The low drone of the gunship was the only sound he had been able to hear for the last couple minutes.
They flew at night to avoid detection, brushing the tops of the trees. The pouring rain flew in through the open doors, soaking into his cloak.
In the distance, he could see the next to nothing. It was one of the rare occasions on the planet where the moons were not on show, casting the night into utter darkness.
Every so often, an explosion would illuminate the high rises of the capital, a reminder of the bitter battle raging on ahead of them.
After a few more minutes, the gunship swung around as it came in to land at the exterior of the base, the low red light in the passenger bay illuminating the ground as it landed.
He stepped out to the low lit camp, a maze of tents had been deployed, small camp fires burned with groups of clones huddled around, nursing the flames against the rain.
He quickly moved clear of the gunship as wounded were bundled aboard, the medics paid him no mind as they moved stretchers into the gunship.
The force around him rippled with pain and distress. A groan at his feet garnered his attention.
He crouched down beside him, recognising the dark purple of the 207th marked on him.
The trooper had both his hands pressed on a bandage wrapping around his upper leg, the armour plate had been removed and his body glove was stained with blood.
Kye reached out and lay his hand on the shoulder of the wounded, releasing some of his pain into the force.
The soldier sighed in relief and promptly passed unconscious.
"Commander."
He looked up too Vandal, with his mismatchededly painted arc armour covered under the rain poncho, his voice was somber.
"The generals are waiting." Kye nodded and followed him through the camp.
Troops from all legions bunker together, in the hastily erected tents around whatever small fires the troopers could nurse under the heavy rain.
They trudged through the mud slicked ground up to the command centre, a disabled walker half buried in the ground.
Kye hopped in, flicking his hood down.
The mood was suppressed, the generals and commanders were huddled in groups in the belly of the vehicle.
"Kye, you're here." His master greeted him, tiredness weighed on him.
That garnered a response from the rest of the room, who gathered around the holotable inside.
"Kye, I will let you take my place, I'm in desperate need of a nap." His master said, ducking out into the rain.
Ajax stepped up beside him at the holotable, around it was Anakin and Rex with Obi-wan and Cody, the clones all had their helmets tucked under their arms, showing their unique looks.
Rex eyed him critically as Kye took in the detail of the holomap.
"We're going to have to move camp." The padawan began.
"Commander?" Cody questioned.
"This position is too vulnerable, and chances are a probe droid would have spotted us by now." Kye explained. "I think we should split up into our battalions and make separate camps."
"I don't think that's a good idea commander." Rex interjected. "By combining our forces we have a greater ability to fend off enemy attacks."
"You also leave yourself exposed to bombing runs." Kye replied, challenging the blue armoured clone. "Those tents aren't going to save those men from high explosive bombs, much less an orbital bombardment."
Rex scowled. "I didn't think you cared for clones, sir."
Kye felt his ire rise. "Excuse you?"
The other two Jedi at the table watched the confrontation with growing concern.
"Well, after losing an entire cruiser full of my brothers forgive me doubting you, commander." Anakin's brows rose at the comment.
Kye felt anger bubbling up inside him. "You would do well to remember your place, captain."
"Well, I say experience outranks everything." Rex fired back.
"Luckily for us, the GAR follows established military tradition, and not the mindset of an outranked captain." Kye replied.
Rex slammed a fist down onto the table. Luckly, Cody intervened. "Uh gentlemen," He began, "Lets-"
He was interrupted as Kye spun from the table, exiting the command centre, calling over to his commander. "Ajax, ready the battalion."
"Yessir." He replied, following his commander dutifully, not sparing Rex a glance.
Anakin fired an accusatory look towards Rex, who stared daggers into the retreating form of padawan Kast.
The legion moved along the outskirts of the high rise, the night aiding them in concealment.
His master had followed behind him without complaint. This was not the first time he had left strategy matters to his apprentice, who was admittedly talented at such things.
He couldn't say he approves of how his padawan had reportedly acted, but that was a minor note to be addressed later.
They were currently two clicks south of the main camp, using walkers laden with supplies to haul their necessary equipment.
