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The Battle of Botawui
"Fear was frequent in the Clone Wars. As time passed, the Republic began to be disadvantaged after the fighting in the Outer Rim. Several worlds were being overwhelmed by the dominance of the Separatist Alliance, and the army was being completely destroyed by their malevolent leader, General Grievous. Desperate times were about to arise for the Republic and for us clones as the endless attacks continued. The disadvantage was frequent. The ambush on Rishi took several of my brothers, but with Hevy's sacrifice, I swore to myself that I would continue fighting to the end to honor the memory of the Domino Squadron. Our chance to halt the Separatist advance lay in the remote Botawui system. A small Republic fleet was the last line of defense against the Separatist fleet, led by Grievous. It was a matter of life and death to stop them before the Republic crumbled..."
I was on a moon, wearing my oxygen filled helmet, looking at the surrounding Republic fleet. I wondered how I had the courage to agree to this plan. Why would I agree to something risky? We were in the middle of something completely important, and at the same time, completely difficult. Under Rex's command, there were several tanks on our side that were supposed to surprise the Separatists in the back, where it would hurt the most. But the problem at that point was that the ambush could go wrong in every possible way. What to do when things looked complicated? That was the small yet important question that plagued me in itself. Almost making clear the horrors of an even greater magnitude than expected.
(Ratchet) - Sometimes, I wonder if all this is worth it. What to do? - Rex looks at me, while I realize that I was thinking out loud, with an immense concern in my body.
(Rex) - Which the problem, soldier?
(Ratchet) - Let's just say I'm a little worried about our platoon in this position. I'm hoping that Grievous doesn't see us on this moon before the plan can be fully executed. - Slowly, my helmet that provided the oxygen, only demonstrated that things could get more and more complicated for my side. Even though we were on a moon, we still had a schedule to keep in the middle of the battle itself.
(Rex) - Stay calm. Grievous will pass our tanks and won't even know what hit them. - At this, Rex puts his hand on the communicator, making contact with the ship of General Skywalker. The nervousness was so great that just any pressure I felt made clear the difficulties of the battle we were about to face now. Any care was too little, lest many of us succumb in the midst of this plan that was daring, but at the same time, crucial to stop the Separatist advance. - Commander Tano, any sign of the Separatist frigates?
(Ahsoka) - They will come out of hyperspace in a few minutes. Better get ready for what's about to come. - Then, out of nowhere, a static started to take over the communication, to the platoon's surprise.
(Anakin) - We need to give everything we have to contain the Separatists before they breach our blockade. If they get past Botawui, they will be able to take several of the Outer Rim routes, and be able to invade Coruscant through them. So this is our last chance to contain Grievous and his army before they can defeat us. - At that, the soldiers stood in readiness on the moon, and I just sighed, making it clear that things might be harder than usual. Slowly, I started walking, getting into position, making it clear that things were getting harder than ever. I knew that the last few fights had taken an intense toll on my side, both physically and emotionally, so this time, I wouldn't be involved in a fighter to fight the Droids. But at least this position was somewhat unusual in my opinion.
(Ratchet) - Where is that fleet of Droids?
(Rex) - All the care is little for what we are about to face. - We continued to look at the Republic ships that were near the moon, and little by little, I started to look to the other side, trying to keep me aware of what I was about to do. Each second percolated with immense agony. Little by little, we could see the difference we were about to face in the fight. One second. One minute. Time was slowly becoming something a little different than normal.
(Ratchet) - Stay alert. - I put a pair of binoculars at the ready, with an immense concern for our skins, willing to keep an eye on all of us, no matter what happened.
At that, the Droids came up, and a gasp came to my mind. We had finally managed to get the Separatists' attention, but now, it was very clear that things were getting more and more complicated for both sides. Several ships led by Grievous were standing by. At this point, we knew that the Jedis would be sending the soldiers toward combat. Every step was crucial to what we were about to face. We all had to contain the Separatists right here before Grievous could take the Outer Rim routes and inflict another humiliating defeat upon us.
(Ratchet) - This was the moment we had hoped for. - Or worse, that's what I believed. Many of us also thought that this was the moment that everyone needed to see for themselves. We were watching for any movement of the Separatists through our strategic position. I sighed under my helmet. If it was possible, I would take it off, but at that point, we knew things were going to get worse and worse than normal. One second. Sometimes our lives flash before our eyes in just a second. It's as if we feel the last remnant of our lives trying to disappear completely from our bodies. It was something I was trying to understand in the midst of the hard times we had to live through during the Clone Wars.
The sighing and the fear was immense. Many of us were watching. I believed I might be on a ship. But that was part of the plan. Anyone was supposed to help the ships contain the enemies right there. And I felt that part was important to my side because it wasn't just willingness to fight. For once, I was using strategy to be able to deal with the Separatists who would face our ships. Time was not our ally, but at the same time, it would be crucial for us to be able to maintain route range. I started looking at both sides, waiting to see who would take the lead and launch the first attack.
