nice new toy you got there, Nat" Ben said shooting a thumper right into its chest position face.
"Packs quite a punch" She commented on the laser gun, proving it's effectiveness by clipping a skinny's arm then chest.
With the support of the Talos the offensive resumed, all thoughts of defeat and embarrassment no longer crossing his mind. One of its metallic legs crashed against the side of one tower block, only for the building to sustain damage and the Talos not so much as a scratch. The resulting debris from the collision rained down on the droids below, flattening any dumb enough to stay in that spot.
The Separatist still had the numbers but with the Talos distracting their aim they became easy targets again for his regiment. It wasn't until coming down the last road Ben saw the wide, arched building said to be the enemy HQ surrounded by robots of all types, tanks and what appeared to be legged anti tank guns concentrating most of their fire at the larger threat.
It was only from this Ben saw for the first time the Talos pause from the anti tank fire bombarding it non stop. Traversing its hulking body around to the larger concentration of enemy forces, the Corporal could only imagine had the the droids been an organic being fear would grip at their soul from the angry blue eyes of the heavy walker bearing its whole arsenal down at them with no thought of mercy.
"Check out it out, there's another!" Somebody bellowed over the comm.
Searching round for what the soldier was on about Ben found another Talos approaching from the east with Widowmakers and more Prowlers in tow around it's clawed feet, taking point over its smaller friendly brethren.
"Good to see Dekker made it" Michelle said over the whistle of the missile barrage from their massive three legged saviour at the arrival of the 32nd Armoured Brigade.
"These bastards may as well give up now" Victor snorted firing a concussion grenade from his Rossmore at a group of skinnies standing by a roller.
The roller blasted away at him in return but luckily none of its shots hit him, sailing passed harmlessly hitting whatever construct was behind their cover. The shielded roller continued to aim for the Serb like it had it out for him personally. To his squad member's relief the droideka became the kill of a Widowmaker joining the assault on the headquarters. With the overkill of firepower on their side it wasn't long before the Separatists defence would fall.
"Platoons three and two provide covering fire. One and four time with me. Head for the HQ"
"That's us" Ben waved his squad to the Captain's orders.
Running through the overwhelming litter of robots and burning husks of enemy armoured vehicles to the Separatist held centre, Ben followed suit after the troops of the 115th tasked with storming the arch shaped building. The job was made easier with the front section of the alien construct missing from intense fire and the smoke from the destroyed tanks inadvertently providing the attackers cover.
Ben on the other hand with his visor shattered and exposing his eye, didn't have the advantage of screen settings to enable him to spot the machines through the thick blackish/ white smoke. The shadowy figure shaped like a thumper came across his limited vision and taking the chance he fired first, earning the crashing of a heavy body hitting the floor.
"This way!" Pires commanded to his left.
Barely making out his superior's image he went in the direction the Captain was going, hearing the firefight going on through the battered hallways. Entering deeper into the Separatists main lair the smoke started to fade, offering better field of vision once again which immediately came in handy at the droids shooting from the windows.
Only one of the skinnies caught notice of their presence but wasn't active longer enough to repel their presence. A short accurate burst from Dan's Hailstorm made short work of the last droid forces left defending their HQ. They came eventually came across a hallway leading to a set of heavy steel doors guarded by a spider who wasted no time of what it thought of their sudden appearance.
"Move!" Pires yelled just as the first red laser bolt was fired from the bug eye machine.
Ignoring the protest from his injured ribs Ben dived against the wall with Victor and Dan. One soldier wasn't quick enough and was took the hit, flying straight to the cracked ground dead with a large burned hole burned through his Battle Suit's armour and stomach region.
"Shit. Anyone got any grenades left?" Pires asked everyone.
"No Sir"
"I'm out" They each answered.
"I've got one better, sir" Someone called out further down their tightly squeezed cover. Turning to the owner Ben found the soldier tapping onto a Wildfire MRL.