Kye led the column, the two arc troopers of the 207th flanked him.
"Vandal, show me the maps we have."
A holomap appeared before the trio. "Scans show a large commercial centre nearby, which backs onto the shipping district further into the city." The holomap zoomed in further to the wider city to highlight the mentioned building.
"We will make camp there," Kye began. "Then we-" he stopped, the force buzzed around him, it was subtle under the sound of the hammering rain, but it certainly present.
"Uh, Sir?" Vandal questioned, looking at the Jedi.
A red muzzle flash sparked from a nearby high rise, and a red bolt jetted towards the clone.
The area was illuminated as Kye ignited his sabre, deflecting the bolt into the floor.
It was a testament to their well drilled gunner on the nearby AT-TE, as the mass driver cannon roared in retaliation, the cannon striking directly on the target, collapsing the top half of the building and crushing the offending shooter.
"Thanks, Commander." Vandal said.
"Let's keep moving, they would've reported our position before firing. Tell the legion to double time." The padawan ordered.
Upon arrival, Kye didn't think he could've picked a better spot if he tried. The commercial centre had a large plaza in the bottom floor, with the large main entrance being big enough to allow them to park their AT-TE inside.
The floor wrapped around the outside of the hall, with escalators and elevators to access them.
The shops within had been left intact, and the legion split up by platoon to make base camp. Obstacles were erected at the main entrance in order to provide cover, and the walker squatted down to allow easy access within to serve as their command centre.
"Make contact with main camp." He ordered one of the comms officers. A moment followed before the blue hologram of Cody showed up, hunched over the holotable reading reports.
"Cody." Kye greeted. The clone jumped at the noise, rubbing his eyes.
"Commander." He greeted tiredly.
"I've moved my legion south then into the city, we are occupying the commercial centre as of now. Tomorrow I'm going to try and take the shipping docks." Kye briefed.
"Copy that. I'll relay that to the generals when they're awake. Some of my boys got sight of separatist leadership after you left too, we have positive ID on a bounty hunter named Durge." The 212th commander reported.
Kye Kast froze. The name Durge sent tremors through the mandalorian.
"You're positive?"
"Yessir."
A slew of Mando'a curses followed, Cody spent all his effort maintaining his composure.
"He's a tough nut. Near immortal." Kye said in a foreboding tone.
"Immortal, sir?"
"Study up on his species, Gen'Dai. Their entire bodies are muscle and nerve tissue, only way to really kill them is by sending them into a star." Kye explained.
"Yes sir."
"And get some sleep too. Kast out." He cut the connection.
The sun light up their positions through the once ornate skylight of the commercial centre, as the clones prepared to move out. The two Jedi and their clone commander stood around a holomap produced by an astromech.
"What is the plan Kye?" Master Ordo asked.
"By moving further into town, we've given ourself a greater strike distance within the city, furthermore, protection from artillery strikes." Kye explained, highlighting areas of the map.
"Skywalker and Kenobi have kept the same position, and our continuing to suffer from attacks, supplied from orbit by the star port, which is our next target."
The map panned back over to their position, highlighted green, and then the large shipping docks, highlighted red.
"Intelligence reports indicate a large shipment of Rhydonium is arriving soon, in order to keep supplying the planet side factories. We can either launch a full frontal assault on the docks, or if we can sneak a saboteur team in, we may be able to detonate the Rhydonium as it's being unloaded." Kye looked back up at his comrades.
"What would we gain by assaulting the docks instead of sabotage?" His master asked.
Kye thought for a moment. "If we go for an assault, we would strike before the shipment arrives, which would allow us to take control over a relatively intact star port."
"On the flip side," he continued, "We don't know how much Rhydonium is being transported. If we detonate it, it could either scorch the landing platform, or flatten the entire star port."
"Is such destruction necessary?" Master Ordo asked.
"If we do General," Ajax spoke, "We would effectively sever the heavy shipping lines to the planet surface."
"On the flip side however, we would also deny our forces the star port." Kye spoke.
