Vanguard

Chapter 32

"Operation Dunkirk pt.2"

[Coruscant, Jedi Temple]

"Move it move it! Double time!" a clone lieutenant barks to his men, he and his platoon were moving to intercept an intruder that was making their way to the eastern side of the temple in order to aid a Jedi that was hiding out in said location.

The troopers were rushing ahead with haste until an armor piercing round strikes a trooper in the chest, killing him instantly, while forcing some of the others to immediately take cover behind stone pillars. However few clones choose to remain in the open and spot the SPARTAN-ll charging in with his DMR raised up to his shoulder firing away onto them. The troopers quickly returned fire turning the large corridor they were in into another warzone, sending blue bolts of energy downrange towards the ever advancing hostile that was putting them down faster than they had hoped.

Longarm continues the assault carefully selecting his targets and put one to two rounds into each while doing his best to avoid the incoming fire, he was fortunate to still have operable shielding but he wasn't going to risk another hit to his armor. He steadily closes the gap with each passing step or dash as he expertly dropped every clone that stuck out of cover to shoot back, he notices that the clones were becoming more careful and more aware on what they were dealing with rather than throwing themselves blindly at him in a vainglorious fashion for their new emperor.

The platoon was now reduced to a dwindling few when a sergeant calls out "Fall back! Fall back!" while firing his weapon with hopes of at least slowing down the approaching super soldier.

Unfortunately his attempts were to no avail as he became Longarm's next target and took a round to his chest, the round effortlessly pierced his armor and tore through his left lung. The remaining three clones formed up and concentrated whatever remaining firepower they still retained onto the SPARTAN, firing their carbines and rifles until they were eventually torn down by ballistic fire.

The platoon was finally destroyed and Longarm quickly checks his ammo counter on his rifle, to find the weapon empty with perfect timing, and switches out the dispensed magazine for a fresh one while he calls out to someone far behind him "Clear!"

He works the charging bolt on his rifle before turning around to see Bay and Cain slowly coming from around the corner, Komari was somewhat more able then he was when they first found him but he still needed support and therefore relied on Cila to keep him up right. Longarm slaps his DMR onto his back and returns to the others where he takes the cerean over his shoulder and allow Bay a moment to rest her arms after having held up someone almost three times her weight.

"How much further?" James asks as the trio began moving forward.

"Not much . . . just a little ways down the corridor, there's a chapel that Lador and I use to go when we were younglings. His presence is strong there though I fear for his safety."

"Don't worry, if what I heard about the Jedi is true, he'll hold out."

"Let us hope so."

The three continued making their way through the corridors with no further opposition from clone troops in the temple, eventually after a long period of silence Cila asks "So what is it like aboard your ship?"

The SPARTAN looked down at her for a brief moment and answers "Well it has all the essentials you'll need."

"I know that, I mean what is it like aboard?"

"Oh . . ."

He takes a moment to come up with a decent answer "Well . . . it's pretty big for starters."

"Like a cruiser?"

"Not that big . . . but you can fit a lot of people in it. There's plenty of rooms for you to choose from so you could take a room next to Ahsoka or Cain-"

"Or you" she adds.

"Why me?"

"Because you're doing this for us, you're pretty nice."

The SPARTAN gave a light chuckle "Hear that Komari? I'm pretty nice."

The Jedi grumbled "So I've heard."

Cain knew Longarm was mainly a straight forward, no kidding around kind of person, when it came to important matters such as this but he also knew the reason why he's acting like this was to lift everyone's mood on such a depressing time in their lives, it was partially working.

He continues "Anyways there's a nice area where you could train with your lightsaber, after Ahsoka helps you construct it, and if you need a quiet place to be that area would be your best bet."

"That's nice, is there a lot of people on board?"

"No . . . originally there's Ahsoka, Jorge, Percival, and I. But after this I guess we'll have a few more neighbors to chat with."

Cain suddenly asks "Jorge?"

"Another SPARTAN just like me."

"Wonderful . . ." he moaned.

Bay gets back on topic "Anything else?"

"Um . . . well from what Ahsoka tells me, we have the best Moa Steak around."

"Moa Steak? What's that?"

"It's pretty great, when we get back I'll have Percival make a plate for you. And something for Cain if you're up for it."

"My eyes were slashed and I was left to die for nearly two days without outside contact or substance, I'll take anything you have . . ." Komari stated.

