March 29th
20 BBY
9:00 am UNSC time
Galactic Republic Senate
Corusant
Nobody's POV:
The very next morning, the Galactic Senate gathers in the Senate Chamber once again. After everyone has settled into their rightful seats, the center swirls open and Palpatine appears in his usual attire, Mas Amedda at his side. The entire meeting is being broadcasted live around Corusant, as this is a major moment in the Clone Wars.
"Greetings, members of the Galactic Senate. I have spoken with the Jedi yesterday and they have agreed to back the Senate's vote in. