Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.
Let's get to it.
Guest DCDGojira: Not sure which ASAT member will be featured in the Battle of Coruscant, but I will confirm it'll be Hall who will be helping in the Siege of Mandalore. And it won't just be Hall who finds out the truth about Anakin. The whole team is gonna be pissed.
Peter Hong Kong: Try the link again. Follow the instructions in my profile, and at the end of last chapter. Also, yes, there may be some characters from Fallen Order who will show up in the next story. And no, the ASAT team will not try and strap their lightsabers to their assault blasters like bayonets.
Lorenzo Ferrari: A possibility, but not a certainty.
Chapter 57- Black Hawk Down
(February 22, 1994)
Colonel Hall makes his way over to the holotable, where Mace Windu and Anakin are standing.
"Any update?" he asks.
"Admiral Trench has doubled his attacks. We're struggling to hold them off, but if we don't do something soon, we'll lose Anaxes," Mace says.
"That's not what I meant," Hall says firmly.
The two Jedi look at Hall for a few moments. Then, Mace says, "The Dauntless has returned to Coruscant. It's been badly damaged. Republic commanders have agreed to send it to Kuat for repairs, but it'll be out of action for over a month, possibly two."
"What about a rescue mission?" Hall asks.
"No word on that yet. Any rescue mission conducted by the Republic will have to be approved by the Senate. And we have word from a reconnaissance flight that there are more Separatist warships over Skako Minor now. If the Terran Alliance intends to conduct a rescue mission, you'll need to send a large portion of your fleet," Mace says.
"But we don't have enough ships nearby. It would take us at least a week to get enough ships together, and by then, those men would probably be dead!" Hall says.
"I know, Colonel. But there's nothing more we can do unless the Senate approves the mission," Mace says.
Hall sighs with frustration, and turns to look out towards the hills surrounding the Republic base. "Hold on, Han. Don't worry. Someone will come get you," he says.
(Skako Minor)
Colonel Han climbs out of the wreckage of the Black Hawk, helping the pilot out. The rest of the passengers on the helicopter, as well as the co pilot, are all waiting around the wreckage, having already salvaged anything they can.
"Well, the commlink's completely busted. No chance of repairing it," the pilot, an American Captain named Ryan Walters, says.
"So, we're stuck here until the Terrans or the Republic decide to come looking for us?" Tango, one of the clones from the 212th, asks.
"Unfortunately so," Han says.
"So, what do we do now?" Khan asks.
"We need to get away from the crash site. They're bound to find it quickly, and the more distance we put between us and this spot, the better," Han says. He looks around at everybody and says, "If anything is not absolutely necessary, leave it behind. Let's move."
A few pieces of equipment are left behind, but everything else the team straps on, a number of men making makeshift backpacks to carry items. Then, once everyone is ready, Han leads the team away from the wreckage of the Black Hawk.
The team walks for about three hours, covering about 13 miles. Finally, they reach a large pile of boulders, with an area between them for them to hide.
"This seems like a good spot. Let's rest here for a little bit," Han says. The entire team follows him into the midst of the boulders.
As they settle down in the midst of the boulders, Echo asks, "How long until we get rescued, do you think?"
"No idea. With that Separatist task force over the planet, I'm not sure if we'll be able to get help anytime soon from the Terran Starfleet. Any I have no idea if the Republic will be able to help us soon," Han says. He pauses, then says, "All we can do is sit tight and hope help will come."
(Anaxes)
Hall makes his way to his quarters on base. As soon as he closes the door, he sets a commlink down and activates it. A moment later, Captain Adams appears. He's wearing desert camouflage, with his assault blaster on his back and his lightsaber on his belt. And, on his sleeve, is stitched the brand new symbol of the ASAT team: a flaming skull, with wings spreading out of it and two lightsabers crossed in an "X" behind it. It's so new that neither Hall nor Han have it on their uniforms.
"Tyler. How goes the campaign on Anaxes?" Adams asks.
