Hello and yeah yeah, standard greeting stuff, Twenty chapters in now and it has been over a year since the story first started, hard to believe it has already been so long, I never thought it would end up here. The story now has a combined 1,081K followers and favourites as well as over 141,500 views which to me is absolutely amazing since when I started I just expected maybe a few people to take a look at it so thank you all.
Few notes to mention for this story and this chapter, in particular, you might want to read. Firstly, the main reason for this chapter coming out later than usual and I suppose the last one is because I am getting ready to move to a new city to start my University Bachelor's degree so I have been busy getting everything sorted. Big note over, on the smaller side I won't be referring to Ahsoka's lightsaber as hers in general anymore unless the situation calls for it because it just feels too weird to say 'the/Ahsoka's lightsaber' every time it gets used.
By the way, I also get into troop numbers and official names, and from the star wars side of things, I am going to be going off of legends since in canon the 501st is only made up of 800 clone troopers instead of several thousand. Debate this in the comments if you wish.
Finally, so so sorry that it has been like 2 and a half months since the last upgrade but I have moved to and started University so I have been lucky to find any spare time in between prepping and lectures. Again, really sorry.
Replies from CH19 -
Guest DCDGojira - Thank you and yes this is the beginning of what a lot of us have been waiting for.
Edboy4926 - Cheers and there are already a good few stories with Ahsoka leaving the order and in some fashion joining the UNSC but the ending I have will be (as far as I know) completely unique to the crossovers on the site/app.
MarauderPrime12 - Thanks.
DojoYojo - Yep this is definitely not the last we have seen of Ahsoka Tano, she'll be back and no doubt Jack will make use of that lightsaber. We all knew this chapter was going to happen sooner or later and it is finally here, I can't wait for Halo infinite. We have all waited for so many years.
Scarease - Yes but again though this would lead to a way too quick ending with the UNSC/ONI uncovering everything and either solving the problem instantly or starting a new war, that has been done before a few too many times.
Halo Star Wars X-over fan - Yes, this unfortunately is another area of science I spend many hours researching and you are right but just like with the speed of slipspace travel I had to fudge it a little to make it work for the story, an overpowering military force steamrolling through everything doesn't build a lot of risk or tension because you already know what is going to happen. Something I found recurring in stories like Halo: the andromeda war, which I did like but got a bit repetitive.
Guest - True it approaches...possibly
Lord Okkirke - I somehow did make that mistake, I can only assume I had up my ship encyclopedia on one of my monitors (I do during writing) and was reading it and didn't even realise that I wrote Arquitens-class and not Consular-class, Also I meant it as in weapons with a high yield of power, so yes a mistake but just a different one since I said wield not yield.
Guest - Thanks a lot.
Devilking1994 - Yes that is true and we do see the use of Slugthrowers/Projectile weapons but I was more referring to the galactic standard weapons most of the military's in star wars are outfitted with, which so very rarely ever Slugthrowers. Possibly right with this one but considering they went from constant retreat to actively hunting down the covenant remnants in only a few years after 2553 I would say that a decade would be enough buildup. Also, I didn't put a lot of detail into that ODST/Clone incident but the shock troopers in that chapter were likely rookies fresh into the core and we know how the ODST's don't like people beating them at anything. Finally, yes all nations spy on each other no matter what but it wasn't like they were going to just be okay with it once they found out.
ZombieSlayers - They are without a doubt, some unexpected twists and turns coming up.
NeilDegrasseTyson - I apologise, I am working on a full all in one version where I will spend many hours editing and repairing these bits before I upload it after the story is complete.
L - Really gonna make me do this huh, alright here we go. Yep more people trusted Ahsoka this time around and now Captain Jack and possibly Resolute are on thin ice with both superiors. Also yes you are right even if she had both her lightsabers, the lack of energy, surprise attack, etc. meant she was very much at a disadvantage. At least Barris was still defeated, no way she could handle both a Jedi knight and a Spartan and was brought to the court with her confession, clearing Ahsoka's name. With her giving her lightsaber, I saw that as a possible distraction to her and similarly to her last moment with Anakin at the temple, she pushed away that reminder that could have pulled her back. You are right I suppose, in that they almost going completely AWOL but blue team went completely over the line, they crossed the Rubicon and didn't look back. Oh wow, well no spoilers in the replies as always but look down to find out. The culmination of a long time of planning is starting to unravel. Finally, yeah no denying that Tarkin and Del Rio share some similar...traits, I do wonder if New Phoenix might have avoided being composed if Infinity hadn't left Requiem. I haven't put a lot of thought into killing Tarkin but trust me, he ties into the ending alright.
Chapter Twenty: An Order Too Soon
June 27, 2565 (Military Calendar)
Andromeda Galaxy, Slipspace
UNSC Condor, On route to Republic Venator 'Foreshadow'
"Captain?" Rookie asked.
"Play it again Corporal" Captain Jack ordered.
Rookie tapped a button on the holotables console and the visual display of the audio signal appeared, "Captain Jack, Spartan A127, you are ordered to transfer to the Republic Venator Foreshadow in preparation for the joint invasion of Ringo Vinda, coordinates are attached to the file...Your actions involving the arrest of Ahsoka Tano have not gone unnoticed but they will be brought up later, fortunately for you, your other mission is too valuable to risk bringing in more fireteams. You are on thin ice with Spartan Core command Captain, I am relieved at the outcome of your actions Spartan, but disobeying orders to accomplish it was dangerous, Admiral Lasky out". Lasky said as the message again reached its end.
"Again Sir?" Rookie asked.
"No, I get the point," Captain Jack replied.
"Given what we did Sir, I think we got off lucky" Rookie said.
"Too right Corporal" Jack replied as he stood back from the holotable, "Get some rest Resolute, a battle's coming our way and I need us back up to full strength, I can't help but feel any mistakes from us on this mission won't go down well with either sides command," He ordered.
