Chapter 8: Battle of Chorax
Fresh from the conflict at Wor Tandell, the 8th Fleet exited hyperspace to be met by the Separatist blockade of Chorax. OOM-9 was met with a visual transmission from Mar Tuuk. "General Durd requests your immediate assistance groundside. You are to turn command of the 8th Fleet over to me."
"Roger roger. My officers OOM-8 and TH-1066 will report directly to you. We are going to be taking our core ships down to the planet."
"That is permissible."
Though the Chorax's planetary government had allied with the Confederacy, the planet's civilian population was low and historically was easily subject to threats from various pirate gangs.
OOM-9 and his crew had been to Chorax before. Pirate attacks had been so bad OOM-9 had to stop them with overwhelming force. OOM-9's anti-piracy campaigns were successful and cleared the majority of criminals from the area. Of course the Trade Federation had sent OOM-9 to protect their shipping lanes from pirate attacks rather than for the well being of the system itself.
The Clone War had pitted the full resources of the Republic and CIS against each other. The pirates saw their chance to return to Chorax and took it. Unfortunately for them, the Republic had invaded Chorax and the Confederacy had come to its aid. The rabble of thugs and bullies were now faced with two galactic armies, both of whom considered the pirates' annihilation as part of their agenda for the planet.
"KJZ-8267, I want you to lead a squadron of E-STAP droid starbombers down to the planet," OOM-9 turned to the pilot droid.
"Roger roger," KJZ-8267 turned and left for the hanger.
OOM-8 had pulled Commander Zako aside to ask him about getting a symbol on his shoulder plates like OOM-9, EEK-176 and the others had. Instead of the CIS symbol the droid wanted the Lucrehulk emblem. OOM-9 allowed the delay and the human officer was happy to oblige. OOM-8 was painted with a black Lucrehulk symbol on each of his shoulder plates.
Rather than go down to the surface on the core ships, OOM-9 decided to take a ride in his shuttle, Emerald Slicer. The brown Neimoidian shuttle was upgraded with two laser cannons, but was still escorted by an entire squadron of brown Vulture droids. Emerald Slicer lacked the third cannon on the dorsal fin that the other armed versions of the shuttle had, as OOM-9 did not want to mess with the ship's communications antenna.
The two core ships landed near where the fighting was. The spheroid ships made sure not to land too close to one another in order to be sure that there was enough room for all the ground troops that were going to be deployed.
Major Katen and Captain SSA-719 oversaw the troop movements as the massive droid armies left the giant spheres. NR-N99 tank droids and ground armored tanks were the first off the ships, scouting ahead to ensure the safety of the other forces.
KJZ-8267 and his squadron established a holding pattern in the area, meaning they flew around the core ships in circles.
The Emerald Slicer passed by overhead, heading directly to Lok Durd's coordinates. Heavier vehicles like spider droids and bio cannons started to leave the bowels of the core ships. STAPs and speeder platforms flew in-between the large droids.
Held up by OOM-8, Commander Zako arrived late. A dropship dispensed the officer and more CIS droid infantry. Zako waited for twelve STAPs to exit down the rear ramp of the dropship before following on an armored scout tank. Scores of B1s, B2s, flame battle droids and dwarf spider droids followed after him.
A squadron of gunship fighters approached the two core ships. Once the fighters got within range, AMLs opened fired from the ground while hunter-seekers attacked from the air. Three Republic flyers were quickly shot down and the rest retreated.
"Cowards," a B2 said within earshot of Katen, who observed the skirmish through a pair of electrobinoculars.
"Don't get complacent. They'll be back, with reinforcements," Katen scolded the super battle droid. The altercation had occurred so fast that KJZ-8267's bomber squadron did not even get to participate in the air battle.
"Sir, enemy ships are coming into our sector," the command droid informed Mar Tuuk.
Blue CR70 corvettes had exited from hyperspace and were heading toward the planet. Sometimes referred to as Republic blockade runners, as they were often used to quickly transport troops or supplies past CIS naval blockades. They were painted blue instead of the Republic red in an attempt to make them blend in with Separatist ships.
