Ahsoka Tano, padawan of Anakin Skywalker, was standing by her master's side, the man was lying on his back in the medical section of the cruiser they used to make their escape from the battle that destroyed Aayla Secura's ships. Speaking of whom, the Twi'lek Jedi Master entered the medical area of the ship.

"I need you and Commander Bly up on the bridge, right now," requested the blue-skinned woman upon entering the room.

"I should stay," Ahsoka objected, not wanting to leave her injured teacher, "Commander Bly doesn't need my help. Anakin does."


"In our haste to escape, the navi-computer's coordinates were inputted incorrectly," Explained Clone Commander Bly as he used a monitor in the medical room to display what he meant, "And-well, we're headed right for a star."

The monitor lit up to display the Consular-Class cruiser barreling straight for a large star within the Unknown Regions of the galaxy. Seeing the crisis at hand, all within the medical room, aside from the medical droid attending to Skywalker, made their way to the bridge, however, Ahsoka paused for a moment before following.


"Shut down all power circuits to reset the coordinates," ordered Aalya as they learned the only way to get the ship to drop out of Hyperspace would be to perform a full reset.

"That will cut off Anakin's life support!" Realized Ahsoka, knowing that the life support systems in the med bay would also lose power if they shut down everything.

"I don't like it any more than you do, but it's a risk we are going to have to take," stated The Twi'lek Jedi Master. If there were any other way, she would do it, but since the system is completely locked, this was their only option to avoid crashing into a star.


"We're switching off primary power units," informed Ahsoka from the pilot seat with Bly in the co-pilot seat. Behind the two was Rex who was holding onto the chairs for stability with Aayla behind him by some other controls ready to switch off auxiliary power.

"Cutting it awfully close," noted Bly, checking their navigation and seeing the ship drawing ever closer to the star.

"Ready to shut off auxiliary power," announced Aayla as she gripped the lever that would shut off auxiliary power.

"On three," declared Ahsoka as she glanced back to see the Twi'lek General was ready to shut it off. Aayla nodded, letting the Torgrutan padawan know she was ready, "One... Two... Three!"

As soon as she said that, Ahsoka and Aayla shut off the power to the entire ship. Immediately, the ship emerged from Hyperspace, just in time as well as the star they were about to crash into was right in front of them.

"We're out of hyperspace, resume all power!" Said Bly, however, there was one detail they forgot to take into account when they shut off all the power.

The gravity generators had also shut down, meaning the thrust from the ship had Rex hanging onto Ahsoka's chair for dear life or being thrown back against the wall. As if the universe decided to play some sick joke, the handle Rex was holding onto broke, sending the clone captain flying back where he collided with Aayla, causing the Jedi to lose her grip on the control to resume power.

"Switch the power back on!" Shouted Bly over the roar of the heat buffeting the ship as they spiraled nearly out of control closer to the sun, "What are you waiting for?!"

Knowing they didn't have time for her to claw her way back to the lever, Aayla reach out with the Force and focused on the handle. The handle began shuddering, and Aayla focused as much as she could with the ship rattling around her and the others.

"Hurry, hurry!" Bly nearly begged before the lever lifted back up and power was restored.

Aayla and Rex fell to the floor once the power was back on, while Ahsoka pushed a lever forward, engaging the engines and steering them around the star they nearly crashed into, but the damage had been done. The near collision with the star had fried a lot of the ship's systems. Meaning while they wouldn't crash into the star, they were going to crash into a planet that orbited the star.

"Well, we're not gonna crash into the star, but we're definitely gonna hit that planet," stated the young girl in a bland tone. Whenever she was with her master and on a ship, they would almost always crash at some point or another.

"Are those satellites?" noted Rex seeing some objects orbiting around the planet.

However, none of the people in the cockpit could answer as they were already entering the planet's atmosphere. The ship groaned under the intense pressure from entering the atmosphere, the hull already weakened from the heat of the sun they just passed by plus the damages sustained during their hasty escape. An explosion near the three engines at the back caused the ship to rock a bit in the air before another blast caused an entire thruster to break off. The ship began dipping to one side as it closed in on what looked like an abandoned city. A few seconds later, the Consular-class cruiser smashed into the road, tearing through the asphalt, and knocking abandoned vehicles out of the way as it plowed through the city. Slowly, it came to a halt at what looked like the city hall.


"You all aren't from around here, are you?" Noted a human wearing extremely bulky armor.

He also had a large scar going up his right cheek, blue eyes, white skin, a bandana tied over his head, and was carrying the most fearsome-looking rifle Ahsoka had ever seen. A heavy-looking rifle with what looked like a chainsaw attached beneath the barrel. With him were three other men, also wearing similar armor and carrying the exact same weapon. What's more, these were the beefiest-looking/most muscular humans she had ever seen.