It had been nearly a full day's travel in the Condor since their departure from Coruscant, after their near insubordination the nearby Fireteam Osiris had been ordered to escort them to their rendezvous location on the Republic destroyer, Captain Jack knew what was going on, Admiral Lasky knew damn well they would never go AWOL for the purposes of harming the Republic or the UNSC, he had only sent Locke and the rest of fireteam Osiris, still with the clone soldier Tup, because he wanted to teach them a lesson.
After leaving 79's, also known as the clone bar to the locals, both teams boarded their ships and the Captain of Fireteam Resolute watched from the cockpit as Locke's Condor flew close to their side the whole pathway out of the planet's atmosphere until they reached open space and activated their slipstream engines. Jack didn't bother to check their enhanced scanners to check on Osiris ship, he knew they were scanning them the whole time to make sure his coordinates were correct, he could say what he did about Locke but he couldn't deny he was thorough when it came to his objectives.
Travelling through the complex dimension of slipspace towards their own objective allowed the team their usual small respite from whatever battle or operation they had been carrying out, the captain looked around the cabin from his small bunk within the open room, his teammates carried out their own tasks as they too waited for their arrival with the Foreshadow. Rookie, Fives and Kix sat at the holotable in the centre playing poker, with the likely chance that Rookie was somehow cheating the two beginners out of their credits.
Behind them, opposite Jack at the far end of the room, Jesse eyed over his weapons keeping his Republic issued DC-15S clean and combat-ready all day round despite their use of the brand new prototype hardlight weapons provided by the UNSC, the rest of the team did so with their own previous weapons they had already fought and killed multiple opponents with. Taking shifts monitoring the scanners and slipspace drive systems Jun and Cadmon casually waited for their arrival at the Republic ship and it wasn't long before the notice on the navigational display started to light up and alert him of their impending arrival.
"Captain, we're coming out of slipspace at the coordinates Admiral Lasky gave us, scanners are showing a single Republic capital ship, identification matches the Foreshadow," Cadmon reported over the ship's internal comm.
"Understood, I'll be there in a moment," Captain Jack responded as he put his weapons back onto their mag holsters and clipped his lightsaber onto his lower right mag holster sacrificing his 2 Type-1 plasma grenades.
He stood up and walked over to the doorway to the cockpit with the clomping of the heavy alloy armour audible throughout the ship. Approaching the dark silver door he pressed the white illuminated button on the small terminal on the wall next to the entrance, it opened from the side with the usual scrape of the sliding metal frame, just as he entered he could see the blue, white and black background of slipspace fade away in an instant and was replaced with the familiar sight of empty space.
To his right only seconds after them, another slipspace portal appeared and from within the thin plane of slipstream space, Osiris's ship emerged.
Ahead of them amongst the near completely empty star system save for some lone planets and asteroids was the Republic ship they expected. "Incoming hail from the Foreshadow Sir," Cadmon said.
"Put it up," Jack told him.
The small holographic display in the centre came to life and the clear image of a ship's captain appeared as well as Spartan Locke, "Ah Fireteams Osiris and Resolute, Captain Meeba, I have been expecting your arrival," He said as the dorsal hangar bay doors on the Venator slowly opened.
"Make your way to hanger bay's 6 and 7, they have been cleared for your ships, I'll have a small attachment sent down to escort you to the briefing room." Captain Meeba added.
"Appreciated Captain, we'll be there momentarily," Locke said as the Captains transmission ended, "After you Captain," He said to Jack.
"Alright Locke, you and the Admiral have made your point, focus more on the battle ahead and less so on us," Captain Jack said as he reached forward and cut off the transmission before Locke could say anything else.
"Take us in, Lieutenant," Jack ordered.
Cadmon reached forward on the controls and extended power to the engine throttle, both Condor's speeds increased and Osiris lined up behind Resolute in single file to enter the thin hanger bay. The white shine of the many internal lights from within the bright hangar bays extended out to space as the two craft ventured below the armoured dorsal door. The blue, cloudy veil of the ship's magnetic shields was clear, stopping the atmosphere from venting when the ship opened its hangar bays in the vacuum of space.
Gliding slowly along the pathway and getting nearer to the sixth hanger bay from the bow, Cadmon rotated the rear thrusters and swung the rear out ninety degrees, then passed through the airlock shield while opening and extending the landing gear. Alongside him, the almost twin Condor did the same and they both touched ground as the whirr and vibrations of both engines ceased.
Inside the ship, Captain Jack and the rest of fireteam Resolute wasted no time as they picked up the last of their gear and checked both their weapons and ammo count for the mission ahead. As Jack, Cadmon and Jun left the cockpit the two soldiers lined up, stacked up in two lines facing towards the ship's rear ramp. Captain Jack approached the rear terminal and slammed his palm against the main override button and the door opened, letting in the hanger's light.
Captain Jack, leading from the front, middle of the lineup marched down the ramp and onto the deck of the Venator. Beside him, in militaristic fashion, fireteam Osiris advanced off of their ship and started a steady pace over to the main doors of the hangar where their escort would be and soon made themselves clear. The hangar bay door opened as two clone troopers, Fives noticed they were clearly shines from their fresh batch of armour, followed by a lieutenant. "Well I'll be, wasn't expecting to see you here Hardcase," Jesse said from beside Jack as he noticed the design of the lieutenant's armour as his friends from the 501st.
"Neither did I, Jesse, I wish we had time to catch up since Umbara but I'm afraid we're on a tight schedule. Once the UNSC reinforcements arrive, we are to jump right to hyperspace towards Ringo Vinda,". Hardcase briefly explained "Follow me" he said.
Both Spartan leaders followed suit as the three clones turned around and started a steady march down the grey metal hall. Walking swiftly down the corridor on their way to the briefing room at the top of the ship, Jack noticed the lack of head-turning from the clone troopers and officer's that they had experienced near the beginning of the war, at first he thought soldiers that fought alongside leaders such as the Jedi wouldn't think twice when seeing soldiers like them, but he was wrong. Now though, it seemed the clone forces had gotten used to their appearance.
