Deep in the jungle near a cave, they had sought refuge. The wounded were laid closes to the fire their wounds patched up. But still, they were much too weak for combat. Joel, however, didn't have time to provide further assistance. He grabbed a small metal box from Gabriel's backpack full of antidotes. He then slid it in his own pack before throwing it over his shoulder.
"Joel, " Said the pararescuemen, "Is there a problem?"
"Not a huge one, Starikov and Taylor fucked up like I predicted, " He started, "And now I've got to go bail them out."
There was a click as a fresh magazine went into his 417 rifle. He then slung that over his shoulder as well. He looked at Gabriel who stood there with his Scar H. Who had a look on his face.
"No, you're not coming, " Said Joel, "Someone's gotta care for our current patients."
"You're going to go out there on your own?"
Joel stopped, looking up at Michael Gabriel the SARC had a smug smile on his face and confident look on his face.
"Of course not, " He said walking backward, "Rex has got my back, right."
The ARC trooper stood at attention clutching his DC15S carbine. This Joel may not be a Jedi but he did seem to be the one in charge currently.
"Yes, sir." He replied.
"Good, because I got a feeling we're going to have to kill a lot of people."Said Joel headed to the next of the cave.
" And save Starikov and Taylor right?" Michael Gabriel questioned.
Joel formed another bright smile. Of course, that was the goal of the mission save people but naturally, you couldn't do that in this day and age without killing a few people.
"O trust me I'll definitely, save those two, that's the goal after all." Said Joel but in a tone that left Michael unsure of if that was truly his intention.
Joel and Rex then sprinted out of the cave towards the sunlight that crept through from the end. Gabriel turned back to the wounded, the slug rounds had been removed from the two commandos. And the bleeding had stopped they would recover fine. The pilot has a few broken bones so he too would be fine. The real issue was none of them were in any capacity to fight. And now Michael Gabriel was their only defense of enemies showed up. At least until Delta or team 7 returned.
"Joel the other medic, " Started Fi, "He's pretty bloodthirsty for a medic you sure he's in the right profession."
Gabriel despite not being vocal about his opinions knew Bolton had brought both men in for more than just their medical skills. Gabriel himself was very skilled at getting into hot zones to then extract an asset out alive. His skills may prove useful to Bolton in other areas then pararescue or medical support operations. As for Joel, he was a very skilled sharpshooter.
"O trust me he's in the ideal job." He replied.
The wound hadn't shown even a hint of healing. Wilson Taylor was also feeling very weak with pain immenting through his back shoulder. And coursing towards throughout his back. He knew immediately the bullet must've been poisoned. Poison was very dangerous for a terran super soldier. Their bodies could fight on for two days but would give in if something wasn't done soon after.
The fact he was being carried by Darmen and Niner in a rather rough manner wasn't helping that pain. Darman held his shoulders and Niner his legs as they hauled him along.
Starikov lead the way having reloaded his westar M5 carried that once again. He still, however, kept Wilson's 416 carbine on his back hanging from a shoulder strap. Clearly with the intention to give it back.
They arrived back in the valley near the crashed LAAT gunship. There they set Wilson down propping his back up against the craft. His face cringed from the pain.
"Contractor, " Said Darmen, "There's a good chance we may have been followed. Me and Niner will double back see if we can find any of em and take them by surprise. You may want to stay here and protect your partner."
"Right, " Said Starikov, "Good luck."
The two commandos sprinted back the hill on the path they had come from. Starikov watched. He then looked back at Taylor as soon as the commandos disappeared in the tree line.
"You don't look so bad, " He said, "It's a bit harder to tell with that balaclava of yours. But it could br worse right. If the bullet had landed closer to your heart you'd be dead."
Wilson just stared up at Viktor. He began to try and form words.
"You're, " He said roughly, "Shit at, " Another stutter, "Bed...side...manner."
There was silence thereafter. Starikov simply stood guard scanning every direction for even the slightest sign of movement. At the same time hoping Joel would call in.
