So this is a reply to well two comments but by the same person. But with the same issue. It seems there is a bit of confusion around past events. I'll be honest I don't have everything 100% worked regarding those events and will use flashbacks later on down the road when I've got it worked. Mostly its is that a plausible chain of events to cause nuclear war. But to sum it up earth was destroyed in a nuclear war but 10% of the population of every city or country (something being debated) was saved by an organization for human preservation. Along with a security detail they traveled through a wormhole to find a new home. That is why they refer to their home as Terra Prime and not earth. That's all I'll go into for now because that's what should've been established. So if that wasn't communicated effectively let me know in the comments so when other events from the past are revealed I can do it more effectively. Sorry for the long intro without further delay here's chapter four.

Guerrilla mode

Two commandos clad in armor black as night kneeled down in the mud of the Valley on the jungle world of Felucia. They kept watch over a line of fragmented trees. Niner and Darmen had been in some right positions but nothing like this.

They heard the sound of boots swashing in the mud coming from the left flank. Niner whipped his blaster carbine to the right the tip of the blaster directed right at republic commando Boss and a man in very light armor.

"Well, what do we have here, " Said Boss, "Omega squadron in yet another situation that requires the aid of Delta squad."

"Maybe we should start charging." Said Scorch.

"O shut up, " Said Niner, "One of these days the tables will turn."

Captain Wilson Taylor grinned under his mask. He found it amusing that there was somewhat of a rivalry between commando squads. Perhaps commandos were only ever deployed in groups of four allowing for this rivalry to form. That in itself was a tactical blunder it made them more predictable. You never wanted the enemy to know exactly how many men they were dealing with on special operations or what specialists they up against. Clearly, the Jedi needed a crash course in joint ops or really ops in general.

"What's with the non clones," Said Darman, "And why are they carrying slug slingers."

"The none clones, " Wilson began extending his finger towards Darmen, "Brought a medic. And this slug slinger can rip through a B2 super battle droid in three shots. So watch your tone."

"They're contractors who have the task of surveying us there names are Ace and Para, " Said Boss who then starred at the muddy and wingless LAAT on its side, "This is gonna look great for us in a report regarding our effectiveness."

"Shut up!" Niner reaffirmed.

Viktor Starikov sprinted ahead of Alpha and Fordo. Joel sprinting behind him. The Russian then dug his feet in to keep himself up as he slid down a hill towards the downed LAAT in the valley. He had a smile painted across his face.

"No need to fear, " He began shouting with vigor, "Mother Russia is here!"

Wilson Taylor was most annoyed by the Russian commandos jubilant nature as if this wasn't some dire situation in which lives were at stake. And just seeing him in his grey civilian jacket and baseball gap reminded of how Starikov was handling this assignment. He really was here for personal pleasure.

"What's the situation cowboy?" Questioned Starikov.

"Why don't you ask one of the fine gentlemen in the black armor. After all there the ones who sent out the call." Said Taylor.

"Right, " Starikov said his smile fading a bit, "Which ones in charge?"

Niner perked up directing his gaze towards the terran contractor. He very different from the other wore a grey civilian jacket, cap, and blue pants. He had a Westar m5 blaster carbine slung over his shoulder and also openly displayed his face with a welcoming smile. Come to think of it Niner had a vague memory of the same man passing by his squadron in the hanger.

"That would be me, contractor, " Said Niner unsure what rank this man technically held, "We've got three wounded in that LAAT over, two of them from slug rounds. I'm also fairly certain enemy forces are in pursuit."

Starikov moved his gaze over to the other hill across from their position. He saw sticks of trees burnt to crisp and blackened bodies scattered about. A few more bodies with smoke exuding from them rested at the bottom of the valley.

"Your guys do this?" Starikov questioned turning back to Niner.

"Yes, contractor." Said Niner, "My demo expert Darmen was the one who blew up the tree line."

"Please, call me Starikov, " Said Starikov who didn't need to see Wilson's face to know his discontent, "And very impressive. I see why they call you Omega squad. With a strong name like that you've got to pack a punch."

"See Delta we're impressive." Said Darmen.

