Anakin looked around the inside of the freighter, whistling some. "So, this is your guys crate then?" he asked as he looked around the ship. "How'd you come across it?"
"We 'borrowed' it from another gang who didn't like us not paying their toll." Ahsoka said, smiling back at him. "It took some time, and we still haven't restored all the systems. But we managed to undo most of the changes they made to it. With time." She sighed.
Anakin chuckled, "Give me a week and I bet I could have this thing flying like the Twilight." He said as he headed for the ships pilot station, climbing up the ladder out of the crew compartment.
"I figured I'd let you know. Your troopers are following us in that gunship." Nyx said as he piloted the ship. Anakin's eyes narrowed, he didn't like that tone.
"What, do you have some issue with my men?" He asked, watching as they moved past the high rise buildings and columns that made up the supports of the levels above.
"Oh no, not at all. Aside from the fact that they're repressing us down here as much as they are 'saving us' from the Separatists up above." He said, looking back for a moment.
"Hey, hey. Both of you. Let's focus on finishing this." Ahsoka interrupted with a sigh.
Anakin snorted some, but chose to drop it. "How far out are we from the drop point?" He asked.
"Not far, in fact I need to prep for landing." Nyx said as he focused on the controls, ignoring Anakin, something which irritated him to no end. Anakin turned away, looking back to Ahsoka with an exasperated look. She did at least look apologetic for her partners actions.
Anakin shook his head and raised the coms link to Rex. "Rex, we'll be landing soon. Have the men ready to set up a perimeter around the ships. We'll get these weapons offloaded and be out of here in no time. Have the gunship take back off after the drop. We can't risk it."
"Understood General. We're locked and loaded over here. We'll see you on the ground Sir!" He said before the com link ended. Anakin watched as they descended towards an area of low buildings. Some even appearing to be closer to shacks than actual homes. They were guided to a landing pad that had a few civilians standing around it on guard. At least two of them armed with blaster rifles.
"You better tell your men to cool it. These people aren't exactly trusting of the Republic." Nyx warned as he shut the ship down and stepped off.
"Well this is gonna be fun." He sighed. As they headed down the ramp he could hear the LAAT coming in to land next to them. The people that met them were all clearly poor, of different races too. Twi'Leks, humans, Rodians, and others. One, a tall Twi'Lek, advanced on Nyx.
"What is this? You told us you would have no trouble getting the weapons here! Instead, you get into a fight with the gang itself and then bring Republic Soldiers!." The man wheeled on Anakin and Ahsoka as they came down the ramp, quickly spotting the lightsabers. "And you bring Jedi here!?"
"Hey hey, easy Mas. The Republic invited themselves here. Besides, without them, the weapons wouldn't have gotten here at all." Nyx told the man as he made a calming gesture.
The Twi'lek man snorted, glancing to Anakin. "What are you doing here Jedi? Come to chase us away. Bring your Republic dogs here to throw us in prison for trying to protect ourselves? Or have you decided to just do the gangster's jobs for them?" He snapped at them. The others had gathered around, all were giving them wary looks, especially the squad of clones that had started to form a protective circle around himself and Ahsoka.
Anakin glared at the man, feeling a spike of anger. He forced himself to hold his tongue. "I came here to find my Padawan, who recently left the Order and was working with Okami. He didn't know she was a Jedi." Anakin said, motioning to Ahsoka who nodded. "When we came across them, they were under attack. We helped to drive off the thugs attacking them and agreed to help Nyx here finish his mission."
The Twi'Lek sneered, looking them over, still not exactly trusting. "Just stay out of our way. We don't need the Republic's idea of help." He said before motioning to some of the others and moving past the clones. Nyx lowered the two cargo ramps on the freighter, allowing them aboard. Soon, multiple crates of blaster pistols and rifles were being offloaded, along with ammo a plenty.
"General… they told us they were offloading some defensive weapons… not an entire armory." Rex whispered quietly. Anakin nodded, understanding his commanders concerns.
"Ahsoka. Okami. You guys said a few weapons. Not enough to outfit multiple companies." He said. Okami shook his head.
"You don't understand these gangsters do you? What we encountered. That wasn't the entire gang. That was a patrol. They're one of the rising crime syndicates that's coming to power down here on Thirteen Thirteen. They've assimilated smaller gang's into their own already, and are looking to make this area their first major territory grab."
Some of the civilians looked in their direction, and the muttering Anakin heard was not good. Mas, who appeared to be the leader of them, turned again. "Don't pretend to try and understand our plight. The Republic abandoned all of us upon the 'liberation' of our planets." He said, shaking his head. "We tried asking for the Republics help… all we got were pretty words and a one way ticket to these slums." He snorted.