"These ships were not sent here to combat our vessels. Have the smaller battle freighters force them towards our battleships," Captain Tuuk ordered.
Tuuk made use of the 8th Fleet's superfreighters and missile frigates, having them chase the CR70s towards the Lucrehulk battleships that would then easily destroy the corvettes with their turbolasers.
This strategy worked on all but two of the Republic ships. One of the survivors was bombarded by a pair of Trade Federation droid bombers while the other was chased by Vulture droids.
The Republic was slower to attack than Katen had predicted. Unfortunately, their army was larger than she suspected. The attack wave lacked air support, and the Separatists could only guess that the Republic was fearful that they'd lose too many aircraft. Instead the GAR attack force was dotted with several anti-air tanks to counter against Confederate air support.
"Ha ha! I never get tired of infantry charges!" 3B3-888 exclaimed waving his RD-4 radiation launcher in the air. The B1 battle droid sergeant always enjoyed a brutal, direct approach to combat.
"Then let's get them! Charge!" EEK-176 yelled. The masses of infantry on both sides ran straight for one another. Faster vehicles, like the GATs and IFT-Xs, maneuvered in-between the infantry formations to get to the other side quicker.
As usual the bio cannons were faster than the SPHA-Ts and held the artillery advantage.
Despite the heavy fire from vehicles and artillery exploding everywhere the infantry formations continued to run until they smacked right into each other in a gory mess.
A clone attacked EEK-176 with a wrist flamethrower. The command droid ran right through the flames and elbowed the trooper in the head. The clone fell to the ground and EEK-176 lifted him back up by the neck. "Do I look flammable to you? I really hate it when my enemies think so little of me." EEK-176 snapped the clone's neck.
Another clone aimed at EEK-176 but was blown away by 3B3-888's radiation launcher. A clone that was about to attack 3B3-888 stopped abruptly in his tracks, falling to the ground, and lacking his head. From the hatch of an AAT, SSA-719 was landing multiple headshots on clone troopers with his E-5s sniper rifle.
Zako charged in with his AST, purposefully running over clones with his gray and blue repulsor vehicle. His STAP escorts made sure no clones were able to target their officer.
Zako made a wide turn that flattened three clones in a row before he saw his prize, a clone commander. Bearing yellow markings, Zako could easily pick the clone commander out in the group. Zako hit the accelerator and made his way towards his primary target.
The CIS officer ran over two more clones on the way and was about to squash the clone leader when the clone jumped up and landed on the front of Zako's scout tank.
"Hey get off!"
"Make me!" the clone commander taunted.
"Okay," Zako pulled out his E-5 and shot the clone, who then fell off the still-moving AST.
The CIS vehicles took out the anti-air tanks first, allowing the hunter-seeker droids to freely participate in the battle. While not effective against heavy armor, the flying droids were useful at thinning the ranks of enemy infantry. The E-STAP bomber squadron attacked the armored vehicles at the Republic's rear, so not to catch allies in their bomb blasts.
The holes in the clone lines made by the hunter-seekers just made it easier for the battle droids to shove their way through. The flame battle droids were particularly useful in the close quarters fight, able to unleash their weapons with wild abandon without worrying about hitting their fellows droids, as they were immune to the flames.
Katen zoomed into the fray riding a speeder platform. She got alongside an AT-TE and hopped on. Driverless, her speeder bike ran out of control and slammed into a squad of clone troopers. Major Katen ran across the top of the walker and shot the gunner off the mass-driver cannon. She took the turret for herself and started shooting at other Republic walkers.
The clones were wise to Katen's game and quickly responded, shooting at the AT-TE walker. Katen saw Zako drive by and leaped off the walker onto the front of Zako's AST.
"Get off!"
"Make me!" Katen taunted.
"Hey, I shot the last guy that said that to me," Zako said. Zako slowed down enough for Katen to be able to crawl around to the back of the tank. But instead of sitting behind Zako, Katen sat on his shoulders.
"Give me your gun," Katen said.