"Why?" Wilson said out of nowhere.
This caught Starikov off guard. And while he was certain this was the absolute best time to make conversation, he also knew it would make things easier for Wilson.
"Why what?" Said Starikov.
"Did you stay."
He's speech was still pretty rough. So long bursts of conversation probably weren't wise.
"The point of our mission was to save life yes?" Said Starikov. Wilson replied with a subtle nod, "Leaving you to die would've been hypocritical."
Hours passed, then Darmen and Niner came sprinting back down the hill holding their blasters. Smoke rising from both their barrels as they met back up with Starikov.
"Hostiles neutralized?" Starikov questioned.
"There's a bit of a complication, " Said Niner, "In the form of a tank being accompanied by Super battle droids a few equipped with grenade launchers."
"Do you have a plan to deal with the tank?" Starikov questioned.
"Yeah, we want to set an ambush and draw attention from one end. And give Darman enough time to slip a charge on to the tank and set it off."
Starikov knew they had returned because they would need more than two guys. Three was still risky but the diversion would work better with that way. That meant Wilson would have to be left on his own for a little. This was a lot of risk.
"What of Wilson?" Questioned Starikov.
"We can hide him in the LAAT until we return." Suggested Darman, "Few more hours at most."
Starikov looked back down at Taylor. He didn't like the idea of leaving him alone. But he didn't have very many options.
Minutes later they put him back in the LAAT's cabin area. They left him with his HK416. He looked up and could only seek the sunlight through the cracks in the door that was now shut to keep him concealed.
Outside Starikov sprinted off with the commandos to handle the tank patrol. They moved with in the trees and bushes of the jungle before coming to a stop. This was most likely where the commandos predicted the patrol to pass through. Starikov made the best of the cover he had lining his back up against a tree. He made sure the blaster carbine was ready.
Darman sprinted off to another end of the jungle. Starikov lost sight of him the mattw black armor disappearing among the thick trees of the felucian jungle. Niner was nearby Starikov had watched him seek cover behind another tree a few feet away.
There was then silence absolute silence as they waited. A guerrillas greatest strength was his patience. It could take days,weeks,or months of waiting for the enemy to get in the perfect position to strike. And while Starikov knew it would only be a few hours it still felt as if he'd be stuck behind a try for ever. He enjoyed CQB raids, infiltration missions,recon, and other types of special operations much more than this guerrilla stuff.
The sky faded from blue to black as the stars above became visible. Starikov remained in the same position still with his carbine. His boredom had now begun to eat at him. Desperately had he wanted to go off hunt this enemy and hit them head on. Desperately had he wanted to make some joke. But he knew in this moment he'd had to suppress all that to make the kill.
His eyes then sparked at the sound of metal feet clapping against the ground. The sound of metal gears shifting as metal bodies moved. And the ever so subtle hum of the engine of a CIS AAT. He brought his westar M5 up and switched off the safety. He waited as the sound grew louder and more crisp.
"Now." Said Niner.
Both men jumped from cover at the same time. A group of six B2 super battle droids stood behind the tank two armed with rocket launchers. The head of one was right in Starikov's cross hairs. A burst of three blue blaster bolts sprang from the rifle. The droid dropped out of view of the cross hairs. Another was hit by Niner.
Both men then held their triggers down. Blasters bolts exploded. They then stopped firing and retreated further back into the forest. The remaining B2s opened fire on their position. The tank directed its main gun where Starikov and Niner had fired from.
Darman then emerged from behind another tree no eyes on his position. He sprinted quickly an anti tank charge in hand. He strapped right on the power generator on the left end. He quickly pressed in a code setting the bomb to go off in ten seconds. Then he turned with his carbine back in hand and sprinted back off into the trees.
The tank fired its man cannon. The shell flew past the trees and right over Starikov's head a bright vibrant yellow explosion went off a few feet ahead. The shock wave from the round through Starikov back.
