Chapter 19

"Mammoth is mobile," a marine said as the enormous mobile command center began to move steadily towards the Imperial line. While the UNSC was setting up in their small foothold on Mandalorian ground, the garrison from the Academy and other surrounding forts rallied to meet them, bringing their own tanks and walkers to combat the UNSC vehicles and infantry.

"Keep it steady," Chief said as he look out towards the broken landscape. Craters littered the ground from the UNSC bombings, but that also brought cover to the troops in the flat landscape. They never realized everything was literally flattened, except for some mountains in the distance and the cities, until they landed on the surface.

"Any word from Commanders Bridger and Wren?" Cortana asked the Chief.

"No, but I'm sure they're fine," he replied.

"Enemy fighters, bearing 3-2-5," a marine called out. Several other marines took their places at the .50 caliber machine guns lining the left side of the Mammoth, all with M19-B surface to air missile launchers. They had the capability to take down Banshees with relative ease, so TIEs wouldn't be a problem.

The Imperial fighters began to strafe the Mammoth and the other surrounding tanks and Warthogs, all of which also returned fire, filling the air with bullets. Many of the TIE's wings were punctured with several holes, as were the capsules housing the pilots. Many TIEs were shot down, but more took their places.

"Why are there so many of them now?" Chief asked calmly.

"The Empire has a stronger presence here than on Lothal. They're throwing everything they have into this air strike, but something's different about some of those TIEs," Cortana replied. "Look at their wings. About half of them are the standard TIE fighters, but the others seem to have been specially built for atmospheric combat."

Chief nodded, "You're right. Anything on the database?"

"I'm not seeing much, so if I had to guess, it's an experimental fighter," Cortana said.

Chief watched as the newer TIEs outran, and outshot, the standard TIE fighters.

"It's definitely a lot faster and more heavily armed, Chief," Cortana said.

"I don't like it," he said as a Warthog exploded in front of them.

"Neither do I, but it gets worse."

Chief turned and saw a formation of 8 Gozanti-class cruisers flying at low speed towards the UNSC line. They were under an escort of 10 Arquitens cruisers as well.

"There's too many fighters for those ships to carry. They must have an airfield nearby," Cortana said.

"Then we'll need to take that out first if we're going to get anywhere," Chief said. "Infinity, can we get a possible confirmation of an airfield near our location?"

"We're seeing an outpost about 4 klicks away from the Mammoth. Seems there are a lot more fighters being launched."

"We're going to need some more air support," Chief said.

"We are unable to send our fighters. We've detected several ships massing outside the system. Possibly an Imperial counter-offensive."

"What about the Wasps?"

"We might have some time to get those down there, but they wouldn't be fast enough to efficiently combat those TIEs."

"Anything would help."

...

Even though the battle was so far away, the Mandalorians of Clan Wren could still hear the rapid cracks of automatic gunfire. though it was very faint. Ezra was standing outside with Tristan, listening to the relatively unfamiliar warfare that the entire planet was bearing witness to.

"You've fought with those guys, correct?" Tristan asked.

Ezra nodded. "They helped me liberate my homeworld, and they even have a defense fleet set up there in case the Empire tries to take it back."

"I know the Empire is large and everything, but they would be stupid to think they could handle two sides of the UNSC at one time. From the reports of that space battle in our orbit, it sounds like they would be spread a bit thin."

"Lothal was worse."

"Really?"

Ezra nodded again. "The Empire almost won, but UNSC reinforcements arrived just in time. They even lost two super star destroyers."

"Seriously? How?"

"One well-placed shot to their reactor. Their MAC guns are powerful enough to break through our own shields and break the hull."

"MAC?"

"I... can't really explain. Then again, I don't really know much about them, either."

"Yeah, with how well equipped the Rebellion is, I wouldn't trust you with vital information, either," Tristan joked.

"Thanks," Ezra groaned sarcastically.

The air was filled with nothing but the distance gunfire when a bunch of UNSC ships flew past their area at relatively high speeds, towards the fighting.

...

"Chief, this is Infinity. The Wasps were knocked way off course by some sort of jetstream. They've landed about 15 klicks away, but are reported to be heading your way. ETA is 10 minutes."

A/N: I have no idea how fast these things can go so the ETA is more than likely to be inaccurate.

"Thanks," Cortana replied. Chief was too busy trying to keep Imperials from getting close with a Spartan laser and a rocket launcher he grabbed from the Mammoth's armory. "We've thinned out their fighters, but we can see more of them. That second wave is almost here. I don't suppose you could spare a couple frigates or cruisers?"

"Not a chance. We need every starship up here to meet the Imperials."

"Of course you do. What about the Arbiter?"

