"The First of Many"
Kvetina led her two metal guardians to the site of the Republic command post. With the assistance of local militia forces as well as her own scouting parties (some of which failed to return sadly) the operation was in place and all that was left was to spot key targets for the artillery and hopefully catch the engineered soldiers off guard. As the captain brushed aside the large leaves and thin branches a clearing finally came into view, below them were dozens of clones making their patrols around the perimeter of an unnatural cave opening. Outside were what's left of the Republic's transports along with a single AT-TE showing off countless scorch marks from previous battles but was now under repair under the careful hand of crewmen. While looking down the sights of a rifle, one she picked up off one of the dead troopers, a robotic transmission came through to her from command.
"Captain, CIS forces are prepared to launch the assault. Mark priority one targets and report." The tactical droid- known for their stubborn and arrogant nature- believed the Republic base to be out in the open as many often were in the mid-rim, fortunately for confederate droids and resistance fighters alike this one did not make the same mistake as his predecessor, a mistake that nearly cost them the planet had it not been for an alleged 'assassination'. Since then local leaders have had a little more say in the strategic layer.
"Sir, defenses are light and operation is a go. However, the location appears to be little more than a depot of some sort but from the looks of it, supplies appear to be going in and out from a cave."
"Affirmative, we shall continue with the operation as planned. After the bombardment has ceased, prepare for a full assault."
"Roger command." Acknowledged the Confederate officer. She reached down to grab the flare gun strapped to her leg, pointing toward the moon above and firing. Even amidst the reds and oranges of the setting sun the flare lit up the sky as if to take the sun's own place above, with it came not only the sirens of the Republic alarm but also the screeching of artillery shells sailing through the air before impacting their target and detonating in a ball of fire, shrapnel, and smoke. Kvetina couldn't watch even if she wanted. As the minutes dragged on and the dust started to settle, she braved a peek from behind the cliffside scouting for any survivors though she doubted anything short of a cruiser could withstand such firepower. The sirens had stopped, though whether this was due to someone shutting it off or the explosions simply knocked out the alarm system she did not know. "Scouting team to command, phase 1 of the operation successful, no survivors detected in the target site. Beginning phase two." She reported and though they command did not reply she head the faint march of droids echoing throughout the valley below her; verifying the beginning of the end of this world's conflict. "Wire, Sparks, give signal to rally our forces. We'll meet with our allies at the base's entrance, this certainly isn't over yet."
After an hour of finding their way down a now dark path, the CIS captain and her two companions had finally reached the outer blast door of the underground compound. The ground was devastated with large craters and twisted debris scattered about, she even saw the place of impact a tint of orange from the explosion but she paid little attention to the scenery. Instead she had to cut the head off the snake that lie behind the door of plasteel. Though behind that door was certainly unknown to confederate troops, Kvetina as well as the militiamen knew clones and likely a heavy emplacement were waiting for them to open the door.
"What do we do now ma'am? Orders are to breach and clear." Asked one of the native partisans. Kvetina thought about what to do, no matter what plan she devised it would have to involve going through that door, and the troopers behind it weren't ready to surrender either.
"Get our troops out from the open and ready smoke grenades. Wire slice this door open, Sparks spread the droids out don't let them clump up in columns." She ordered, "Militiamen, prepare for combat!" The Confederate soldiers scrambled to complete their task, droids were spacing out to mitigate losses, Wire reported near completion of the door, and the militia were behind the cover of debris they had pushed toward the cave entrance serving as makeshift cover. Even with the numbers on their side as well as the flexibility of living troops this wouldn't prove too much against a Jedi general with entrenched soldiers just waiting for the moment to pull the trigger. Kvetina commanded her troops to through their grenades, each would detonate into a cloud of thick smoke which would block sightlines, meanwhile Wire finished his job and with the creaking of rusted metal as well as faint shouts from inside the base the battle had begun. Blaster fire rained down upon the militia, whom took it upon themselves to be the first wave. Were it not for the cover they threw up previously they'd all be wiped out or wounded wishing they had been. Emerging from the smoke were a row of grenades that rolled to a stop. Were the droids positioned to launch an assault they would have been decimated but the explosion fell upon nothing but rock walls and air. "Return fire, Sparks launch the assault!" a staggered line of B1s marched forward taking a brunt of the plasma shots. The smoke started to clear, as it did troops on either side could take aim again which only led to more loss. Kvetina took aim with her rifle at one trooper as he was just getting out of cover, shooting him in the chest; twice for good measure. To her left she watched a heavy weapons clone holding back the droid forces and once again shot at him, landing a blow to the shoulder which prompted the clone to stumbled before Sparks gave the killing blow. A blaster bolt strayed and hit one of the militia next to her, she instinctively reached down to check on him but her training reminded her that the battle was not won yet. As the first wave poured through the entrance, killing off the Republic troopers one by one, two more rows of battle droids accompanied the first's flanks. By now the resistance inside was faltering. Slowly the Republic was forced to withdraw deeper within their base, slowly the droids made ground in crushing the Republic invaders and freeing the world from their rule.