(Ratchet) - These things are not to be trifled with. - I continued to stare at the ships as I heard static through the comm, getting a little nervous at what I was seeing.
(Anakin) - We cannot afford to underestimate Grievous now. We have to be prepared for any move he is going to make. - Just then, I could hear the noise of fighters leaving the hangar over the comms. A sign that they would be going on the attack very soon. With that, the Separatists launched their first attack and began firing in the direction of the Republic fleet. From our position we could hear the ships shuddering so loudly that it made even the moon we were standing on tremble in its entirety, while at the same time we could observe the fears that coursed through our suits.
The Separatist artillery began firing on the Republic ships, with heavy fire, completely different from what I was able to witness. As they continued to move, we waited for the exact moment when we should act to be able to be the element of surprise against these old tin cans. They continued to fire on the ships, until the Republic fleet did the same, returning the gesture, starting a sequence of crossfire between the system in which both sides tried to gain the upper hand on each other.
(Ratchet) - Every step they take is like a game. Every step feels different than normal. - I muttered this to myself and at the same time, tried to understand what I should do to solve the dilemma at hand. It was the artifice of strategy being used, but I knew Grievous was more cruel and sadistic than usual. Whatever artifice he wanted to use, he would be more than willing, if it was to slaughter or torture anyone around him who was an enemy. Little by little, the face of a leader like Grievous is someone who would tarnish an ideal like those of the Republic. But I also knew that Dookan cared for no one but himself.
As the crossfire continued, many of us looked on, waiting for the right moment to act. Gradually, I could see that the Separatist army that was commanded by Grievous, only obeyed the command to kill and kill, to spare no survivors and remnants of what might come in the future. Each attack that was launched only demonstrated their true power and at the same time, the face of fear and suffering in every corner of the galaxy. The ships continued to pass our side, and in that, we could only wait, until the order was given. The two fleets traded fire aggressively, demonstrating the true firepower that lay in their cannons as a whole. But this was not only the weapons making effect. It was the willpower of every soldier, admiral and person who served the Republic, whether on the battlefield or not. Just the power of the hope that many held in their hearts. They were giving their lives and souls to each day that passed in the war. That was something somewhat unusual for the side of each of those facing the Separatists. But I couldn't afford to be distracted right now. We continued to watch the fighting unfold, and before we knew it, the fighters, led by General Skywalker, who was in his ship, began to lead the soldiers in an attack on the ships, sending the Vulture Droids to attack them, provoking another fight, in which the fighters tried to overpower each other. Each shot that was fired hit a Separatist fighter, and yet some of ours were hit at the same time, their fighters being destroyed by the fire.
(Ratchet) - When will the element of surprise be used? - My voice echoed over the communicator, and so Commander Tano took the lead to my surprise.
(Ahsoka) - Hold on a little longer, Ratchet. You will be in action very soon. It is only a matter of time before they enter the trap we have prepared to lure them into. - As the two fleets continued to exchange fire with each other, we slowly prepared for the exact moment to act. Several Republic fighters began to be destroyed in the attacks and we could only see the downside of the battle we were in at this very moment. But we still had hope on our side in this fight.
Slowly, we continued to watch as the two fleets confronted each other, demonstrating something greater than expected. Explosions began to take over the skies around us, with the flames of destruction from several ships taking over the battle. Just waiting for the exact moment, and at the same time, I could feel myself somewhat exposed in our position, because if they discovered us, the chances of it going wrong were immense. But we needed to keep an eye out for any breaches that there were. The fighters on our side began to rotate in an attempt to throw off the missiles that were chasing some of them, while we looked at the battle with our binoculars. The Separatist fleet began to moonwalk around us, and we knew that the chance of us being able to put our plan into action was immense. So I entered the tank and prepared for the next step in the plan. Concentrating my fire, I continued to demonstrate how far I was willing to go to protect my brothers and the Republic.
(Ahsoka) - They're in position!
(Rex) - Great, let's get those old cans running now! - So, we all started walking to the main moon part of the Botawui system, while looking at each of the ships, realizing that things were getting worse and worse than usual. Three tanks were in position. We started firing in the direction on the ships motion thrusters, which acted as their engines. Each shot hit them at the same time, and in doing so, we managed to immobilize them, stopping them completely. Now the Separatist fleet had no way to escape, much less retreat or try to mount a tactical and strategic attack. The fighters continued to be sent towards the Republic ships in an attempt to contain their advance, but at the same time, we could see how dangerous the battle was becoming. One of the fighters was hit, and in doing so, it struck one of the Vulture Droids, which collided into each other, causing a huge explosion that engulfed both sides of the battle, nearly blinding them both. They were too careful when it came to facing their enemies, whether they were intelligent or not. Every step mattered, even if it didn't seem like it.