"Good to hear."

They quickly fell silent afterwards as they continue to progress through the empty temple halls without delay, hoping to find Cain's friend in time before it was too late however it wasn't long before their ears began to pick up distant fighting. Blaster bolts fired, men calling out orders and dying cries, it had to be Lador or some other Jedi that was also in the vicinity, Longarm immediately picked up the pace, essentially dragging Komari's feet beneath him and Bay began to jog.

As Cain stated, the chapel was just further down the hall where the sounds of blaster fire and men were coming from, the Jedi advised the SPARTAN "Go. Save my friend, we will only slow you down, young Cila and I will wait here . . ."

Longarm seemed to have hesitated briefly before acknowledging the order, setting Komari down on a wall, and rushes off with haste to support Lador.

[Chapel]

Lador Mattis was firmly holding his ground against the ever advancing 501st troopers that were taking up offensive positions and remaining behind cover as the Jedi reflected blaster bolts back at them. He had already slain three platoons but more seem to keep replacing them every time one fell, but he was bound determine to escape the temple even though he cursed himself for not leaving during the initial fighting.

He overhears a trooper in the distance "Push up! Get on all sides!"

As ordered, several clones began to slowly make their way around him hoping to surround him on all sides rather than keep facing the Jedi's front while some of their brothers kept Lador busy from the front. The Jedi was holding his ground nonetheless as he tries to halt their advance, he sweeps a flanking squad of troopers to his left with the Force sending them flying backwards against the walls, and puts down several more clones by deflected blaster fire. But the clones kept swarming in through the front entrance which was a somewhat narrow corridor that reached into the temple, the only way they could ever reach the chapel, and were unrelenting in their fight which the Jedi was losing through exhaustion.

More troopers kept pouring in each time he kills one until he hears a distant cry further down the corridor "LOOK OUT! LOOK OUT!"

"WHAT IS THAT-ACK!"

"BLAST IT!"

"I HAVE NO VISUAL!"

"HOW MANY AR- WAAGH!"

"FALL BA- AAGH!"

Something was causing chaos among the organized troopers and was inciting panic among them, Lador knew something far more dangerous had arrived and it was tearing his attackers to shreds. Several troopers that were engaging the Jedi quickly turned around and ran to support the men in the corridor, Mattis only had a brief glimpse of heavy blaster fire and what looked like a double bladed lightsaber cutting into them with unrivaled ferocity.

"Smoke 'em!" a trooper calls out as he reaches for his utility belt and produced a small smoke canister before he and several others threw them into the corridor that was soon engulfed in a thick grey cloud.

The commanding officer of the imperial troops commands "Squad Three stay on the Jedi! Four and six, eyes on that corridor!"

Lador watched as two squads moved to confront their attacker at the entrance while the third moved into position to keep up their attack on him but before they could even move everyone heard a single steady set of heavy footsteps approaching through the smoke. Nothing could be seen and this was something that was setting the troopers on edge, their weapons raised to their shoulders and their fingers gently squeezing the trigger, and the steps were becoming closer and closer until everything sudden fell silent.

The clones slowly began backing away from the cloud, Lador stood ready with his lightsaber in spite of the rising fear in him. Every single trooper had completely forgotten their target stood behind, some didn't even care at this point, as they waited anxiously for their moment to pull the trigger and engulf the entire corridor in a fierce barrage of blaster fire.

The sergeant muttered on his comms to the other troopers "Steady . . ."

But the silence was deathly disturbing, they couldn't tell who or what just slaughtered their reinforcements and left them cornered in the chapel. Several clones were now becoming afraid, one was beginning to shake in his armor, another was breathing heavily trying to keep himself calm.

And that was when all hell broke loose . . .

In a mere instance the troopers heard the harsh and abrupt activation of an energy sword, Mattis watched as two curved blades of pure plasma appeared in front of him directly behind the frightened troopers, and one clone was quickly impaled by the dual blades that has ran through his chest and hanged him high in the air. No sound came from the trooper except for the heavy thud he made when the sword retracted from his body and he fell to the floor. The other troopers quickly turned, seeing their dead brethren and the floating sword, and immediately opened fire upon the sword but within several quick blurs of motion two more troopers were killed with lethal slashes to their chests and abdomens.