"O don't let it get to your head." Said Boss.

Alpha 17 slid down the hill and landed right behind Starikov. The rest of the ARCs fell in quickly and raised their blasters to ensure the area was secure.

"Well, what do we have here, " Alpha started, "A bunch of commandos kriffing up the job. Well, rest assured the professionals have arrived."

"Shut up, skirt boy, " Boss hissed, "We had the situation locked down long before you arrived."

While the commandos and ARCs began bickering with one another and Taylor and Wilson began bickering over a plan Joel and Gabriels stood with their guns scanning the horizon. Joel could make out a small bronze figure moving along the burned landscape. It was carrying a black tube. Wait that's not just a black tube.

Joel took no time to wait. He swung his HK417 DMR up to his face and opened fire three times in a second. This was right as a commando droid with a rocket launcher was getting in position to fire. One of the bullets clipped off the droids finger. Another went through the faceplate causing an eruption of metal. The third went right down the tube.

The explosion echoed. And a bright orange-yellow fiery ball burst on the hill. Everyone ceased their conversation in that split second.

Six more commando droids rose from the hill like a bunch of zombies from graves. Gabriels waved his rifle as Joel opened fire again. Gabriels went full auto on his Scar H. Three of the droids were hit immediately by the hell storm of bullets. Their metal shards exploded across the field. The other three moved to try and find cover.

Wilson was quick to prevent that. He opened fire upon the hill with his 416 two bullets shredded the chest plate of one. Then four others tore apart the last two droids. Joel scanned the horizon for a few more seconds and then kept his gun up not bothering to even stare at the others.

"If you're all done comparing dick sizes, I believe it would be wise to change positions."

With that, the wounded were quickly hauled out of the LAAT lifted by two people and then two others would help carry them. Then the group was quick to sprint back up to the other side of the valley into a thick jungle tree line.

As they ran through they heard the loud hum of CIS gunships flying overhead on patrol. Wilson knew that meant they were being actively hunted and most likely were now surrounded.

"Guys, " He began everyone stopped their heads directed towards him, "If we keep running they'll eventually catch up. Or they'll cut us off and we'll end up in a live fire engagement with a full armored division. Which may include those gunships over head. The wounded will definitely die in that situation."

Starikov knew Wilson was right. He was not going to use those exact words. But at this point falling back to a marked extraction point was out of their options. "You got a solution cowboy?"

Wilson Taylor sighed. Then he folded his arms allowing his carbine to hang from his shoulders.

"We need to stall till the main force can push towards us, "Said Wilson, "The only way to do that is to get the CIS to divide their forces."

"Alright, how?" Starikov questioned.

"They have to think a larger force is present and assaulting them, " Taylor said then looked towards Boss, "The best way to do that is guerrilla tactics. A bunch of hit and runs."

"We need targets to do that," Starikov said.

Fordo who had said nothing up to this point swiftly withdrew a small circular halo projector and clicked a button on the side. A blue map of Felucia popped up. On it, every known enemy fortification and patrol route was mapped out.

"I suggest we hit their supply bases, " Said Fordo, "They'll react by naturally sending reinforcements to fortify those position. We can launch ambushes on those reinforcements. Or we could strike a few of these villages they've turned into forts. If our goal is to cause confusion. A combination of both would be best in my opinion."

"I try to start small talk says nothing, " Alpha started, "We decide to go on a suicide mission has input. Fordo you fascinate me."

Wilson got a good look at the map their location was pinpointed. Probably synced to some kind of satellite-like device. They really were smack dab in the middle of enemy territory. Meaning they had an infinite amount of directions to attack in.

"We split up into three teams. And we hit three different positions to inflict casualties and create confusion. They will move forces to those three locations then we'll reconvene as one unified group in an entirely different location."

"Sounds like you intend to create mass confusion, " Said Starikov, "Sounds fun, but risky very risky. And we only have two medics not ideal for three teams."

"Para and Sarc will remain with the three wounded to keep them alive and protect them. In fact, they will move to our rendezvous point."

Joel and Gabriels both shot concerned looks at Wilson Taylor.

