Vanguard
Chapter 16
"Carpe diem"
[Null Sector]
The republic fleet celebrated as they watched the Recusant-class Destroyer slowly drift away as nothing more than a memory leaving the Separatist flagship Abdominal exposed to attack, Anakin states on the comms "Good work everyone!"
Longarm piloted the sabre back into formation alongside the Jedi after his run on the command bridge when Ahsoka said with a grin "I think that counts as a kill for us Sky Guy, sorry but I think you lost this round."
"Oh the battle isn't over yet snips" he replies as he looks ahead at the enemy flagship.
Obi-wan orders "We still have the momentum here, all fighters push forward to the enemy flagship!"
A chorus of clone squadron leaders acknowledged to that order and formed up behind Kenobi's fighter along with Skywalker and Longarm, it wasn't long before Ahsoka reports "We got more fighters inbound! Coming from below!"
The SPARTAN responded "Roger that, we're moving to engage."
A clone fighter squadron leader adds "This is Blitzer we got your back."
The sabre pulls out of formation along with a squadron of seven ARC-170s and two Z-95 fighters and started making their way to a swarm of vulture droids and tri-droids on fast approach to take out the bombers.
Ahsoka orders "All fighters keep tight formation."
"Roger that Sabre-1" the squadron leader said before telling his fellow pilots "C'mon you whiners, let's get dirty!"
"Switching to missiles, acquiring lock . . ." Longarm reports as he begins to lock on to the incoming fighters, a few seconds later did the targeting screen report it has successful locks prompting the SPARTAN to say "Target locked, firing!" and launch four homing missiles towards the droids.
The missiles roared to their targets each resulting in a droid's destruction in a bright flash followed up with dense clouds of dust and debris, the remaining droids came fast through the clouds firing away while the UNSC and republic fighters returned fire in a deadly exchange of laser and gunfire. Longarm ducked and rolled avoiding getting hit by blaster fire and oncoming collisions, a vulture manages to perform a rapid Split-S maneuver and begun tailing the sabre while the others engaged the clones in ferocious dogfights.
Ahsoka looks at the radar screen in front of her stating "He's gaining!"
Then a series of high pitched beeping began to sound off to which Longarm then says "We got missile lock, arming chaff pods."
"Wait do we have missile lock or he does!?" Ahsoka calls out not clearly understanding the SPARTAN meant by that.
The constant beeping suddenly became a solid beep indicating a missile launch moments before he states "Hang on!"
He quickly launches a shower of chaff into the vacuum hopefully disrupting the guidance system aboard the homing missile and pulls back on the throttle making them drift through space while using the flight controls to spin the fighter around until it was facing the shower of burning bright lights and the tailing vulture droid beyond it. He waited for several seconds until he spots the missile streaming out of the cloud of chaff at a completely course of direction. He then sets the throttle to full power and begun firing his twin 30mm autocannons, the sabre starfighter comes charging through the cloud of light out the other end where the vulture droid was closing in firing its own pair of blaster cannons.
Ahsoka tries to hang on to a set of handle bars located on the cockpit canopy above her yelling "This is a deathtrap! Someone has to be insane to fly with you!"
The two fighter crafts drew closer not letting up on their cannons until the droid lands the first hit against the sabre's right wing slamming against the energy shielding knocking it down to critical levels, a moment later a armor piercing round tears through the vulture's right eye socket but nonetheless it remains functional landing another two bolts against the shields, shattering it, and the titanium armor plating. Only a moment later did Longarm land the killing blow when one 30mm round tears through the droid's left wing and a second shot tearing a hole clean through the head causing it to explode immediately.
The SPARTAN pulls back on the flight stick guiding the sabre fighter back up to where the others were as its shields began to recharge when he replied "Yeah I suppose that's why they don't tell me anything. You're still alive aren't you?"
Ahsoka finally let's go of the handle bars after some hesitation and said "Never. Do that again."
Suddenly Admiral Yularen's voice barked through the open communication channels "All craft fall back! It's a trap!"
They watched the clone fighters and bombers quickly make haste back to the republic cruisers which prompted the two inside the sabre to look around for a moment not seeing anything, then close behind the remaining separatist fleet came six more Munificent-class Frigates, five Recusant-class Destroyers, another Providence-class Cruiser, and two Lucrehulk-class Battleships dropping out of hyperspace and begun deploying their vast armada of droid fighters.
Ahsoka gasps in surprise before yelling at the SPARTAN "LONGARM GO! GO!"
Longarm didn't need to be told twice that he was severely outnumbered and outgunned, seeing how he's been this way throughout the war with the Covenant, and kicked the thrusters into overdrive speeding away towards the republic fleet in hopes of finding cover.
However Kenobi contacts them and orders "Longarm, Cody and Rex are facing heavy resistance in one of the main hangars, Anakin and I are making our way there as we speak. We need you to help us provide support."
The SPARTAN hesitated for a moment before Percival reassures him "Don't worry SPARTAN, Admiral Yularen and I will handle the separatist fleet, besides I've already made fiveāmake that six kills."