Eventually, after a quick turbolift up to the bridge of the ships to towers, they made it to the briefing room where the Captain and a few clone officers were waiting. "Ah Thank you, lieutenant, dismissed" Captain Meeba ordered, as Hardcase and the two shinies saluted and left the room. "Resolute, Osiris, the UNSC Valley and Forge are due to arrive in a few moments from Phindar, so I'll give you the compressed briefing," He said.
"Understood, Captain, Please begin," Locke said.
Captain Meeba pulled up several 3D specifications on a large dockyard, "The station of Ringo Vinda, close to the planet and is currently in a deadlocked battle between the 501st led by Generals Skywalker, Tiplar and Tiplee against several droid regiments, it has been an uphill struggle, the rest of the 501st is onboard this ship and the two Valient cruisers on the way have another four of your UNSC Marine battalions, we are to break the stalemate and take the station" Meeba started.
The Captain enhanced on the left side of the station schematic, "From our most recent intelligence from the battle this section of the station is exposed but not in CIS hands, it has an open hanger with functioning airlock controls, you and the first wave of troops need to capture it and a relief force can hold it for the rest of the reinforcements, our platoons will be equipped with vacuum capable armour as will the UNSC force," Meeba explained.
Captain Jack leaned in over the holomap "Alright, it seems attainable if we can get a decent foothold, who is the commander of the Marine and Clone forces?" Jack asked.
"I was briefed myself by a Captain Ajex, I believe it was, he informed me that the UNSC forces would be commanded by Major James Head" Captain Meeba said.
Rookie seemed to remember the name, "We fought together on Ryloth Sir, he's a dependable leader" He said to Captain Jack.
Jack looked forward from Rookie, "And the Clone forces?" He asked again.
Captain Meeba seemed to slightly hesitate before he answered the Spartan, "Technically, they are under the Command of Lieutenant Hardcase," He said.
The new information seemed to startle both Locke and Jack, "I'm sorry, I know Hardcase is a dependable soldier but why is a Lieutenant leading nearly half a clone regiments worth of soldiers?" Captain Jack asked.
"Because more than half of the troopers are fresh recruits, for some of them this is the first deployment and because the 501st was needed at Ringo Vinda only a small auxiliary force was sent with the ship to receive them, they needed the best over there," Captain Meeba told them.
A look of slight disgruntlement spread across the Spartans face, "Alright we'll work with what we've got then, I recommend we keep the first wave of both clone and marine forces to the most experienced and leave the more green troopers to guard the rally point in the hanger," Locke advised.
Captain Meeba nodded, "I agree, I'll relay the orders," He said as he went back over the holomap battle plans, "first and second platoons will be led by the Lieutenant along with two marine platoons led by Major Head, once inside the hanger they can activate the shields and allow for us to send in the holding force as well as the main attack divisions," He said.
Before he went any further with the plan the doors to the main bridge deck opened widely with their usual metal sliding screech and an officer walked through, "Captain, the UNSC Valley and Forge have both arrived and are awaiting confirmation for travel to Ringo Vinda," The officer informed.
"Granted, engage hyperdrive, course set for Ringo Vinda" Captain Meeba replied.
"Yes, Captain," The officer said as he turned around and marched back to the bridge.
Captain Meeba turned around from the officer, "ETA to Ringo Vinda is only an hour Captain, If you are battle-ready I recommend both you and fireteam Osiris return to the hanger bay and await the arrival" He said.
"Agreed Captain," Captain Jack said as both fireteams marched out of the room and followed the path they had approached down to the hangar bays where the near hundred strong force of clones prepared by their assigned gunships, most of their armour was painted with the blue streaks and designs they had come to see and associate with the 501st after fighting multiple battles with them against the separatists.
After they had reached the hanger the two teams split off as fireteam Osiris went to their own Condor, Jack could see Tanaka and Buck discussing something with the clone mechanics refuelling their ship before he lost line of sight with them. On their way down they could feel the hyperdrive engine at work as the ship travelled through hyperspace towards Ringo Vinda, "Jun, Cadmon, go make sure the ship is combat-ready, the guns and shields need to be fully operational, no doubt we'll run into hostile fighters on the path in," Captain Jack ordered as he and Fives approached Hardcase who was overseeing an LAAT in the next hanger.
"Lieutenant, a word," Captain Jack asked.
Hardcase turned around and put down the datapad he was working from onto one of the crates with the Republic symbol on it. "Of Course, good to see you again Captain," He greeted the Spartan.
"Likewise, Lieutenant?" He said undecidedly
Hardcase picked up on the Spartans confused presumption "It came in recently, after Umbara and a skirmish at Mimban I received my promotion notice, next thing I know I'm reassigned to a lone cruiser to assist in the new batch of shinies joining the 501st, it wouldn't surprise me if they only did because they needed somebody to do the convoy run," Hardcase answered.
"I suppose it's possible but now though it is your job to lead these rookies into battle, for now at least, I assume you've been briefed on the mission as well?" Jack asked.
"Affirmative Sir, my first and second platoons are readying up now with JT-12 jetpacks and checking their armours seal for the deployment from the gunships, I have to say though Sir, it's a risky manoeuvre deploying in the middle of a space battle," Hardcase said.
"I agree, Lieutenant, but we can't fit all the gunships into the hangar with enough time to eliminate the enemy force, we need to get in and push forward, the rest of the force will offload as quickly as possible," Captain Jack said briefly.
"Understood Sir, we'll be ready," Hardcase said.
The catching up between the two Umbaran veterans didn't last too long however as the early alert for troop deployment sounded off loudly soon after. The conversation stopped between the two as the hanger became a hustling space of movement and marching with clone troopers rushing to their positions inside the multiple gunships lined along the hangers, with more on standby ready to reinforce the first waves.
Following the rest, the Spartan Captain sprinted to Resolute's Condor and bolted up the open ramp to see all of his fireteam at action stations with their weapons and gear. "Resolute Sound off" Captain Jack ordered.
One by one the fireteam sounded off loud and clear through their comms.
