What came next was a fairly routine couple of months a few patrols through enemy territories and lots of training Echo and Fives even managing to gain the award of marksmen for there accuracy. All in all very uneventful for the alpha squad as they saw very little action, compared to some units within the 501st. There General and Captain, on the other hand, had been all over the place recently only having just recovered from Jedi General Ayla Secura's rescue operation and now they were heading for some stupid frozen moon. Despite the upcoming dreary mission in snow gear Echo and fives were happy as the other members of Domino were being deployed and despite seeing each other occasionally any time together was a good time.
Alpha squad started gearing up in their snow gear making sure everything was in working order Echo and Fives finding the time to paint up there new equipment to match their standard equipment, Echo having Fives put the new handprint on. After making sure there gear was all clear for combat and the harsh terrain, Alpha squad made their way to the hangar joining General Skywalker and General Kenobi inside the lead Gunship. Having been given the go-ahead, the pilot throttled up the engines and was soon gliding out the lower hangar bay of the Resolute. Following the example of there, comrade the other gunships shot out the hangar following the leade ship to the designated landing sight just outside the republic listening base they had lost contact with. Touching down gently, the pilot released the blast doors allowing the troopers to pour out taking up a defensive position whilst the generals considered their next move. quickly ordering several squads to create a perimeter the two Jedi's began a slow approach followed by the captain and the remaining squads.
It was an airy silence that followed the grinding of the opening doors as they made there way inside, there were no lights, no movement and no noise. Igniting their lightsabers Anakin and Obi-one lead their troops forward into the facility until they came across a most disturbing sight. Dead troopers. Their helmets mounted on primitive spears in a highly symbolic way. Hiding their obvious anger the two Jedi led their troops onwards to the command centre going pass countless dead soldiers. "Well droids didn't do this," Obi-one said frowning with confusion. "Well, what the hell did." "I don't know Anakin that's what concerns me too," Obi-one replied gesturing the troops to keep looking. Moving over to one of the consoles, Anakin brushed the screen with his fingers causing the panel to light up an error. "Echo, Fives see if you can get the consoles online try and find some footage, I want to know what happened." Echo and Fives gave there general an affirmative and stepped over to the main console and attempted to sort out the problem. Meanwhile, Cutup, Hevy and Droidbait were outside helping set up sensor beacons when they noticed something. "Is that what I think it is." "Whats that Hevy," Droidbait said, looking at his brother with confusion. Gesturing wildly for his brother to look Hevy alerted the Captain "Captain we've found a potential droid base just west of our base." "Copy that soldier ill inform the generals," Rex replied, rushing off to find one of the Jedi's. A few minutes later a squad of speeder bikes were zipping over the snowy surface towards the enemy base carving up the pristine ground with there engines.
The group quickly came to the same conclusion whoever attacked there base attacked the droid base as well and whoever they where they were dangerous. Ordering Anakin and Rex to set up some sensor beacons Obi-one took the rest of the troops inside for a proper investigation. The sight was similar from there own base dead droids with no blaster wounds there heads mounted as trophies and still no apparent enemy casualties. Noticing Anakin and rex on a floor lower looking at something Obi-one proceeded to ask what they had found. "Some kind of large footprint," Anakin replied crouching next to it. "Have one of your men make a cast." Acknowledging Obi-one's request, Anakin decided to follow his master into a room with a holoprojector which appeared to be in working condition. A few taps and bash from Anakin the projector sprouted to life showing the recent security footage of a giant creature jumping across the screen and mowing a droid down like paper. Looking over at the data Rex informed the generals of were the droids we're looking before the attack which happened to be a large canyon. "Rex gets back to base inform the chairmen of Pantora we will be back shortly," Anakin said following Kenobi out back to the speeder bikes.
Meanwhile back at the republic base Echo and Fives had just got the consoles working but couldn't seem to bring up any footage despite the chairmen's yelling about there incompetence. "Look sir it cant be done the footage is corrupt," Echo said trying to placate the very angry man. "Don't give me that clone, your just useless," the Chairmen replied with a snare before storming off. "Lovely guy wouldn't you say Echo." "Shut up Fives," Echo replied glaring at his brother until he was interrupted by the other members of Domino squad. "What did you do to the Chairmen, he looks like his brains going to explode," Cutup chimed in chuckling at the two. "Nothing," they replied simultaneously turning their glares to Cutup. Their attention was then drawn away by the incoming speeder bikes causing Echo and Fives to groan believing it was the general. "Damn we've got nothing for them," Echo sighed, but became relieved when only seeing Rex.
In the meantime, Anakin and Obi-one had just arrived outside the camp of the unknown attackers after having followed reflective signals from the obviously intelligent life forms. Reminding Anakin to keep his weapon away general Kenobi took on the role of negotiator again hoping to come to some sort of understanding. At first, things were difficult due to the language barrier but soon they came up with a solution expressing themselves through drawings. A temporary truce was soon brokered between the Jedi and the Talz which allowed Anakin and Obi-one to get the chairmen and senator of Pantera for peace talks. Thanking the chief, they made there way out the tent and over to there speeders glad that they would give them some protection against the incoming storm. When the Jedi finally arrived back at the republic base the condition outside had turned for the worse, a blizzard had come in grounding the gunships and made using the speeder bikes unsafe. They then proceeded to inform the Chairmen who was frothing at the mouth with anger refusing to believe anything the Jedi said believing them to be nothing more than animals. After several minutes of arguing Anakin decided to leave the room and check on his men before he lost his temper.
