Chapter 3- Stand in the Dunes
The forces of Outer Heaven were not able to capitalise on their immediate advantages in the wake of the Hell's Pass offensive. Jax and X1 and X2 had managed to establish a firm defence that was carefully camouflaged into the rocks and sand of the various parts of the Dune seas. Compounding Outer Heaven's difficulty in their ongoing attacks was the fact that supplies and reinforcements were now being diverted to other priorities such as offensives at Kashyyyk, Naboo and Ryloth as well as the continuing struggle at Coruscant. Still, Outer Heaven High Command ordered that the defensive line, which had been given the codename of the Dune Line, be breached before the allied forces could solidify their defences.
Unbeknownst to the forces of Outer Heaven, Jax, X1 and X2 as well as the other allied commanders on Tatooine had received a major infusion of reinforcements.
"So what reinforcements have we been sent?" X1 asked his comrades as they discussed the situation in a bunker just behind the frontline.
"It seems that we have been sent reinforcements from a number of places. The new fifty fifth and forty eighth Mechanised Corps as well as the thirty first Infantry Corps and the three hundred and fifth Infantry Division have all been sent from Coruscant. We also have got the hundred and sixteenth Armour Division and the second Infantry Division from Kamino."
X2 then announced that further reinforcements from elsewhere arrived, "Numerous reinforcements have been sent from anywhere that could spare some troops. They're being deployed across the whole line but we're receiving the six hundredth and sixty eighth siege division and the WSF forty second armoured corps. Apparently, the WSF unit we're getting comes with some special forces troops who specialise in infiltration and recruitment apparently."
"They're sending a lot of units to us, aren't they?" Jax questioned X1 and X2.
"It seems that you're in line for a big promotion, Jax. Apparently, your handling of the last battle was noticed by High Command at Coruscant and it's only a matter of time before they officially give it to you. And some medals to boot." X2 replied as he looked through a datapad.
"We're also in line for promotions, brother." X1 commented as he glanced over his brother's shoulder. "It appears we're going to be going back to the rear and we're each to form a division, which we're to command."
Explosions were then heard just a short distance from the headquarters. A Stormtrooper then came into the headquarters in a slight panic and addressed Jax, X1 and X2, "Commanders, Outer Heaven forces have launched an attack and are trying to break through in multiple places."
"Tell the units to hold their ground. Help is on the way." Jax ordered promptly. Jax then issued a number of orders to the available units under his command while urging his reinforcements to arrive as quickly as possible.
Outer Heaven forces were indeed making a major effort to breakthrough the Dune Line with their panzers and infantry units moving through the sand dunes and mountain troops and cavalry units grinding their way through the rocky hills and valleys. They managed to make a breach in the lines in the open desert and sent some panzers and panzergrenadiers to exploit the breach. Fortunately for the combined allied forces under Jax and the two brothers, Outer Heaven's forces found themselves facing logistical difficulties and were running short of fuel and ammunition was being consumed at a very alarming rate. The casualties the Outer Heaven forces were suffering accumulated rapidly thanks to wounds and exhaustion and after the rapid advances of the previous weeks, the forces conducting the advance wanted to rest and recuperate. The Greenskin attack lasted barely a few days before it was unofficially halted.
The Orcs and Goblins in the frontline were on the verge of mutiny. Before they could officially mutiny however, they came under attack from sharp allied counterattacks.
Battle droid, stormtrooper and clone armoured units fixed the Outer Heaven forces in place whilst clone, rebel and resistance troopers flanked the Greenskins, infiltrating through the gaps in their lines. Within hours, Greenskin supply columns were being shot up and artillery batteries were overrun. Most Outer Heaven forces retreated in the face of the relentless allied counterattacks, preferring to fight another day. Some Orc units were cut off and surrounded by the allied counterattacks however.
Even as the surrounded Greenskins fought for their lives, allied forces drove forwards and discovered that the Outer Heaven forces had been building up a series of fortified base camps. Mobile clone and stormtrooper units and the newly arrived WSF forty second armoured corps captured several of these base camps and found them to be very well protected by thick, prefabricated stone walls and armed to the teeth with heavy machine guns, artillery and Flak guns, most of which had just been installed. Most of the Outer Heaven reserves were redeployed to this area to restore the frontline and rescue their surrounded comrades. Adding to Outer Heaven's problems, the WSF forty second armoured corps unleashed their special forces units, sending them into the desert and they began to capture isolated Greenskin soldiers and units. Thus the entire battle was becoming a numbers game with both sides racing to build up their forces.