"Badly. If the current trend continues, we're going to lose the planet. Unless something chances, I think the longest we can hope to hold the planet is another week," Hall says.
"I already spoke with General Powell. He says he's going to try and divert some of our units from some of the other Outer Rim Sieges, but it could be a few days before they get there," Adams says.
Hall nods, then asks, "What about Cheng and his team?"
"I spoke with Admiral Kelly a few hours ago. The soonest we could get a task force to Skako Minor large enough to challenge the Separatist task force above the planet is 8 days from now," Adams responds.
"What about the Republic?" Hall asks.
"I'm supposed to meet with Senator Organa and Senator Amidala in less than an hour. He's going to bring up a rescue mission at todays' meeting of the Senate. So, we'll know in about six hours whether or not the Republic is going to launch a rescue mission. Unless that happens, we don't have any way of rescuing Cheng or his team anytime soon," Adams says.
Hall sighs. Then, he says, "Well, keep me updated. They need me back in the command center. Windu wants me to lead a new assault. I'll keep you updated on the campaign."
Adams nods, and the transmission cuts off. Hall then turns and walks out of his quarters.
(Skako Minor)
Han opens a container of rations and inspects its contents. After a second, he grabs some beef strips out and begins to eat. Around him, the others are also breaking open their rations.
As Han takes a swig from his canteen, he suddenly hears something. Lowering his canteen, he stays frozen, as does everyone else. A moment later, he recognizes the sound. The distinctive sound of marching battle droids.
"Droids!" he shouts.
Everyone scrambles for their weapons. As each person grabs their blasters, they race to set up a defensive line.
Racing out of the boulders, they see about 60 battle droids approaching.
"Get 'em!" Echo shouts. He, the two clones of the 212th, and the two Pakistanis open fire.
Blaster bolts fly around the droids, cutting down a number of them. The battle droids quickly return fire, but the bolts fly all around the clones and Pakistanis. However, one bolt hits the Black Hawk gunner, who had just entered the fight, on the arm, forcing him back behind the boulders.
Han and the Bad Batch join the fight. Han opens fire with his assault blaster, while Hunter, Tech, and Crosshair fire their blasters. Wrecker just charges at the droids, firing his blaster while yelling. Once he gets close enough, he starts smashing droids apart with his bare hands.
Droids are falling like dominos, one after the other. However, as the droids dwindle down to just a few left, a B2 battle droid sees Tango a little bit apart from the others, and raises its arm to fire its blasters.
Right then, the second Pakistani SSG commando, Mohammed Zaheer, sees the droid aiming for Tango. Right as the droid fires, Zaheer leaps in front of Tango while trying to push him out of the way. The blaster bolts hit Zaheer in the stomach, and he falls to the ground.
"Zaheer!" Khan shouts. He quickly fires his assault blaster and guns the offending droid down.
The last few droids are destroyed. As the last droid falls, Han runs over to where Zaheer is lying. Khan is already kneeling beside him, examining him.
"How bad is it?" Han asks.
"Bad, Colonel. He's alive, but only just. I think we can stabilize him, but if he doesn't get medical attention soon, he won't make it," he says.
Han stands there for a moment, then says, "We need to find somewhere to hide so we can treat him. Let's move."
Khan and Echo pick up Zaheer and began walking away, following Captain Walters. The rest of the team covers them as they make their way away from the battle site.
The team walks for almost 2 more hours, covering 7 miles. Finally, Khan says, "Colonel, we need to find someplace to rest, or Zaheer is going to get worse."
Han scans the area, and spots a crevice in a cliff up ahead. He points to the crevice and says, "There." The team makes for the crevice.
As the team enters, Khan and Echo set Zaheer down and removes his camo jacket and shirt, revealing the extent of his wounds. Khan examines him and says, "Colonel, it's worse than I thought. If we don't get him help, I'd say he has at most 24 hours to live, and that's being optimistic."
Han sighs as he sets his blaster rifle down. Things sure are looking bad for them.