The clones began backing away from the sword but whatever ungodly monster that wielded it was far too agile, quickly giving chase to a retreating squad of troopers and cut them down. Mattis watched in shock as the attacker tore through each clone like some kind of rabid animal, viscously tearing and biting through them with its blade.

"FIRE! FIRE!" a clone cried out as he began to fire his carbine wildly, the other clones were too frightened to coordinate and followed suit.

But no matter how much blaster fire they clones let out, the attacker seemed to be three steps ahead of them, effortlessly ducking and weaving through the bolts of energy, and continued to cleave through them . Each clone let out a cry of sheer agony as the sword burned through their bodies, the final clone was now running for his life, attempting to reach the corridor, but a crack of gunfire echoed outwards and the trooper fell to the ground with a bloodied right leg. The Jedi watched as the clone tried to scramble away before the invisible force kicked him over onto his back and held him down, only then did attacker finally reveal itself as an olive green giant with heavy armor plating all over its body and its left boot firmly planted on the clone's body preventing escape. Instincts told Lador to go and save the trooper but the giant had taken him by surprise, to him this thing wasn't even logical beyond reason, and before he could have done anything, the giant ran his blade through the trooper's chest with no remorse.

The figure silently steps off and looks over at Mattis through its gold plated visor, the Jedi prepares himself for what may be his last fight, until it spoke with a calm but firm tone "Lador?"

Mattis didn't respond, keeping his saber ready, but the giant continued "Cain sent me . . ."

And then he froze "Ho- How do you know Komari?"

The figure withdraws his sword, attaching it to his thigh in exchange for a scoped black rifle that was attached to his back, when he was going to answer but his voice was cut off when a weak but firm voice spoke "Because he's our SPARTAN problem . . . Lador, meet Longarm . . ."

Longarm turns around to find Cila walking Komari into the chapel, his body still seemed weak but he was proving to be a stubborn man. Mattis saw the two walk in as well and deactivates his lightsaber feeling relieved to know his friend was still alive.

He then turns to the SPARTAN "So you must be Longarm my friend has been talking about . . ."

"The very same."

"It's a pleasure to meet you then I guess."

"Likewise."

Komari was finally allowed to sit down on a seat with Bay carefully and rest before he asks "I don't suppose you have a way of getting us out of here still breathing?"

The SPARTAN begins a quick weapon check over his rifle "As a matter of fact I do. When I give the word, the Vanguard will jump into the lower atmosphere just outside the temple, Jorge will then be launched from the hangar via dropship and meet us at one of the western landing platforms. From there we'll return to the ship and jump out of the system. There's only just one problem."

Mattis had to ask "And that is?"

"There's a star destroyer in the vicinity of the Temple District and the Vanguard doesn't have the tonnage to take on a ship of that size alone."

Komari then adds "And you cannot use your primary weapon or you may cause collateral damage to the surrounding area filled with civilians."

"Correct."

"But you have a plan anyways?"

Longarm taps onto his helmet's comms relay and asks "Vanguard Actual?"

"We do have a solution to our star destroyer dilemma, in fact Ahsoka was the one to bring it up, but it's a risky one at that."

"Let's hear it."

"We can execute a low altitude entry as planned and deploy SPARTAN Jorge to extract you all, the only catch is if we want to catch that warship off guard then we'll need to drop out right next to it and deliver a salvo of missiles onto one of their main gun batteries. That will save the ship from the heavy firepower and bring us close enough for you to be extracted in no time."

"And our exit strategy? We can't make a jump out while in atmosphere."

"Precisely, therefore we'll be forced to make our way for the upper levels and then jump out."

James stood there silently thinking about the risks of the plan, a Halberd-class Destroyer half the size of a Venator-class Star Destroyer in a close range knife fight that UNSC vessels were never specialized in, it was too dangerous even for him.

"I don't know Percival . . . there's too much to lose, are you sure it'll work?"

But instead of the AI answering, Ahsoka's voice came through confident as ever "It'll work, you have to trust me."

He continue to think about the plan and the possible outcome of the fight, he didn't like it, but in the end he gives a gradual sigh and state "Alright, we're going with the plan. Ahsoka, since you know the critical hardpoints of a star destroyer better than anyone of us, I'm giving you temporary command of the Vanguard."

Tano didn't know what to say, the fact that James now trusts her with their only warship that couldn't last against a ship twice its size was astonishing, but she calms herself and thanked him "Thank you . . ."