"If we did capture it, we would still have to clear out separatist anti air assets." Ajax chimed in.
"On top of that, It's likely that the separatists won't want to give this up." Vandal spoke up. "This is their main logistical hub, it would be stupid to not fight for it."
Kye frowned. "Perhaps we could contact Skywalker and Kenobi, press the droids on all fronts?" Master Ordo suggested.
After a round of shrugs, Coil keyed the holoprojector. They waited a moment before briefings merged. Generals Kenobi, Skywalker appeared in blue, alongside their subordinates.
"Master Ordo, how nice of you to join us." Anakin joked.
"Unfortunately Skywalker as my battalion is doing all the work, my time for social calls is thinned." Kye's master responded in equal jest.
"I presume you have a plan of action Ordo?" Kenobi asked.
"You would assume correct, my padawan and I are in agreement that we should hit the star port near where my battalion is set up, though we are stuck as to how to do it."
"Go on."
"We are undecided as to whether to capture the port, or detonate a Rhydonium shipment that is arriving later." Kye stepped up and explained.
"I think we should opt for a capture, we are on a civilian world, causing unnecessary destruction will not do us any favours in the eyes of the populace." Kenobi spoke up, ever the wise one.
"We will likely need your help then, I cannot imagine the separatists will leave such a target undefended." Master Ordo spoke.
"Very well then. Our battalions will begin moving out. Kenobi out." With that, the transmission cut, leaving only the command staff of the 203rd.
Ajax, rally void company. We'll go have a look whilst Master readies the rest of the troops.
Ajax saluted and jogged off to ready his troops, whilst Kye checked his gear over, and limbered up for combat.
A few minutes later, the group was stalking through the maze of a city, huddling through alleyways and hopping over the back walls.
They rushed across a street and jumped into a derelict tower, Vandal pulling up a holomap of their location.
"Star port is the next street over. These external perimeter walls will be an issue." He explained, pointing to the upcoming obstruction.
"We can take up reconnaissance positions in that tower there. We should have a while before the wider forces engage." Kye reasoned.
The squad navigated through the demolished streets, avoiding the roving droid patrols narrowly. The group used ascension cables to climb up the elevator shaft, eventually setting up on the top floor of the high rise.
Kye pulled out his macrobinoculars and surveyed the star port. He then opened a comm channel to his master.
"Master, come in."
"I read you Padawan."
"Security is tight. We evaded multiple patrols to get here, and the star port proper is heavily defended."
"Skywalker should be engaging soon, that should give you the necessary opening. I'm beginning to move to engage, we should be able to follow you in." His master replied.
"Copy that."
A moment followed before something exploded a few blocks over from the star port, a second passed then blaster fire was heard.
"That will be Skywalker." Ajax surmised.
"Yep. Looks like the diversion it's working too." Vandal pointed out, as some droids began moving away from their position.
"Let's get going, cables?" Kye asked.
The clones with cable guns fired them, connecting their high rise with one of the hangar roofs. The group attached their hooks and zipped down, avoiding notice from the sentries.
"Commander, look!" Coil pointed.
Descending from the clouds, was a C-9799 landing craft, flanked by vulture droids.
"Haar'chak." He swore, activating his comm. "Master, intelligence was off, the Rhydonium is arriving now."
Static was the only thing that answered him. The fighting around them was increasing in intensity, another explosion detonated at the perimeter wall, and the squad saw clones of their own legion entering the star port.
Droids began to pour back into the open facility, as Kye ignited his saber and dropped down to the floor, joining into the bigger fight.
His squad huddled down behind some spare crates, peeking out to fire at the droids.
Soon, the heavy thudding of an AT-TE was audible, as it breached into the compound, Master Ordo leaping off.
The fighting intensified as super battle droids were dropped in, Kye spotted a number of clones being cut down by the intense blaster fire.
The door to the main control base opened, and a towering armourer figure stepped out. They easily cleared seven foot tall, and wielded a large Vibro blade.
They lumbered into the middle of the fight, unaffected by the gunfire impacting their armour.