"Our contract says we are to keep you alive how are we going to do that if we're nowhere near you?" Joel questioned.

"Our genetic enhancements make us more durable able to heal from most wounds. We can hold our own long enough to get back to you." Said Taylor.

"Ace, you can recover from any non fatal wound. The key word being recover. I just removed a primitive looking bullet from two clones. Bullets are more dangerous than blaster bolts for you. It clogs the healing process you won't be able to recover until the bullet is removed, " Said Joel, "And shrapnel is also hazardous, those tin cans they call soldiers are 100% shrapnel when you're bullets collide. In a CQB situation that risk is amplified. The risk is great, Bolton will absolutely lose his mind if I let you go with no medic and then you get hit."

"Look, I'm going in with Starikov at my side between the two of us. I'm confident we can keep each other alive."

"Starikov has no armor!" Said Joel as democratically as possible, "What are you going to do shoot the fucking bullets and shrapnel."

"Sarc, we have enough enhancements to dodge in a worst-case scenario. In fact, I've done before. Either do it or I'll confiscate your HK417."

"I'd like to see you try."

"Please, I'm an ex-Delta Force operator you what ran with the SEALs. I eat SEALs for breakfast."

"Fuck you, Taylor." Said Joel out of defeat.

The clones then stared at Ace realizing part of his actual name.

"Damn it, Joel, " Wilson said enraged.

There was silence the medic and the commando stared at each other. Both men having blown their code names.

"Well it clearly doesn't matter anymore and Para's a dumb name, " Gabriels began, "Michael Gabriels if anyone cares."

Everyone split up into their groups. The ARCs grouped together, however, Rex was dispatched to aid the medics. Delta squad formed the second, and the remainder of Omega grouped up with Starikov and Taylor.

The jungle seemed to grow hotter and more humid as the day went on. Wilson Taylor could feel the sweat trickling down his neck slowly at first. He thought more about his grandfather in Vietnam and his experiences. Old Lieutenant Joe as he was called by others. He'd inspired Wilson to join the army. Because while the stories he told were full of tragedy and confusion what the fucking point of that miserable war was, the tales of camaraderie and bravery were what inspired Taylor to join. His grandfather had a profound influence on his life. He'd raised him in his house after his own father had left him and his mother would've been out on the streets if it wasn't for good old Vietnam vet Joe.

If only Joe could see Wilson now shuffling through jungle trees for hours on end just to get in the right position to launch a raid upon an enemy position. He held his gun firmly in his arms believing they could be attacked at any point on time.

"Say, cowboy, " Starikov said strolling along with his blaster hung over his shoulder, "What exactly are raiding."

"If you paid more attention then you would know we're going to attack a trandoshan outpost a few miles from a CIS stronghold. Thus creating the allusion that a larger attack is headed towards that stronghold." Wilson said growing quite agitated. He'd explained the second they'd split from the rest of the group. And he went into great detail using any detail Fordo could give them transferred from ARF trooper's who'd scouted it out hours earlier.

"My apologizes when you explain things, they're just something about that makes not want to pay attention. I don't know it just doesn't sound interesting when you say it."

At this rate, Wilson might actually kill Starikov before they even saw the Trandoshans. He was getting on his last nerve. He now began to question his actual logic in teaming up with him at this moment.

"Starikov are you trying to antagonize me or did you actually decide to tune out when I was going over critical intel?" Wilson questioned.

It was an honest question. He was growing tired of whatever game Starikov was playing with him. This was a war zone lives were on the line. This was no time for games.

"If I'm being honest I can't help myself you just take yourself so seriously and not in the Bolton way where you simply lack empathy. I find you kind of snobbish." Starikov said, "If you want me to be completely honest."

Wilson stopped turning around to look Starikov right in his eyes. Niner and Darman stopped as well and Wilson knew they were confused as to why. But it was clear whatever issues Wilson and Starikov had with one another needed to get resolved now.

"Why are you bringing up these issues in the heat of a battle. Do you not understand what we are doing right now. We're at work, act like a professional and suck it up."

"Wilson is it?" said Starikov but really he didn't want a response, "If we're going to work together now and the foreseeable future then we need to be able to deal with one another beyond professional lives. To make our team stronger."