Anakin growled, "What do you mean the Republic hasn't helped you? If you all come from liberated worlds, are you saying you'd rather be ruled by the Seperatists?"
The man laughed, "See. This is what I mean. You Jedi Generals and Senators, even the mighty Supreme Chancellor. You all proclaim that you want what is best for the Republic and its people. That you're going to help repair the damage done in the war. I once believed those words." He said, shaking his head and using his lekku to deliver an insult to Anakin.
"I lived in a small village on Ryloth, I was a stone cutter. Just when I thought things would return to normal and the Republic would free Ryloth, droid bombers burned my village to the ground. We thought, surely the Republic would come and help rebuild our village, give us the supplies we would need to start growing crops. I cheered when the transport ships landed, as did many others. We waited to see food, building materials, and supplies come down those ramps."
He walked forward, staring Anakin down eye to eye.
"Instead, your clone troopers ordered us on the shuttle. We were sent here with the promise we would be returned to Ryloth once it was safe enough to start rebuilding, and look how long it's been now. The very people who brought us here have denied us the right to return home, they deny us supplies or retraining to get jobs here on Coruscant, and now they let Gang's do as they please with us." He said, backing up and spitting on the ground near Anakin's feat.
"So… when you ask if I think that the Republic does not care for me and mine? I don't think, I know they don't." He was about to say more when a young human came running up.
"Mas! Mas! We spotted the Black Kryat's headed here! They're coming in force!" he shouted, skidding to a stop.
Mas sighed, "Alright everyone! Just as we practiced. Grab a weapon and get to your stations. We have to contain them to the streets! Get these crates to the designated area. I want everyone over the age of fourteen to have a weapon and man the barricades and rooftops!" He said, starting to move away as the others began to scatter.
"Mas, let us help. These men are battle hardened and well-armed." Ahsoka said, stepping forward.
The Twi'Lek shook his head. "No, just leave. The Republic isn't welcome here." He said, pulling out a pouch and tossing it to Nyx. "Your pay smuggler. Now take your friends and go." He said before hurrying off, leaving them on the platform.
Nyx shook his head, looking to them. "Well, you got what you wanted. Ash… Ahsoka. It's been fun, but you should be getting back with your Master." He said, turning towards his ship.
"Nyx, wait. We have to help these people. Master. We can't just leave them here to do this alone, they'll be killed." Ahsoka implied.
Anakin sighed, but nodded. "Rex, are your boy's up for a fight?" He asked.
"We're always ready General. You give the order and we'll show these gang members a real fight!" Rex said with a nod.
Anakin nodded, "Okami, you with us?" He asked.
The young man sighed, "Yeah… but only because if I tried to take off now I'd be blown out of the sky." He said, grabbing an A280 blaster and loading it. "Let's get this done."
Anakin nodded, "Alright boys, let's move out. Sounds like they're already starting."
Rex nodded, "Let's do this boys!" He said, before leading the way along with Anakin and Ahsoka.
"Cutter, keep an eye on our position! Be ready for gun runs, but no heavy ordinance." Anakin warned as they ran.
Rex could already see the blaster bolts arching through the street's as they moved away from the landing pad, his two Jedi ahead of him, lightsaber's ignited. The street was long, and people were hurrying about, setting up makeshift barricades or getting up into windows and rooftops, near the far end of the street, a large barricade had already been constructed, and Rex could see civilians standing at it. Heavy fighting could be heard farther away. "General, that looks like a main line of defense if I've ever seen one!" He called out.
Skywalker nodded, "Alright, you know what to do boys!"
Rex hurried up to the roughly made barricade. It was little more than scrap piled together, but it might stop a few blaster bolts at least. He spread out, along with the rest of his squad along the length of it. Seeing some of the other civilians make room in surprise.
"What are you doing back here? I thought I made it clear that we do not desire help from you and your clones." Rex watch the head Twi'Lek, Mas, turn to General Skywalker.
Skywalker shrugged, "We aren't helping you. Our job is to defend the Republic from threats both foreign and domestic. A gang harassing citizens inside Republic borders seems like a domestic threat to me."
Mas shook his head, before turning his attention back to the approaching fight. Some of the armed civilians were falling back around the corner, taking random pot shots. Finally, they broke from the fight and jumped behind the barricade.
"Did you draw them in?" Mas asked one man.
"Oh yes, they're coming alright." The man nodded.