Unfortunately for the allies, they were unable to take further advantage of their success and the surrounded Outer Heaven units broke out of the trap, abandoning all of their damaged or out of fuel equipment. The WSF forty second armoured corps recovered dozens of Outer Heaven's tanks, vehicles and other equipment and quickly repaired them, having accumulated and constructed many spare parts over the course of many millennia. The fighting reached a stalemate once again as both sides took a few days to rest and regroup. The allied reinforcements began arriving and this meant the allied lines became less vulnerable to infiltration attacks. Furthermore, Jax and his men found numerous abandoned fortified palaces and settlements including some that had belonged to some versions of Jabba the Hutt and proceeded to occupy them.
Outer Heaven high command was not content to allow the allied forces to recover their strength and as soon as they were confident that their forces were adequately rested and replenished, they quickly began to plan for a new offensive. Noticing that a number of new units were arriving at the front, they aimed their new offensive at the unprepared units. Noticing that WSF units were also in the area, Outer Heaven high command demanded that the WSF forty second armoured corps be cut off, surrounded and eliminated as quickly as possible.
Just as the various allied forces settled down on the defensive, several days after the fighting had died down, the Greenskins renewed their offensive with a vicious attack on the newly arrived forces which were holding the flanks of Jax's defensive line. Furthermore, where Jax's forces had captured several of the Outer Heaven base camps, it created a salient that jutted into the Outer Heaven lines and this meant that a large number of soldiers could be cut off from their comrades and supplies. Indeed, the Outer Heaven forces also attempted to cut off the salient at the same time they launched their attacks on the rest of the frontline. After about a week of heavy fighting, Jax was forced to order some minor withdrawals including the abandonment of the fortified base camps, extracting tons of equipment in the process.
Jax's new defensive line was virtually the site of his previous defence line but now incorporated the many fortified palaces and settlements. Furthermore, Jax managed to persuade General Wilkinson to dispatch many battalions to garrison the new strongholds and many improvised combined rebel, stormtrooper and clone battalions entrenched themselves in the palaces and settlements with many more smaller units joining them and the frontline divisions.
Samgon's generals in the Tatooine desert were on the recieving end of a massive backlash as the offensive momentarily ended. To say that the Emperor Orc was displeased with the progress of the offensive was putting it mildly. He ordered that a video conference take place and proceeded to scream and rant at the generals in charge of the faltering attacks in the north of Tatooine. When a few generals attempted to defend their conduct of the offensive, Samgon, who was currently leading the fighting at Coruscant, used his powers to simply snap the necks of those who attempted to interrupt him.
The Outer Heaven generals at Tatooine were ordered to breakthrough, regardless of the cost. The Outer Heaven armies began bringing up far more heavy artillery, including siege mortars up to 42 cm in calibre, to annihilate the defences and more infantry and armoured fighting vehicles to overrun the survivors. Before the Greenskins renewed their attacks though, they came across a stroke of good luck. Several reconnaissance battalions discovered a few undefended paths through the rocky terrain that ran behind the allied forces and these were partially protected from air and artillery attack by the rocks above them.
Jax, X1 and X2 had all been braced for the attack that arrived almost a month after the end of Outer Heaven's last major attack. They had even planned for an enemy breakthrough via the fortified palaces and settlements and the open desert but were taken by surprise when several Outer Heaven divisions emerged from behind the defences and enveloped several of the fortified palaces and settlements.
Seeing his defences about to get overwhelmed, he informed the various strongholds that they were going to be provided with additional troops and artillery but would then be left on their own. Jax dispatched X1 and X2 to oversee the rearguard as his forces began to retreat.
X2 personally led a mixed company of Clones, Rebels and Stormtroopers as many more of their comrades streamed towards a new defensive line. Upon reaching the end of the retreating columns, X2 and his tiny force set up a checkpoint to delay the Greenskin advance. The checkpoint was situated between two sand dunes with a sand path between them. Soon after the checkpoint was established, a battalion of battle droids and a squadron of AAT's arrived to reinforce the checkpoint.
A platoon of WSF soldiers arrived hours after the battle droids with news that the Greenskins were not too far away, having pursued the WSF platoon from the now abandoned defence line.
"What explosives do we have?" X2 asked all of the troops under his command.