"Just be ready when it's time."

"Of course."

The SPARTAN signed off and spoke to the survivors around him "Alright we move out in sixty seconds, no doubt more troopers are on the way to investigate what happened here. I'll take point and we'll loop around the north end on our way to the western side, I'll make the call and we will get out of here safe and sound."

"You sound so sure of your plan and your trust in young Ahsoka . . . why?" Cain asked.

"It's something you have to do, like all of us right now. We have to trust each other more than ever. I'm placing a lot of trust in all of you right now, so the question right now is: Do you trust me? Not as Jedi or SPARTAN, but as someone you can rely on no matter what?"

The Cila and Mattis briefly looked at one another, Cain silently sat there facing one direction, before Bayu was the first "If you went through all of the trouble for us, then I trust you . . ."

The SPARTAN nodded to that and turned to Lador who answered "If you trust young Ahsoka as much as I think you do, then it's a fool's choice not to trust you."

And finally Cain who remained silently seated finally gave a sigh and spoke "If you are able to convince three Jedi to trust you with their lives . . . then I agree with my dear friend, I'd be a fool to not to trust you. Because in spite of fear of the Empire and what I have done to you, you still came to help us in our darkest time. Thank you."

Longarm nodded to Komari's words "Good . . . we should get going, Lador help you friend and everyone stay close to me."

Everyone complied with the order, Mattis got Cain up onto his feet and the three converged behind the SPARTAN before they all headed out as a single group, Longarm taking point with his DMR, Cila right behind him, and the two friends shortly after.

[Fifteen minutes later]

On the northern side of the temple, the group continued onwards without delay and very little opposition, two man patrols were effectively put down before they could've presented themselves as threats. They were moving on until Cain collapsed onto the floor, nearly taking Lador down with him, and the group was halted.

"What happened?" Longarm asks as he turns around to see the two on their knees.

"Don't worry . . . I'm just weak that is all . . ."

Bay asked "How much more till we reach the platform?"

"About four hundred meters to the nearest one, it's not far."

"Maybe for you . . . but it's still quite a ways for us" the cerean argued.

"Maybe. But this is the final stretch, we get to that platform and then we're home free."

"Let us hope so."

Lador was beginning to pick his friend back up when he felt something he never would've thought of "Wait . . . I- I felt someone's presence . . ."

This caught the SPARTAN's undivided attention "Another Jedi?"

"Yes . . . this one is strong, almost as strong as . . . Master Yoda?"

"Who's Yoda?"

Cila answered "He's the wisest and most powerful of the Order."

James looked back at Lador "Where is he?"

"He's near the Jedi Archives, there's someone else with him but I can't tell who."

Longarm took a quick moment to think then developed a new strategy "Alright change of plans, you three will continue on to the landing platform, do your best to not attract any attention. I'm heading to the Archives to extract Yoda and the other Jedi."

"We're not coming with you?" Bay asked with concern.

"If we all continue moving as a group it'll attract a lot of unwanted attention, they'll have every single clone in the temple coming after a group of five Jedi and a SPARTAN. I can reach them faster and we'll be back at the platform in no time."

The SPARTAN-ll noticed Cila's worried look, she became afraid that she might not see him again for reasons neither could explain, he kneels down as he reaches for his back waist bag, producing a small comlink device courtesy of Ahsoka, and hands it to her "I'll be right there to answer if you need me, I'm not leaving you here."

Bay took the communicator in her hands and without warning threw her arms around the SPARTAN's neck holding him tight, he wasn't expecting this at first but he eventually sets his rifle aside on the ground and carefully wrapped his armored arms around her, he repeats himself in a whisper "I will not leave you here."

"You promise?"

" . . . I promise."

She lets go of him, allowing to pick up his rifle and stand back up, and he ordered "You should all keep moving, I'll meet you all at the platform with the others."

"Stay safe Longarm" Lador spoke.

And Cain adds "You are most noble SPARTAN. I wish you the best of luck."

Longarm answered back "We make our own luck Komari" and on that note he sprints off in the opposite direction, moving with purpose.

As he placed distance between himself and the Jedi he contacts the Vanguard "Longarm to Vanguard Actual over?"

Percival's voice returned "We read you Longarm."

"I need a waypoint to the Jedi Archives, I got two more potential survivors there. One by the name of Yoda."