Longarm then responded "Acknowledged Kenobi we're on route to assist, ETA seven minutes."
"We'll be waiting."
The sabre changes course and makes its way towards the shipyard while the republic forces fell back to defend the fleet and the capital ships continued to engage with their heavy turbo laser cannons and MAC guns.
Ahsoka asks "You think the fleet can hold off that many droid ships? Even with the Vanguard?"
Longarm thought about that for the moment and then contacts the UNSC destroyer "Percival, how many warheads do we have in storage?"
The AI knew what the SPARTAN as referring to and answers "We have three warheads accounted for, I can have one primed and in the tube in two minutes."
"Do it, that fleet might be a bit too much for the Republic, Ahsoka and I are on our way to the shipyard so don't worry about us, and prep the pelican for launch. Make sure it reaches the hangar and back."
"Acknowledged, stay safe."
After several minutes of flying, the sabre began its approach on the hangar bay with its atmospheric barriers up when Ahsoka asks "So what kind of warheads were you talking about with Percival?"
"Something I'd prefer we didn't use but if the situation with the fleet gets any better then we'll have no chance" he replies.
"You . . . really didn't answer my question" Tano states with some sense of worry now.
Longarm made no response after that as he begins the landing procedure as the fighter craft slowed down and started to travel through the energy barrier into the hangar where several gunships were set along with fortified positions manned by clone troopers from the 212th Attack Battalion and 501st Legion. The sabre slowly came to a soft landing and Ahsoka began to take the safety belts strapped around her off, meanwhile Longarm shuts all the systems down and slides the cockpit canopy open where the two then climbs out and drop down onto the hangar floor. They soon look out the barrier to see the pelican dropship slowly on approach as it comes through and lands opening its troop bay doors revealing a crate inside.
Longarm looks over to the far side of the hangar and sees the two Jedi speaking with their men and tells Ahsoka "Go on ahead and meet up with the others, I'll be there in a second."
"Alright" she said before heading off towards the others.
Once she left the SPARTAN made his way over to the pelican where he climbs in and opens the long crate, he finds his DC-15S blaster he took from the trooper on Coruscant, the electro-staff he grabbed from one of General Grievous's guards and modified, two M9 HE/DP Fragmentation Grenades, his SRS99D Anti-Materiel Rifle already loaded with five more magazines laid next to it, and finally a M6G standard issue magnum inside a pistol holster that attaches to his chest. He takes the blaster and holsters it to the magnetic strip on his right thigh, next he grabs the electro-staff and slides it vertically into a specially made holster on his left shoulder, the two grenades were safely tucked into a small pouch located on his lower back, he then grabs the pistol holster and attaches it onto his chest along with the other ammo pouches, and finally he slides the four-round box magazines into each pouch before picking up the rifle itself and pull the bolt back and letting go allowing it to automatically load the first round into the chamber.
He closes the crate and disembarks the dropship before getting on the comms and said "We're good here Percival, go ahead and bring the ship on back."
The AI made no response but the pelican then closed its troop bay doors and lifts up off the floor before taking off back into space towards the Vanguard. Longarm watched the dropship fly out into the distance before slinging the rifle around his right shoulder and make his way to the small gathering of clones around the force sensitive trio.
Obi-wan and the others around him stood around a small holographic projection of the shipyard, provided by R2, when he says "The command tower is located on the starboard section of the station, this is the way Cody, Longarm, and I will take seeing that it is more heavily guarded than the rest of the base. However we cannot neglect the port section where they construct the destroyers, Ahsoka and Anakin will take the 501st and destroy the ship that's already in construction."
Ahsoka adds "Should everything go well we should be able to meet at the hangar on the far end of the station."
Anakin sees Longarm coming up behind two of his men and suddenly says "Uh why don't I take Longarm and Ahsoka can go with you."
Kenobi raises an eyebrow "Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure Master, besides Rex and I are a little undermanned."
Ahsoka takes a look around seeing more 212th than 501st and said "Sounds fair to me . . ."
Obi-wan sighs "Very well if that's what you want, Longarm can go with you and Captain Rex."
Afterwards Cody puts his helmet on and orders "Alright let's move it out!"
The other troopers placed their helmets on and followed their respective commanders, with Ahsoka and Obi-wan heading starboard and Skywalker and Longarm heading port. Before both groups passed through their first bulkhead doors, the SPARTAN-ll and togruta stopped and looked back at one another.
Longarm watched her turn away and follow Kenobi before he briefly said "Carpe diem . . ." looking away and following the other troopers further into the station.
Longarm walks through the door hatch alongside a clone trooper, in his phase 2 combat armor with distinct blue markings, when Skywalker orders "Longarm front and center, you'll be taking point along with Havoc."
The SPARTAN and a clone armed with the long-barreled DC-15A Blaster Rifle moves up as ordered ahead of the twenty five man group and began leading the troops and their Jedi general through the long narrow corridors illuminated by dull green lights mounted on the walls, Longarm kept his anti-materiel rifle pressed up against his shoulder and his finger on the trigger ready to fire the moment he spots a battle droid. However the clone next to him, Havoc, seemed relaxed as if he's used to being the point man for some time, they were beginning to approach a four-way intersection when Skywalker and Rex noticed the SPARTAN tense up when he quickly turns around the left corner scanning for targets though there were none and resumed walking down the straight corridor.