(Space over Anaxes)
Admiral Trench looks out over Anaxes. The campaign is continuing to go well for the Separatists. With luck, it won't be much longer.
Right then, the commlink ahead of him begins to beep before Wat Tambor comes up.
"Minister Tambor. How goes the search?" Trench asks.
"We have confirmation a Terran ASAT commando was on the downed craft, and one of our patrols has already engaged them. We are closing in on them. We shall soon have the Terran in our possession," Tambor says.
"Good. Begin the experiment as soon as you have him," Trench says.
"Yes, Admiral," Tambor says before cutting off the transmission.
Trench feels a sense of dark joy. Soon, they may have the intelligence they need for a successful attack against Terra.
(Coruscant)
Adams watches from behind Senator Organa's repulsorpod as the Senate meeting begins.
As Palpatine finishes opening the meeting, Padme moves out her spot, her repulsorpod moving towards the center of the hall.
"Fellow delegates of the Galactic Senate, I come before you today with urgent news. I have been informed that a mission to the world of Skako Minor has gone horribly wrong. A team of commandos of our Terran allies, accompanied by several clones, mounted a mission to Skako Minor to destroy a facility directly feeding Republic intelligence to the Separatists currently attacking Anaxes. However, while retreating, the two helicopters carrying the strike team and the Terran ship that brought them there came under attack from a Separatist fleet, and one of the two helicopters was shot down. Under attack and badly damaged, the Terran ships was forced to retreat, leaving the survivors of the downed helicopter stranded on Skako Minor. At this very moment, those survivors are on the run on Skako Minor."
"The Terrans are unable to send sufficient help. It will take them 8 days to be able to assemble a fleet able to get past the Separatist fleet currently over Skako Minor. By then, those brave men will be dead. Fellow Senators of the Republic, we must send help. We must send a fleet to rescue those men from Skako Minor," Padme says.
There is an outbreak of murmurning. Then, another Senator speaks up and says, "Why should we send such a fleet? The Terrans chose to undertake this mission. If they did so without the ability to rescue their own men in the event of failure, why should we concern ourselves?"
Another Senator speaks up. "Why should we risk an entire fleet in order to rescue a handful of Terrans and clones? Why should we risk so many resources for so little?"
"The Terrans have consistently shown they are willing to ignore our policy, as evidenced by their interference on Onderon," another Senator pipes up.
Now, Senator Organa moves his repulsorpod into the middle of the chamber. "When the Terrans were first under threat, this very Senate voted very much in favor of sending aid to protect them. And yet now, in another hour of need, this Senate is willing to turn their backs on the Terrans? Does the alliance we have forged with them mean nothing?" he asks.
Padme speaks up again. "Ever since they first came to our aid 2 years ago, the Terrans have spilt their blood across the galaxy in order to help us win this war. Countless lives of clones and citizens of the Republic have been saved at the cost of Terran lives. For 2 years, they have fought and sacrificed for us. Why should we not be willing to do the same?"
Again, there is murmuring. Then, Palpatine stands and says, "For 2 years, the Terrans have been our trusted allies. Their armies and ours have fought together on battlefields across the galaxy. They came to our aid when we asked it of them. I think it only fair we now do the same."
Senator Tills now speaks up. "I agree! Many Americans sacrificed their lives to protect my homeworld of Mon Cala!" she says.
"The Terrans fought alongside Master Mace Windu to defend my homeworld as well!" the senator from Dantooine says.
"Israeli intelligence agents saved my life from an assassin an Alderaan!" Padme adds.
Several more senators pipe up, mentioning when Terrans fought to protect their homeworlds. As they do, more and more senators begin to voice their approval.
"I call for a vote. Distinguished senators, cast your votes as to whether we should aid the Terrans in rescuing those men," Palpatine says.