"We mean you no harm," assured Aayla, holding up her hands in a show of peace, "We only need your help. One of our own is gravely injured and needs medical attention."

"How bad?" asked a man, he had a black beard, black hair, brown eyes, white skin, earrings, and a tattoo on his right arm. His armor was a bit different, with a large knife strapped to the right side of his chest armor. His voice was a bit more friendly than the first man's.

"Without aid, he won't survive very long," stated Ahsoka, speaking up as she took a step towards the men, "Please, can you help us, mister...?"

"Fenix, Marcus Fenix," informed the man with the scar, "And yeah, we can help."


Opening Music: Trailer Music: War Pigs - Black Sabbath (Alternate Version found in YouTube Video: Gears of War Pigs, uploaded by Anxiety Threshold)

(Gen'rals gathered in their masses,)

"I must admit, during this war, I never suspected we would experience first contact," said Chairman Prescott as he spoke to Aayla Secura, who upon her arrival agreed to stay to speak with the man while Ahsoka and Bly went back to retrieve Anakin and Rex from their crashed ship, "But it does grant an opportunity that I had thought beyond reach."

"What opportunity would that be, Chairman?" Inquired Aayla, while she had only just met the man, her instincts told her to not trust the man, at least, not completely.

"A chance for me to do right by my people," stated the man, looking over his shoulder as he poured himself a drink, "A chance to make amends."


(Just like witches at black masses)

"What you are requesting Chairman is no small feat," admitted Chancellor Palpatine, his tone sympathetic as the Chairman of the COG had left Sera to request aid for his people.

"But it is no less than what my people deserve," stated Prescott as he stood before the leader of the Republic, "My people, not just the members of the COG, but all of Sera deserve to be able to live in peace and our home, as it is, can no longer give us that peace. Which is why I am asking the Republic to help us find our peace."


(Evil minds that plot destruction,)

The Republic returned to Sera with an entire fleet this time, mostly comprised of some Acclamators and Pelta-Class Frigates as this was a humanitarian mission. However, their efforts had not gone unnoticed when the ships began to land on the planet's surface.

Overlooking the descent of a ship was a Locust Armored Kantus, wearing unique armor from the normal Armored Kanti. It was currently seated on a Hydra, using the ruins of a building as cover. The Kantus let out a low growl as it steered the beast away from the area. It needed to inform Queen Myrrah of this development.


(Sorcerer of death's construction)

"The evacuation has started," informed Anya as she, Marcus, Colonel Hoffman, Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Prescott oversaw the plans to evacuate all of Sera, "Progress is slow with all the Stranded camps scattered across the planet."

"Do what you can and use radios to make a broadcast to head for Anvil Gate; that will be the primary evacuation point," ordered Prescott as he turned to Marcus, "Oh, and Sergeant Fenix."

"What?" Demanded Marcus as he turned his attention to the Chairman.

"I suggest you go here to begin evacuation," advised Prescott as he handed the soldier two data discs and a decryption key, "I only ask that you try to understand the reason for my choice."

Marcus frowned but took the discs and key regardless as Prescott left to go attend to other matters.

"This better not be his shopping list," remarked Marcus without any humor as he held up the discs and key.


(In the fields the bodies burning,)

An Acclamator was making its way through a massive hurricane, the shields and hull taking quite the beating as it powered through the storm, heading towards an island. On board were Marcus, Anya, Prescott Anakin, and Captain Rex. However, it wasn't the only thing heading to the island. Following behind was a small fleet of Locust ships, barely able to stand up against the waves, rain, and wind from the unnatural storm. However, the Locust were nothing if not ingenious, a Leviathan was wearing a control helmet and was tugging the ships along using its tentacles to pull the vessels as it powered through the storm. On the ship was the same armored Kantus and inside the ship itself was Queen Myrrah, who did not look too pleased by her expression.


(As the war machine keeps turning)

Elsewhere, the evacuation was beginning at other camps, Delta squad agreed to split up to head to camps to convince the Stranded to go with the Republic as they were getting off their rotten planet. Dom, Sam, Obi-Wan, and Commander Cody were exiting a King Raven in Mercy while a Pelta-Class Frigate was landing on the town's edge. A few Stranded aimed their weapons at them but stood down when they were told they could help take care of the people who were sick there. At the same time, Cole, Clayton Carmine, Mace Windu, and Commander Ponds had arrived at Hannover to convince the Stranded there to agree to leave the city while Baird had gone to Halvo Bay with Alex Brand, Aayla Secura, and Commander Bly to get the Stranded there to also come.


(Death and hatred to mankind,)

Unaware of the approaching danger, Marcus and the others stepped off the ship and onto Azura's resort hotel and research facility. A few Onyx Guards approached with their weapons raised, however, after Prescott spoke to them, they entered the facility and saw that it was full of the COG's upper class and elite members, as well as some scientists and researchers, including Adam Fenix.