"Fives, Online and Ready Captain"
"Jun, Standing by Sir"
"Jesse, Standing by Sir"
"Rookie, Acknowledged and Ready Captain"
"Kix, equipped and steady Sir"
"Cadmon, All systems go up here Captain"
Once Captain Jack received the last confirmation that all the troopers were onboard and ready he slugged the deck control for the ramp and continued walking forward past the holotable and most of his squad who were on standby for the mission ahead, he reached the open cockpit where he could see through the front pilots window the rest of the gunships were loaded and ready. Any remaining empty hangers all had their airlock shields activated as the dorsal hangar bay doors would be opening any second for the deployment.
The alert that the Republic ship had exited hyperspace sounded off and within moments the subtle vibrations of the distant battle got closer and more violent as from outside the ships started to come under attack. From the cockpit, Jack turned to Cadmon for answers as he was on the main communication channel and skimming through multiple battle reports, "Cadmon, Status report" He ordered.
Cadmon spent another half-second finishing his quick information grab from the latest tactical report from both UNSC and Republic ships, "Several squadrons of hostile Hyena bombers and Vulture starfighters diverted their course away from the main Republic force and towards us, shields are holding for now and the Valiants fighter support is launching now" He reported.
To Jack's right he saw the dorsal bay doors of the Venator open up and the first to leave the hangars were the squadrons of V-19 and ARC-170 fighters, "And so is the Foreshadows" he said.
"They'll clear the way for us, weapons and shields at the ready, it's going to get choppy," Jack said as he left the cockpit and rejoined the rest of his squad in the main fuselage. With haste, he marched over to the Holotable and brought up the battle schematics fed through the sensors. It showed the multiple ships surrounding the station and slightly farther away, their task force as well as the weapons fire from all the allied and enemy ships.
"Alright we've been over the plan, as we speak fighter squadrons are engaging in combat with multiple hostile interceptors which is why we need to get in and quickly, sooner we clear the landing zone, the sooner we get the main reinforcements in and the sooner we can retake this station," Jack stated as the Condor rumbled and took off at a high speed, shooting right out of the hanger and into the battle with the outer turrets picking out enemy targets almost immediately once made it a few thousand klicks outside the Foreshadows dorsal bay.
The dampeners on the ship were working hard as the shields took multiple impacts and the cannons kept up the rapid-fire on any incoming enemy bombers and fighters attempting to strafe the Condor and any ships surrounding it. Viewing the external cameras from the Holotable and his helmet's display, Jack saw the transport pilots evade what fire they could from the attackers and fire back when they could without leaving the flight path to the exposed hanger.
Multiple Pelicans carrying the UNSC marines clustered in with the group, trying to use their limited shielding to take some of the flak away from the vulnerable LAAT gunships. They got closer and closer to the target and gained more attention as their fighter support started to grow thin, Jack watched as a single Pelican and two LAAT's were shot down, ahead of them a close Separatist Providence-class Dreadnought had its engines obliterated when the combined firepower of the Valiants MAC rounds and Venators Turbolaser batteries collapsed the surrounding shielding. The colour drained from the engines and the ship started to list as it was pulled by the gravity well of the planet below.
It just narrowly missed the task force of troopers nearby as it plummeted, suffering no extra fatalities, their target came into sight. "Captain Jack to all task force units, the target is in sight, hostile fire is greater than expected, we'll get as close as we can but we are only going to have a few seconds to perform the jump and get to the opening, Captain Jack out!" He said decisively.
Marching quickly to the back of the ship Jack threw his helmet on, "Helmets on, check your seals" He ordered
Once he had received the all-clear signal from everyone he commed Cadmon, "Cadmon, decompress, now!" He shouted as the air started bailing from the room extremely quickly in preparation for their exit into open space.
"Decompression complete Captain, eta to target jump is ten seconds!" Cadmon informed the Captain as they got closer and closer to just a few hundred meters away from the hangar.
"Acknowledged, I need you and Jun in the fight, once we have bailed take the ship to the Republic controlled hanger on the west side and work your way up," Jack said to them both.
"Orders confirmed Captain, we'll see you there, opening bay doors now," Cadmon announced as the rear door unlatched and lowered down, revealing the massive battle raging on in front of them all. Blue and Red turbolaser fire from the batteries and cannons of the Republic and Separatist ships streaked like columns of burnished light, smashing into each other's ships causing sporadic buckshot explosions on both sides as their shield absorbed the energy of the colliding energy bolts.
Silently screaming in from behind them and the Condor was the several hundred tons slug rounds from the UNSC Valiants, striking heavily against the hulls of their targets, ripping away the shields in large chunks from the larger CIS warships and decimating the smaller ones that stood no chance of evading the rapid speed projectiles. From the very edge of the lowered Condor ramp, Captain Jack leaned forward. All around him several UNSC and Republic transports opened their doors, both Clone and Marine forces pilled out of the ships.
"Launch" Jack simply ordered and he pushed himself off the edge, followed closely behind by the rest of his team and soldiers surrounding him on all sides. With their jetpacks engaged they boosted their velocity instantly and pulled their weapons from their magnetic holsters as the recognisable beige shade of B1 battle droids became clear as day. Ahead of them, multiple Marines and Clones gathered by the edge of the jagged metal where the hanger's entry was exposed. "Weapons free!" Jack shouted as they opened fire just a few dozen metres away from the entry point.
The five of them unleashed a hail of hardlight rounds into the hanger, immediately eliminating the main cluster of droids gathered in plain view of the opening, In the multitude of soldiers, Hardcase and Major head gave their respective orders to engage and in synchronisation with Fireteam Resolute charged into the hanger from all sides of the imperfect circler entrance. As soon as the droids had seen the incoming fire they all turned and opened fire, taking no effort to find cover. Using their Jetpacks to steady their entry, the allied soldiers hit the ground and took to the walls and debris for cover. Several rookie soldiers got hit on the entrance inside but the evenly-matched number of droids started to fall to the opposing force as slowly but steadily the Armoured Warriors led the path forward.