The senators begin to vote. After a few minutes, Mas Amedda hands a tablet to Palpatine. Palpatine looks at it, then back up at the Senate. "The votes have been noted, and by a resounding majority, the votes are in favor. We will do all we can to rescue those brave men!" he declares. There is a lot of applause and cheering from the Senate, and from his spot, Adams grins before turning to leave, knowing he'll be going on this mission one way or another.
(Anaxes)
Hall makes his way back over to where Mace and Anakin are standing. He had just returned from leading an assault on the droids, but the assault had not gone very well. It had driven the droids back, but his unit had suffered many losses.
Right as he walks up, and before he can even say anything, a clone says, "Generals! Incoming transmission from Coruscant!"
"Put it through," Mace says.
A moment later, a hologram of Yoda comes up.
"Master Yoda. What do we owe the pleasure?" Anakin asks.
"Received word from the Senate regarding Colonel Han, we have. A rescue team has been assembled. On its way to Skako Minor, it is," Yoda says.
Hall breaks out in a massive grin. Mace and Anakin also smile.
"Keep you updated, we will," Yoda says.
"Thank you, Master Yoda," Hall says. Yoda nods before the transmission cuts off.
(Skako Minor)
Han sticks his head out of the crevice, looking around for a few moments to make sure the surroundings are clear, then ducks back into the crevice.
He walks a few feet over to where Echo and Khan are still tending to Zaheer. "Anything?" he asks.
"Nothing, Colonel. We've been trying to get him to wake up, but nothing. He is still alive, but like I said, if he doesn't get help soon, he's doomed," Khan says.
Han just nods, then walks over to a rock to sit down.
As Han sits down, Tango walks over to the two. Khan looks up at him and asks, "How are you feeling, Tango?"
"I'm alright," Tango says before looking down at Zaheer.
Khan looks at Tango for a moment before asking, "Something on your mind?"
Tango is quiet for a moment before he nods and sits down on a rock. He looks at Khan and says, "There's something I just don't understand, Captain. I'm incredibly grateful for Captain Zaheer for saving me. But now, thanks to that, he's gonna die if he doesn't get medical help fast. That's what me and Hal don't understand. You've never even met us. I'm sure you two both have families back home, and people who love you. We're just clones. We don't have families, and we're meant to be expendable. The Senate or Republic doesn't care for individual clones. So why do you?"
Khan looks at Tango, then sets down the medical ointment he's holding. He looks right at Tango and says, "Here's how we see it. We don't care that we don't know you. We don't care that you're Republic troops and we're Terran troops. We especially don't care that you're clones. All we see is soldiers. Soldiers like us."
Khan pauses, then says, "There's something that nobody who hasn't served in the military wouldn't understand. No matter how much any civilian or politician wants to understand, they'll never understand what the bond between soldiers feels like. When you serve with someone in a military unit, you forge a bond with them that will last for life. You reach a level of comradery that no civilian can understand. That's why Zaheer threw himself in front of that bolt. He was protecting a fellow soldier."
Tango just looks at him for a moment and slowly nods, feeling amazed by the Terrans.
(Hyperspace, some time later)
Adams makes his way onto the bridge of the Venator class Star Destroyer Justifiable, the flagship of a fleet of 18 Republic Venators and 2 Acclamators, as well as the Terran Star Destroyer Sentinel, that has been sent to rescue Colonel Han.
As Adams walks onto the bridge, he sees Admiral Coburn standing before the viewport. Adams walks up to him and says, "Admiral."
Coburn turns around. "Captain Adams," he returns.
"How much further do we have?" Adams asks.
"The navicomputers show we have just four more parsecs to go," Coburn responds.
"Excellent. I will make my way to the hangar and get ready," he says.
Adams turns and leaves the bridge, making his way down to the hangar.
As he emerges into the hangar, he sees Colonel Wilson, Colonel Stasevich, Colonel Peretz, and Colonel Rommel all waiting over near an LAAT, along with men from the Sayeret Matkal and a squad of clone commandos known as the Delta Squad.
As Adams walks over, Rommel notices him, and says, "What's the news, Sam?"
"We're less than 4 parsecs away. We need to be ready to at once, because once we arrive at Skako Minor, we're gonna be sent out almost immediately. So, everybody gear up," Adams says. Everyone nods and begins gathering their gear.
(Skako Minor)
Han shoots up. He had been dozing for what seemed like just a few seconds.
Looking around, he sees Hunter kneeling right in front of him, kneeling as though he'd just shaken Han awake.
"What is it, Sergeant Hunter?" Han asks.
"Some battle droids just came near us, and we destroyed them. But it seems like there are at least a thousand more approaching. They'll reach us in two, maybe three minutes," Hunter says urgently.
Han looks around at the rest of the men and takes stock of the situation. In an instant, he calculates that they won't have time to gather up their gear and Zaheer and get away in time.
"There's no way we can get away in time," Han voices his thoughts. He looks right at Hunter and says, "We have no choice. We're gonna have to stand and fight here."
Han glances around at everybody and says, "Everybody, arm yourselves. Walters, you protect Zaheer. The rest of you, we're gonna hold the entrance to this crevice at all costs."
Instantly, the team springs in action. Wrecker grabs several large rocks at the back of the crevice and takes them outside, laying them just outside the entrance to the crevice to use as cover, two rocks on each side of the entrance. The Black Hawk gunner, Staff Sergeant Zach Bellows, uses a shovel he took from the crashed helicopter to dig two foxholes a little further out. Han uses his lightsaber to cut huge chunks out of the wall of the crevice big enough for a man to hide in them for the men to use as cover.
Finally, the defenses are ready, and the team makes ready. Bellows and the clone Hal hop into the foxholes, blasters at the ready. Crosshair, Khan, Tango, and Echo take position behind the rocks Wrecker laid down. Wrecker, Hunter, Tech, and Han take shelter inside the crevice itself. Tech and Han fit themselves into the indentations Han cut out, while Wrecker and Hunter wait behind them. As a last ditch effort, Hunter has a grenade launcher that, if it becomes clear the droids will overpower them, Hunter is to use to blow apart the top of the crevice and cause a rockslide to block the entrance to the crevice and seal any survivors of the team inside to protect them.
By now, they can hear the sound of the droids approaching. Everyone grips their weapons tightly.
Finally, the lead droids come over the ridge up ahead. Ranks upon ranks of B1 and B2 battle droids march over the ridge, heading right for them.
"Hold, men," Han says.
Han watches as more and more droids appear over the ridge. Finally, once they're close enough, Han shouts, "Fire!"
The team lets loose with everything they have. A hail of laser fire streaks towards the droids, cutting down most of the first two rows of droids. Han and Khan then each fire a grenade from the grenade launchers strapped to their assault blasters, and the explosions destroy even more droids.
One of the droids cries out, "There they are! Get 'em!" The droids start running, and firing their blasters at the clones and Pakistanis.
Echo hurls an EMP grenade, which Crosshair shoots, sending out a pulse that disables about twenty droids. But, the droids just keep coming.
For several minutes, the team's intense fire and occassionaly grenades are able to keep the droids at bay. Then, a blaster bolt goes flying right by Echo's head. It misses by an inch, and Echo instinctively falls backwards to avoid it.
A split second later, another blaster bolt hits Khan in the right shoulder. Khan yells out in pain, but quickly recomposes himself, and despite the pain, continues firing his assault blaster.
The team keeps up its fire, but the droids are growing ever closer. Then, a blaster bolt hits Hal right in the face. There is a brief cry of pain, and then Hal collapses in the foxhole, dead.
With Hal gone, the amount of fire from the strike team diminishes. With less fire coming their fire, the droids slowly advance further and further.
Then, another blasters bolt scores a hit. This time, a bolt hits Tango in the arm. The clone collapses backward, clutching his arm and crying out in pain.
"Keep fighting, men!" Han urges as he loads another grenade into his grenade launcher and fires it, destroying about twenty droids.
The droids march further and further. They're now getting dangerously close to Bellows' foxhole.
"Bellows! Get back! We'll cover you!" Han shouts.
"Not happening, sir! I'd never make it! I'll hold this spot! For Terra!" Bellows shouts as he continues to fire his assault blaster.
Never halting their fire, everyone else on the team watches as Bellows continues to fire at the approaching droids. The droids march right up to his foxhole, but Bellows refuses to stop firing.
Finally, one B2 droid manages to get close enough. It grabs Bellows' assault blaster from him. Undeterred, Bellows draws his combat knife and leaps out of the foxhole, driving the knife into the droid repeatedly until it falls. He repeats the process with a B1 droid. Then, as he charges another B2 droid, the droid grabs him by the throat with one hand, then fires its blasters at point blank range into Bellows' chest, killing Bellows. The droid then drops his body to the ground.
"Bellows!" Echo shouts, but its too late.
Khan pops up to fire another grenade from his grenade launcher. However, right after firing it, a blaster bolt hits him on the left shoulder, causing Khan to collapse in pain.
Then, one of the B2 droids equipped with a rocket launcher on one arm fires it. The small rocket hits right before one of the rocks, blowing it up and knocking Echo back, giving him several wounds from shards of rock.
"Echo! Get in here!" Han shouts. Tango hurries to grab Echo and pull him into the crevice. However, right as he gets Echo into the cave, a blaster bolt hits him in the back, knocking him down.
The droids are getting even closer, despite the intense fire still coming from the members of the team able to fire.
"Everyone! It's been my honor to fight alongside you!" Han shouts. He pulls outs his lightsaber and grips it tightly. He then says, "Khan, get in here. You, Echo, and Tango protect Zaheer!"
Han then pauses, and says, "Alright, Bad Batch. Let's go out with a bang."
"Yeah!" Wrecker shouts.
"We're with you to the end, Colonel," Hunter says.
Han ignites his lightsaber. He is about to charge out of the cave for one final charge, when all of a sudden there's a sound like a buzzsaw, and glowing tracer rounds rip into the forward ranks of the droids.
Han is confused. That is, until he sees an SA-10 fly overhead.
"The Terrans are here!" Echo shouts as he also sees the SA-10. Then, an LAAT swoops in, firing one of its side laser turrets, destroying several dozen droids.
"And the Republic!" Han shouts.
Several more LAATs swoop in, and clones and Chinese troops inside the gunships begin firing their blasters down into the ranks of the droids.
Together, the SA-10s, LAATs, and the clones inside the gunships are able to clear most of the droids away from the crevice's immediate vicinity. Then, an LAAT flies in and hovers right over the last few droids attempting to attack the crevice. As it comes to a stop in midair, Adams and Wilson leap down, lightsabers ignited, and cut down any droid they can reach. Stasevich, Peretz and Rommel quickly follow, and together, the five ASAT commandos cut down the remaining droids in front of the crevice. Then, the Sayeret Matkal and the Delta Squad leap out of the gunship. At the same time, the five ASAT commandos switch weapons to their assault blasters. And, as one, they open fire on the remaining droids still trying to march towards the crevice.
Han smiles as he returns his lightsaber to his belt and pulls out his assault blaster. He hurries up to his comrades, with the Bad Batch right behind him.
"Cheng! Good to see you alive!" Adams says.
"You have no idea how happy I am to see you, Sam!" Han says as he continues to fire.
The team, the rescue team, and the gunships continue to fire away at the incoming droids. Within a matter of moments, the last of the droids are destroyed.
Han grins. Right as he slides his assault blaster back onto his back, he hears something. Then, two AAT tanks come over the ridge.
"Okay," Wilson says.
Adams grins. "ASAT team, lets take 'em down," he says. He removes his lightsaber from his belt and ignites it. Catching on, the other five commandos pull out their lightsabers and ignite them.
"Charge!" Adams shouts, and all six ASAT commandos, the first time half of the team has gathered together since their training, charge towards the tanks.