Anakin and Rex looked at each other briefly before the Jedi looks up at the dark soldier in front of him and asks "So how long have you been the mercenary business Longarm?"
The SPARTAN turns his head back briefly meeting Skywalker's eyes through his black visor and faces forward again answering "About twenty five years."
Rex comments "That's a long time . . . and a lot of experience."
Havoc asks "Hey Captain, didn't you say something about experience outranking everything?"
"If that were the case he'd be leading the platoon right now, no disrespect Skywalker."
The Jedi grinned "None at all Rex."
Longarm suddenly stops and throws his right hand up in a fist signaling everyone to stop and be quiet; the troopers then spread out despite the tight room and began lining up their rifles and carbines aiming them down the corridor they were heading down.
Skywalker watched Longarm slowly enter a crouch position and take careful aim as if he already sees something, he looks down the hall finding nothing or even hearing anything as of that matter, and he asks calmly "What is it?"
The SPARTAN replied "Shh . . . wait . . ."
The 501st remained still ready to start shooting at a moment's notice but they saw and heard nothing, it was virtually dead silent, until they started to hear distant chatter coming from one the connecting corridors ahead. Soon enough a pair of B1 droids comes around the corner talking about something seconds before the SPARTAN fires off the first shot sending an anti-materiel round through the droid on the left's head instantly destroying it.
The other droid only had enough time to yell "WHAT THE!?" before being struck in the chest by a blue plasma bolt fired from Havoc's rifle.
Rex lowers his two DC-17 Blaster Pistols down before saying some awe "Good ears . . ."
"Built-in audio receptors" Longarm comments "Speaking of ears there are no doubt that somebody else heard those gunshots, be on guard."
The platoon of soldiers acknowledged that warning and readied their weapons before they began making their way through the corridors with Longarm, Havoc, and now Skywalker and Rex taking the lead.
On the other end of the station, Ahsoka, General Kenobi, Marshal Commander Cody, and the 212th Attack Battalion were heavily engaged with separatist forces that were trying desperately to defend the command tower throwing formations of battle droids towards the advancing clones and Jedi.
Obi-wan finishes cutting down a super battle droid when he uses the force and propels another droid through the air when he says with his usual calm "This is precisely why I needed Longarm to come with me."
Ahsoka meanwhile was deflecting incoming blaster bolts by swinging and twirling her two lightsabers acting as a one way shield while the clones behind her shot past her hitting the droids downrange, she remarks "I thought you liked my company Master, I really hope they're having it worse right now."
"Right well we can't worry about them right now" Kenobi says as he joins Ahsoka's side and help her deflect incoming fire.
Cody finishes putting a burst of blaster fire out when he turns to his entrenched troopers and bark "C'mon men let's move it!"
Several clones replied "Sir yes sir!" and began coming out of cover getting behind the Jedi as they started to push towards the droids' position in force.
The B1 droids quickly switched from offense to defense and began hunkering down behind cover while the B2s continued marching towards the republic forces firing away with their wrist mounted blaster cannons. The fighting was fierce, for every three droids a clone trooper fell, but the 212th continued pushing through the separatists' lines despite the losses they were taking.
Kenobi orders "We must keep pushing!"
Cody in turn relays the order "You heard 'em boys! Keep pushing!"
Republic forces continued to push hard against the droid armies, meanwhile as Kenobi continues to block incoming blaster fire he gets onto his comlink contacting Skywalker "Anakin, I do hope you're just having as much fun as we are at the moment!"
The Jedi Knight voice came in mixed with blaster fire and sniper shots "We're heavily engaged as well Master! We're coming up on the docked destroyer now!"
"We're approaching the command tower as well, complete your objective and meet us at the far hangar."
"Understood, Rex flush out those droids!"
The transmission ended when Kenobi watched Ahsoka go on the offensive in tear down a squad of droids through the Jedi arts of Shien with speed and lethal precision using her two lightsabers in her usual reverse gripped style. The sudden loss of the droid squad prompted Obi-wan and his troopers to make a rapid advance through the corridors and caught up with the young togruta who was already cutting a B2 super battle droid down.
Kenobi comes to her side slicing a battle droid across the chest and comments "I see you haven't lost your touch with a lightsaber."
"It's everything you and Master Skywalker taught me, I see the entrance to the command tower up ahead."
"Then we shouldn't waste time. Cody droid poppers!"
"Yes sir!" Cody replies before he and another clone pulls out an EMP grenade each and hurled them at one of the few remaining droid squads.
The grenades landed near the defenders when they shortly delivered a short range electro-magnetic pulse frying the droids' systems and cause them to shut down, the Jedi and fellow troopers then begun their final push for the command tower and take control of the shipyard.
Please leave your thoughts and comments. Thank you.