"We've lost all contact with the Arbiter since after the formation of our alliance. He's likely under strict comm silence to hunt down that Banished carrier."

"Of course he is."

"This is Striker wing to all friendlies down there. We see the fighters, but we're still 5 minutes out!"

"Acknowledged, Striker. We'll keep these guys focused on us while you hit their backs," Chief said as he fired another missile at an approaching TIE.

"Enemy cruisers in range!" a Mammoth operator shouted.

"Fire the main gun! Take them down!" the Mammoth commander shouted.

The large 35cm HRG mini MAC turned towards the still slowly advancing Gozanti and Arquitens cruisers and fired. Several TIEs, unfortunate enough to be flying between the Mammoth and the targeted ship, exploded with the cruiser; the debris and shockwave throwing the other ships off course. Normally, the ships would fall from loss of power before either exploding from a overloading reactor core or hitting the surface. This time, the shot went straight through the Arquitens and forced it to explode with no chance of gaining distance between it and the rest of the formation. Another Arquitens nearly collided with a Gozanti, but they were just barely able to avoid contact, the Arquitens maneuvering over the Gozanti. However, another MAC shot to the engines forced the Arquitens to fall onto the Gozanti, effectively pushing it to the surface for good.

Several AV-49 Wasps arrived and started lighting up the remaining TIEs.

...

"What was that?" Tristan asked, upon hearing several loud explosions, and a lot more gunfire.

"I don't know," Ezra replied. "But I think they're getting serious."

Buck, who also heard the distant gunfire and explosions, stepped out of the building and approached Ezra and Tristan.

"Hey, Buck," Ezra began. "What's going on?"

"MAC guns," he replied simply.

"Again, what's a MAC?"

"Basically a large coilgun," Buck answered.

"I still don't know what that is."

"A very big, and very powerful slugthrower," Buck sighed. "Also, Sabine's asking for you, Ezra."

"Did they stop talking?" Ezra asked.

"We finished explaining our intentions, so for the moment, yes. Sabine's in the training room."

...

The TIE fighters started to retreat after the last cruiser fell. They tried to maneuver to avoid that big cannon on the massive vehicle ahead of the Imperial line, but to no avail. The Empire was losing their air superiority. It was up to the ground units to hold off the attackers until reinforcements arrived.

"Commander!" an Imperial officer approached Saxon. "Enemy forces have halted their advance, but our air groups are nearly destroyed."

"They have done their part. What's the status of our ground forces?"

"They are holding permission and are awaiting your command. All nearby forts and bases have responded to your request and have sent more than half of their troops and walkers."

"Have we replaced all the walkers and artillery lost in those bombings?"

"Yes sir, thought the artillery is still being set up. It won't be long before the UNSC discover the cannons."

"Tell the light armored battalions to advance. We need to test their strength."

"Sacrifice our men?"

"We must know more about this UNSC before they cause more chaos to the Empire. I would be happy to arrange a cell for you if you'd like to question my orders."

The officer stammered, "T-That won't be necessary, sir. I'll relay the order to the front."

Saxon nodded as the Imperial officer walked away.

...

"Sir, we have walkers approaching. AT-STs by the looks of them," a UNSC sniper reported.

"Range?" Chief asked.

"About 1500 meters, sir. Our tanks are still being repaired from the air strikes, and our Wasps are being refueled and rearmed here."

"Form a defensive front line. We can't let them break our lines. Cortana, can you get through to Infinity?"

"Negative. I think we're being jammed."

Chief looked out at the approaching walkers. "Then we're on our own for the time being."

"Not that that's ever stopped you," Cortana remarked.

...

"Captain, multiple HP signatures entering the system!" the nav officer shouted.

Lasky looked out into space as several dozen Imperial II star destroyers appeared, along with a super star destroyer.

"Another SSD? This isn't good," he muttered. "All hands to combat stations!"

"Sir, I'm reading two separate fleets of star destroyers on our port and starboard flanks!" Roland reported.

"Looks like the remains of that blockade called for help after all."

"All ships reporting, Captain. They're ready and waiting."

Lasky nodded, "Good. Let the Empire come to us. Don't let a single ship get through!"

Turbolaser fire started battering the UNSC fleet's shields while the Imperial ships were taking hits from missiles and guns. Their shields doing little to stop the shells, but something seemed different about the super star destroyer.

"Captain, our cannons are penetrating their shields, but I scanned their hull and noticed that there's not a lot of damage."

"They must be fitted with better armor," Lasky said. "Hold on the MACs. We don't want to use up all of our shots."

"What about the Paris-class frigates?" Roland asked.

"That's their main weapon so they can do what they want," Lasky replied. "Our MACs are for a last resort."

"Yes sir!"

"Can we get a signal to the Lothal fleet or the Gate defense fleet?"