At the very front of the fight with the B1's numbers dwindling, Captain Jack and Fives faced off against two Commando droids and we're quickly separated as Jack had been pushed back several metres by the elite droid and dropped his hardlight rifle and watched it skid across the floor. Ahead of him, he saw fives holding his own as he engaged in hand combat with the droid using the butt of his rifle. He quickly changed his focus to the commando in front of him. It tried to fire several shots from its E-5 blaster but the Spartans shields absorbed each shot and before they collapsed, Jack swatted its blaster downward and got its arm into a hard lock and pulled, snapping it off.
Barrel rolling out of the way of the Spartan the droid rapidly and agility used its remaining arm and caught Jack off guard pinning him to the wall behind him by his neck, he reached down to his sidearm holster but couldn't reach it. He felt the grip on his neck tighten and used his other arm to reach down to his secondary holster. A second later the strength from the droid faltered as a green lightsaber pierced through its centre. It fell backwards and down, dropping off the edge of the lightsaber in Captain Jack's hand.
Jack got himself back up and shook himself off, he could see around him the temporary battle for the hanger start to cease as the few remaining B1 droids had been all but wiped out and the still fighting super-battle droids were on their last legs. He could see Major Head assisting Fives as he fired several rounds from his compact M7S into the commando's head.
"Captain," He heard a clones voice call over to him from his right, he turned and saw Hardcase holding his hardlight rifle, once he turned his head the Clone threw over the rifle which the Spartan caught in one hand, checked its ammo and kept it at a lowered position as the final droids were mopped up. Both the new Lieutenant and Major Head convened together with the Spartan Captain, it was only now that he noticed the lack of Fireteam Osiris. Before he spoke to either of the Platoons leaders in front of him he attempted to contact the missing Spartans.
"Fireteam Osiris, do you copy? What is your position?" He asked and got static for a few seconds before the familiar disciplined tone of Spartan Locke came through with several coughs.
"Locke responded, we took one too many hits on entry, the port thruster blew out and we crashed half a klick north of the objective, we've met up with General Skywalker's forces as well as your Lieutenants," Locke informed the Captain.
"Acknowledged, the hangar is clear and we're moving to the rendezvous point now, reinforcements in-bound," Jack replied.
He cut off the comm channel and walked back to Head and Hardcase, "Captain, the hangar is secure and the reinforcements are in-bound," Hardcase said.
Jack could confirm it instantly as he could see the next wave of allied fighters escorting the transports far out from the hangar. "Good, there's only a couple ways inside, leave a squadron to protect it and have the rest of the men move out on the double, Fireteam Resolute on me" He shouted for the rest of his team to hear.
The scattered troops of Resolute rallied on Captain Jack and they moved out of the hangar and into the hallways where the sounds of a closeby battle were getting more clear and audible by the second. With several platoons behind them, they battled through multiple corridors and hallways with multiple droids standing guard trying to protect the hallways from straying soldiers were quickly and efficiently put down by the Clones and Marines. Eventually, they reached a junction with two routes.
Kix quickly checked his virtual map through his HUD, "Both routes lead to the rendezvous, I recommend we split the force.
"Agreed," Major head said, "I'll take my marines down left, Lieutenant, I recommend you and Fireteam Resolute take the right, see you on the other side," the Major said as his platoons of marines followed him strategically down the left splitting corridor.
The rest of them took off down the right side with their sides hugging the wall and their weapons high and raised just waiting for a droid to walk into their path. It wasn't long before they reached the last door to the rendezvous point with the main force and the loud sounds of blaster fire from behind it were as clear as if it were happening right in front of them. When the final door failed to open on their arrival, Fives rushed to the half-destroyed and partially exposed control console at the side of the entryway.
His intention to try and open the door was clear, "No time," Jack said as he holstered his weapon and withdrew his lightsaber, igniting it and stabbing it into the metal door as the troopers next to him stepped back, quickly cutting a large semi-circular shape into the door he stood back and gestured to Fives to stand next to him, "On 3" He said.
"1...2...3," He counted quickly and they both shoulder bashed the door and it heavily fell outwards revealing the battle in front of them with the CIS droid forces dug in deep on one side defending the command centre against the attacking Republic forces which were trapped only a few meters into the room, pinned down.
"Jesse, Fives shields upfront with me, Rookie, Kix, cover our flanks, once we push in, provide cover for the troops to get inside and establish a foothold, Understood?" He asked
"Yes Sir!" Came the strident reply from the four of them.
Jack, Fives and Jesse lined up in formation and activated their right wrist-mounted hardlight shields, reverse engineered from ancient forerunner technology they were far from perfect but gained enough power from the micro fusion reactor that powered the Spartan armour to absorb incoming energy and projectile rounds for several minutes. Lined up and shields out they pushed through into the large open chamber taking fire before they had even fully entered.
At their sides, Rookie and Kix fired on the droids that were laying heavily into the other threes shields, once they had cut a hole in the droids surrounding them the dozens of waiting clones poured into it and pushed to the right as hard as they could to connect their own small force and current Republic troops waiting for them. It started to work and both Hardcase and Jack veered their direction right and opened fire on the multiple droids in their path, covering the troopers rushing to cover. "Fives, on my six! Everyone else, hold the access point," Captain Jack ordered as he, Hardcase and Fives ran and gunned their way to General Skywalker's position.
They got there and Fives took up position behind Commander Buck and Tup from Osiris joining them in their efforts to cover the left flank while Fives joined close by with Cadmon and Jun who were in sniper positions on an elevated slope just a few feet right of Jack who dived into a crouched position firing from cover, "General Skywalker, status report?" He asked, shrugging off two blaster rounds, his shields flaring as a golden glow before starting to recharge.
Anakin tried to keep his eyes mostly on the battle ahead, "We've retaken most of the entranceways and latest reports have the reinforcement fleet as holding the Separatists back from engaging any further if we can take the command centre and capture Admiral Trench and end this battle" the Jedi stated.
"Good, I hope you have a plan for that?" Jack commented as he took out an advancing commando droid with four hardlight rounds to the chest and threw a grenade over to where a small cluster of B2's had pinned down a clone squad.
"As always," Skywalker said, causing a hidden look of scepticism from underneath Jack's helmet.