"Dad," said Marcus quietly as he saw the man had aged quite a lot since he last saw him.

"Marcus, what is... how did you get here?" asked Adam as he looked at the Clone Troopers, "Who are they?"

"I'll explain later," replied Marcus before he turned to look at Prescott, "And you; I'm not the conversational type, but after we're done here, I want a nice. Long. CHAT. With you."

"Considering what I've done, it's the least of what I owe," answered Prescott, nodding at the Sergeant.


(Poisoning their brainwashed minds)

Quietly, the Locust began preparing their forces on Azura's beaches, the storm providing cover for them as they observed the humans evacuating the facility and onto the ship. Once enough of their forces had disembarked, the Armored Kantus stood at the ready and raised what looked like a chainsaw sword into the air, letting out a scream. Lightning cracked behind the gathered Locust and several Boomers fired their Boomshots at the facility while several Warbeasts launched their flaming projectiles at the facility. Explosions rocked the entire facility, causing the Gears and Clones to scramble to protect the civilians as they continued evacuating.

(Oh Lord yeah)


Elsewhere, the remnants of the Locust Horde were beginning their assault on whatever evacuation point they could. The fighting was without question the most brutal and violent compared to the entirety of the battles fought in the Clone Wars prior to Sera. However, things would only get worse from that point on.


From the ground, a massive Stalk burst from the ground right outside a Stranded Camp in Hannover, Imulsion spraying out as little Pollups crawled out from the ground itself while the Stalk released Lambent Drones before a Drudge was released. Cole, Carmine, and those gathered watched in horror as the thing mutated rapidly.

"The frack is that?!" Demanded Ponds as he glanced at Cole.

"I don't know, but that's a new world record in ugly!" Stated Cole as he aimed his lancer at the thing.


In Mercy, Dom pulled Sam into cover as a glob of Imulsion soared overhead before colliding with a LAAT Gunship, blowing the Republic transport to pieces. Looking over their cover, they saw a Gunker lumbering towards them. The mutated Butcher practically shuffled towards them as it swung its blade around, slashing through some Clones before hurling another glob of Imulsion.

"I take it this is how things normally happen here?" Asked Obi-Wan as he force-pushed some Lambent away.

"Honestly, way too much," replied Sam as she fired her Longshot at the Gunker, targeting the sack of Imulsion in its stomach.


"Of course, we'd get the nastiest bitch!" Shouted Baird as he, Alex, Aayla, and Bly found the Stranded Camp, discovering that Paduk was present in the camp.

Shortly after the evacuation began, Locust and Lambet began attacking. Halfway into the fight a Lambent Berserker appeared and began tearing through the Locust, Stranded, COG, and Republic forces. Their weapons not even slowing it down or even harming it really.

(Oh Lord yeah)


Marcus revved up his Lancer and brought the blade down onto the shoulder of a Theron Guard, the blades slicing through the Locust's armor and flesh, causing blood to spray everywhere. Not far from him, Anakin was blocking shots fired at him, slashing at any Locust that tried rushing him. Anya, Rex, and the 501st provided cover and protected the civilians as they escaped.


In Mercy, Dom was using a Vulcan Cannon the Stranded had found and was gunning down any Locust or Lambent that rushed them. Sam was supporting Dom while Obi-Wan and Cody covered them while also protecting the civilians. The fighting had been brutal and bloody, multiple Clones had been killed when Locust rushed them, finding out the hard way that blaster bolts don't seem to harm the Locust effectively.


It was long and painful, but eventually, the Republic evacuated the Stranded Camps, along with the survivors of Vectes Naval Base. Not without losses, of course, many Clones had been killed, along with some Gears, some literally being torn apart by either the Locust or the Lambent. As the Acclamator took off, Myrrah watched with an angered expression as the humans escaped their poisoned home planet.


(Now in darkness world stops turning,)

"I had so many ideas, but not enough time to implement them," said Adam Fenix as he looked out from the ship, watching the streaks of blue stream by as they traveled through Hyperspace.

"Don't tell me you feel sorry for the Locust?" asked Marcus incredulously, looking at his father in disbelief.

"Not sorry, responsible," corrected Adam as he turned to face his son.


(Ashes where the bodies burning)

"Thank you again for all that you have done," thanked Prescott as they found a planet suitable for the Seran people to settle on. It was pretty similar to Sera but far more peaceful and quiet.

"Think nothing of it," assured Obi-Wan as he and Anakin stood by, "But let's hope this doesn't come back to bite us."


(No more War Pigs have the power,)

"This is an opportunity to show the galaxy that the Republic cannot keep their promises," stated Count Dooku, addressing General Grevious and his apprentice, Ventress, "See to it that the peace the Serans know is brought to an abrupt end."