Entering the command centre, Anakin spotted Echo and Fives playing a game of cards with three other troopers he didn't know the name off. "How's it going men," Anakin said in a relaxed tone trying to let them know it was okay. "Sorry, sir we will get right back to work," Echo replied, jumping up in slight alarm. "No worries Echo I was about to ask if I could join in," Anakin replied, trying to placate the obviously distressed trooper. "of course sir," one of the men Anakin didn't know the name of replied pulling up another chair. At that's how domino passed the time waiting for the storm to end with Rex and others joining in later on. But soon the moment passed, and most of the soldiers were mounting up ready for the peace talks with the Talz.
Out of the hangar over a dozen, speeder bikes shot out into the open tearing up the freshly fallen snow the repulsor jets both throwing it aside and melting it as its engines pushed the bike forward. Ordering his men to form a defensive formation with the bikes as they moved towards the meeting place, Rex continued to keep his eye on the enemy scouts following them in a slightly aggressive manner. Luckily no one tried anything, and they arrived at there destination without incident. Anakin ordered the men not to provoke the Talz and followed his the diplomatic party forward C-3P0 taking point as the translater. whilst the negotiations where happening Rex ordered his men to get what rest they could as he felt something was going to go wrong and kept giving the Talz suspicious looks through his helmet. Next thing they know a very determined Chairmen was walking out with two very annoyed looking Jedi following behind. "Captain, get your men ready for battle and follow me," the chairmen said, not giving the clone a second thought. Looking at his general in questioning Anakin gave him a part sad part annoyed look "Rex, I need you to defend his ass at all cost, despite what he may think where not going to war." "Yes General, don't worry about us," Rex replied, ordering his boys to mount up. It was long before Rex and his men found themselves fighting for their lives as the Talz ambushed the party Killing many of his men in the opening salvo. Noticing the worsening situation Rex tried to create a defensive circle using the bikes as cover his men shooting down the opposition left and right, unfortunately, the situation they found themselves in was less than desirable after being surrounded. Echo and Fives had dismounted and popped themselves next to there Captain giving him cover whilst he risked his ass for Chairmen Cho's. Rolling out of the way of an incoming javelin Echo lined up his shots with pinpoint precision taking down one after the other whilst Fives covered him from any trying to get in close. Hevy, Cutup and Droibait were still mounted on their jet bikes attempting to use the speed to there advantage. Ducking and weaving between enemy projectiles Hevy was having the time of his life finally getting some combat he desperately craved, blowing away another Talz with the superior fire of the jet bike Hevy's joy melted as he saw Droidbait unseated from his bike from a projectile that hit him in the leg. Quickly spinning his bike around Hevy shot towards Droibaits location, hoping he was alive whilst the battle raged on. Rex seeing the desperate situation ordered a retreat but the Chairmen wouldn't listen demanding they killed every last one of the savages. Out of nowhere, a Talz javelin cut the Chairman's rant short as it struck him in the back, mind made up Rex used his DC-17 blasters to devastating effect neutralising multiple Talz as he cut a path to the Chairmen.
Meanwhile back at the republic base inside a gunship senator Chuchi had just been permitted undermind Chairmen Cho's orders and negotiated a peace settlement with the Talz. After the transmission had ended, Anakin ordered the gunships to take off despite the storm to go stop this war and save his men. Battling the harsh turbulent conditions the gunships managed to cut a path through the hostile weather shuddering and groaning with protest but managing to hold out. Captain Rex meanwhile was desperate his retreat was cut off as the bridge had collapsed and only nine of his current platoon was left standing. Decisively ordering his men into position for the last stand he began to engage desperately praying for a miracle which was answered through the sound of the harsh humming of Gunships. The battleground came to a standstill as the Gunships landed in front of the survivors Anakin skywalker being first to jump out the opening doors to greet his men. "Everything alright Rex." "Just a scratch sir we've got eleven dead and multiple wounded," Rex said, gesturing to Droidbait who was being taken care of by Kix as an example. "Very well," Anakin replied to his Captain anger and sadness tinting his words at the unnecessary losses. Then began the negotiations Senator Chuchi walking forward with C-3P0 who was then met by the Cheif of the Talz. Echo and Fives watched curiously as they sat down with the rest of Domino squad for a rest giving Droibait a comforting pat on the shoulder. Having come to an Agreement the republic forces loaded there wounded and began to leave the Talz in peace. "Im going to miss that place," Cutup said causing everyone else in the gunship to look at like he was crazy. "Someone check him for an injury, I think he might have blood loss," Hevy called out causing the compartment to chuckle relieving the tension of another dangerous mission.
After landing back on the resolute, the squads filed out some going straight to the mess others going to get cleaned up before a nice nap in bed. wishing Droibait a quick recovery Echo and Fives started making there way back to there barracks. "Another successful mission woudnt you say, buddy," Fives said looking over at Echo "well you didn't get your big head shot off so yeah," Echo replied, before running off down the hall being chased by an annoyed but laughing Fives.
Note: Don't worry ain plot will unfold soon.
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