"Okay, get ready!" He called out as the others took aim. Rex took a deep breath, his heart racing.
The first thing that appeared was a partially burning speeder, pushed out towards the road before it's repulsorlifts gave out and it skidded to the ground, thick black smoke and flame coming from it. Rex raised his blaster pistols as the smoke quickly blocked line of sight.
"Switch to thermal." Rex ordered as his own HUD switched. There was the bright yellow and white of the burning speeder, and the cold blue of the distance and the cold buildings. Then Rex saw it, the orange shapes that came racing out from cover, clearly armed. "Open Fire!" He shouted.
The rippling of fire was instantaneous, his own pistols ripping to life, dropping the lead gang member. Suddenly his HUD was filled with the bright flashes of super-heated plasma arching through the streets, a few of the forms falling to the ground as others made it behind the car and moved other bits of cover out into the distant street. Then the return fire came, a stream of blaster fire shooting back at them, forcing Rex to duck down some.
More came out, and then Rex heard another speeder, this one very much active and not on fire. It had a homemade armor job offering some protection to the operators. Mounted in the back, was a heavy repeating blaster.
"Technical, get down!" Rex shouted as he hit the deck as the weapon opened up on them, green streaks arched over them in rapid succession, catching a few of the civilians who didn't get down fast enough.
"Huh, covering fire. They might just be smarter than the droids." Jesse commented as he knelt down next to Rex, who couldn't help but chuckle.
Rex looked for his two Jedi. Both General Skywalker and Commander Tano had taken cover as well, but they already looked to be planning something. He leapt down from his firing position and then hurried over to them. "What's the plan General?"
"Have you and your men give us some covering fire Rex, Ahoska and I can deal with that speeder." Skywalker told him, Rex nodded. "On your go Rex." He said, both of their light sabers igniting.
"Alright. Get ready. Ehn. T'ad. Solus. Covering fire!" Rex shouted as he popped up over the barricade along with his troopers. His first target was a very surprised looking woman who'd been pushing up towards the barricade. He let loose with three rapid shots from his blasters, catching her off guard and putting her down before turning to another target. The soldiers and civilians around him poured it on as well, even forcing the gunner in the speeder to duck down some as he tried to suppress them.
He watched as the two Jedi jumped up and over the barricade, using the force to send themselves much farther so that they landed behind the speeder. It was always slightly impressive to watch the two Jedi go to work, saber's deflecting blaster blots and cutting down anyone who tried to attack them up close.
Between the fire power, and two battle hardened Jedi, the assault fell apart quickly and the gangster's began to fall back and regroup. Rex watched as Skywalker and Tano remained in the street itself, deflecting blaster bolts and keeping the gang members at bay. It didn't last long though, and soon the two Jedi were forced back.
"That's a lot more than we'd expected!" Ahsoka told them as the two retreated back behind the barricade. "There's at least a platoon sized group out there if not more." He said.
"Think it's time for a gun run sir?" Rex asked his General. Anakin nodded.
"Phoenix 1-1, this is ground team! Do you read me Cutter?" Rex called out.
"Ground team I read you loud and clear. What's the order for today Captain?"
"We have heavy hostile presence on the main road that our position intersects! Think you can clean it up some?" Rex asked.
"Understood Sir! One sweep, coming right up!" Rex heard. His helmet went skyward, his HUD locking onto the signature of the Larty as it circled around in the upper parts of the level.
"Take cover, here it comes!" He called out as he could hear the engines getting close. It wasn't long after they ducked down that his helmet baffles kicked in and filtered out the noise of the low flying gunship. He heard the two blaster cannon's open up in rapid fire mode, ripping their way down the street and chewing up anything in their path.
"Gun run complete Captain!" Cutter called out.
"Good run Cutter, sounds like you did some damage with that one!" Rex said.
The streets were quiet. Rex wasn't sure how much damage the Larty had actually done, but the shock and awe value had been definite.
"Well… good to see you boys haven't lost your touch." Commander Tano said as she looked around. There were multiple dead lining the streets, including the two torn up speeders. "Nothing like a squad of the Five Oh First to turn the tides."
"Pah, turn the tides." Mas muttered, but Rex could see it in the eyes of the others, they weren't so sure. Some were certainly thankful for their help, or so it seemed. "If you want to fully help us, help us end this problem here and now." He turned to his people, "Get ready to push up!" He said.
"Mas. Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean, your people are tough… but I don't know if they're trained for an assault." The kid, Nyx, spoke up from his spot on the line.
"My people have been through worse. We handle our own problem's, no matter what." He said, determined. Rex could see the looks of the others as well. All as determined. He had to give them points for spirit.