The battle droids moved with the tank running over trees towards Starikov's position. Starikov began fired five rounds off with his carbine. Then watched as the tank was consumed by an expanding yellow orb of fire. The droids were caught up in it as well. The shockwave from that explosion sent him back I the other direction.
Viktor Starikov formed a bright smile on his face as he staired at the tank which was now a melted black chunk of metal with flames exuding from it. The droids were all gone as well. He laughed a jolly laugh.
"Burn in hell tin boys!" He shouted.
It was about an hour sprint back to the canyon. They slid back down the hill near the crashed LAAT. Quickly Darman climbed onto the haul sliding the door open. He then jumped in and lifted Wilson Taylor up so Niner could grab his shoulders. Then hauled him over so Starikov could catch him and lower him down.
"The tanks done for." Starikov said proudly.
"Heard it." Wilson said still quite roughly.
There was a sharp snap followed by a hum as a blaster's safety was switched off and charged up. The noise came from behind Starikov. Niner froze as Darman climbed up.
"Don't move," A voice said, "Drop your weapons now!"
Starikov did as told setting down the westar M5. But also slid his hand past Wilson's holster.
He then spun around and fired. Three loud shots shouted through the night. A trandoshan mercenary met his end by three bullets. His blood splattered across his face and shirt. His body struck the ground hard and more blood flowed around him.
Starikov hadn't a second to relax as blaster fire shouted. Darman and Niner quickly dove to the ground behind the LAAT. Starikov dragged Taylor to cover as well. The could the vibrations of the impact of the blaster bolts.
"Any one spot the shooters?" Niner asked.
"Pretty sure they're somewhere over there," Starikov said as he gestured with his hand anywhere beyond cover.
"That's real helpful." Said Niner.
However embedded with in the blaster fire Starikov could make out footsteps rushing a long the ground. He moved quick still with the Glock. Eight shots roared in the night. Three trandoshan mercenaries were struck before they even realized Starikov had moved. There bodies hit the ground.
Starikov wiped back behind cover. He then turned to Niner.
"Blaster fires coming from the hilltop treeline."
As he said that a bolt broke through the LAAT burning a hole right next to Starikov's head. They quickly ducked the down there cover clearly becoming weakened. More footsteps could be heard from multiple directions.
Out of nowhere an explosion thundered. The vibrations felt through the ground. The hill that faced their backs and had been the sight of Darman's grenade launchers at the very start of all this ARC trooper Rex stood having just throne a thermal detonator.
Joel with holding his rifle sprinted. He went into a combat roll and raised his HK417 dmr. He pulled the trigger back eight times. The bullets ripped through a group of mercs charging towards the LAAT that had survived the grenade attack.
Joel then sprinted towards Starkov pressing his back against the LAAT. He then sprang from cover and ended the heavy blaster in the tree line on the hill accross from their position, placing a bullet right through the trandoshan skull. The top of the mercs head was shattered. The rifle men near him ducked as three more hard bangs sounded off and another was hit three times in the chest.
Rex chucked another grenade over and squeezed the trigger on his DC17S providing suppressive fire. Darman joined in. No one was actually sure how any hostiles were among the tree line.
"Look at the fine mess you two idiots managed to get yourselves into." Joel grunted.
"Shut the fuck up, and get Wilson back to normal so we can get the hell out of here!" Starikov shouted back.
"You better cover my ass so I can save his." Joel said.
With out further banter Starikov grabbed Wilson's 416 carbine and nodded to the clones. He then sprinted out of cover and squeezed the trigger down. The muzzle exploded with a bright vibrant metal flash ten bullets were unleashed. Rex charged up next to Starikov and squeezed his trigger down as well. Niner and Darman both came in and chucked thermal detonators into the tree line.
Two explosions cracked upon the hill blowing the trees away. All fire ceased. Starikov scanned the horizon for more enemies.
Joel was quick able to tell exactly what the poison was based on systems and how the wound looked. He withdrew two pills and placed them in his palm. He then extended them towards Wilson.
"What are you waiting for a fucking glass of water," Joel started, "Take the damn pills dry like a man."