"Yes, my lord," bowed Grevious as the 'good general' directed his ships to the planet Anehta where the Seran refugees had settled after a brief stay on Naboo while a suitable world was found for them.


(Hand of God has struck the hour)

"The Republic has given us our peace, but the Separatists have seen their compassion as a weakness!" Said Prescott, addressing hundreds of gathered Gears, some Stranded also, "They believed us a weak and easy target for political gain! But they were wrong! If they wish to taste our fury, then let us show them, how we have survived!"

The Gears all cheered as the attack from the Separatists had come without warning, but they had expected this to be an easy fight. How wrong they were when the Serans fought back and won. And now, the survivors wanted payback.


(Oh Lord Yeah)

Out of Hyperspace, multiple ships emerged. The ships appeared to be a mix of Separatist Providences, Munificents, and some Lucerhulks with Republic Venators, Valiants, and Arquitens, but they had all been modified. On the side of the ships was the symbol of the New COG. A cog with a phoenix in the center.


On Geonosis, Marcus charged a Geonosian, cutting the bug in half while Dom provided cover fire. Joining them were Anakin, Ahsoka, Rex, and several other Clones as they charged the Separatist fortifications.


Cole and Baird were supporting Obi-Wan, Cody, and the 212th on Ryloth, the two Gears easily proving their mettle on different planets.


(Oh Lord Yeah)

Marcus ducked under a swipe from a Commando Droid, placing his Lancer on his back, and raised his fists. The droid swung its sword at the Gear again but missed again before having its neck broken and being ripped off completely by Marcus who grabbed the robot's sword and used it against another Commando while Anakin and Master Adi Gallia as they rescued Master Koth from Grevious's ship.


Adam was looking into old star charts, documents, and files he was given access. All the information was in relation to a structure, or device created by an ancient race called the Rakata. A machine that was used by Darth Revan during the time of the Old Republic.


A squad of Onyx Guards broke into a command center, the Gears tearing the droids apart as they looked at their objective. The sister ship of a massive vessel that was created by the Separatists.


(Oh Lord Yeah)

Marcus and Dom were assisting Rex and Fives on Umbara, the Gears providing support for the Clones, tearing through the new Separatist forces as they went. Both Gears were showing their skill in battle, something General Kreel took notice of from his position at the back of the battle.


Garron Paduk was fighting alongside Baird and Cole as they charged a pillbox with Obi-Wan and Cody, the group taking cover from some shots fired at their position. The Gorasnian took aim with his Markza and took out several droids before switching to the Booshka and blasting an AAT to pieces.


Clayton Carmine was taking a moment to get his feet under him as the siege of Mandalore was beginning. A rocket from one of Maul's Mandalorian warriors had rung his bell pretty good but he wasn't out of the fight. Coming to his aid was Bo-Katan as she formed up with the Gear, the two charged towards Maul's forces, each firing their weapons respectively.


(Oh Lord Yeah)

Delta Squad was assisting the Bad Batch in protecting a village they encountered on their mission to rescue Echo from the Techno Union. The two squads were more than a match for the forces that were sent their way. Cole and Wrecker were both having a blast, destroying the battle droids that entered their line of fire while Crosshairs and Dom took care of further away Droids. Baird and Tech provided support, calling out droids wherever they saw them, while Marcus and Hunter took out their own share of combatants.


Anakin was slashing his way through multiple battle droids, his Lightsaber easily cutting through the Separatist forces. A few super battle droids prepared to fire at the Jedi Knight but were gunned down by Marcus. The Gear provided cover fire from his position with the General. By his side was Dom, also firing at whatever droids Obi-Wan missed himself. The four warriors were holding their own quite well against the Separatist forces, who were basically getting torn apart as soon as they were in range.

Star Wars: The Gears of War


"The Serans have proven themselves a powerful adversary," stated Darth Sidious as he spoke to Count Dooku, noting that since their introduction to the Galaxy at large, the Gears had given the Republic far more victories than before.

"What would you have me do, master?" Inquired Dooku from his kneeling position.


"Disturbance in the force, I have felt," said Yoda, opening his eyes, and addressing the entire Jedi Council, "Have not seen the last, of the Locust, we have."


The Armored Kantus that lead the Locust Horde at the Siege of Azura stood on top of his saddle. His mount turned out to be a massive Bull Rancor, wearing a similar control helmet as Brumaks on Sera would, with arm cannons attached to the wrists and a larger cannon pack strapped on. The Armored Kantus reached for his belt and took out what look frighteningly similar to a Lightsaber.

"FOR THE QUEEN!" Roared the Locust General, a crimson blade erupting from the handle. The blade was far wide, in part due to the different emitter, but more frighteningly, the blade appeared to be unstable, as instead of a stable hum, there was a deep crackle as sparks emanated from the blade.

The Bull Rancor let out a roar as the Locust Horde charged the Republic Forces, shouting their own battle cries.