Tano quickly broke into the conversation "Master Yoda is there!? If we have him with us then there's still hope for the Jedi."

As commanded, Percival placed a waypoint marker on the SPARTAN's HUD which prompted to answer "I'm moving to intercept now."

[Twenty minutes later, Archives]

Jedi Master Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi were approaching the Archive vault, after having fought their way through 501st troopers to get into the vault. It pained them to see a dead Jedi that was killed by those they had fought alongside for three years, only to be fooled by the true lord of the Sith, Darth Sidious. They realized that this whole war was meant to bring the end of the Jedi Order, everything was planned and they never saw it coming.

"Master . . . do you think anyone could've survived this?" Obi-Wan asks in grief.

"Survivors there are, Master Kenobi, into hiding they had gone. Save themselves from the Empire, they must" Master Yoda answered as the two continued walking through the library.

"This was all just what the Sith wanted, and we played right into their trap."

"Powerful, the Dark Side has become and clouded our minds, they did. Foreseen this, no one could have."

The two continued further into the Archive with no opposition, the only signs of the enemy were the dead that laid before them, however this moment did not last when the two heard the distant chorus of soldiers rushing to intercept them in the halls.

"I believe we have company."

"Right you may be."

As they turned around they saw seven troopers rushing in with blasters in hand, Obi Wan and Yoda grabbed hold of their lightsabers in preparation for another fight, and the clones fanned out until they created a firing line in front of the two Jedi and trained their weapons on them

The clones said nothing but Kenobi, with a wave of his hand, tries to persuade the clones to stand down "You don't want to kill us . . ."

But the troopers didn't buy it "You're Jedi tricks won't work on us traitor, it's time you pay the price."

At that instant the two Jedi caught a glimpse of green on the second level story of the archive and without warning a giant leaped from the balcony down into the crowd of clones, crushing one under its feet before making a long swipe with a dual bladed sword that eviscerated three more.

"LOOK OUT!" a clone yelped before he was stabbed in the chest.

The figure withdrew its sword in exchange for a weapon on its back and unloaded a furious blast that shredded another trooper's chest with buckshot, the last trooper swings the barrel of his carbine against the giant's helmet, to no effect, and the giant quickly grabbed the clone by the arm and leg, raised him high above itself, and bring his back down onto his knee snapping the spine and killing the trooper instantly.

The figure took a quick look around, ensuring no more troopers were in the area, before turning to the Jedi and ask "Master Kenobi . . . like you said back on Ukio, we should really stop meeting each other like this."

The Jedi recognized the voice "Longarm? Is that you?"

"Yes Sir" the SPARTAN replied as he steps over to the two Jedi.

Yoda intervenes "Master Kenobi, know him do you?"

"Uh yes Master Yoda, this is SPARTAN Longarm, a mandalorian who helped us out a number of times before in the past. Longarm this is Jedi Master Yoda, a wise and powerful Jedi."

The seven and a half foot soldier looks down at the roughly two foot Jedi and gave a respectful "Sir."

Yoda nodded in response and asks "Come here why have you?"

"Ahsoka Tano sent me in hopes of finding survivors and to secure the holocrons before Imperial forces could."

Obi-Wan then asks "Is she alright?"

"She's safely aboard the Vanguard, she was insistent on joining me but the risks were too high."

"And found survivors have you?" Yoda hoped.

"Five including you two, I can get you both out of here but we need to move."

"Fret not, on our way to the holocron vault we are. Find the source of the false beacon we must."

"False beacon?"

Kenobi explains "The troopers sent out an all-clear transmission to all Jedi stating that they must come home and that the war is over. If we don't change that more Jedi will walk right into the trap and be killed."

"Then let's get moving."

Kenobi turns and continues walking while the SPARTAN extended his arm down and allowed Yoda to climb onto his back before he moves up with Obi-Wan.

As they walked James taps onto his comms to send the good news "SPARTAN Longarm to Vanguard Actual do you read?"

Ahsoka responded "Did you find them?"

"I've located Master Yoda and Kenobi, they're both safe, and we're moving to the holocron vault."

She lets out a sigh of relief "Thank you . . . if you can get them both home."

"I'll do everything I can."

He signs off just as Yoda climbs over onto his left shoulder and ask "Know Ahsoka do you?"

"Yes Sir. I believe it was shortly after she left the Order . . . she told me what happened."

Yoda grimly sighed "Yes a tragedy it was. But also fortunate that she found you it is."

