W/N: Hooray for BaM on the amazingly quick beta. I'm shipping out real soon and I'm likely to be gone for a month so I am turning over all writing duties to my friend, Kelli, and my cousin, Candace.
Pops and DC, yes, this is all war movie. I'm hoping to capture the feel of some of the EP II and III battles and I'm trying to emulate some of the Michael Shaara battle scene style. Just don't look for Lo Armistead or George Pickett.
Here, we get to see Mai-Lyn and Canderous under some pressure. Canderous is certainly not a nice guy, but he kicks butt. Just remember, even the bravest feel fear...it's in how we deal with it that makes a difference. I'm hoping to introduce HK-47 in the next chapter.
Valley of the Shadow of Death
The Surface of Malachor VII
General Mai-Lyn T'Sing sat deep within the bowels of a massive armored vehicle as its tracks ground up the icy surface of the planet. The behemoth's armored hide was more than a meter thick and it bristled with laser cannon, missile launchers, and antennae mounts.
Beside the juggernaut, smaller tanks and walkers moved along, screening the command vehicle from attack. Ahead, regiments of infantry ran through the snow while light flyers buzzed along with their repulsorlifts to scout the high, rocky terrain ahead.
This vehicle shall be my armored fist, which I will ram into the belly of the Mandalorians. I must overcome all resistance quickly and take the fortress. Her mind played over the strategies that she would use, but her thoughts kept coming back to images of dead friends and fallen Jedi.
How I long for this damn war to be over.
Mai-Lyn's thoughts were drawn to a hologram forming on the communications platform. A whitish-blue figure of a familiar Rodian coalesced and the general nodded stiffly to himself. Though she tried being the warm, benevolent leader that was Revan, it was not easy…even with her closest friends.
"General T'Sing, my infantry is deployed in a skirmish line ahead of your armor. You may feel free to advance up the hill."
Mai-Lyn looked down her nose, shrouded in the mantle of authority. "Colonel Jorath, our scans are showing that the high ground in front of us is empty. Revan's destroyers are not showing anything either. However, I don't trust what I am seeing. Is there anything that your infantry can determine yet?"
The Rodian shook his head, which was swathed in heavy cloaks to protect him from the cold. "No, but I'm hoping that Floxel's flyers will spot something soon. Perhaps the Mandalorians bugged out back to the fortress."
"You should know better than that. We should be prepared for an offensive at any moment. That is the way of Mandalore."
Jorath's flexible green lips pressed inward, signifying that he was thinking. Mai-Lyn could always read what was going through her fellow Jedi's head. "I have trusted you thus far, General. The skirmish line that I have set up will absorb a Mandalorian assault. Your armor can then close and hammer them at will."
"That is my intention. I have known you since we were Younglings and you have never failed me yet. Colonel…" she began, unsure of whether or not to use his rank or name, "May the Force be with you."
Jorath saluted in the military way and his image faded into oblivion. As the bluish-white hologram fizzled, Mai-Lyn went back to watching the ineffective orbital bombardment of the fortress.
It's too heavily shielded. We'll have to go in on foot. At least the Mandalorians in the fortress will be occupied and can't strike against me.
She closed her eyes for a moment, wishing that the intelligence reports were true. With the infantry advancing up the slopes, the general found that she had time for her mind to wander elsewhere, away from the valley of death. She turned to her adjutant, who was another wayward Jedi given a Republic commission.
"Major Ap-Sulas, I am reluctant to share this, but although this should be the moment of our greatest triumph, something gnaws at me." Mai-Lyn could feel a terrible uneasiness building and she could no longer contain it or keep silent. "The Force is trying to tell me something…. I am trying to listen, but the sound is so faint. My connection to the Force feels so hollow."
The young man seemed intimidated by her, his face flushed red and his eyes averted. "General…I-I don't know what to say. You, Revan, and Malak have always led us well. Your confidence has given the Republic strength."
Mai-Lyn sighed and her gut tightened. He doesn't understand. He can't possibly understand what I'm going through. She waved her hand dismissively, forcing herself to continue playing the role of general. "Yes, yes, of course. Thank you, Major. Please return to you duties."
No one understands…not even Revan.
Jorath's image sizzled back to life and Mai-Lyn' gaze snapped back to him.
"General, it is as you expected; the intelligence was wrong and the Mandalorians are now attacking along a broad front. It seems that their forces are weak and depleted from our earlier action. Floxel's scouts have indicated that their left flank is thin. I could counterattack and roll up the flank."
The general's mood changed abruptly at the news. "Yes, advance your brigade methodically, fix their center in place and hold them. I want your infantry to screen my armored advance."
"Excellent, General. We'll bring glory for Revan."
As Jorath's image faded again, Mai-Lyn gave the signal for the armor to proceed and the juggernaut crushed the land beneath its tracks on its way up the hill.
I don't care what it takes. I'm going to finish this.
The Surface of Malachor VII
Canderous Ordo lay in the snow near a jagged rock formation that jutted out from the icy landscape. Flurries of white flakes danced in the cold breeze that swept the hills and plains of this frozen world. Frost covered his Mandalorian armor, giving him the appearance of being a child's snowman.