Wilson moved his arm which had already grown weak to get his hand over Joel's palm. He grabbed the pills and quickly shoved them in his mouth with a gulp they were down the system.
"Alright, it's going to be a few hours till you're back at maximum strength. So take it-"
A most barbaric monstrous roar of a trandoshan mercenary sent shivers down Joel's spine.
Starikov saw a giant trandoshan in heavy armor carrying a very big heavy blaster. Another force of mercenaries stood with him on the hill.
"Son of a bitch." Joel cursed seeing what they were dealing with.
"Joel!" He shouted, "Get Taylor to safety, I'll dance with the beasts."
Joel nodded. Wilson wanted to speak up, but before he had the chance he was thrown over the SARC's shoulders fireman style. Joel then sprinted off the battlefield back up the hill.
Gun fire,explosions, and screams filled the night and it was all Wilson could hear. He couldn't see anything but the intensity of the noise was enough to tip him off as to what was going on. Starikov had chosen to make a final stand.
A cave was a bitter place to spend mourning in. The rocks were hard and cold. And the wind howled making it so much colder. Lighting a fire was out of the question smoke would give a way their position.
Things could be worse. Wilson Taylor could've been dead like Starikov most likely was. His com had gone silent he'd already made an five attempts to contact Starikov since he recovered. He hadn't answered once. This wasn't one of the Russians rouses either. He knew by now Starikov would've become annoyed and replied to get Wilson to can it over the chat. There was nothing. Starikov was most likely dead. And Wilson had gotten him killed. After all had he'd not been shot they would've never had to cover him.
Wilson looked at his hands. He'd taken his gloves off to properly examine them. His white skin was deceptive his hands were red. He had a lot of blood on those hands. Starkov's blood,Niner's blood, Darman's blood, and Rex's blood. Two of those men they were suppose to save. Now they were dead. That was on Taylor.
Delta squad had since returned all four members still intact. Squad 7 emerged not long after that. Their distractions had seemed to work no sign of enemy activity even near the cave.
"Got a call from command," Said Alpha 17, "Conventional forces have arrived planet side they'll push to our location in the next 5 days."
5 days of reflecting on Captain Viktor Starikov's fate. That's what that told Wilson. He didn't have to die if he'd gone with the instincts that were expected out of him. The ones Wilson associated with a mercenary he would've lived. No he'd chosen to die so another could live. That wasn't how a mercenary went out. That's how a soldier went out. Wilson saw to many soldiers die under his command on earth.
He hadn't even thought about Bolton's reaction yet. They told him it was a survey mission. That the risk while high wouldn't be worse than anything. No a man selected personally by Bolton for his task force was dead on the jungle floor of felucia. His wrath would know no bounds.
"Five more days," Said Boss, "What's the hold up?"
"Orders from the top are to keep civilian casualties to a minimum. Grievous issued an order to the General here to move his forces into densely civilian packed areas. This includes tanks,infantry, and heavy gun positions. So the jedi are going to push into each village engage in door to door fighting as opposed to bombing each village."
"They do realize the bombs may kill less civilians after all our pilots are pretty damn precise when it comes to precision strikes. Not to mention they can force the CIS out if they target the right areas."
"Boss, if we were calling the shots the battle would've been over yesterday. Fact is we're not. So it's 5 days learn to deal with." Alpha replied bluntly.
"It's gonna be longer than five days," Fordo spoke out.
Everyone directed their heads to the ARC Captain with Red stripes. He never said anything. His voice sent shivers down everyone's spine. It was crisp perfectly clear. Every letter articulated perfectly.
"General Grievous is currently assaulting Salucumi the resistance their will surrender tomorrow. As they have already conceded for a meeting to arrange a ceasefire. Grievous will kill them and move on. Felucia will be his obvious next target. He will arrive on the third day in full force. Grievous will then proceed to hammer republic forces who will already have been exhausted from heavy fighting against current CIS forces. From their every inch of territory they took will be lost unless reinforcements arrive but at which point 5 days will have turned into weeks and possibly months."
