Chapter 15: We're LEAVING

Third Person

The evacuation is currently going smoothly as the Onderon Expeditionary Force is slowly but surely being evacuated the planet. However, on the frontline, it was a different story. Everytime Republic troops retreated from the defenses, Mason would take the chance to charge after them. But it ended up as an ambush as Republic artillery, gunships, and AT-TEs pummelled the droids. The disastrous attack left Mason humiliated. Out of the 25,000 battle droids that Mason brought, only 18,675 remain. The 445 tanks had been reduced to a measly 175 and due to Pike's stupidity Mason lost his ship and all the droid reinforcements, fighters, and bombers. He is desperately trying to rebuild his defenses as the next wave of Republic clones are coming.

Meanwhile in Hyperspace on the star destroyer Intuition

Adi Gallia's POV

I had just received a distress call from Jedi Master Pong Krell. When we exited Hyperspace I came across two heavily damaged destroyers with one destroyer perfectly undamaged. I made communications from the undamaged destroyer "Master Krell, I can see that you are safe." He pompously said "Yes I managed to escape with what's left of my men. Though the army is stuck on Ambira." I asked annoyingly "And you're still here?" He replied "The army has been pushing that criminal back towards the ports. They didn't need my help."

I massaged my temple "What happened?" Master Krell smiled "Well we were pushing the Onderons back to where they came when suddenly the assault stopped. I ordered the troops to keep marching but the defenses tightened and they couldn't push any farther." I inquired "And you were where?" He answered "I was in orbit fighting off their navy. I saw two more ships appeared. One of them was the Emerald Sword. The other was unknown to me but when it came, the push had been stalled." I sighed "Alright let me handle this." He bowed "Thank you Master Gallia. Oh yes. There are a multitude of ships reinforcing the planet. Hurry." and the transmission ended.

I ordered "Plot a course for the Ambira system."

When we arrived, we discovered 4 destroyers. There were also multiple small ships and large vessels leaving the atmosphere. This must be the reinforcements. I decided to avoid fighting them and I went on the gunships to the planet below. We landed near the camp where the clones made when the attacks stalled. I exited the gunship and we were met with many wounded or killed clones. Everyone fighting in this battle were exhausted. I approached the commander "Trooper, what happened here?" He saluted and replied in a strict military fashion "Sir, we were pushed back by the enemy defenses. We can't break through them just yet but we can do it." I shook my head "You take a rest I will handle it from here." He saluted "Thank you sir."

I had 3 AT-TEs to use at my disposal as well as 3000 fresh troops. I asked the commander what are defenses like. He said "Foxholes, trenches, snipers, and artillery. They even led a counterattack but we held them off though with heavy losses. Destroyed some of our remaining gunships." I nodded absorbing all the information as possible. So it is an immovable defense but it can fall to fast moving troops from flanking maneuvers. I asked "Do they have anti tank measures." He replied "No sir." But no anti tank.

"Well commander I think I have a plan. We will bring up the AT-TEs to the front and use the speeders to strafe the defenses. We will then send in the rest of the troops via foot and gunships. As well as use bombers and fighters to bomb the positions. Call up the fleet, tell them to attack in 30 minutes." He saluted and immediately carried out the orders.

In 30 minutes the plan went into effect. I ran to the front, lightsaber ignited with troops behind me. The attack caught the droids in surprise as it appears they were... leaving? No matter, the defenses were being poorly manned. The battle droids shot wildly as they struggled to get into battle positions. Multiple shots from the AT-TE blew away the gathered droids as their parts flew all over the place. I jumped down to the trench and started slicing my way. I heard screams as the charging troops were getting gunned down by rapid fire blasts. I looked at the direction of the blast. It was being manned by a BX commando droid about 15 metres ahead of me. I ran towards the droid and I brought my lightsaber down on its face slicing all the way down to its lags. I suddenly heard a shot behind me as I turned around to find a disabled commando droid, a blast mark cleanly made in its head. I turned to face the trooper that saved me and smiled.

He nodded in appreciation before turning away and firing shot after shot above my head. I looked around and saw a commando droid retreating via speeder towards the ports. I instantly ordered "All troops forward." I instantly got out of the tench and led the charge with troops following behind. I noticed the fighters overhead heading towards the port. If they take out the port, then the droid forces would be cut off with the possibility of the commander as well.

Mason's POV

I pulled out the troops to save what's left of them. Aaaagh! How did I not see that! Because of that one stupid mistake, I lost most of the troops and tanks. If I only held position then the troops would still be active for duty. Now I have to retreat to the last defenses. I ordered most of the tanks to head to the ports while I had 50 stay. The 31,000 battle droids I have I ordered 11,000 stay to man the defenses. The defenses are situated on a small hill. I had 25 tanks on the top of the hill with the others behind. The battle droids were ordered to create trenches and set up the remaining repeating blasters that can be scavenged after the last attack.