Using his enhanced optics, he scanned down the rocky slope to observe the Republic infantry in a skirmish line, leading the way ahead of speeders and armored vehicles.
A Republic scout flyer buzzed by overhead, but Canderous did not flinch. In an instant, it was out of sight, searching the rough terrain for signs of the enemy.
"Your stealth field is working, Xarga. They cannot see us," he said, as cold and dealy as the planet. His binoculars zoomed in on the massive tank that was at the center of the assault. "Can you raise the fortress? I want to coordinate my attack with them…I'll need reinforcements and artillery to exploit my breakthrough."
Xarga shook his head. "No such luck, Canderous. General T'Sing's forces are jamming on all frequencies."
"Hmm…perhaps that's for the better. She'd detect any transmission anyway." Canderous sighed ruefully. "She and Revan always have had ways of finding us. Besides, Xarga, we don't want to share the glory anyhow."
The last comment elicited a dark chuckle from the other Mandalorian. "Fighting is better than freezing," Xarga said, hinting at their inevitable demise. He was about to continue when Canderous held out his hand.
"Republic skirmishers are now only a thousand meters away. Remain still…I want to draw them closer," Ordo said, anticipation dripping in his voice. "Since our first clash with Revan I have longed for this moment. It is a chance to regain some of our honor before the end and an opportunity to bloody her nose." Canderous turned to look at his fellow Mandalorian, someone who had fought by his side since before this war. "You know, Xarga, she has never been defeated. Yes," he said, holding up his hand to forestall Xarga's response, "we won other battles with the Republic when she was present or conquered other worlds that she had abandoned…but never when she was in direct command."
Xarga nodded solemnly, his visor reflecting the snowy ground before them. He slowly picked up a detonator and laid it in his lap. "We will show them once again how war is fought."
Canderous held his breath for a few moments, almost afraid to exhale for fear of being spotted. His heart pounded in his chest and his muscles twitched beneath heavy armor, as if he were a clan youth approaching his first kill. Exhaling reluctantly under the protection of his helmet, the warrior licked his lips, removing the salty sweat. His stomach too, tightened and churned, as if it too was barely restraining itself from leaping down the hill, barely able to wait
Finally, the moment approached. Canderous turned to Xarga and pointed a finger. "Now."
His comrade twisted the knob on the detonator three times and called, "Fire in the hole," and the hill erupted into fire and shrapnel.
Flame shot into the air amid screams and a shockwave rolled over the Mandalorians a moment later. Republic flyers crashed into the ground, swathed in burning plasma. Steam gushed from the blast area and drops of hot water rained down in sheets as Canderous stood and brought his Ordo blaster to bear.
The warrior unleashed a torrent of bolts into the steam and stepped over the melting mound while Xarga hurled grenades. Burning Republic soldiers staggered about in the chaos until the falling water extinguished the fires. Canderous pumped shots into the reeling enemy and walked calmly into their broken ranks.
Xarga joined him, spraying the field ahead with bolts until a metal behemoth could be seen lumbering through the fog. Canderous' boots crunched over newly frozen ice and he crouched down, aiming his weapon. With a press of the trigger, a rocket burst from the muzzle and streaked toward the juggernaut. The rocket slammed into its metal hide and exploded in a shower of fire.
Canderous then turned to his friend. "Activate our reserves. Fall back and prepare to defend."
General T'Sing's Command Vehicle
The viewing port of the massive tank filled with flame and the lights in the command deck dimmed. Sparks flew from the monitors and consoles, but Mai-Lyn didn't flinch.
"General," called Major Ap-Sulas, "our infantry is in retreat. An entire regiment has been annihilated. The Command Vehicle has sustained damage."
Despite her outward calm, a cold sweat formed above her lip. "Have the armor press forward. Direct Colonel Jorath to rally his troops and continue the assault."
"Yes, General."
Mai-Lyn returned her attention to the battle before her and through the sooty viewport she could see bodies strewed about in the slushy ice. The tracks and wheels of the mighty Command Vehicle rolled over the dead and wounded indifferently, grinding them to mush. A faint quiver of tension rippled along Mai-Lyn's jaw.
It is for the greater good, dammit, she told herself over and over again. …the greater good.
With a beep, the targeting scanners had found several Mandalorians. Images of armored warriors dashing about appeared on the monitors and several of them stood out.
"There! Target that group," the general commanded and laser turrets swung in response. A laser barrel aimed down at several Mandalorians, who were scrambling for cover. Bolts of plasma streaked off and impacted within the group. Warriors burst into fiery pieces while others, quicker or luckier, dove behind the rocky cover.
Mai-Lyn saw two Mandalorians dash to the side, one of them firing a rocket into a nearby walker. The Republic vehicle pitched over in smoke and flame. Laser cannon on the Command Vehicle swung around to target the warriors, but they scurried away behind cover.
"Bring those two down. Plot a pursuit," the general commanded her vehicle's driver and then turned to the sensor officer. "Report."
The man turned a knob and said, "General, the warriors are falling back toward their left flank."