"We have brought a range of explosives but we only have limited numbers of them. Each of us are carrying twelve claymore mines, ten anti-tank mines and six Bouncing Betties which we can use to mine the land in front of us. We also carry seven grenades, four petrol bombs, four white phosphorus grenades and two smoke grenades each." The WSF platoon commander told X2 who promptly replied.
"All of our heavy troopers have got some mines sir." A Clone trooper responded straight after the WSF platoon commander.
"I'm assuming that we have plenty of rockets to take their tanks on?" X2 asked his soldiers.
"We have many rocket launchers, roger roger." The battle droid commander replied. "We only average five rockets per launcher however."
"We have a recoilless rifle and a bazooka, each with ten rounds." The WSF platoon commander told X2 once the battle droid commander finished speaking.
"We have a few dozen rocket launchers sir, but most of the heavy troopers have no more than three or four rounds each." The clone trooper told his comrade and superior.
"Let's try not to worry, trooper. We just need to hold them up for long enough for the rest of our comrades to settle into new defensive positions. X2 reassured the trooper. "Let's get the mines laid and wait for the attack that's coming our way."
X2 and his men waited for hours, wondering when the attack would arrive. The AAT's were dispersed and positioned in ambush positions. Miraculously, X2 and his men also had some time to dig themselves trenches and foxholes to further solidify their checkpoint. Eventually, the nerves of every living person became fraught as it became clear that no attack was coming that day.
"Huh? Okay, I'll inform him of the news." The WSF platoon commander replied to someone on the radio before he put his radio away. He then turned to X2 and gave him some somewhat welcome news. "Commander X2 sir, I've just been informed by General Wilkinson's headquarters that the Outer Heaven advance heading our way has stalled for at least a day and a half. It seems that our special forces units have been wreaking havoc on their supply lines and have been recruiting from their ranks."
"Meaning what exactly?" X2 asked the WSF platoon commander.
"It means that Outer Heaven is having to divert units to guard their supply lines and reduce the forces commited to attacking us." The WSF platoon commander explained to X2, who smiled. The WSF platoon commander continued, "I've also heard that the palaces and settlements are putting up ferocious resistance and they don't have enough strength to fully commit to attacking us or X1's group. At best, they can only try and probe our positions."
"This is great news!" X2 said excitedly. "What about reinforcements and supplies? Is there anything coming for us?"
"You should probably calm down a bit commander." The WSF platoon commander advised X2 before continuing, "We are getting some reinforcements from higher headquarters. It wouldn't be enough to hold this position indefinitely but what we're getting should help us hold on here for a few days at least." He paused to take a couple of breaths and have a sip of valuable water. "So we're being sent your Clone one hundred and fourteenth reserve airborne company, eighty third infantry battalion and several AT-TE's which are coming with additional squads of Clones. A squadron of TX-130 fighter tanks will be accompanying them. As for the First Order and Empire, they're deploying a combined battle group with about four stormtrooper battalions, a reinforced company of AT-ST's, one AT-AT and one AT-ACT. The two big walkers are due to deploy additional stormtrooper squads as well. As for the rebels and resistance, they don't have a lot left available at the moment but are deploying a reinforced, composite battalion with infantry from both groups, a couple of MRL's and another squadron of AT-ST's. As for my lot, we're being sent Battle Group Clifton. Not sure exactly what his battle group will be made up of but I reckon it will be somewhere between a brigade and reinforced division in size. There'll also be a column of supplies with ammunition, food and water for us."
"That's good. We should be able to deal them serious casualties and buy time for our new defences to be completed." X2 said confidently as his optimism grew.
"Just to inform you, and you should pass this on, but to prevent friendly fire incidents, you should be aware that we in the WSF don't exactly use a single standard tank."
"What do you mean?" X2 asked with sudden uncertainty.
"We use tanks from all over the world and produce our own special versions of tanks. There's a chance that Battle Group Clifton will bring some captured or modified Outer Heaven tanks with them, especially Panzer Fours and Panthers." The WSF platoon commander explained.
"Okay, thank you for telling me. I'll go and tell the others." X2 said appreciatively. He then got on his radio and spoke into, broadcasting to everyone who was currently under his command including the battle droids, "I've just been informed that some of our reinforcements coming from behind us might have some captured enemy tanks with them. So, what I am saying is, do not fire on any tanks that look like they belong to the enemy if they're coming from behind us unless they fire on us first."
X2 ordered the battle droids to keep watch, both for enemy movements and keep an eye out for the reinforcements as well as laying the mines whilst the clones, Stormtroopers, WSF and the irregulars caught some sleep so they could be as fresh as possible.