"Is it push forward and blast anything in front?" Jack asked doubtingly.
"So little faith," Skywalker said as he deflected another blaster bolt towards the enemy and started to push forward alongside Jedi Masters Tiplee on the right and Tiplar on the left, followed by his men.
"As always," Jack sighed before emerging from cover, and pushing forward, "Osiris, get it in gear, we need to push forward," He said as Fives tactfully trudged forward in the middle.
"Come on Tup, no's no time to freeze up" Fives shouted to Tup as he saw Tup stop firing and stand still for a few seconds, next to him Buck gave him a quick shoulder Jab and he moved up behind, passing Fives and Buck into the fight.
In the centre of the room, Jack had regrouped with Rookie, Kix and Jesse and along with Skywalker and the core group of the 501st started to break even on the ground, even further when above them the marine platoons and Major head had emerged on the high up walkways. To his left and slightly scattered was fireteam Osiris with Locke, Vale and Tanaka upfront but Buck and Tup behind struggling to move up until Master Tiplar took care of the dwarf spider droid that had them pinned down.
He saw Tup without his helmet and moved ahead of Buck but didn't think any further when he saw a large amount of B2 and destroyer droids enter the hangar from the enemy-controlled side and he knew they would need to push extra hard and hold the ground they had managed to gain. Reloading his rifle, he rushed up my several feet to a better standing cover position just left of Fives and Hardcase, he poked his head out to open fire but noticed that next to him Fives wasn't firing but looking at him, or rather just behind him.
Before he could shake his teammate out of whatever daze he was uncharacteristically in he heard him shout out and try to run past him, "Tup No!"
Jack didn't hear the shot in the midst of the raving battle but by the time he had turned his head, he saw the body drop to the floor and the collapsed lightsaber of Master Tiplar roll out of her lifeless hands. The Spartan Captain wouldn't have believed his eyes if Tup were not standing over her dead corpse that a loyal clone trooper, the same kind he had fought beside for nearly two years, would do what one of them just had. Even as far back as their entranceway, he could see the obscured look of shock and disbelief on his teammates face as well as the Clones beside him and the marines above.
Master Tiplee leapt down from her elevated platform when she saw her sister dead and lain on the floor, Hardcase and Fives had immediately leapt on top of Tup, pinning him down who even with his experimental armour provided by the UNSC was too confused and disorientated to resist them. Buck and Locke, who themselves did not understand what had just happened to a member of their own team, dragged his restrained body backwards away from the front lines.
Several of the stunned clones and marines were suddenly gunned down by multiple incoming reinforcements with droid destroyers on the ground rapidly firing on anything standing in front of them while airborne B2's split their fire between Skywalker's left flank and the marines that held the high ground. Skywalker had previously ordered his men to hold their ground but quickly realised with the death of Master Tiplar and the unsettling circumstances around it, they had lost their momentum and wouldn't be able to push forward.
He ordered them to fall back, covering as many of his men as he could but taking note of Fives and Locke dragging Tup with them, "Locke, Fives, I don't know what's going on but you're responsible for Tup now, get him back to base, I want answers!" He told them. They both acknowledged and continued pulling back from the battle as the rest of the Spartan fireteams pulled back.
Ensuring the retreating forces gained as much cover as possible, Commander Dooms unit joined together their Bulwark Blast Shields in pairs to draw the fire away from the vulnerable retreating forces, "Shields up, Kix, Rookie cover the right side" Captain Jack ordered as he saw the advancing droid force start to overwhelm the Clones on the right, as they pulled back into the tunnels he could see what was left of the marine platoons pulling back through their entranceway.
Major Head and his platoon had remained on the balcony and high altitude positions to try and hold back the tidal wave of CIS reinforcements, the Captain never saw if the Major had managed to pull back in time or if his body was amongst the dozens of dead marines clutching their weapons.
Captain Jack and Jesse positioned themselves next to Commander Doom, from the brief glances the Commander and Captain gave each other they could tell the advance had been a disaster, Doom clearly wanted to ask and find out what had just happened and why a clone trooper, loyal to the Republic had executed a Jedi but he knew there was no time for it and he had to do the same as the Spartan and cover the tactical retreat. Though, the exact same thoughts were inside of the Spartan Captains head.
Reloading his sidearm, Captain Jack quickly opened the team comm to Jun and Cadmon who were further ahead of them him in the retreat, using the walls of next the junction for cover and firing on the droid advancement, as well as some clone and marine forces they were holding them back at best but it didn't take an Admiral to notice that the tsunami of hostile backup was still advancing on them. "Jun, Cadmon, get back to the ship and get ready to use the onboard weapons to cover the fallback.
The green acknowledgement LEDs from the two of them blinked on Jacks HUD, an ability only open to them as the Clones on Fireteam Resolute did not have the same neural implants as UNSC forces, especially not to the same level as the ODST and Spartan cores. "Come on!" Several Clone engineers yelled as they set up several automated sentry turrets.
"Go!" He yelled to Commander Doom and his remaining units, following two seconds after knowing that his energy shields would take any hits to the back better than his armour. Going into a full sprint, he and Jesse made it behind the gun emplacement as it powered up and started firing heavily into the droids. Spraying blue blaster fire down the corridor, provided the adequate suppressing fire for the main allied force to finish pulling back.
Abandoning the route they had originally taken in, Jack and Jesse passed the exposed hanger room where the reinforcements had been ordered to stop when the area was no longer secure due to the retreat. He could see a light at the end of the hallway and could soon make it out to be the external lights of both the Condor and Republic gunships, ferrying the units to secure parts of the station still in Republic control. Despite everything that had happened Captain Jack knew the battle was far from over and would last a lot longer than just this day.
Crouching by the side of the Condors entrance ramp, Jack shut down his hardlight shield as he noticed its energy cell was on its last drop of power and his armour's fusion core would need several moments to recharge them. He holstered his sidearm and switched back to his rifle to stand against the few commando droids and destroyers that had gotten past the sentries and remaining clone troopers that tried to fend them off. He knew there was no going back into open battle and remained in his position.
