Jackson Bolton sat in the back of a civilian transport shuttle. His hands covered with black gloves. His chest had a blaster resistant plate carrier over a black shirt. His face concealed behind a black balaclava.
The Null Arcs road with him. They'd chosen to engage each other in conversation. They'd been discussing how they'd execute the operation. Bolton already knew what he was going to do.
"Mr. Bolton," Said the One known as Ordo, "Out of curiosity, what is it exactly you plan on doing?"
"If I told you, there's the risk you could get captured. I've never seen you in action, if you are captured I don't know how well you'd resist torture. And I do not want my plan compromised. Focus on your part and I'll focus on mine."
Bolton's communicator then rang. He brought it out from under his sleeve and flipped it on.
"This Cody, air assault operations were a success, I repeat air assault operations have succeeded. Ready to proceed with aiding the insurgency."
"Very good commander, black operation component will be deployed in ten."
Bolton then cut the communication. Cody he'd learned was a very practical clone. Always carried out his orders efficiently and with out question. He was also very intelligent having sent suggestions for drop zones to Bolton that offered the paratroopers more stealth to maintain the element of surprise before they pounced. He was an excellent soldier, and while Bolton was running a covert organization, good soldiers were still needed. Jackson Bolton would remember that.
The shuttle landed with in a village secured by the paratroopers. Militia groups had also moved in to the territory not long after.
Bolton exited the shuttle the Null ARCs behind him. A speeder with a heavy blaster parked out in front men with masks and rustic looking blasters slung over their shoulders stood waiting.
The Atmosphere around Selecumi was grim. The clouds a dark grey cast that same shade on just about everything on the planet. That being said it was the perfect atmosphere for covert work.
"More Republic soldiers," Said one of the masked men, "It seems the fates are on our sides brothers."
"Boys this is where we split up," Said Bolton to the Nulls, "I trust you know what you're doing."
"We do." Replied Ordo.
"Good."
Bolton then hopped in the speeder with the insurgents and flew off. They got about five miles from the village before they stopped.
"Alright Jackson what's your plan." Said the Driver looking right at Bolton.
"We need to scout out the CIS Embassy I hear their selected governor will be there."
"I think I know what you're planning, I'd say it's like old times, but frankly it's nothing like old times. Save for the part where we're quote on quote assisting an insurgency."
"Just get a move on Corvinus, we don't have time for pointless banter."
"Now, it really is like old times."
Viktor Starikov found himself deep in the jungle lands of Felucia a few hundred liberated prisoners behind him. His looks had drastically changed over the course of the mission. His hair was now in a wild mess. It had been a few days since he'd shaved so his facial hair had also grown widely.
He'd rolled up the sleeves on his grey Jack to better handle the heat. His grey baseball cap had disappeared, discarded when the Transdoshans captured him.
His weapon was now a rustic looking AC280 the barrel of which was cold. Behind him Niner strolled missing his katarn class commando armor. Now he only had a small plastoid breastplate he'd stolen from the armory. His state of the art DC17M blaster carbine had been lost in favor for a more primitive carbine carried by trandoshan irregulars. In all it was a lot lighter but he still wanted protection. Darman the demolitions expert had stolen a rocket launcher but his gear was mostly the same.
Then ARC trooper Rex who hadn't seen action behind enemy lines till this day had decided to carry the lightest gear. This of course was so he could have greater maneuverability. He'd stolen a mercenaries camouflage jacket and wore no protective armor. He'd then chosen a rather small blaster carbine seized from a battle droid. He'd also selected two rustic looking blaster pistols. But that was all he chose to pack.
"Hold!" Starikov said holding a fist in the air, "We shall rest here for thirty minutes, as I take a second to think about what direction to take."
So everyone save for a few troopers who stood guard sat and took a few seconds to drink water or eat rations they'd stolen. Starikov stood as he contemplated their next move. In truth getting to the original Rendezvous point was impossible with out a map. Starikov had never been there meaning he had no method to get there.
"Where to sir?" Questioned Rex.
"Rex, I'll be honest, I do not know where to go," said Viktor Starikov, "Nor do I know how long we would be able to harass the enemy force. And the last unknown is when Republic force or rather if it will break through. I hate to admit but we're fucked."
"What if we identify their leaders and kill them perhaps-" Darman began.
"We'll still have to deal with thousands of droids who are being directed from some fat nomadien in orbit." Niner interrupted, "Damn it Starikov you're right."
"Niner, I'm never wrong," Starikov replied, "I say if we're going to die, we go out with a huge bang! We raid the nearby villages slaughter everything. Steal a bunch of explosions then we set up an ambush draw a very large force of droids in. Then shouting Yippee Ki yay Mother fu-"
"Sir,"
Starikov stopped his overview for a final stand. He turned to meet a clone soldier who had a worn out look in his eyes. However, he still remained in an upright posture and his senses seemed sharp.
"I may have a solution." The trooper said.
"Got a name trooper?" Niner Questioned.
"Bly, former commander marshal three hundred twenty seventh legion."
"Hear that, we've got a commander boys. Now I'm only a Captain, Niner you're a sergeant, and Rex you're an NCO right."
"What's an NCO?"
"Besides the point we are in the presence of a senior officer of the GAR," Said Starikov, "Let the good commander sit, clearly a man of his stature must have some intelligent knowledge to impart."
"I arrived planet side with the 327th, our objective was to infact break through CIS lines and evacuate the commando squad that was pinned, it obviously did not go how we planned it to. However we managed to secure ourselves a base to the north. I'm confident they're still holding. I can get us back there and we can evacuate everyone off world, for relief."
Starikov thought for a few seconds. Getting everyone to safety was good. But he also knew out there somewhere Wilson Taylor,Micheal Gabriels,fucking Joel, Delta Squad, and Squad 7 were still working. It pained him to leave them. It was a genuine pain not just because Bolton would kill him for losing three contractors. Though that man was certainly a motivator.
"Commander Marshal I still have men out there in the jungle. I can not abandon them. You can lead the expedition back to base yes?"
"Sir with all due respect, I got captured hundreds of men died in the process. I shouldn't be responsible for leading these men back. We can go with you after the others."
However Starikov looked out on the horizon many men would die before they found the rest. He'd gotten these men out of prison he couldn't do it just to send them to hell. And Starikov could tell whatever happened to Bly still had its impact. He wouldn't be an effective leader at this precise moment.
"No, it is far to risky, we shall go back, then I shall return." Starikov said, "Get the two prisoner, we need to map out CIS territory. They have Intel."
The Transdoshan with the scar and the Duro were forced on their knees in front of Viktor Starikov. The Elite Russian commando took out a knife.
"You have seen just what I am willing to do to those who have wronged me. I will do the same to you. Unless of course you cooperate and provide me with the intel I ask for. The choice is yours. But in ten minutes I shall kill both of you if your choice does not satisfy me."
The Duro and the Transdoshan stared at one another. It was clear there was only one answer for mercenaries who only wanted profit out of this conflict.
Wilson Taylor had discarded his balaclava finding the damn thing unbearable after his long stent in the jungle. And concealing his identity wasn't a concern as of now. This revealed his stern face with eyes green as a well kept army uniform.
He leaned his back against the cave wall. There was not much to do while Fixer tinkered with the tactical droids head, combing it for valuable Intel.
"Taylor," Said Alpha 17, "I just got a communication from command. Apparently they've landed troops. Also apparently they're pinned down by artillery guns hidden in the jungle. They want to know if we've got eyes on them."
"Fixer, I don't suppose you were able to acquire coordinates for concealed artillery guns out of that droid's head, were you?" Questioned Taylor.
"No coordinates sir," Replied Fixer, "But I've got recordings of radio chatter in the droids memory. Mostly commando droids, they're apparently patrolling around these guns. Setting up ambush points to repulse clone forces that attempt to pinpoint the guns."
Wilson thought for a second. If they could sabotage those guns republic forces could advance. So that's where his focus shifted ignoring the fact Bolton's resupply hadn't arrived yet.
"Fixer, do you think it would be possible to tap into their com links from that droid's head, so we could pinpoint where these droids are based on pings."
"We would need the ability to properly track communication pings. Meaning one of us would need to smuggle me and the droids brain to the Republic side. Since they could ping the communication chatter on a radar."
Wilson nodded as he thought for a second. He figured he could get all of that done on his own. But he also knew a little bit of extra muscle never hurt. It was essentially an escort mission.
"Alright, Alpha you're in charge until I return, Fordo you and Ranger on me. We'll escort Scorch."
The Alpha class Arc trooper with Red outlines was up fast. Quickly the other ARC trooper with green outlines followed holding a DC17 carbine.
"Taylor," Said Joel, "As mission commander are you sure you want to take off again. This could be a lengthy mission. And let's not forget conventional forces don't know contractors are on the ground."
Joel actually had a point. They'd already broken a lot of Bolton's pre mission conditions. Interactions with conventional forces could reveal much more about their activities then either Bolton or Director Zey for that matter wanted.
"Hate to say it, but your right," Replied Wilson, "Alright Fordo you're in charge of the escort op."
Fordo simply nodded. Scorch then stood up and the three clones sprinted out of the cave. Taylor watched as they went off.
It felt off to not charge out and lead the operation. That's how he had always done things in the past. Even on earth during black ops in the second cold war before it went hot. Wilson prided himself on copying on of his personal models Alexander the great and leading from the front. He also enjoyed the thrill of combat, the adrenaline boost he got from it. Yet he always did what was best for the team and then mission and then himself.
In this case that meant sitting back and simply waiting for things to happen. To choose to simply trust the clones could complete the mission and return with out issues.
Taylor heard the crisp sound of his communicator chime in. Quickly he pressed his ear piece where it was hooked up to.
"Callsign Ace on the line." He said unsure who had his line.
"Are you the Terran contractor," A clone said over the line.
Wilson took a second to think. Bolton had said supplies and men were coming in. Perhaps this was it.
"Yes," He replied, "Who's this?"
"This Commander Blitz," The Voice replied, "Director Zey has sent me with three battalions of specialized troops to assist your operation. We've got supplies I need coordinates for the drop point."
Wilson Taylor nodded as if he could see this its. He looked to Alpha and Boss.
"Coordinates for drop?" He asked them.
"I'd place it within a few miles north of here," Suggested Boss, "But it's your decision, sir."
"I'd do as Boss says, the CIS may notice boxes of guns and amou a long with soldiers wearing jetpacks raining down in the jungle." Alpha replied, "Don't want droids on our base of operations."
"Alright I need a geographic feature a few miles north, because if there's a CIS out post nearby we'll find ourselves in a firefight." Said Taylor.
"You say that like it's a bad thing." Alpha replied.
Having recovered from his wounds and not wanting to be useless Fi examined the maps. He looked a few clicks north.
"There's a forest mountain ten clicks north and ten from their we're looking at a fortified village," Said Fi, "So if we take our time collecting supplies it'll be one hell of a fire fight."
"Ten clicks is a bit far to be lugging gear, I need a point half that distance."
Fi nodded looked back down and traced the gridded map which projected from his palm. He saw a stream in open grassland near farms. No enemy fortifications were marked. He trusted ARF well enough to know they mapped out all enemy positions. However if mercenaries were near that location they'd be taking a risk. But then again mercenaries could've been lurking anywhere else.
"45703 North and 57499 West." Said Fi, "There's no cover but no known nearby hostiles. There are however farmers who'll get quite the surprise."
"No," Said Alpha a bit sarcastically, "You don't think soldiers and guns raining from the sky is a normal occurrence."
After a few chuckles Wilson was quick to transfer the coordinates. Then he cut the communication and turned to the rest of his force. He still had Delta squad plus three ARCs. The two commandos who'd been rescued seemed to be recovering well from medical treatment. Though the pilots arm was in a makeshift sling. He'd just have to be on his own for a bit.
"Alright all available hands on deck, we've got a lot of gear to move back here and not a lot of time to do it. So anyone who's got function of two arms and two legs it's time to earn you're damn pay."
"What pay?" Said Fi.
"Don't you guys have wages?" Questioned Wilson.
"No."
That wasn't surprising seeing as how they were clones and how the media portrayed them as organic droids. But still slightly disappointing.
"Alright we'll hold a labor union after this op, but for now let's move, Bolton hopefully sent me a replacement HK416 and ain't no one gonna keep me from it!"
Everyone in the speeder was silent as it crept into the CIS occupied capital on Selecumi. Droids made terrible counter insurgency operatives. They checked Bolton and John for guns but didn't adequately search the speeder.
So as they pulled up to the new CIS embassy which was under gaurd by six battle droids. It was no problem drawing AK47s from compartments all over the vehicle.
The doors on the speeder flew open. The six droids stopped and raised their blasters. AK47 fire cracked before the droids could pull their triggers.
Big 7.75 mm bullets tore through the droids. The gunfire shouted. The Terran contractors squeezed down the triggers on their guns allowing for full auto gunfire to blare. Their genetic enhancements made it easy to control.
The droids became piles of scrap metal in mere seconds. Then wearing balaclavas that made them appear as insurgents they charged up the stairs of the embassy.
The doors to the embassy flew open. The CIS representatives including the appointed governor were talking with a Selecumi representative that Grievous had chosen. The representing was a twi'lek who'd surrendered the second the CIS army set foot on his farm.
Bolton saw security droids. John turned his gun on them and ten bullets ripped from the gun. Bullets flew through the droids sending metal shards and sparks flying.
Bolton then fired a burst in the air. All the non combatants hit the ground hands over their head.
Bolton then walked over to the Twi'lek who was quivering. His boot next to the man's head.
"Traitor!" He shouted.
Three shots echoed through the embassy. Blood splattered across Bolton. Then the other mercs quickly grabbed the CIS representatives by their arms and pulled then up. John then charged out in front.
Outside battle droids were on their way. The mechanical soldiers froze as they saw CIS representatives come out first.
Gunshots shouted. The droids all collapsed to the ground full of holes. Bolton and the other mercs stood behind the representatives and shoved the representatives with their guns. After forcing them into the speeder Bolton and John with the other mercs took off. Screams of bystanders echoed throughout the street as people ran in a chaotic fashion.