"Here ya go," Zako complied and Katen duel wielded her commando pistol and Zako's E-5 while riding on top of Zako as he piloted the armored scout tank. The AST wove in and out of vehicles, eliminating clone troopers along the way.
Eventually Zako lost his nerve, "this is stupid, we're going to get ourselves killed."
"Ah, come on. This is fun! And it's working!"
"You're going to fall off!"
"Relax, I've got a great sense of balance."
"I don't."
"That's why I'm on top and you're the pilot. Now shut up and drive!"
"I am driving, don't you think I can complain while killing clones at the same time?"
"You'd probably kill more if you'd shut up and pay attention!" Katen yelled as Zako missed ramming into an AT-RT.
Another AT-RT decided to get in their way, except this time Katen saw it in time and shot off the driver with her dual wielded weapons.
The homing spider droids were cutting the AT-TEs to pieces one at a time, combining their firepower for greater effect. The bio cannons had completely destroyed the Republic's artillery and now fell silent, as the other combatants were now too close together and the bio cannons didn't want to risk hitting their allies.
The GATs and Republic fighter tanks had cancelled each other out and were now absent from the battle. The dwarf spider droids and STAPs had an easy time of destroying the AT-RTs since the swift walkers were held up amongst the masses of infantry everywhere.
A pair of heavy STAPs cut down a clone scout walker with their missiles. Katen leapt off Zako and crashed right on to a clone trooper, the force of her impact knocked the trooper to the ground as she simultaneously put several rounds of blaster bolts into the clone's shiny white armor.
Zako shot two more troopers with the AST's laser cannons and turned around to Katen. "Can I have my gun back now?"
The Emerald Slicer landed in front of a portable CIS command center. The Vulture escorts landed in walking mode and continued to guard the shuttle. Some ways away, Durd's droid army was exterminating a small band of pirate tanks. OOM-9 exited from down the ramp, flanked by two security battle droid bodyguards. Connected to the droid network, OOM-9 was still able to observe the battle his army was participating in.
A command droid showed OOM-9 to Lok Durd, who was protected by two super battle droids. "Ah, General OOM-9. I am grateful that you have arrived so promptly."
"I swiftly departed from Wor Tandell. My troops have not yet been fully repaired and restocked."
"I hope you are still up to the task."
"Of course, with our combined forces we will have more than enough troops to crush both the Republic and the pirates."
"Good. I am going to personally oversee the extermination of a pirate base in the southeast; I need you to take out the Republic forces in the northwest. Once we have achieved our objectives we shall meet in the southwest here," Durd pointed at the holomap.
"Roger roger," OOM-9 replied with the basic battle droid response.
"Scouts report that a Republic force is exterminating pirates at the planet's south pole. When they finish they should head north, where they will be met with our combined forces," Durd's command droid spoke up.
With their plans set, Durd left for his gray and blue Neimoidian shuttle and OOM-9 turned and went towards the brown Emerald Slicer. Once onboard the shuttle OOM-9 set up a link to EEK-176. "Commander, I am sending you the coordinates of our next target. Once you finish playing with the Republic you are to begin the march there immediately. I am on my way to join you now."
"Yes General, we are nearly finished wiping up the Republic remains over here. We will be underway in approximately twelve minutes."
Miraculously, one of the Republic blockade runners was able to survive long enough for Republic reinforcements to help it. This time the Republic sent in Acclamators and a Venator, though they were still outnumbered by the CIS capitol ships.
The Republic ships fearlessly cut right into Tuuk's fleet formation and the organized battle dissolved into chaos.
TH-1066 ordered the Komusai to pull up right alongside an enemy Acclamator assault ship. The Scrapyard ended up going one on one with the Venator while the Enzack and Wertizlan double-teamed one of the Acclamators.
"This is TH-1066 of the Komusai requesting permission to use boarders on marked enemy Acclamator ship."
"Permission granted," Tuuk replied.
Twelve Droch boarding ships left the Komusai and rocketed toward the Acclamator. Torrent fighters and Vulture droids fought with one another as the boarders moved closer. The Acclamator's turrets managed to shoot down four of the Droch craft and the Torrents destroyed another three.