"And you figured the best way to do this was to needlessly antagonize me like it's fucking high school, " Wilson said growing more enraged, "You immature, undisciplined, careless, Russian, prick is this some kind game to you. We have been tasked with trying to win a war that could alter the course of an entire fucking galaxy and here you are acting like it's no big deal. Have you ever taken anything seriously in your damn life?"

After that, there was a brief moment of silence. The commandos scanned their surroundings worried something may have heard them.

"Is that all?"

"Yes, " Said Wilson trying to regain his composure.

"Good, now that you've expressed your points we can move on."

Starikov knew where to draw the line. He knew it would be best to stop going at Wilson for now.

The trandoshan outpost was a small two-story building surrounded by a tall electrified fence. It was positioned on top of a hill and had a combat speeder parked out front. The only entrance was through a gate positioned on the north end. Armored speeders with heavy blasters the trandoshans used were parked near the northern entrance. Six mercs stood guard at that entrance holding rustic looking blaster carbines.

Four others were broken up into pairs and patrolled around the outpost. There was no for sure way to tell how many of lizard men were on guard inside.

"Breaching from the northern entrance is dangerous and clearly they're expecting it, " Wilson began as he looked at the outpost from the end of the tree line with his binoculars, "All the other areas are blocked off by an electrified fence so climbing through would not be ideal."

"I can cut through the fencing, " Said Darman, "Corrections I can use an explosive charge to destroy the fencing."

"That'll attract a lot of attention, " Said Niner, "And there's no telling how many total mercs are housed in the outpost."

"We'll need a distraction. Two men attack the northern entrance drawing attention away while Darman sets the charge with someone covering him and then breaches." Suggested Starikov, "Both teams will then work their way through until we meet in the center."

"Sounds like a solid plan, " Said Wilson, "I take it we'll cause the distraction while the clones breach."

"Well naturally comrade."

They quickly split. Starikov and Wilson sprinted towards the northern entrance. Darman and Niner got ready to hit the southern entrance.

A guard box sat at the northern entrance where a very board Trandoshan mercenary stood. He much preferred running around through the jungles or some corridor engaging an enemy combatant it stalking prey. This guard box position was a waist of his skills.

Three gunshots rang out. The guard jolted back as a bullet flew through his heart. Bloodshot out blood also shot from his neck as another bullet flew right through and the third smashed through his head. His scales splattered on the walls behind him. Blood painted everything and brain hung on everything sticking to the blood on the walls.

Every trandoshan mercenary in the base froze no smiles hung on their faces. Two men standing by the gate saw their comrade go down. It had happened in a split second. They quickly switched the safeties off their carbines and in a frantic mode sprinted outside the gate to inspect what had happened.

Fully automatic gunfire cracked. Both men struck the ground on their stomachs blood flooding around them.

Mercenaries from behind the gate raised their shiny black blaster carbines and opened fire. Red bolts shot towards Wilson who went into a roll timing it perfectly dodging a volley of blaster bolts when they were only a few inches from him. The boots struck the grass turning into black dust. He got his knees and pulled back the trigger on his HK416. He controlled the weapon perfectly. It barely shook despite the friction created by the fully automatic gunfire. His heart was also perfectly stable so the bullets flew directly towards their intended target.

He saw three bodies on the ground. Others whipped back behind the wall seeking cover.

"Yob materi vashi!" Starikov shouted extravagantly as he sprinted wildly.

He then blazingly chucked a thermal detonator. It landed behind the hall. There were shouts of panic then a loud explosion. Wilson moved fast with the rifle still up his eye. Starikov raising his western M5 carbine back up.

More trandoshans quickly moved towards the attack. They through thermal detonators at both terran operators. Explosion broke all over the grass field yellow hot energy and black dirt shooting up into the sky around Wilson and Starikov partially obscuring their vision. It was like mortar fire but ran out faster and didn't have the same impact.

Heavy blasters were brought out. Starikov moved dodging a volley of blaster fire jumping into a roll and then getting to his knees returning fire with his carbine. The blaster bolts flying out wildly strike the heavy blaster gunner five times in the chest. The trandoshan toppled backward with smoke rising from his chest.