"A Jedi!" The beast called out, grinning expectantly. Both Master Ordo and Kye stood across from the being.
"A mandalorian Jedi." They cackled. "I enjoy, killing mandalorians."
This was Durge. Kye realised. Master Ordo ignited his saber, and charged, Kye right behind him.
Despite his size, the Gen'dai was quick. His blade was a blur as he defending the rogue strikes and matched with his own offensive.
Master Oreo's face was of stony determination as he fought, he blocked left, right, was parried on his thrust, and had to step back to make room before he was skewered.
Durge perfectly handled both Master and Apprentice, keeping both at bay.
The nigh immortal warrior pushed Master Ordo back, who stumbled on a dead droid, giving the Warrior and opening. The Vibroblade came down, and caught him on the side, a long cut along his side.
The wounded and stunned master gave Durge the opportunity to focus fully on Kye, and his massive hands caught the hilt of his saber, stopping his swing dead in its tracks.
Kye was lifted up and thrown across the landing platform, landing hard and skidding into a pile of crates.
He groaned at the impact, already feeling heavy bruising. He slowly picked himself up, reigniting his saber.
He looked up to see his master in combat again, but noticeably slower. Durge laughed during the exchange, lashing out and kicking his master in the side.
Ordo grunted in pain and folded over, leaving himself open. Durge kneed him in the nose, leaving him to flail and stumble back.
The Gen'dai laughed sinisterly as he stalked forward, grabbing his master by the shoulder and stabbing the blade upwards into his chest.
It went straight through to the hilt, the bloodied end jutting out of his masters back. Kye watched, shell shocked, as Durge pulled the blade free, before tossing his master at him.
His body landed short but skidded to his feet, leaving a slick of blood in its wake.
He was dead. Kye couldn't feel the force signature of his mistake at all. Gone was the stoney feel in the force, or the steely determination.
Anger coursed through his system, fuelled only by Durge's laughter. In an angered shout, he leaped towards the Gen'dai, pulling his master's blade to him, he engaged in a withering offensive against the beast.
Durge struggled to keep up, a number of small strikes landing on the armour he wore. He swung out with a punch, of which Kye jumped over and slashed at the beast's helmet, cutting it open.
The dual blades were clearly a challenge for Durge to keep up with, but he found an opening, and overextending to batter one of the sabers out of Kye's hand.
Spying the over extension, Kye brought his lightsaber down on Durge's arm, severing it above the elbow.
He took a step back, and watched the mythical abilities of the Gen'dai, as the nerve and muscle tissue began to reach out and tie back together, rebinding the arm as if it had never been severed.
Durge laughed evilly. "See Jedi? You cannot kill me, you only delay your death."
Kye panted in exertion, his hair matted to his head. To the left, he spied the barrels of Rhydonium being unloaded by cargo droids. He looked to see Vandal having the same idea, and they shared a nod.
Kye readied himself, and rushed back in again. Now limited to a single saber, he didn't have an advantage, however he saw his opening and took it.
Thrusting his arm out, his fingertips made contact with Durge's breast plate, he focused on drawing the force, and passed it into the armour plate.
Immediately, it fractured, before shattering into pieces. Kye jumped backwards from a retaliatory strike, leaving a bare chested and helmetless Gen'dai.
"Jedi tricks won't save you boy." He growled.
Kye reached out to the barrel of Rhydonium, and flung it at him. The red barrel flew towards the bounty hunter turned separatist leader, and Vandal fired, detonating the barrel.
The massively volatile fuel barrel exploded, engulfing Durge in flames, the resulting boom near deafening him.
When the smoke cleared, Durge had been blown to pieces. Small bits of the pinkish muscular and nervous tissue lay all over the starport, a small fire burning.
Whilst the duel had been going, The 501st and 212th had breached the compound, and had defeated the remaining droids.
Kye deactivated his lightsaber, and fell to his knees besides his master's body, tears escaping him.
The warm presence of Master Kenobi made itself known to him, and a comforting hand was rested in his shoulder as Kye folded his master's hands over his chest, and placed his lightsaber there.