The remaining five pierced the hull of the ship and super battle droids began spilling out and engaging clone defenders.
Seeing the attack not unfold as successfully as he predicted, TH-1066 ordered the Komusai's Neimoidian shuttles to launch and land right in the docking bay of the Acclamator. TH-1066 predicted that their shields would be down as they kept launching so many fighters.
The Acclamator's captain must have gotten the same idea because Nu attack shuttles exited the assault ship and headed toward the Komusai's docking bay.
TH-1066 predicted that the probability of the clones boarding his ship to be low, but they proved him wrong yet again.
"Take over, I'm going to oversee the battle personally." As the white and purple tactical droid got out of the command chair, a pilot droid sat down to take his place.
Before he left, TH-1066 turned and pointed at one of the security battle droids, "under no circumstances are you to allow the clone invaders to capture the bridge."
"Roger roger."
Aboard the Acclamator, the Neimoidian shuttles released green-marked marine battle droids. Typically armed with E-5s, Elite E-5s, E-60R rocket launchers, RD-4 radiation launchers and V-1 thermal detonators, the marine battle droids were designed specifically to board and capture enemy starships.
Though their mission profile was strikingly similar to the older security battle droids, the droid marines were equipped with power backpacks for prolonged engagements while the security version were not.
After the initial wave of droid marines left the shuttles, droidekas followed after them. The marine battle droids frequent use of thermal detonators kept the hanger bay in a state of near constant explosions. Clone body parts were flying in all directions. The clone defenders were performing poorly against the attack force.
Likewise, the security battle droids were doing poorly against the clone attackers. Swarms of pilot droids armed with commando SE-14 pistols had to join in the fight to keep the clones contained in the hanger bay. A mess of red and blue blasts whizzed past each other in a mad maelstrom of destruction.
Equipped with a Bulldog RLR, TH-1066 entered the Komusai's hanger bay, protected by a small group of dwarf spider droids. The spiders easily helped turn the tide of the battle.
Two more Republic shuttles landed in their hanger and TH-1066 thought about ordering all air to be removed from the hanger bay but never followed though, seeing the droids push the newcomers back into their shuttles.
Three pilot droids planted time bombs on one of the shuttles and it exploded four seconds later. Another was under attack from the spider droids while rocket launcher wielding security droids attacked the rest.
TH-1066 took a group of pilot and security droids to his awaiting shuttle. Once inside the tactical droid ordered the pilot take off. The shuttle lifted off the ground and flew over the heads of clones and droids.
Out in space, starfighters were still chasing each other around the starry space sky but none paid the shuttle any attention and it was allowed to land inside the Acclamator without incident.
Once out of the shuttle, TH-1066 saw that the droid marines and droidekas had killed the hanger defenders and were already infiltrating the interior of the ship.
OOM-9 had regrouped with his army and was soon to reach the intended site where the Republic was supposed to be. OOM-9 had fought on this region of the planet before and knew of an underground network of tunnels some of his infantry could take.
OOM-9 sent STAPs and other swift repulsorcraft threw a canyon pass. They would come out to the battle at an unexpected angle and would throw off the clone forces.
Safe inside the city, the Republic's AV-7 anti-vehicle cannons unleashed a barrage at OOM-9's army, providing additional firepower for the advancing army of AT-TEs.
"Sir, they're using the city as a shield. Our attacks may cause civilian casualties."
"It makes no difference, we will attack all the same. Have the bio cannons wipe out the walkers. And tell the tanks and transports to commence with the charge to the city," OOM-9 ordered.
As the ground forces began their attacks on each other, a group of gunship bombers took off from the city's landing platform. KJZ-8267's bomber squadron flew in to intercept them.
TH-1066 fired his rocket launcher rifle and killed three clone naval officers. The droid marines accompanying him finished off the rest of the bridge crew. "Take control of the ship, shut off power to their turrets," TH-1066 told the pilot droids that were with him.
"Uh, sir, another Acclamator is firing on this ship," a pilot droid said as he took a station on the bridge.