"We can't get anything through, sir!" the comm officer reported.

Infinity shook as several TIE bombers strafed their shields.

"Launch all wings. Drive those fighters off of us!"

All the UNSC fighters started to engage the TIEs, but for any TIEs the Empire lost, more took their place. The UNSC fighters could barely keep up. The piloting skills of the two strongest militaries in the galaxy were being put to the test. More Imperial TIE fighters were lost than the UNSC's Broadswords, but the sheer number of TIEs were keeping the pilots from flying straight. Missile combat was starting to come to play.

"We can't fly straight long enough to get a clean shot!"

"Use missiles. All you need is a lock and you can get them!" the flight leader said. He tipped his wing and turned to engage in a dogfight with a TIE Interceptor.

"Warwolf 1, you have another TIE on your tail!"

"I see him! Just a little more time..."

Green energy bolts lit up the cockpit as they flew past and the alarms blared through the cockpit speakers.

"Warwolf, disengage!"

"Negative... I've got a little trick I want to show these guys," Warwolf 1 said. He started banking right as if he was going to disengage and the TIE pilot behind him took the bait. As the TIE started to follow him, Warwolf 1 suddenly banked left and spun his fighter around. The TIE fighter tried to swing back around to remain on Warwolf's tail, but it was too late. The two 35mm cannons on the Broadsword tore through the TIE's hull and the rapid depressurization through the holes forced the command pod to explode in a brief cloud of air.

"That was one hell of a maneuver, Warwolf 1," Warwolf 2 began, "But I can do better."

"I'd like to see you try!"

"Cut the chatter Warwolf flight. Focus on the battle!"

"Copy that, Captain. You heard the man, enough fooling around. We have a job to do."

...

Ezra opened the door to the training room and found Sabine beating the stuffing out of a punching bag. Her eyebrows were furrowed with concentration as she laid another heavy punch on the bag, sending it swinging wildly through on it's chain.

"You alright?" Ezra asked. "I heard you were asking for me."

"I was," she replied as she kicked the bag upon its return.

"Something you want to talk about?"

"My mother is keeping us here while the UNSC fights the Empire on our soil," she growled. Another flurry of punches filled the empty training room with loud, rapid thuds, making a slight crack at the connection with her fists and the punching bag.

An alarm sounded and Sabine ran over to a control board on the far wall, shutting off the training alarm and pressing a few more buttons, sending the punching bag into storage.

"Is she not going to fight with us?" Ezra asked.

"Oh she's going to help," Sabine said. "She just doesn't want me to go with."

"She's worried for you?"

"For once, yes."

"And... what about me?" Ezra asked.

"She's not sure. She still doesn't want you to be, and I quote her words, my boyfriend, but she has taken to consideration what you've done for me."

"What does that mean?"

"In other words, she's considering making you my personal bodyguard."

"A bodyguard?"

"Not exactly, but something like that."

Ezra sighed.

"You don't seem to be excited that you get to stay with me," Sabine said.

"No, it's not that. I'm thrilled, but... We should be helping the UNSC. And I don't think your mother would let you be alone with me."

"She's not. She was going to have the UNSC guys keep an eye on you, but they said that they would have to leave as soon as they get called back to the frontlines," Sabine explained.

"So you're upset that your stuck with me and that you don't get to fight on the frontlines..." Ezra muttered.

"Well... actually, I'm only upset about not fighting the frontline," Sabine admitted. "I wouldn't want anybody else to keep an eye on me."

Ezra grinned, "So my flirting did help?"

"Shh," Sabine hissed, "There could be people listening."

Ezra raised his hands in surrender.

"And no, your flirting didn't do that," Sabine finished. "It was... something you've done for me."

"And what would that be?" Ezra asked.

"I'm not going to tell you," Sabine replied.

"Why not?"

"Because you should already know," Sabine said, laughing.

"Hey, you two," somebody called out from the door.

"What's going on?" Ezra asked.

Buck approached them and handed them each an M6 Magnum. "Shooting practice. Gives us something to do while we're here."

"Is my mother okay with this?" Sabine asked.

"She made it clear not to put any holes in the walls, but yes. Have any targets?"

"Of course. I'll set them up," Sabine said as she ran to the far wall.

...

"Heavy ~~~~ We need ~~~ rein~~~ents~~~~"

"Ground force, repeat! You're breaking up!"

Roland looked at Lasky. "We lost them. The Imperials are jamming our transmissions."

"All of the ships?" Lasky asked.

"I'm detecting interference from their flagship," Roland said. "There's a lot of Imperial IIs in the way so our MACs probably wouldn't be able to take out that SSD very easily."

"Charge our MACs and fire at the first opening at that super," Lasky said.