"More like she found me."

"Hmm sense your feelings for her I do. Care, compassion, the feeling to protect her you feel?"

"Sir?"

"Tell me, see her as what do you?"

"A friend, someone I can rely on. We both watched each other's backs ever since the skirmish on Toydaria."

"Friend? Hmm . . . yes."

Kenobi calmly interrupts the two as they approached a large circular door "Here we are."

The SPARTAN's eyes scanned the door, looking for any possible mechanism until his eyes rested on a small lock off to the right side of the door. He watches Kenobi raise his hand to it and with the Force he slowly and expertly unlocks the mechanism which caused the massive door to open up into a dark room with small glints of light inside.

Kenobi entered with Longarm and Yoda following suit, but the moment they entered and the SPARTAN attempts to contact the Vanguard he was only met with garbled static, he figured the vault was shielded from communications which denied him his channel to Ahsoka and the others. However he didn't bother to waste time to send the call and continued following Obi-Wan until they came to the first bank of holocrons, each giving off a brilliant bluish glow.

"These are the holocrons you'll want to take, they contain the information of all future Jedi and some of our other closely guarded secrets, should the Empire acquire the information then there will be no hope for the Order."

"I'll begin collecting them now."

"Very well, ensure they do not fall into the wrong hands."

"I understand Sir."

Yoda climbs down and begins walking with Obi-Wan who ventured outside to see about dealing with the beacon in the data archives. Longarm watched them go before he begins collecting the holocrons and safely tuck them away inside the UNSC duffel bag he had brought with him. He wasn't sure how a Jedi could access the data inside but he was fascinated by the seemingly delicate design of the cubes, he only wish to know what the Jedi had stored away in here for all of recorded history, a thought that perhaps one would contain the method of returning to his galaxy. He continues taking each cube until he clears the first bank and carefully closes his bag that was already full before he headed out with a slow jog, fearing the holocrons could break if he broke into a full run.

He ventures out of the vault just in time for the door to seal itself once more by an invisible force, perhaps a timer of some sort, and continues through the archives to find Obi-Wan and Yoda which didn't take long when he spots them heading for a security station. He strode on over when he noticed the two Jedi had glanced back to see them, Kenobi turned and walked towards him while Yoda made his way inside the station.

"Longarm, could you stay out here and keep guard, there's no need for you to be in here when there may be more troopers on the way."

"Of course. I'll be here if you need me."

Kenobi nodded with a grin and heads into the station, the SPARTAN stood near the door and stood watch looking out for any possible hostile contacts that may be coming. It made him wonder if there was any clone that refused to follow Order 66, some of the clones he met before today seemed they trusted their Jedi officers with their lives and would never do anything to break their trust. As much as he liked the idea he found it unlikely, these troopers were bound determine to see to it that every Jedi was killed with prejudice, something he couldn't stand for. And over time he felt that his allegiance was to the UNSC and the Jedi Order, if only there was a way to receive reinforcements from home which was another thought that was highly unlikely.

Minutes turned into nearly an hour later when he spots Yoda, now pained and distraught, come outside and caused the worried SPARTAN to ask "Sir? Is something wrong?"

"Wrong? Hmm maybe. Nothing to tell you I have. Bid you farewell I do."

"You're not coming with us back to the Vanguard?"

"Afraid not I am, confront Darth Sidious I must."

Longarm took a moment to contemplate before stating "I wish you the best of luck Sir."

"As do I. No matter the cost keep Ahsoka safe, will you?"

"I'll try . . ."

"No. Do or do not. There is no try."

The SPARTAN understood what was being asked of him and finally acknowledges the order "I'll keep her safe, no matter the cost."

"Good . . . Good . . . May the Force be with you . . ."

On that note Yoda begins to leave, alone, which prompted him to wonder where Obi-Wan was and by cue he appears out of the doorway as well, with the same pained expression as Yoda.

Another thought appeared in the SPARTAN's mind which made him ask "Where's Skywalker? I haven't seen him anywhere in the temple."

Kenobi's expression worsened, this was possibly the worst thing that could've ever happened, Longarm asks "What happened?"

"I'm afraid . . . Anakin has turned to the Dark Side . . ."

". . . What?"

The Jedi took a moment to collect himself "I- I saw a security footage of him killing younglings . . . and Sidious praising him. I'm afraid Skywalker has become Darth Vader . . ."