"They are trying to make sure the ship does not fall into our control," TH-1066 said just as the bridge rocked from multiple incoming laser blasts.
One of the droid marines fell onto TH-1066, but the commander shoved him off. "We will not survive this. Download what information you can from their databanks and retreat back to our shuttles."
"Sir, there's a battleship out of formation. It's not responding to our transmissions," a command battle droid informed Mar Tuuk.
"What's that Lucrehulk battleship doing? Get me the 8th Fleet's registry," Tuuk ordered his command droid.
"That battleship isn't on the roster. And we can't verify its identity."
Captain Tuuk turned to the holograms of OOM-8 and TH-1066. "What's going on?"
"Unable to determine sir, that ship isn't one of ours," TH-1066 answered.
OOM-8 was silent for a moment, deep in thought. The command droid lifted his head, "no, its not possible."
"What is it OOM-8?" TH-1066 asked.
"I think that's the Profit."
"I'm not familiar with the name," TH-1066 admitted.
"The Profit is a Lucrehulk-class battleship that was hijacked just prior to the blockade of Naboo. The ship's captain, Dool Pundar, led the mutiny. He reprogrammed the battle droids and murdered all crewmembers still loyal to the Trade Federation. Since then, he has become a successful pirate lord that has eluded fleets of the Trade Federation and Galactic Republic. He has also escaped from all bounty hunters sent after him."
"Interesting history lesson, but what are we going to do about him?" TH-1066 asked.
"We catch him of course!" OOM-8 exclaimed.
"We need to focus on the Republic ships in order to eliminate them efficiently."
"We can spare one ship. OOM-8, you are permitted to take the Magna Musai and capture the Profit," Tuuk said.
OOM-8 acknowledged and his image disappeared. The hologram of the tactical droid remained. "What is your progress?" Tuuk asked TH-1066.
"We've taken the ship's bridge but have come under attack from another Acclamator. We are stealing onboard information and abandoning ship. In fact, I need to be leaving now."
"Very well," Tuuk was content with the results.
"What is going on? Those Separatist ships are attacking each other," a Republic captain asked.
"Maybe that one is trying to switch sides. See, it looks like it's trying to escape from the others."
"Lets help them out then."
The Republic ships were in for a surprise when Pundar ordered them to be destroyed. The pirate ships blasted right through the Republic vessels. Advanced military hardware was reduced to space dust by the treachery and foul play of veteran pirates. By the time the Republic Navy realized what was going on, most of their ships sent to aid Pundar had been destroyed or disabled.
The armored MTTs were able to blow right by the GAR walkers and head straight into the city. When the battle droid army broke into the city they learned that the GAR had forced the locals to evacuate. Either way it didn't matter to OOM-9, except now the Confederacy wouldn't have to deal with fallout from a city of dead CIS civilians.
The AT-RTs roaming the city were unable to damage the MTTs as the large transports slowly made their way toward the Republic's artillery guns. The clone infantry armed with rocket launchers proved to be more of a threat, forcing some of the troop transports to unload their contents early to defend the CIS vehicles.
GD-79, Katen, Zako, and a squad of battle droids exited from the rear hatch of a brown MTT while 3B3-888 and SSA-719 exited from a nearby gray and blue MTT. Katen caught sight of an important target. "Jedi!" she pointed her pistol and fired. The cloaked individual took cover behind a building and was out of sight.
"You and GD-79 get that Jedi, we'll handle the rest," Zako ordered.
High in the sky, as the E-STAPs and gunship bombers tried to shoot each other down, they also occasionally dropped bombs down on the armies below. KJZ-8267's E-STAP managed to get behind a trio of gunship bombers. The droid pilot fired upon his enemies but the clone pilots did not break formation. Fluidly, they made a synchronized wide turn in an attempt to elude their pursuer.
It was a terrible, half-assed attempt and KJZ-8267 knew the clone pilots were capable of something better but realized their lackluster effort was due to the fact they thought very little of his ability to shoot them down.