"All forces advance! Sparks, Wire, we're going hunting for the Jedi." Said Kvetina with the Confederate forces swiftly moving in to finish off the last of the clones. At last she would avenge those fallen in defense of the once peaceful world as well as garner a feeling of ease as the man that brought war to her home would soon pay for all the burned farms and homes, all of those she knew that lost their lives in the fighting, to her this would be the day the Jedi are taken down from their pedestal as legendary warriors and could be defeated by the common person. The woman followed her task force, watching as the droids spread throughout the network of halls and rooms. All throughout the base she could hear the cries of death from either side and though it pained her to listen to even more innocence die she knew they volunteered to die for their home world, for freedom from the corrupted senators that ruled from countless light years away. "Wire?"
"Already done Captain, it seems republic forces have split apart into their own groups. I am unsure as to which group your enemy is with however. There is also one group that will intercept with us if we head through the northern corridor. It is smaller than the others."
"Then that is our target." She said, eager to get into a close fight once again. Through the halls bathed in red light she checked around every corner, searching for any figure that could lead her in the right direction. It wasn't until she heard the light hum of a lightsaber did she finally find the person she was looking for. Kvetina unsheathed her vibroblade and unholstered her blaster pistol taking a deep breath as she hid behind the corner, Sparks took up a vibrosword from his back while Wire waited with an E-5.
"Wait." Whispered the voice of a man. Kvetina knew her position was probably known and looked to her two droids nodding before forcing herself out into the open. A mixture of fear and adrenaline rushed through her veins as soon as she stepped out from behind her haven of safety as time slowed to a crawl. She saw three clones behind the Jedi, one of which looked to be the commander. With pistol in hand she shot the commander and the clone beside him. The Jedi, though surprised, still managed to react the quickest going to slash at the captain while the surviving clone took aim but before he could pull the trigger a red blaster bolt shot and killed the clone while Sparks' vibrosword deflected the Jedi's attack. Life came rushing back to the woman as her mind comprehended its near-death experience. Kvetina and Sparks took up the front while Wire stood kept back from the plasma blade, knowing better than to get close or to fire a blaster on a trained Jedi. "I don't wish to hurt you." He already had, but he wouldn't live to regret it. She dropped her blaster, swiping at the older man with her vibroblade with little success. The two droids stayed back while their master dealt with the general though the outcome did not look to be in favor of the confederate officer. Sparks joined the fight while Wire stayed back to cover the exit. The two Confederate soldiers fought side by side, splitting the Jedi's attention though he could still manage to fend them off. the woman ducked and managed to graze the man's side while Sparks took the brunt of his attacks, she then went to stab him in the back but her blade was deflected causing her to stumble. The droid and its master swung their weapons with the Jedi only able to deflect Sparks', meanwhile Kvetina barely missed his neck but as he moved out of the way the end of her vibroblade managed to leave a deep cut on the Jedi's cheek. Seeing a defeat in a battle of attrition the Jedi sent a force wave, throwing back all three of his opponents. Sparks being the first to get up quickly pulled his master to her feet as they turned to watch the Jedi flee with great speed she had previously thought only speeders were capable of.
"Captain, are you injured?" Asked Wire as his other was ready to defend them in case of another attack.
"I'll be fine, after him!" She shouted, scooping up her blaster and sprinting with droids in tow. Her commlink came to life in her sprint with the voice of one of the militiamen on the other end.
"Captain, base is secure but survivors evaded our troops and are headed toward the exit. We've won!" He cheered. Kvetina made her way back toward the exit, seeing a few stragglers escaping past the entrance.
"Great work, secure the consoles for data. They can run all they'd like but they can't-" As she turned she saw a new transport picking up wounded and surviving clones among them was the Jedi, tunic and robes cut up from their fight. He gave a smirk and wave of goodbye as the woman shot at the ship's closing doors despite knowing it would be futile. "Damn the Republic..." Though she felt regret that she couldn't bring the murderer to justice, she could at the very least rest easy now that the Republic had lost the planet. Once again, her commlink lit up, this time from command.
"Captain, other theaters are reporting success in their areas. Republic forces are in full retreat, what says your theater?" Came the monotone voice of the tactical droid.
"Operation successful command, the Jedi and some survivors managed to escape but the base and its supplies are secured for the Confederacy."
"Very good captain, sensors are indicating Republic ships are jumping to hyperspace. The battle is officially over, return to HQ." Though Kvetina knew the battle to reclaim her home was over, the war still went on though she did not mind too much as for now she could get some much-needed sleep; a full night's sleep.
AN: Alas chapter 2, just added an an just for this end bit. Enjoy!
~Firetoast312