It was no where near complete when I suddenly heard a speeder approach. On it was a commando droid. He immediately said "Republic troops attacked the defenses. They broke through with 3 AT-TEs, estimated 3000 troopers, and a Jedi." A Jedi! Well, well, well. Seems to me that you finally stopped hiding and now you're facing me. Finally, I can take revenge for what you did to us. For all the evils you done to us, you will finally die on this wretched planet. "How far is the Jedi." The droid responded "They are about 15 minutes away with a fleet of bombers and fighters approaching." I yelled "What!" Instantly, I pulled up my macrobinoculars and looks around the sky. I instantly saw the Republic fighters charging before us. My eyes widen as I yelled "Incoming!" I immediately hit the dirt as the fighters started bombing the immediate area. I looked up as I saw the majority of my forces destroyed. My tanks on the top of the hill had been obliterated and the droids were scrambling to set up the defenses.

I kneeled and looked down the hill. I saw the Republic force with... Master Gallia! What is she doing here? I thought Krell was here? Wait, if Krell ran away and was replaced with her... that evil... sigh... calm down Mason, calm down. It is just Master Gallia, just the old general. I instantly stood up and the droid beside me said "Sir. The fighters are continuing their way towards the ports." What?! Why?... THE PORTS! I instantly said "Send a message telling General Tankin about the incoming fighters and be prepared to move the troops away. Then send a message to General Conradin to launch any available fighters to attack the Republic's. If a single ship gets hit by those bombs then make them pay for every inch of land they take AM I UNDERSTOOD." The droid answered "Roger, Roger." and immediately ran.

I turned towards the incoming forces, hands behind my back. Let them come. Let them come. My revenge can wait, now I have a battle to win. Gener... Master Gallia it may be nice to see you, but this has gone too far. Bombing the ports with retreating and wounded troops is just too far. Just what happened to the Republic when I was gone? What happened?

Adi Gallia's POV

I found myself faced with another defense but like the last one, it is poorly defended. I still saw the scorched marks from the fighters bombing the place. I ordered the charge up the hill. Once we stepped foot, we were met with a hailstorm of blaster fire. Surprisingly. I had the troops take cover and with me at the front. I slowly walked up the hill, deflecting as many shots as I can. I was getting a mass concentration of fire on me. I ordered the AT-TEs to aim at the repeating blaster positions. -BOOM-.

The defenses is slowly losing as droids were falling. I then saw a lone commander wearing a general''s hat, grey trenchcoat, green pants, and black knee-length boots. I squinted and saw a small scar on his left cheek. It's Mason! He was staring down on us when suddenly I saw large crimson bolts shot through the sky and pummelled the ground destroying the lead AT-TE and several troops surrounding it. -BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM-. The troopers were getting flown around. I ordered a retreat. I turned around to see Mason standing still, hands behind his back. His face is cold, unforgiving. He covered his eyes with his hat and turned away.

The reports are true. You betrayed the Republic, but happened to the Volunteers? Why did you betray the Republic? All I know is that you still haven't lost you touch in tactics. This is going to be a long war.

Several Minutes Later

After I regrouped, I ordered the bombers to attack the hill. I called in more reinforcements. I now have 25,000 clones with 15 AT-TEs at my disposal. After a long saturation of bombs, I ordered another charge. But when we arrived, everything was abandoned. I looked through the defenses but there was nothing. I decided to make my way to the top of the hill. I have full view of the ports. They were burning but I also saw the crashed and destroyed bombers and fighters near it. I looked at the sky and saw a dogfight ensue while the ships appear to be... leaving. The Separatist are leaving. Why? I wanted to have the troops to do another charge but I fear that Mason had placed traps along the way. Even if I get past them, I fear of the close quarter fighting in the city as well as the civilian casualties. But if Mason is the same from a few months ago, then he won't endanger the civilians. Would he?

I ordered the troops to move forward. We advanced down the hill and we spotted multiple AAT's destroyed. I looked through the air to see our fighters and bombers but there is a slight problem. The air battle is going badly for us. For every Vulture droid down, two of our pilots fall victim to the rockets. Suddenly, I saw more Separatist reinforcements. It's the Onderon Air Force. They started shredding our bombers one by one. Fortunate for us, the aircraft were too busy with our fighters and bombers. We continued the march towards the city until we saw multiple shot hit the lead AT-TE. I looked towards the direction of the shot and I saw a small detachment of AATs facing my right. I counted a total of 21 tanks.

I ordered the troops to disembark the AT-RTs and charge the tanks. I hopped on one myself and led the charge with three AT-RTs. The AATs were missing their shots while we drove behind the tanks and fired the main gun. The tanks were decimated as they struggled to aim at the more agile walkers. I commed the commander "I want the tanks into town now." I looked towards the port as more ships, big and small were leaving. Mason might be on those ships. But I must capture whatever troops available.

Mason's POV

"C'mon. Hurry. The Jedi are coming and the army isn't going to hold on for any longer." I started shoving soldier after soldier into the ship. My droids are already packed up to go. From the original task force of the 31,000 leftover troops, 20,000 will be leaving. There would be room for only 25 of the 195 tanks to go to Onderon. I also heard news from Conradin that the Republic sent a task force. He promised to cover the retreat. Let's just hope he can hold out.

I suddenly heard an explosion. I ran towards the top of the roof of a building and examined the field. The Republic ripped through my first line of tanks. I commed the other tanks for a full frontal assault on the Republic forces. I was about to order the tanks to hold their ground when I suddenly felt someone tapping my shoulder. I turned around and it was General Tardin. He said "General. We are the last ones here. We must go." I nodded "Thank you. I just wish I had the troops."

I gave out my last orders "All units. Fall back." And I ran afterwards.