Determined to prove them wrong, KJZ-8267 kept behind them and shot the leader down after they finished their turn. The droid's accuracy and the loss of their boss must have confused the clone pilots, as they both turned to break formation. However, each pilot not knowing what the other was going to do, the bombers turned towards each other, smashed together and tumbled out of the sky.
KJZ-8267 then made a sharp turn and unload a series of proton bombs on top of a trio of TX-130 fighter tanks. All the tanks survived the bombing run, albeit with major damage. The newly sustained injuries allowed a homing spider droid paired with two dwarf spider droids to easily finish them off.
The battle was going so well OOM-9's AAT left to invade the city streets, leaving EEK-176 to lead the battle on the plains.
After receiving reports of how the battle was going OOM-9 formulated a plan. OOM-9 contacted Zako and ordered him to have the clones pushed towards the east of the city. OOM-9 hoped to bottle up the clones on one side of the city and let his bomber squadron blast them into oblivion.
Zako's army attempted to follow through with their orders, but the clones were stubborn and refused to give ground. After Commander Zako informed OOM-9 of his failure, the droid general changed his plans.
OOM-9's small group moved in closer to the main city battle. "Plant detonation packs on the interior of the southeastern wall," OOM-9 ordered. The sounds of the nearby firefight were growing closer.
Major Katen and GD-79 were finally able to catch up to the human Jedi that had been eluding them ever since they went after him. "You run good, but can you fight?" Katen taunted the Jedi.
GD-79 went in first, taking slow, but thundering steps towards the Jedi. The grapple droid lifted up his arms to shoulder height and started spinning his torso. B1 grapple droids were capable of spinning their torso independently of their lower half, enabling them to walk while spinning their clawed arms at a great speed. It made for a dangerous attack. GD-79's spinning claws made contact with the Jedi's blue lightsaber. The Jedi was forced to parry several strikes, but the droid kept coming and eventually landed a blow, knocking the Jedi to the ground.
Katen moved in to crush his neck with her electrostaff, but the Jedi rolled out of the way just in time. Twirling her staff with the grace of a madwoman, Katen struck at the Jedi three more times, but the Jedi evaded the first two strikes and blocked the third.
The Jedi began his attack but was interrupted by GD-79 jumping back in the fight. GD-79 attacked with a right jab and a left hook, but couldn't connect with the Jedi. The grapple droid then tried stomping on the Jedi's foot, but the slippery human still managed to evade his attack.
SSA-719 and Zako saw the fight. "I'll go help, you take care of the clones," Zako instructed.
"Roger roger."
Zako activated his war-axe and came running in. The Jedi felt the presence of a new attacker and was able to turn and defend against the new threat.
"Don't let them take the high ground! Don't let them take the high ground!" SSA-719 yelled to his troops. It was too late, the clone managed to set up three EWHB-12 heavy repeating blasters, with the optional seat attachment. The three clones sat in comfort as they blasted battle droids from a superior firing position.
SSA-719 fired upon the gunners with his E-6 blaster rifle, the CIS equivalent of the DC-15A blaster rifle. The E-6 was basically an elongated E-5, with marginally increased power. The weapon was more accurate than the E-5 at longer ranges, but the differences ended there. The Trade Federation had used them in limited quantities during the Battle of Naboo and afterwards, but the cost prohibited them from widespread use in the battle droid armies. Even OOM-9, who did his best to keep his troops ship shape, still preferred the E-5 over the E-6.
"We need to get rid of those turrets," 3B3-888 declared as he took cover behind a fountain where SSA-719 hid.
"I'm aware of the situation, Sergeant." SSA-719 and two other battle droids each activated a V-1 thermal detonator and tossed them at the EWHB repeaters. The clones saw the grenades coming their way, but it took them time to get out of their seats. Before the clones could get away, they were caught in the simultaneous trio of explosions.
OOM-9 appeared with a small amount of reinforcements. But it was OOM-9's AAT that was the biggest help. Increased fire from more battle droids and the tank forced the Jedi to break off his fight with Katen and Zako to rejoin his overwhelmed clone troopers.