As the sunset, the reinforcements began to trickle in with the Clone one hundred and fourteenth reserve airborne company and the composite Resistance and Rebel battalion arriving first. About an hour before midnight, Battle Group Clifton arrived with the Stormtrooper battle group and the supply column. The Battle Droid commander woke X2 to inform him of the reinforcements arrival. X2 got up and called a quick meeting of the reinforcement commanders. He did notice that the eighty third infantry battalion had not yet arrived but he was tempted to keep them in reserve or disperse them along the line.
He ended up placing the Clone one hundred and fourteenth reserve airborne company under the command of Battle Group Clifton and placed it on his right flank. At the same time, he combined the Stormtrooper and Rebel/Resistance battle groups into single unit and placed them on his left flank. His own improvised company occupied the centre and when the AT-TE's arrived and had their complements of Clone Troopers join him. Likewise, the stormtroopers inside the AT-AT and AT-ACT joined the improvised company when those two heavy walkers arrived. The various tanks and armoured vehicles were dispersed so that they could provide as much mutually supportive fire as possible. As dawn broke, the eighty third infantry battalion arrived and X2 placed it in reserve behind his centre most forces.
Soon after the arrival of the eighty third infantry battalion, Outer Heaven commenced a massive artillery bombardment by several artillery battalions. As the bombardment raged on, a few dozen armoured cars and several Panzers rushed forward to within a hundred metres of the allied lines and immediately began firing on any visible targets. The artillery bombardment died down and the Panzers and armoured cars advanced further forward only to hit the various anti-tank mines that were laid in front of the various trenches and foxholes. The immobile Panzers and armoured cars were then knocked out by the many tanks and walkers that remained in their ambush positions. Very little of the Outer Heaven infantry force reached anywhere near the allied lines as they were unwilling to move forward without armoured support. The rest of the day passed without any more significant combat aside from harassing artillery fire.
For the following five days, Outer Heaven continued its attacks without success. The losses their forces suffered were heavy and would've resulted in Outer Heaven's offensive being suspended were it not for the fact that Emperor Samgon ordered that the offensive be continued.
On the seventh day of the Outer Heaven offensive, the day began quietly. It was too quiet for X2's liking. Then around midday, all hell broke loose and artillery shells and rockets landed all over the area. Sand and smoke clouded the vision of X2's forces and with their vision obscured, the soldiers of Outer Heaven advanced. As the Greenskins rushed forward, X2's forces opened fire blindly. As the massive bombardment began to lift, X2 and his men began to see the enemy a lot more clearly and their fire became more accurate but it was too late as the leading waves of Greenskins reached the trenches and foxholes of X2's forces. Deadly hand to hand combat ensued.
To make matters worse for X2's men, the Outer Heaven air force made an appearance. Numerous squadrons of Stuka's and Fw-190 fighter-bombers pounced on the tanks and walkers that made up X2'S armoured force whilst squadrons of He-111's and Ju-88's tried to bomb any troublesome infantry positions. The sole AT-AT in X2's force was taken down because several Stuka's with anti-tank cannons destroyed it's legs.
Miraculously, X2 and his men just about fended off the Outer Heaven attack but X2 sensed it was time to bolt back to the main line. Assembling every working vehicle available, the improvised force clambered onto the vehicles and, wary of the enemy air force overhead, retreated as fast as they could. Some vehicles were destroyed by Stuka's and fighter-bombers but the majority of X2's force made it back to the new defence line.
By the time X2 and his men returned to the main force, it had been eleven days since they had been assigned as the rearguard. The day after they had retreated, Outer Heaven forces wasted an entire day attacking an empty position and only realised that fact once they had stormed it.
X2 dismounted from the truck he had been in and was greeted by Jax and X1. X1 was bandaged up slightly around the arms but otherwise appeared to be unharmed. The two clone brothers hugged each other and the two brothers went to Jax's headquarters where the three conferred on the current situation.
"Welcome home, X2. There's been some changes in our situation." Jax informed X2.
"What's happened? X2 asked Jax in concern.
"The Orc air force has bombed General Wilkinson's headquarters and he was killed. The WSF have sent a replacement for him."
"What's his name?" X1 asked.
"His name is Heisenberg. He'll be arriving with fresh forces from Kamino and Coruscant."
"Well, at least Outer Heaven have been delayed considerably." X2 remarked.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that." Jax replied cautiously.
A/N- I hope you have enjoyed this chapter and please review.