Wilson jumped forward once again timing it perfectly dodging a volley. The heavy gunner was left with no time to move his blaster and now down Wilson. He didn't even have time to act surprised seeing Wilson dodge the shots at the last second before he was met by two bullets one through his forehead the other through his neck. Blood splattered over the grey scaly face of the man next to him.

Trandoshans with vibro swords had used the grenades and heavy gunners as cover choosing to charge towards their foes. Their reflexes were above human as well so a knife fight would be troublesome. Three came right at Wilson who heard their footsteps. He turned his rifle to his left flank they were about a foot away. He fired the last three shots in his rifle off at the one closest to him

Wilson then brought the butt of the rifle smashing into the temple of one before the jab could even land. The blow through the lizard hard to the ground. The second man went for a jab towards Wilson's rib cage the former Delta force operator jokes back. He was quick to drop his rifle grab his own combat knife in one hand and pistol in the other. He slashed the other trandoshan right across the neck. Blood sprayed over his balaclava. The last man charged and found the barrel of a Glock right up in his face. A single gunshot cracked more blood hit Taylor and it seemed the threats had been neutralized.

Except they hadn't. In truth, Wilson had never had resort to smashing a Trandoshan in the forehead with the butt of his gun. Trandoshan skulls were a lot tougher than human skulls. And while it certainly knocked the first merc to the ground it had not killed him. A fatal mistake.

The green scaled lizard merc swung his leg under both of Wilson's. He hit the ground hard on his back causing him to lose grip on his Glock and knife. The Trandoshan mercenary wasted no time and growled as he brought a vibro knife towards Wilson's chest. Wilson stopped the blade by grabbing both of the trandoshan's arms and held the knife within an inch of Wilson's neck. So a struggle began.

The trandoshan reveal his bright sharp white teeth and long lizard snake-like tongue. His breath smelled of corpses. His eyes had a wild ferocious look that told Wilson all he needed to know about what this lizard was planning. He thought faster spring his knee into the lizard man's rib cage hard. His shin guard and genetic enhancements gave him the strength to cause the creature to cave. This happened long enough for Wilson to shove the merc off and jump to his feet.

His carbine in desperate need of a reload still swung from the shoulder strap he had it attached to. His pistol was on the ground to his left and his knife to his right. The trandoshan was maybe ten inches away and recovering from the shove. He had two seconds to do something. He dove for the pistol.

Starikov had also been in a brutal CQC engagement and had been reduced to his heavy blaster pistol. He fired two bolts into the chest of a merc and then staired to see Wilson Taylor diving left. But it was what laid behind him that concerned Starikov.

"Sniper!" Starikov shouted.

Wilson broke focus thinking that meant he was in the crosshairs. He tried to react fast.

Bang!

The sound of a gun powder based weapon firing a slug round roared. Starikov saw Wilson hit the ground the trandoshan with the knife looming over his body. The former FSB Alpha group operator chucked his heavy blaster striking the lizard merc in the back of the head. And just like Goliath, the merc fell to the ground.

Starikov quickly sprinted towards Taylor. He went into a slide dodging another sniper shot that pounded the ground behind him. With the adrenaline spike, he arrived next to Taylor's body grabbed the HK416 from Wilson's body shot out the magazine with the press of a button and snatched a fresh one from Wilson's best and slapped it in.

Before the sniper could lick off a second shot a massive explosion roared from behind the gate. The sniper flinched. A fatal decision.

Starikov was locked and loaded. The sniper's head in the crosshairs of the 416. He squeezed the trigger a burst of blood and falling body was the last he would see of the Trandoshan sharpshooter.

The remaining mercenaries were all riddled by blaster bolts as they tried to turn around. But it was too late as two figures in armor black as night squeezed triggers on DC17M blaster carbines. The blue bolts rapidly ripped through the mercs. Each hit by three bolts to the spine it in the back of their heads. They lurched forward then hit the ground motionless. The entrance to the gate was absolutely littered with bodies. The commandos stepped on each with their black boots and prodded the bodies with their to ensure the mercs were all dead. One flinched so, Darman pointed his blaster at the man and shot him twice in the back of the head.