"Push them against the wall," OOM-9 ordered. When the Jedi and his clones were close enough OOM-9 activated the detpack and the walls caved in on top of the Jedi and clone defenders.
Just as they finished up the last of the clone stragglers, a new wave of troopers attacked. The new GAR attack group included clone personal walkers, scout walkers, and AT-RTs.
"They're throwing everything at us except the fresher," Zako complained over the roar of the firefight.
"Come on boys, let show these clones the color of their blood!" Katen exclaimed.
OOM-9's tank was the walkers' primary target. The AAT was disabled after a few intense exchanges of firepower. OOM-9 abandoned his tank and used his E-5's shotgun feature on the nearest group of clones. Dwarf spider droids began to destroy the clone personal walkers.
"Over there!" 3B3-888 noticed another Jedi. A pair of destroyer droids rolled after the Jedi.
SSA-719 shot a clone off an AT-RT. GD-79 knocked the empty walker over and ripped off one of its legs. Using the mechanical leg as a spear, the grapple droid drove the clawed-foot end into the cockpit of a clone scout walker.
Soon the city streets were silent again, and 3B3-888 was nowhere to be seen, and the Jedi he spotted was gone as well. "We better find the Sergeant before the Jedi destroys him," SSA-719 said.
"I'm getting too old for this," Zako complained.
"You're only twenty-eight, quit complaining. Wait, we're the same age… you called me old!" Katen accused Zako.
"I did not!"
"Yeah you did… jerk."
"I never said anything of the sort, you must be getting feeble minded in your old age."
"You are messing with me!"
"Enough of your chattering," OOM-9 commanded.
"But Karl called me old!" Katen protested.
"You are old Ashley, your sixteen years older than I am," OOM-9 said.
"And the other droids too," Zako added.
"I said enough, Commander! One more word and you'll find yourself at the head of the next assault, without a tank!" Even though OOM-9 was joking and Zako knew it, the CIS officer still shut his mouth. Zako could tell OOM-9 was speaking with more inflection in his voice and was forming a distinct and recognizable personality since he had functioned for so many years without a memory wipe.
The group set off in the direction of the still operation Republic artillery. OOM-9 assumed the Jedi fell back to protect the cannons, and that 3B3-888 must have followed him.
The CIS group did not have to travel far, and there were few clones to impede their progress.
"There they are!" a B2 announced.
3B3-888 leveled his radiation launcher at the Tiss'shar Jedi. The battle droid let loose a green grenade and the Jedi swiftly move his lightsaber to deflect the attack—except the grenade detonated upon contact with the lightsaber blade. The blast knocked the Jedi to the ground, toxic chemicals splashed over his face and upper body. The Tiss'shar frantically scratched at his face, as if he stood a chance at removing the burning chemicals with his bare hands. All the Jedi managed to do was claw the skin right off his face.
GD-79 grabbed the melting Jedi by the throat and hurled him into a squad of clone troopers. Momentarily stunned the clones didn't fire on GD-79 as he closed in on the clones and started stomping them to death. The first two had their heads stomped on and their craniums exploded as if they were grenades. The third had his hand flattened and the fourth's back was broken under the weight of GD-79's metal foot.
GD-79 grabbed the final clone and lifted him into the air. The droid snapped the clone in half at the torso. Tendons, muscle, and bone snapped so easily in the droid's mighty metal grasp.
The battle droids ran right up to the AV-7 anti-vehicle cannons and shot their operators. Droidekas rolled in to mop up the survivors around the artillery.
Author's Note: The planet Chorax first appeared in the book X-Wing: Rogue Squadron. Chorax also appeared in the videogame Star Wars: Rogue Squadron.
The E-6 blaster rifle first appeared in the videogame Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds, though it was unnamed. The designation E-6 is just what I chose to call the weapon as it looked to be an obvious step up from the E-5 blaster rifle. The E-6 was used by the Trade Federation's battle droid 'trooper' class (the basic infantry classes being: trooper recruits, troopers, heavy troopers, and repeater troopers). The weapon had a cool design and it seemed wrong to let it go to waste so I added it in the CIS arsenal.