"Vader? Komari mentioned someone named Vader after his eyes were slashed- did Skywalker do all of this!?" he wonders now with signs of frustration behind his voice.

"Yes . . . I have a hard time believing it myself . . ."

"And now you're going to find him?"

"I must, he's become a terrible threat" Kenobi stated with a heavy heart, and then he asks "What will you tell Ahsoka?"

This caught the SPARTAN off guard, this was probably just as bad as keeping his secret from her, and he didn't know how Ahsoka would react.

He gave a moment to think before he finally had an answer "I don't want Ahsoka to lose her image of what he was . . ."

"I understand . . . you do well to keep her protected, but be ready when she does find out."

"So this is goodbye then?"

"I'm afraid so . . . but before you go" he holds out a single holocron in his hand "This is something for all of you to listen to when you return."

James took the cube into his gloved hand, he glared down at it before he looks up to Kenobi as he stored it away "Good luck Sir . . . it's been an honor" and silently heads off alone towards the western platform where the others were waiting for him.

Kenobi watched the SPARTAN-ll for the last time as he walks further away before he turns his back and heads off in another direction "There is no such thing as luck . . . May the Force be with you . . ."

[Ten minutes later]

Longarm was jogging along the upper levels of the Temple on the western side when his comms chimed signaling a call coming in, he puts it on and quickly heard Cila's voice "Longarm!? They found us on the platforms! Master Mattis is trying to hold them off but I don't know if he'll last any longer!"

He responded with urgency "Alright hang on, I'm on route to your location!"

He switches the channels to the Vanguard "SPARTAN Longarm to Vanguard Actual, I need you here now!"

Percival responded with the same sense of alarm "Acknowledged, FTL drives have been primed and missile pods are armed, ETA five minutes."

"Roger, I'll make my way onto the platforms."

He now needed a way down to the platforms in under five minutes which would be impossible even if he ran as fast as he could, he glanced over to his left to see the line of windows that looked out onto the cityscape, maybe he didn't have to run. He quickly walks over and peers through the window down onto the small array of platforms that lined the temple, one of them was under heavy fire, and as he activates his helmet's binocular feature he quickly spots Mattis holding his ground against pressing clone forces while Bayu and the weak Cain hid behind several stacked crates. He promised them he'd get them out, and he wasn't about to break that promise.

He draws his M90 taking aim at the transparasteel window before him and pulls the trigger sending out a spray of eight gauge buckshot shells into the window. The first shell only left minor splinters against the window but he fires another round, this time it was showing progress, he cycles the shotgun pump another time just before a squad of troopers came around the corner far down the corridor to his left and spots him.

"Over there! Blast him!" a clone roared just before he and the others open fired.

Blaster bolts zipped past the SPARTAN while he unloads the third shell into the window, the pane was fragmenting, and racks the pump one more time. A bolt strikes him across his left shoulder, his shields dropped down to sixty eight percent, he fires the last shell into the window, finally shattering it into tiny pieces, and quickly sprints until he dove through the shattered window out onto the steep sloped exterior of the temple ziggurat.

He slid down the side, both his feet and his left hand held onto the side to ensure he didn't tumble off, as he switched out his shotgun for his DMR with his right hand. He was gradually coming down onto another platform that ran adjacent from the platform where the Jedi was making their stand, fortunately for him there were no troopers on his side when he jumped off the ledge of the hangar that was supposedly underneath him to avoid missing his landing and came down onto the platform.

He begins running out further onto his pad when he called out onto his comms in his calm tone "Hang on Cila, I'm going to provide support."

Bayu stayed behind cover as blaster bolts flew past, but when he spoke to she peered out to see the SPARTAN-ll running on a separate pad before he fell to a knee and fired upon the clones that were assaulting Lador. Mattis deflected several bolts back to his attackers when he noticed men were being shot in the sides by ballistic fire and looked over to see Longarm firing his DMR on the clones. James continued laying down sniper support, accurately placing each round into a clone without thought, but each trooper he took down there was more to take their place and soon they were firing upon him.

"Vanguard Actual where the hell are you!? We're being overrun!" he calls out into his helmet.

There was a momentary silence before Percival reported with satisfaction "Standby SPARTAN, UNSC Vanguard has arrived and on station."