The tanks begins to fire their smaller laser cannons at the incoming Terrans. However, their bolts all miss.
The team divides, with Adams, Wilson, and Han rushing one tank, and Stasevich, Peretz, and Rommel charging the other. As they reach the tanks, Adams and Rommel each leap up and cut off the barrel of the main cannons, while the other four cut their lightsabers along the side of the tanks. The combined damage causes them to lose power and fall to the ground. A few seconds later, they explode.
The ASAT commandos hold up their lightsabers and cheer. Han grins the broadest, glad that his teammates came to rescue him and his men.
More gunships come in and land. The wounded are all loaded aboard one, which will take them back to a Venator that will take to a medical station for treatment. Meanwhile, Han and the Bad Batch, along with Walters, the only ones not wounded, get on an LAAT with the other ASAT commandos, which will take them back to the Justifiable.
As they climb back out of the atmosphere, Han looks out the viewport of the LAAT, and sees the massive space battle taking place. The Separatists are heavily outnumbered, and the remaining Separatist ships are being hammered by turbolaser fire. At the same time, ARC-170s, Z-95 Headhunters, and V-wings are zooming all around them, chasing Vulture droids and Tri-fighters.
One by one, the LAATS and the few SA-10s make their way back to their ships. Once all the gunships and Warthogs are back aboard, the other fighters are recalled back to their ships.
On the bridge of the Justifiable, Admiral Coburn watches as the fighters are returning to their ships. Finally, a clone officer calls out, "Sir, all fighters are back aboard their ships!"
"Make the jump to hyperspace!" Coburn orders.
The order is relayed across the fleet. One by one, the ships of the fleet make a turn, and make the jump to hyperspace.
(Hours later, Terra)
Across the world, people are waiting for news. The situation on Skako Minor, as well as the rescue mission, had been announced to the world hours earlier. Since then, the entire world has been engrossed by the unfolding situation. Many world leaders have publicly expressed their sympathy for the families of the downed men. A number of religious leaders, including the Pope, have led large prayer sessions on behalf of the downed men.
As hundreds of thousands of people remain by their television sets, watching the news and hoping for some update, newscasters across the world began to stop their programming, saying there is a special announcement from the Terran Joint Command.
Then, a message from General Powell comes up on every single television station across the world.
"People of Earth, I come before you with news. I have just received word from the Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic. I am pleased to report that the rescue mission sent to rescue the downed men on the world of Skako Minor has been a success! Sadly, I must say that one of the men, Staff Sergeant Zach Bellows of the United States, was killed along with a clone. Another man on the team, Captain Mohammed Zaheer of Pakistan, was badly wounded. I express my condolences to the family of those two men. I also express the public thanks of the Terran Alliance for the aid of the Republic in rescuing our men, and that we hope they will be able to return home soon."
Across the world, people are cheering to hear that the men have been rescued. Even in the Republic, the news of the rescue is beginning to spread, causing widespread jubilation.
After all the men have been through on Skako Minor, they're finally headed home.
And, I'll end there. I hope you liked this chapter!
So, yes. The Separatists wanted to lure one of the ASAT commandos to Skako so they could capture him and interrogate him for information on the Terran Alliance and see if they could find weaknesses to use against the Terrans, possibly in another attack on Terra.
So, the Black Hawk Down arc is technically over, but we still have the next chapter, which will cover the events of Episode 4 of Season 7 of Clone Wars.
I hope I did the fight scene well. Also, some of the dialogue, including the argument in the Senate and the conversation between Khan and Tango, came directly from Sectrooper, one of my most loyal supporters and the one who first gave me the idea for a Black Hawk Down arc. Also, the new symbol of the ASAT team is something he designed. I have posted the image to the page for the Anti-Sith Assault Team on the Wiki, so go check it out to see exactly what it looks like.
Next chapter will be up after Friday. I have other things to do before then that will keep me busy. So, until then, please leave a review, and stay tuned for more!