Chapter 2: Knock knock

"Yad think the commandos would be back from their mission to help soften up the seps" said runt as the betas sat in the hangar. " More fun for us" chirped Kaiser "besides im aching to get these bastards back after what they did on Rhen Var"

Just as Mom was about to warn him to be careful the siren blared and a voice came over the intercom "attention all pilots to your ships we have enemy scouts inbound The party is gonna start a little earlier then we expected".

Before the announcer was even finished the blast doors opened and the shields Warmed up with a distinct humming sound.

The first arc-170 was away Psycho had jumped the gun and was on a course for the scouts The others soon followed

"Ive got a bad feeling about this" squeaked Shorty.

"Dont worry short stuff they don't call 07 Lucky for no reason" Commented Buzz as he fell into position "Besides…."

"All wings report in" Came a distinct voice over the com.

"Groups alpha through sierra are inbound ETA to target 2 minutes."

The arc-170s gracefully barrel rolled slowly over and spread out into attack formation.

The glimmers of Tri fighters and vulture droids could be seen in the distance

"ok boys standard procedure let the scouts deal witht the tris and we move on to the vultures"

various affirmatives came from different pilots and the roar of the republic scout fighters could be heard as they flew extremely close to the Arc-170's There was a blur near the planets atmosphere that made the betas cautious and then only one pilot realised. "scouts break off the attack , repeat break off the attack" it was too late the pilots of Alpha squadron were doomed a Hail of anti aircraft fire came from a now uncloaked.Trade federation Cruiser The 170s burst out of formation into different directions to avoid incoming fire " Betas two and three follow me said Shorty as the dived beneath the separatist cruiser "General Plo Kkoon this is beta 7 we need the acclamatory class assault ships and an attack ship here asap".

"Copy that well be there in 2 minutes" replied Plo Koon.

A flaming V-wing had torn overhead as it tried desperately to escape the fray it was halted by a vulture droid as it burst into flames it seemed that everything went silent and you couldn't even hear the screams of the republic pilots all they could see was carnage the entire fighter picket caught off guard by a capital ship less than 50 fighters remained that took off from the conquerer If anyone was going to survive this they needed a miracle

"the only pilot to keep his cool was ironically lucky" Betas cover the remaining V-wings as they bombard the cruiser from bellow Tau 409 you know what to do" he barked.

"Roger that Beta 7 all bombers form on my wing were taking these tin cans down."

The bombers gracefully as if with renewed vigor and morale fell into line below the cruiser as they rolled and flipped as they took strafing runs on the shield generator and life support systems.

"betas watch your backs tris coming in at 8 o clock" the 170s engines seemed to roar with delight as they cleaved their way through the squadron of tri fighters betas 6 through 12 attack the engines 1 through 5 long range communicators these seps are ours."

Massive explosions rocked the cruiser as the bombers succeded in lowering the shield just as the boys from beta squad were about to destroy the bridge on their strafing run There was a shuddering explosion on the side of the trade federation cruiser ….Turbo lasers …….Republic turbolasers.

"YEEHAH here comes the cavalry"

A familiar voice buzzed over the com link , the storng cocky voice of Plo Koon

"did someone order fleet of destroyers?"

with explosions that shook the heavens every ship the 1000 strong fleet bombarded the cruiser at once the flash temporarily blinded Beta squad where the cruiser was there was only dust and small debris.

"Delivery for uh Mr dooku" cheered Runt over the com

"It isn't over yet boy weve still got a planet to take." Said Buzz "were just getting started".