(Ratchet) - Those old cans are screwed now! - I fired in the direction of one of the ships, hitting it from the side. Little by little, we could see the Separatists trying to attack in every possible direction. But what Grievous lacked in class and finesse, we had plenty of. Our intelligence and strategy outweighed the brute force he possessed as commander of the Separatist army. It was only a matter of time, and in that, the battle continued to engulf all around once more, now and always, demonstrating the brutal side of both human and inhuman carnage. - Commander Tano, how are we doing with the Vulture Droids?
(Ahsoka) - They are getting cornered. But apparently, they are trying to mount a counterattack. Stand at the ready.
(Rex) - Understood. - Rex was speaking as if it was a Droid at that point, but it seemed a little funny, because to me, he seemed to be ironizing the way of acting of the Battle Droids in the fight and in the other fights that followed. As many watched what was happening, it was clear that things were going to turn in our favor very soon, showing that the Republic does not always have dark days. But with each step taken, we must reaffirm our commitment to all that we have sworn to protect.
(Ratchet) - Looks like the game is turning. - I fire in the direction of the command ship once more, hitting it from the left side as I felt we were doing the right thing in all of this. Slowly, we could see the Droids reorganizing to try and mount a counterattack, but knowing Grievous, he had a reputation for abandoning an entire platoon to be destroyed by us clones. Call it coolness, but it only reinforces the fact that the Republic fights for what is right. Whether it's on the battlefields or in politics, we realize there's something extra that makes each of those who are a part of it, someone important and vital to what they face so much. - If this keeps up, we will push Grievous further and further back out of the system!
(Rex) - It seems that for the first time after a long time, you are having fun, Ratchet. - He spoke through the communicator and I felt his voice passing through my ears, while Rex continued outside the moon, sighing and at the same time, noticing the enthusiasm in which I found myself after a long time. Something I hadn't even realized until the captain spoke.
(Ratchet) - That's right. - At that, my speech turned into something a little different than normal. Because even then, I still felt in my mind, the events in Rishi. Newbies who were willing to give their own lives, knowing that they could never have a chance to enter combat again. The price they pay is the one more day the Republic might have to live again and again against the Separatists. But I couldn't let that get me down. I swore to myself that I would fight to the end to honor the memory of those gone. - I feel that chance is on our side here. I'm looking everywhere just to make sure we don't get ambushed by Separatist reinforcements.
(Ahsoka) - I find it somewhat difficult. Radar is not picking up any more ships coming out of hyperspace. It seems Grievous has greatly underestimated our forces.
(Anakin) - We cannot sing victory yet. We have a mission to accomplish and that is what we will do. We can't be too careful in a war. - General Skywalker's fighter began firing in the direction of the Vultures, destroying each of them with everything it had. I could hear the firing from some distance away, and at that, my heart was beating faster than normal. Each side was still intent on destroying each other, with that, I realized that our fight in Botawui wasn't over yet. The fighters continued to destroy each other, demonstrating that the Separatists were ruthless because the Battle Droids were not only tasked with killing any enemy that was around, but also because they served the Separatist cause to the very end, that is if they needed to be destroyed along with the ship. And the biggest irony here is that the captain sometimes sinks with the ship, or is the last one to abandon it. But here, we can see that each captain can be considered a bit rigid or cowardly for wanting to be the first to flee in combat. This is something that should be somewhat unusual.
Slowly, what before contained a silence in itself, now gave way to a combat that devastated everything around, taking several soldiers with it, demonstrating the fine line between life and death in war. While many of us were trying to understand what was about to come, out of nowhere we could see a fighter jet coming out of the ship, which made me feel a little strange at that moment. When I looked ahead, it seemed to be a different kind of grayish fighter. I had a bad feeling about the whole thing. But it was enough to make General Skywalker go after it, as the fight continued in full force. I could see him chasing the fighter with all the conviction in the world as we continued to fire towards the Separatist fleet. The chase as the pressure began to increase more and more than normal itself.
(Anakin) - I have a very bad feeling about this!
And what followed after that was the sound of what sounded like an explosion from General Skywalker's fighter. I didn't understand what happened, but my concern had been immense at that moment in the fight. It's at times like that that hope really is put to the test, without any warning or anything...
"The Separatist fleet was completely destroyed after the fight. A few minutes later, General Skywalker was found still in his fighter and brought aboard the medical station. But his Droid, R2, had been lost in battle. Under normal circumstances, that would call for a moment of silence because of what had happened. But what we didn't know was that this was the beginning of something even bigger than we could have imagined..."