Mai-Lyn stood and set her lip in grim determination. "We have them…. With my compliments, instruct Colonel Jorath to continue to press them there and our armor will support a breakthrough. We'll be in the fortress by nightfall."
On the tactical display, Republic flyers strafed enemy positions, pinning the Mandalorians while Jorath's infantry dressed their lines and scaled the slopes. Within ten minutes, the Mandalorian left flank was in disarray and bolts of light flew back and forth between the lines in a horrible, bloody hail.
Mai-Lyn watched the two warriors dodging back and forth, avoiding blaster and rocket fire as they fled toward their collapsing troops. She pointed at them as they scooted behind cover once more.
"I have to give them credit…they are brave," she told her crew. "If those men should survive, I would like to meet them."
She had recovered her morale from the earlier setback and the promise of victory drove her on now. Her heart surged with pride in her tactics. The Command Vehicle ground forward and crested the hill, crushing ice and stone beneath it. "It looks like the Mandalorian flank has collapsed. I want to sweep around and encircle -"
An explosion rocked the Command Vehicle and the monitors blurred. When the sensors had refocused, a picture of chaos emerged on the display. Republic flyers were hotly engaged with Basilisk Droids and infantry blazed away at each other at close quarters. Blaster fire poured into the Republic ranks and lines of dead men lay in the snow. The lines were faltering and small groups of men clumped together under cover from the murderous Mandalorian fire. There was a flash in the distance.
An officer turned to Mai-Lyn. "Rockets inbound!"
"Countermeasures!" she shouted. Despite the defensive action, some of the rockets got through and hammered on the hull of the behemoth. Lights dimmed and the beast shook. Its lasers returned fire and the Mandalorian vehicles and droids erupted in spouts of flame. Rapid-fire blasters rang out a staccato burst of energy and a kneeling blue line of Mandalorian warriors were shredded and fell in neat ranks.
Again, Mai-Lyn saw the two warriors, in the distance, rush about, rallying men and directing fire. She saw a Mandalorian heavy blaster open fire and long streaks of light shot into the Republic's ragged ranks. Around her vehicle, a shattered battalion broke and ran screaming back down the hill. She zoomed the sensor in on the leader and saw that he bore the insignia of Clan Ordo.
"I want that man brought down," she reiterated impatiently.
On her orders, a withering torrent of fire bore down on the Ordo warrior and vehicles and artillery pieces ruptured into parts around him, but he seemed blessed by fate. Even as the general watched Mandalorians fall around the Ordo leader he rallied a small force and charged at the Command Vehicle.
The warrior dodged and wove, shooting down any Republic soldier in his way and continued to close. Ice, snow, and shrapnel rained down on the Ordo man, but he would not fall. His force was whittled down until only a handful remained, but still he pressed on.
With a grunt, Mai-Lyn stood and grasped her lightsaber. "I will deal with this myself," she said as she walked out of the room.
In front of the great Command Vehicle
Shards of ice and debris rained down on Canderous as he dashed forward in a zig-zag pattern. Across the battlefield, the staccato noise of blasters was mixed with the deep whine of heavy lasers. His eyes half closed in fear, he let out his war cry to bolster his confidence. "Strength is life!"
Ordo sprinted into a platoon of Republic troopers in their white armor and he blasted an officer. Bolts whizzed past him as he butt stroked another man, knocking him back. He followed up by plunging a bayonet into the man's torso. Without waiting, Canderous brought his blaster around and sprayed shots into the enemy, all the while hollering at the top of his lungs. There was a hammering blow to his chest and his leg, but he barely noticed. He shot a fleeing trooper in the back and then his ears rang as something slammed into his armored head.
Leaving their dead and wounded, the Republic men were in full, disorganized retreat. Ordo saw his target ahead and bellowing like an ox, resumed his charge. Men fell around him, hit by plasma or ripped apart in explosions. Flashes of light from the muzzles of the juggernaut's weapons meant instant death for anyone hit and great holes were blown into the Mandalorian ranks. Dodging a spray of blaster fire, Canderous slowed down only just enough to shoot a cowering Mandalorian teen.
Xarga ran beside him, spraying blindly with his blaster, screaming at the top of his lungs. Then, an explosion flipped him, end over end, into the snow. Canderous looked back for a second and saw Xarga struggling in a slushy crater, blood smeared over his armor. Canderous stopped and started back, but the wounded warrior waved him off. "No, keep going! Don't stop! Death is life, my friend!"
Ordo blinked, but then resumed his charge, the sound of wailing, whizzing bolts, and detonations filling his ears. Somehow, he had lost his helmet, but he couldn't recall how or when. Blood covered his head and the salty taste of it filled his mouth. A laser bolt hit a man next to him and smoking bits of Mandalorian armor and flesh splattered over his face.
On instinct now, Canderous reached into his pack and pulled out a Thermite Charge. Despite his pain and fatigue, he sprinted the last meters to the Command Vehicle and hurled the charge at the belly of the beast.
"Death is life!" he cried and dashed away, but then he was surrounded in light…and shockwave.