"If I may, your people do have spirit, but the kid is right. You're talking an assault on what is very likely a fortified position where they have the advantage. Launching an assault would be… costly." Rex tried to word it in the best way he could.
"Our people already know about loss clone. Something you wouldn't understand, you have no family." Mas spat. "We'll be assaulting with or without you."
Rex had to practically bit his tongue to keep from flooring the shabuir for that. He'd lost more brothers than this man had family. He and his brothers had bled for the entire Republic, and this was the thanks they got. He stiffened some. "General Skywalker, my men are ready to lead the assault when you are." He said.
Skywalker nodded, "Alright Rex." He then looked to Mas. "My men and I will take the lead. Have your people follow up behind us."
"Whatever you say, Jedi." Mas replied, reloading his blaster pistol.
Rex shook his head some, and got his men ready. He moved up, to stand at the top of the barricade along with his Jedi. "General, Commander. I assume you'll be taking the lead?" He asked.
"Of course, Rex. It wouldn't be a Five Oh First charge if we didn't." Ahsoka replied with a nod.
"We'll proved cover for you and your men. So you can handle any stragglers."
Rex nodded, it was the classic Skywalker assault. Wedge formation, hit hard, hit fast. Overwhelm the enemy before they can gather their strength. "We're ready when you are Sir." He said with a nod. This was Rex's comfort zone to a degree. He knew how to lead an assault, and he preferred it to having to deal with civilians any day.
"My men are ready as well."
"Alright, let's get this done and we'll be home in time for dinner." General Skywalker said, igniting his saber along with Commander Tano.
"You heard the General, let's move!" Rex drew his pistols, and with that, the charge was on.
The street itself was fairly empty. Bodies lay about, torn up by the Larty's fire. Another speeder lay burning in the street, nearly burned out by this point. It seemed like any survivors had fallen back.
"Mas, where would they have set up their base?" Skywalker demanded.
"That building there, the four story one with the sign. It was abandoned so they made it theirs."
"Alright, we move in, clear the building. See if we can take their leader alive." Anakin ordered.
They made it three fourths of the way to the building when the fire started up again. Red blaster fire arching through the street from the windows. Some of it was much more accurate this time. Rex quickly flipped over to scan for heat signatures. Multiple windows glowed with the signatures from people in them and the flash of super-heated plasma bolts. Others however, showed the bolts, but not the body heat.
"They've got more droids!" He called out in warning as him and the others returned fire on the windows, his two Jedi blocking and blaster shots that came close. A few of the civilians that were more spread out fell to the fire.
"Looks like one might be an assassin droid judging by that fire!" Tano called out as they neared the building. "There's no time to wait, let's get inside and clear it!"
They got out of the enemies arc of fire quickly, moving on the front door which had been closed up. It would've withheld any physical attack aside from explosives judging by how they looked, but the doors weren't a match for the Jedi, who, with a big push, blew them open and backwards, into the back wall.
The shock wave had stunned the ones that were standing inside the atrium of the building. Rex filtered in with his squad, the firepower brought to bear by nine heavily armed clones quickly removing any resistance.
The civilians poured in behind them quickly, almost in a mob like state, barely controlled by Mas. It was clear now that they planned on making sure this gang didn't ever trouble them again. There weren't any turbo lifts in the building, and the amount of people crowding the stairs mean there was no way they could find the gang leader for arrest.
"We can handle it from here I think." Mas said as he watched his people. "I…" He took a breath. "Thank you… you helped prevent me from losing more people. I cannot forgive the Republic, not now and maybe not ever… but you Jedi… and your squad, have my thanks."
"It's what we're here for." General Skywalker said. "Our concern is the people who live in the Republic. Not the Republic Government."
The Twi'lek chuckled. "Well then, I suppose that might be something we can agree on." He turned when he saw his people start advancing again. "I must go, they need me." He said. "What is it you Jedi say? May the Light shine on you?"
It looked like the General had been about to correct them, but then he was gone, running up to the upper floors with his people. Skywalker chuckled, "Alright Rex… call in Cutter. Let's get out of here."
Rex smiled. "Cutter, come in for landing at our location. Ten plus one ready for extraction." He said.
Hello everyone, I'm back at it again. I know it's been a while, but things got busy. Been helping the family and getting ready for university, lots of fun stuff. I know this chapter is a bit off topic from the plot, but I wanted to bring Ahoska in before advancing. Things are going to pick up here very soon, don't worry. haha.
Well. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. As always, have a good day and may the Force be with you.