"All ships have been alerted, Captain," Roland said. "Our cruisers will try to punch a hole in their defensive formation."

Lasky watched as several of his cruisers started using their own MACs to take down the Imperial ships. But something was terribly wrong after the first two Imperial ships fell. They started tanking their shots.

"Roland, what is happening?"

"I don't know! The only time I saw a shield taking our MACs like that was the Covenant!"

"The Empire's shields are different from the Covenant," Lasky said.

"There might be something the Rebellion knows, but we can't get in contact with them. Their fleet isn't ready to assist us."

"Maybe the Mandalorians have some ships. We can send a Pelican down to get some help," Palmer said.

"Palmer," Lasky began, "I want you to go to these coordinates on the surface."

Palmer looked at the coordinates and frowned. "These aren't at the frontline."

"No, but Bridger and Wren were headed there earlier. They should know what these Imperial ships are equipped with, and if there's a way around it."

...

CRACK!...

CRACK!...

"Nice shot, Sabine," Buck said. "Looks like you've been practicing."

Sabine stood up from her prone position and hung her SRS99 sniper rifle on her shoulder. "It's got a kick to it."

Ezra was sitting on a crate nearby, icing his shoulder. He nearly dislocated it after firing one shot. He let his shoulder relax a little too much and he wasn't prepared for the kickback.

"Yeah, a good kick that nearly tore my arm off," he joked.

"You don't want to be too tense, but not too soft, either. Even a Spartan can feel the kick," Buck said.

"Spartan!" a Mandalorian ran into the room and approached Buck.

"What is it?"

"There's something approaching. It looks like one of your own," the Mando said.

"I'll check it out. Ezra, Sabine, come with me," Buck said.

...

The Pelican flew over the building and landed in the clearing right next to Buck and the other UNSC soldiers with the two Rebels. The bay doors opened and Spartan Palmer walked out with her own Spartan fireteam.

"Commander," Buck began. "What's going on?"

"Our comms are jammed, but if there's a war room, we should get to it."

"I can take you there," Sabine said. She led everybody to the war room and activated the holo.

"To start," Palmer began, "A large Imperial fleet has engaged our fleet in orbit and managed to jam our comms. So far, only their flagship, an SSD, is the source of the jamming."

"Why didn't you guys use the MACs?" Buck asked.

"We did, but there's something wrong. They seem to be using a new shield and better armor to protect their ships. We were hoping commanders Bridger and Wren could help us," Palmer explained.

"What do you mean?" Sabine asked.

"I've got the data with me, and constructed a simulation from the data," the female Spartan said, pulling a chip from her helmet and plugging it into the holotable. The simulation started to play.

The Infinity fired both forward MAC guns, but the shot barely penetrated the shield. The rounds fragmented and pierced a bit of the hull of the SSD, but it wasn't nearly enough to bring it down.

"That's not good," Sabine muttered.

"So you know what it is?" Palmer asked.

"I can't be completely certain, but it looks like they've put ray shields on their ships," Sabine said.

"Ray shields?"

"They're very different from the average energy, and have a similarity to the deflector shield, but it's better suited to keeping physical objects from reaching them."

"Physical objects like projectiles?"

"Exactly, but what worries me, is how they're using it. Ray shields are used for protecting key systems in large ships or stations, sometimes even used in traps. I've never seen a ray shield used for protecting an entire ship."

"Is there a way we can beat them?" Buck asked.

"If there isn't, then we might not have a fleet after this fight," Palmer said.

"Actually, that's not going to happen," Sabine said. "First off, their weapons systems won't be able to fire through the shield. You can't disable one part of the shield, either. If they want to open fire, they will have to shut it down first."

"Okay, but what if they decide not to fire at all? So far I haven't seen them fire."

"Then there's nothing they can really do. As soon as they lower their ray shields, your missiles and cannons would tear it apart... somehow."

"Is there a way to disable the shield?" Palmer asked. "As long as it's operational, the Empire would have a stable battlefield command."

"It would take an impossible amount of power to cover the entire ship, and even with regular shields, the Star Destroyers have weak spots. Usually their engines are vulnerable to attacks with or without shields. Cripple their engines, they won't be able to go anywhere."

"So if we started doing some kind of damage, they could otherwise get away."

"Correct," Sabine said. "As for the actual shield, theoretically a proton torpedo could damage the shield's integrity and eventually shut it down. Maybe and Ion barrage."

"We should relay this to the Captain," Palmer said.

"I'm only theorizing the Ion and Proton idea, but no shield is completely invulnerable," Sabine said.

There was a bright light through the polarized windows and a loud crash, startling everybody in the war room. UNSC, Mandalorian, and Rebels alike all ran outside and watched in as a large ship fell through the sky and crashed into the ground.