After his very concise and well thought theory Fordo returned to what he was previously doing. Which was cleaning his signature customized westar blaster pistol.
"You got to be kriffing kidding me. I'm not going to sit here while good men are out there fighting and dying." Said Boss outraged, "There's gotta be something we can do. We're still behind enemy lines and they haven't deduced our location yet. Surely we can pull something together."
"We could," Taylor said, "A little sabotage and misdirection may aid in the GARs offensive."
"Alright, how we're low on supplies and low on numbers. And eventually they'll see through our trickery. The mission was supposed to be get in and get out nothing more nothing less. We aren't equipped for a long term op victory at this point is impossible." Grunted Ranger.
Captain Wilson Taylor stood up. He formed a bright smile on his face and his eyes glowed with opportunity. There was nothing the ex American Special operations man loved more than an impossible task. Tell him he couldn't do something all he wanted to do after was find a way to do it.
"There is nothing impossible to him who will try," Wilson recited, "Words said by a far greater man than I. Simply put you've given us a list of problems to solve. So take a deep breath and let's figure this out solve one problem at a time."
"Supplies first," Said Alpha, "That's amou,food, and bandages. The necessities."
"I can handle the amou and bandages. We can go two weeks with out food. Don't blow your rations for three more days at least."
"Alright, water command what's our solution for that?" Alpha Questioned.
"There's a stream somewhere and I trust everyone brought a cantine."
Alpha nodded. The contractors had gotten them this far. Despite the casualties Alpha had faith Wilson would indeed secure the necessary supplies. Leaving him to focus on attack.
"We need strategy and tactics." Questioned Alpha, "It's gotta be something that'll draw enough attention to allow republic forces an easier time advancing."
"We need to make them believe we're much larger and deadlier threat then the rest of the invasion force." Suggested Boss, "If we draw enough attention towards ourselves by creating a threat they believe is big they'll be forced to draw troops from those villages to go after us."
"How? We are the smaller threat in every sense of the word," Said Ranger.
"Yes, I know we aren't trying to become a bigger threat. We're trying to create the illusion of a bigger threat." Boss replied, "It's really a damage game. If we can inflict a great deal of damage doing what it is we're good at. Assassination and sabotage it might work."
"We're going to need proper intel," Said Fordo, "Which of course can be taken from a tactical droid's brain."
"Or pound it out of a mercenaries skull." Alpha suggested punching his fist to his palm.
So they developed objectives. First being to conduct recon to find tactical droids and mercenary officers. Wilson Taylor still had to full fill his end of the plan.
Which required a communication to possibly the coldest SOB in the galaxy.
Jackson Bolton sat at his desk on his computer going over files for his own personal assistant. Who would be a strategist and an analyst.
His communicator chirped. It was either Taylor or Starikov. It was about damn time. The commandos and ARCs had withdrawn from Felucia and he had not heard anything since.
"Captain Taylor," Bolton said as the mans blue hologram came up, "What have you've been up to. After all you should have reported back hours ago."
"Bolton, what do you think will happen on Felucia?"
Bolton brought his hands up in a pyramid. He puzzled by Wilson's question. Clearly he had done something that had caused a great deal of trouble and was trying to make it sound in Bolton's interest. It seemed to prove best to simply play along.
"Grievous will finish off the Saleucamiand then he shall crush whatever remains of the GAR on Felucia. It's unfortunate more natural resources shall fuel the CIS war machine. But it is an inevitability."
Wilson had a sly grin across his face. He was up to something. Bolton found Wilson taking a hand at deception amusing. He wasn't very good at it.
"Suppose Republic forces are not exhausted or nearly as exhausted when Grievous arrives?"
"Perhaps they'll hold out long enough for reinforcements to arrive," Bolton replied, "Cut to the chase Wilson."
"I'm behind enemy lines with a platoon of hardened republic special operations forces. I can confirm to you based on my evaluation I have a combination of Rangers,SEALs, tier one operators, and berets. And if you can find a way to smuggle weapons,amou,water, and food before Grievous's arrival I may be able to lead this force and change the course of this battle and deny the CIS more resources."