"Excellent, Konte. How many do you have left?" The Captain quizzed, ducking back into the doorway from another bolt zooming passed.
"Two"
"Good. Fire independently, shoot one at the spider and the other at the door. You guys draw its fire, keep it focused on you so Konte can get the shot in"
"Yes Captain" Ben nodded, leaning out slightly and fired at the spider.
This action was repeated by the rest on his side of the hallway, baiting the machine to fire back. Doing exactly that the small tubed cannon of the spider concentrated its fire on those laying down more bullets on itself, blasting into the wall leaving a huge scorched hole in its place. Konte stepped out from cover and placed the twinned missile launcher on his shoulder and fired off a single missile, blowing it to kingdom come upon contact.
"Now aim for the door" Pires instructed next.
The second HEV missile flew out the Wildfire at breathtaking speeds, pummeling into the doors so hard one of the semi circular doors flew back into the room they were protecting. With the would be guardian dealt with the final push came with them all charging straight to the room said to contain the Separatist command of the Byzral system.
Jumping over the bulbous body of the dead spider bot Ben was after Captain pires in being the first to find the room filled with all but one organic being. Standing around a holographic table stood a pair of thumpers and a bunch of skinnies with different paint jobs appearing to be panicking at their rude intrusion.
The Corporal took down one of the thumpers whilst the rest shot the skinnies, leaving only a brown skinned alien with spikes coming out from the side of its face and forehead who had his hands cuffed and one 'Tactical droid' they had been briefed on who they believed was leading the Separatist forces on this planet.
"Surrender robot" Pires pointed his Razor at the commanding robot.
"Impossible. My programming is designed to withstand any interrogation technique you may try to inflict" It stated then grabbed hold of the alien, pressing a laser pistol to the frightened beings head "Order your forces to stand down, or I'll execute the Minis-" Its words were cut off by a unexpected bullet hitting it right between the eyes.
Everyone turned to find who was responsible but Ben needn't, knowing only one person he knew who possessed that kind of precision aim.
"Stanovich!" Pires swung round to Natalie.
"He was going to kill the hostage" The young sniper defender her actions.
"Could've done with his memory core intact"
"Who are you people?" A new, shaky voice inquired.
Unsurprising the alien stood staring at them all, unsure what to make of people he had never met before and invaded his world.
"It's ok, we're the good guys. All will be explained in good time but right now we need to finish off and rid your world of Separatist Alliance forces" Pires told the visible shaken alien.
"Y-yes of course. Thank you. Are you of the Republic?"
"No, far from it. What can you tell us about their plans and troop positions?"
"They have lost many battle droids across Tipaka. Only the northern sector of the city remains in Separatists hands. They also mention too the factory district has been hit. Is this your doing?" The alien informed then questioned with shock and awe.
"Yes, it won't be long now before it is liberated" The Captain stated confidently.
"Thank you, thank you so much" He gave a small bow to Pires.
"Your welcome?"
"Iram Gi, Minister of Byzral" The alien introduced himself.
"Well Minister I'm Captain Pires of the 115th Assault Regiment of United Earth Commonwealth Army. Further introductions will have to wait until later"
"Of course, just please. Watch out for my people" The alien Minister pleaded.
"We are sir, we're not here as conquerors" Pires assured the planet's leader then focused back on them "Howard have your men sweep the rest of the building"
"Yes sir" Ben saluted then signalled his squad to move out, picking up the Captain give further orders to the other one one fivers.
"Can you believe that?" Michelle asked in a tone of disbelievement.
"Yeah, just spoke with an alien and the planet's leader at that" Dan shared her astonishment.
"Perhaps Stanovich you could've made a better impression"
"I saved his life, is there a better way?" Natalie shot back at Victor's mocking of her actions
"Come on guys the job isn't finished yet. We still got a lot of machines to get through and bragging rights against the 89th. So let's get moving" Ben declared to the closing victory of Byzral over the Separatist Alliance.
"Yes Corporal!"