Starikov lowered the carbine. He looked down to Wilson he was breathing slowly and heavily. He saw the man's around his gut. A blow that would kill a normal human being but not a man with enhancements at least not immediately. He moved Taylor's hand to better see the wound. It was a mess these slug rounds were no more high tech then a bullet fired from a musket used during the American civil war. But that was bad the wound was messy and before Starikov could do anything else the bullet would need to be removed. The blood made it very hard to see what Starikov was dealing with. Then Starikov stopped thinking a single thought occurring to him.

"Taylor, you were hit in the back yes?" Questioned Starikov.

Taylor nodded. Normally this would be good the enhancements administered to them by their respective nations would heal perfectly. But nothing was happening to the wound. This meant one thing something Starikov did not know how to handle.

"Poison," he whispered.

"Speak up," Wilson said in a very rough voice.

"Nothing the bullet went straight through," Starikov replied.

"Then why, " Wilson started but grunted, "Pain."

Starikov stopped. He was never instructed what to do in case of poison just to avoid the substance. He always imagined it coming in a liquid form. These mercs had their bullets tainted with it. Wilson may die.

"Hold I'm getting a communication. It's most likely Joel you know how he is I have to take this call"

"Uh huh," Wilson said nodding his head.

Starikov stood up and turned his back to Wilson. He then activated his communicator to call Joel. Three chirps went off and Starikov grew more anxious. Pick up the fucking com was all he could think.

"What do you want Starikov?" Joel's voice came over in a tone suggesting he was quite annoyed by the sheer notion Starikov called.

"Taylor's been shot with a bullet."

"If it wasn't a fucking bullet you wouldn't need to be calling now would you. Alright here's what you're going to do-"

"It went straight through."

There was a pause in the comlink. Joel was definitely thinking why the hell was Starikov calling if it was a clean hit.

"It was poisoned wasn't it."

"Uh huh."

"Gabriels has a kit full of antidotes. Don't move him too far it could be hazardous. I'm on my way send me the location now."

"The Trandoshan outpost but there's no cover here we'll be overwhelmed."

"Return to the valley plenty of areas to hide there but move him carefully. I'm not sure what poison is in his system or the true extent of the wound. Also, patch it up as of now his healing systems won't function at their accelerated rate as their fighting this poison."

"Understood Joel how long does he-"

"Don't ask, one I don't know what's going through his system. And two even if I did he'll want you to tell him and I don't want him panicked. Keep him calm understood."

Starikov was silent staring back at Taylor. He sighed.

"Understood."

The communication cut out. Starikov looked back at Wilson Taylor right as Niner and Darman made their approach with their carbines lowered.

"Threat neutralized I suppose we're headed back to the Rendezvous point." Said, Niner.

Starikov formed a bright but defective smile. Both commandos could tell it was deceptive.

"He's just been shot that can be taking care of." Said Niner motioning towards Wilson.

"Funny story, see the bullet was poisoned and we can't move him very far for his own safety. The valley is as far as we can go."

"You mean the kriffing valley we crashed in."

"I know it's a suicide mission within a suicide mission. But staying here is worse at least there's cover in the valley we can use to our advantage, " Starikov said, "I understand if you abandon me and Taylor. After all, we're not even technically in the same army."

"Wow, " Said Darmen, "That's bantha fodder, you went out of your way to save two of us. Literally, the least we can do is save one of you. We're staying right sarge."

"Damn right vod."

Viktor Starikov nodded. He believed he was beginning to take a liking to clones beyond just respect even.

"Alright, first we have to patch up the wound find some cloth preferably clean."

And so Wilson Taylor laid on the ground watching as a former Russian FSB Alpha group operator and two commandos of an alien army were working together on his behalf. Truly this was certainly an intriguing time in history.

So as stated before this is an experimental story. Something I thought seemed interesting and just kind of through out there. After the first story arc is concluded in one-two chapters I shall evaluate it and make a decision of whether to commence work on future arcs in which I am brainstorming. Comments aid in that decision. And thank you for reading.