As he said those words he looked out to the distance where the Imperial Star Destroyer sat and spotted a shard of lightning skip across the sky just off the cruiser's port bow moments before the air became distorted and a pitch black portal ripped open allowing the four hundred eighty five meter long destroyer to come streaming out. He imagined the bridge crew of the ISD was caught by surprise when the Vanguard appeared literally right next to them and unleashed a heavy volley of Archer Ship-to-Ship missiles onto the Venator's port DBY-827 heavy turbolaser batteries, and without the presence of shielding the guns were effectively disabled or utterly destroyed. However with the cruiser's primary armament out of commission it did not stop it from firing its onboard secondary laser cannon battery and multiple point-defense blasters onto the destroyer, the laser cannon only made moderate impact against the Vanguard's thick titanium alloy plating while the point defenses only left scorched marks and nothing more.

Longarm watched the pelican launch from the ventral hangar shortly after and returns his attention back onto the attacking clones, putting two more down with two rapid successive shots, moments before he hears Jorge's voice "Evac pelican is on route, got quite party down there."

He orders just as more fire was being concentrated on him "Evac the survivors first! Then loop around and get me!"

"Right, you might want to tell your friends to keep their heads down."

Mattis continues to deflect blaster fire back, with the aid of Longarm he was more able to hold his ground than before, but the troopers kept pressing forward despite the losses they were suffering. He could hear a lot of cannon fire behind him but he dared not turn away from the clones in fear of getting hit but that was no longer the problem when he noticed several troopers look up, some running away while others aimed their weapons to the sky and fire. In moments a harsh sudden gust of wind rushed in from behind him and he as forced to turn around to see a large green bird-like aircraft hovering over him via four pivotal thruster pods with what appeared to be a high caliber gun mounted on the dropship's chin. Then by cue the gun clicked and gave a small hum as it locked onto the clones and immediately open fired sending burst after burst of 70mm that completely eviscerated the troopers, Mattis watched as one shell slammed into a trooper's left shoulder joint and utterly blasted the arm clean off along with a fairly large portion of his chest in a violent display of raw savage power. Blood curling screams quickly filled the air but they were drowned out by the autocannon's roar as the dropship slowly came to a landing on the platform and swung the rear troopbay door open prompting the Jedi to quickly climb aboard.

Longarm ceased fire and watched men of the 501st be torn down like trees by the cannon, once the last survivor was aboard the pelican took to the air again and gradually made its way over to his pad where he then climbed aboard and closed the hatch.

"Get us out of here Jorge!" he calls out afterwards.

"Right, hang on back there!"

As more troopers poured onto the pads and began firing on them the pelican quickly adjusted its thruster pods and immediately takes off back towards the Vanguard that was currently engaged with the crippled cruiser. Shortly afterwards the destroyer broke contact and diverted its power to the main fusion drive thrusters to make way for the upper atmosphere, the cruiser therefore launched its complement of starfighters to pursue the destroyer and dropship.

James climbs into the cockpit seat situated behind Jorge and quickly runs a scan of the area before reporting "We have fighters fast on approach, standby of countermeasures."

The pelican was being tailed by a squadron of V-Wing fighters that had already came within weapons range and open fired upon them, the Vanguard quickly directed two of its M910 AA guns onto the squadron and began firing 50mm flak rounds into the area around them. The fighters however weren't deterred by the amount of incoming fire they were receiving, one fighter bursts into flames after taking a direct hit to the cockpit, and continued their attack hoping to deny the pelican a chance to land in the destroyer's hangar.

"They're not breaking off" Longarm states now becoming worried.

In the troopbay, Mattis was securely set in his seat, however he quickly grew tired of the Empire's persistence and unlocks his safety bar and walked over to the rear hatch before peering through to see the fighters slowly closing the gap with their cannons blistering away.

"Enough of this" he muttered to himself before he reaches out with the Force, grasping one of the fighters, and slammed two of their pursuers into one another causing them both to crash and destroy themselves.

Three fighters remained but the Flak given off by the destroyer was now proving to be more dangerous than they had hoped, forcing them to turn away and allow the pelican safe passage into the hangar. Jorge carefully guided the dropship into the hangar bay and made a secure landing just as the bulkhead doors slowly closed shut.

Afterwards, by Ahsoka's order, the Vanguard punches a hole into slipstream space and exits the system. Making Operation: Dunkirk their first and successful operation against the new Galactic Empire.

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