The Spartans streamlined accuracy from years of endless training and war showed its merit as he fired off six shots in rapid succession of each other and they blazed towards the droids at over one hundred and eighty thousand miles per second, not existing for more than a nanosecond before piercing the head plating of the commando droids who even with their expensive programming and parts couldn't dodge the speed of light launched at them by a veteran Spartan.
As if rehearsed, the three commando droids hit the ground in near-perfect collapsed piles. Revealing behind them several destroyer droids that stopped rolling with them just short of the now scrap metal of commandos. Their shields were already up and protecting them before Jack had a chance to shoot again but his attention was grabbed by Jesse to his right, halfway up the ship's ramp. He shouted out to the Captain, close enough that he didn't bother using the team comm. "Captain, come on!" He yelled.
Jack could see without turning his head that the last of the Republic gunships were taking off, he leapt onto the ramp through the side and could hear the main forward rotary canons of the Condor spinning up and caught a glimpse of the destroyers being shredded to pieces. Not even their personal shields could stand up to an upgraded 110mm rotary cannon lighting them up with several thousand rounds of ammunition per minute. As the door closed and the light from the hanger was sealed off, the already partially activated engines roared into life again as they had done countless times in these battles.
Inside the hanger, all of Fireteam Osiris and Resolute along with a small handful of clones and marines awaited their arrival at the next position with more than half of them staring at Tup who was sat barely conscious in restraints and two of Commander Dooms men keeping their weapons extremely close to him. Barely getting his weapon on his mag holster Captain Jack almost collapsed into a crouch in front of Locke and Kix. "Captain, we are about to land, General Skywalker and General Tiplee have ordered us to bring Tup with us to try and find an explanation for… what happened," Cadmon reported.
Their flight was a short one as they had quickly blasted over several platforms to the secured Republic position and by the shoulders behind his back, Locke and Kix dragged out Tup with them, straight past Master Tiplee and her sister's dead body. Both Jedi and Doom's unit watched as the clone in UNSC armour was pulled to an empty part of the grey command room.
"Why? Why would he do this?" Master Tiplee asked, grieving over Tiplar.
"I'm about to find out, Captain with me," Skywalker said, walking beside Captain Jack approaching Tup where both Fives, Rex and Locke were watching over him.
"How's he doing Rex?" Skywalker asked the Clone Captain.
"I'm not sure General, it seems like he just snapped" Rex tried to brief as he learnt down, putting his hand on Tup's shoulder to try and bring him around, "Tup, can you hear me?" He asked.
Tup leant up slightly and tried to respond, "Ye-Yes Captain," he said coherently, managing to look up and see his Commander and Captain Rex.
"What happened?" Rex asked.
"What do you mean?" Tup asked, confused and part dazed as to what his recent Captain meant.
"Do you have any idea what you have done?" Rex asked after hearing Tup's lack of resentment after what he did.
Before Tup even looked as though he was about to provide an answer his head rolled back and he started muttering to himself, loud enough for the soldiers and Jedi surrounding him to hear. "Good Soldiers follow orders, Good Soldiers follow orders, Good Soldiers follow orders," He repeated over and over again with nobody, not even Kix understanding or figuring out what was wrong.
"Tup! Snap out of it" Locke said to him but he seemed to either not hear it or completely ignore the Spartan Commander.
"What is he talking about?" Kix asked as he looked over Tup more closely, seeing his eyes and head rolling all over the place.
"I have no idea," Rex replied.
"Captain, Sir," Buck said from behind them, "I thought I heard Tup mutter that earlier before he...killed the General, I didn't think he said anything at first but now…" He said, shaking his head in equal confusion as anybody else.
Tup's muttering continued, his gaze wandering all over the place slowly raining in on Master Tippee when suddenly and unexpectedly he leapt forward at master Tiplar with a clear intent on killing her. Fortunately, Tiplar was quicker and reached out with the force, holding him in the air mid-attack before pushing him all the way back to the wall and dropping him. He slid down it to the ground, falling back into a state of unrecognisable gibberish.
"We have to get him back to the medical bay before he hurts anyone else," Skywalker declared.
Many hours later
Republic Medical Base
Captain Jack hadn't questioned Skywalker's orders for both Fireteam Osiris and Resolute to bring in Tup, he was sure that Admiral Lasky would understand and agree that following the Jedi Generals order was the right thing to do, even after his most recent display of insubordination. After the marines and clones had vacated the condor and regrouped with their respective units, it had been taken to Anakin's flagship which, under the limited protection of the Valiant Super heavy cruisers, made the jump to hyperspace.
Without the right equipment and environment, there was no way to understand what was happening to the clone trooper so once they had arrived at the nearest Republic medical station by which point Tup had his heavy armour removed with the Spartans and Jedi knowing how dangerous it was in its own right and transported to a medical bay. As the closest medical officer and one closest to Tup, Kix ran the scans he could, going over the test results as Tup started to awake.
Fives and Locke noticed he seemed more aware of himself than before, he started asking questions once his eyes fully opened, "Fives, what's happening to me?" He asked, struggling weakly against the restraints.
"You don't remember?" Fives asked him.
"No" He responded plainly but still confused.
"You murdered General Tiplar," Fives informed him.
Tup's look of confusion turned to one of disbelief and denial, "What? No that's not possible, I would never...I could never," He insisted, not believing what was going on as he tried to fight to get up even further until Fives put his hand on him.
"Tup, you did," Fives assured.
The disgruntled clone's shock and turmoil didn't end until the medical droid injected him with a sedative and his resistance slowly ceased as he fell back into unconsciousness.
At that moment, Spartan Vale walked in, "Sir, I know this probably isn't a good time but I have a communication request from Admiral Lasky," She said.
Despite the situation, Locke's respect for authority went beyond almost anything and he told her to open it. Lasky, in holographic form, appeared on Vale's micro holo emitter on her wrist. "Admiral," Locke said.
"Spartan," Lasky said as he looked around at the present company, "General Skywalker, I received your action report and I am...exceedingly troubled by what has happened, do you have any leads as of yet as to how something like this could have happened?" Lasky asked.