Bolton was silent as he contemplated what he would do. Wilson was still concealing something from him. Intentionally not talking about certain topics. And trying to distract by getting him to focus on what most likely was a more pressing and advantageous matter. So he would allow him to do it. That was a smart play. Bolton would not sacrifice a strategic opportunity to discover information that would be most likely fruitless on regards to success.
"You're going to need more than five days," Said Bolton, "I will arrange that. I will also establish a link between your force and republic forces planetside. It may prove helpful though note they will believe you are a clone force. I trust you are not wasting my time or resources."
"No sir."
"Good," Said Bolton, "I trust you and Starikov will do good work."
Wilson was silent and still. There it was Bolton had him. His hesitation spoke for him. Whatever it was he was hiding was now out on the table.
"I take it Starikov is with you, it's not in his nature to simply abandon the force he was deployed with," Bolton pressed.
"He's our on recon I'll have him contact you when I see him."
"I'll be waiting."
The communication cut. Jackson Bolton leaned against his chair. He knew with out a doubt they had become separated. Starikov may have even been killed in action. Truly unfortunate if that was true. However it wasn't as if Starikov couldn't be replaced. Sure the replacement wouldn't bring the same skill or ferocity to the table. But there were others skilled at this type of work.
Jackson Bolton rose from his chair. It was best he handled this supply and time issue immediately. He also knew Wilson Taylor exaggerated the details. If it wasn't a platoon he would've looked bad. If they weren't skilled there wouldn't be confidence. To what extent was the real question. Either way Bolton had his own solution.
Zey was in the tactical room debriefing a group of commandos. Maize then entered the room. He had his hands folded tightly behind his back.
"Sir, I have been informed that a conversation with an agent is required."
Zey nodded then dismissed the commandos. He then watched as Jackson Bolton entered the room. His eyes still hidden behind his sunglasses. Part of him actually believed if he removed the glasses Bolton wouldn't look much diffrent.
"Mr Bolton I take there is something of importance you would like to discuss." Saud Zey.
"It seems while in Felucia the contractors have found a way to turn the tides of the battle. They've assembled a platoon of your best men behind enemy lines. I believe they can inflict a great deal of damage but they require assistance."
"And this assistance requires exactly what from me."
"I need to smuggle supplies and men in. I have sources it will require funds. I also require a temporary task force involving shock forces and black ops assets for temporary use on Selecumi. And I want to establish a relationship between the asset on Felucia and GAR forces if they can work together and exchange information they may be able to deny the CIS access of course I require approval."
Zey nodded as he thought. Bolton was asking a lot and he felt uneasy.
"You'll have a limit on the budget only clone personal will be smuggled in and what is it you intend to do on Saleucami."
Bolton was silent for a moment. He needed to think about the best way to phrase it.
"I intend to raise hell."
A series of whistles to the tune of the Russian national anthem whirled down a long hallway of cells. All of them field with captured republic personal.
One cell however had a seemingly satisfied Viktor Starikov. He had been in a great fire fight. Killed many soldiers and while he was a prisoner now. He knew that was only the beginning.
"Contractor, please I just want rest can you quit your whistling." Said Niner in the bunk under Starikov.
Starikov stopped his hands propped behind his head. He formed a mischievous grin. He always found ways to keep himself entertained.
"Rex and Darman you also have problem with my whistling."
"O I'm enjoying it alright." Said Darman who found humor in Niner's complaints.
"You do you sir." Rex replied.
Starikov heard Niner groan. Unfortunately for the commando sergeant he was the latest candidate for his hijinks.
"It seems the masses will be disappointed. I shall cease," Said Starikov.
"Many thanks contractor."
"Because I shall sing!" Viktor said with quite the smile.
"Wait wha-"
"ROSSIYA SVYASHCHENNAYA NASHA DERZHAVA!"
"Damn you contractor!"