"Kix, did you check all of his scans?" Skywalker asked.
"Well all of his scans are clear," Kix said, frustrated at the lack of results from the scans, "As far as I can tell, this is a combat-related stress, it seems he's had some sort of breakdown," He tried to offer an explanation.
Rex immediately had a disapproving look to his theory, "Kix, you should know better, we were designed to withstand any stress," He said.
"I agree with Captain Rex, Tup may not have been on my team but I haven't seen any clone break down to the point where it would interfere with their performance, especially not a level such as this" Captain Jack said in agreement with Rex.
"No way, he doesn't even seem to remember what happened, it's like he's sick or drugged," Fives said to Kix.
Kix looked to Locke and then to Admiral Lasky, "Sir, I hate to even ask but is it possible that this was brought on by something the UNSC did when he joined the Spartan team?" Kix asked the Admiral.
"Not at all Sergeant, none of the extremely small numbers of clones temporarily serving in the UNSC has had any augmentations or medical procedures of any kind that would cause this, the armour we gave to them was specially designed to not require any external or internal augmentations for them to use it," Lasky explained.
"Well then it could be a virus or a toxin but I can't be certain," Kix theorised.
"Let's talk outside," Anakin said.
"Just one moment," Lasky said before they exited the room, "Commander Locke, your team has been recalled to Edan base, you must depart without delay," Lasky informed the Spartan.
"Without Tup Sir?" Locke asked.
"Yes, even if his condition is recoverable, your presence is of the utmost importance, I'm afraid the details are classified to discuss over communications channels," Lasky informed him.
Captain Jack watched by the open door as he and Skywalker were about to exit, he knew the depth of Locke's loyalty to the Admiralty was a very deep chasm and had little doubt he would follow any order given to him. "Understood Sir," Locke responded respectfully after a second of silence.
"Captain Jack, you and your team are to assist in the investigation into this...incident and I am granting you full authority to do so, I fear there is more at play here than stress or breakdowns, Fireteams Crimson and Bailey will be assigned to cover you and Osiris at Ringo Vinda," Lasky informed the teams. "Oh and Captain, do not make me regret this," Lasky warned as his communication ended and Spartan Vale lowered her arm.
When Osiris had left and the rest reconvened outside the room, Anakin acknowledged and questioned Tup's last theory, "You mean the enemy could have made him do this?" He asked.
"It's a possibility," Master Tiplee offered, "There have been rumours that the Separatists have been trying to develop an anti-clone virus, biological warfare," She said, even catching the worry and attention of the clone guards positioned outside the room.
"Sir, we aren't equipped for this type of situation, he'll have to be taken back to Kamino, only then will you have your answer," Kix told the Jedi.
"Very well, I'll have a medical transport ready to take him to Kamino," Skywalker said.
"With all due respect General, if it is possible that the Separatists are behind this then they will try and stop us from discovering anything about it, I recommend Tup and any medical officers necessary, be transported on our ship with a fighter escort," Captain Jack heavily suggested to the Jedi.
"Do you really believe an attack would be likely?" Master Tiplar asked.
"I do Ma'am" He responded.
Skywalker thought it over for a moment, knowing that this had to stay in Republic hands but also be done right, "I've been wrong not to trust you before Captain, I just hope this isn't one of those times," He said, "Rex, have the medical staff and escort of the transport report to the Spartans Condor," Skywalker ordered.
"We'll take care of him, Sir," Fives said as Rex left to carry out the orders.
Hours later the ships were ready to leave and the trooper escort detail pushed Tup's hover-stretcher down the hanger bay until it reached the Condor and they resumed moving him inside the UNSC ship as the medical officers and Fireteam Resolute oversaw the transport. "Let's go, Fives," Jack said to Fives who was stood next to him watching his friend be moved onto their ship.
Walking down onto the platform of the hanger, the seven members of Fireteam Resolute marched up onto the ship and watched for a short moment as the escort troops secured Tup's hover-stretcher to the many grip points in the main fuselage and continued to stand guard while the medical officers monitored Tup's condition. Cadmon and Jun naturally headed to the cockpit as the assigned pilots of the ship while Jack and Fives stood around the holotable going over the details of their departure and estimated arrival at Kamino.
The rest of them settled in for the journey, stocking up on new ammunition they had spent during the battle at Ringo Vinda and shearing off any debris that had accumulated on their weapons and armour. The raising rumble and vibrations of the ship indicated their departure from the hangar, staring closely at the holotank in the centre of the room he saw four more contacts appear on the map. Their tags indicated they were ARC-170 reconnaissance fighters, their escort for the mission to Kamino.
Their point of Slipspace jump was several hundred kilometres away from the station and very soon they made it there with both the escort pilots and Cadmon entering the Coordinates for Kamino into their respective FTL drives. They were mere seconds away from jumping when the sensors of the ships lit up with alarms and warnings of incoming hostels, matching scans of CIS attack/transport ships. "Captain we're under attack! Taking evasive action, brace yourselves!" Jun said over the internal speakers and the comm line to the fighters.
Jesse, Fives and Rookie took up new positions by the rear door in the event they were boarded.
Captain Jack quickly opened the comm line to both his team and the escort, "Try and clear us a path dammit, at all costs PROTECT TUP!" He shouted as he closed off the channel and brought up the manual gun controls and readied himself for the incoming battle.
Well, god damn that was an exhausting chapter to write in between moving to a new city, University lectures, etc. and I once again apologise for it being late, like really late but I hope you will all enjoy it thoroughly and leave your thoughts in the review section which I will respond to in the next chapter. Oh and two final things, Firstly I do apologise if some of the story seems a little bit too much like regular clone wars with a few Spartans and UNSC ships scattered about. The real change that Halo brings besides the chapters it has already done is coming, very soon. More soon than you think.
The second thing is a question, I know it has been done a thousand times but what would you guys think of a 'transported to the Halo Universe' type story. Just an idea I've had brewing in my head as a guy who has read every halo book/comic, played every game and seen every film/series. Let me know what you would think about that...
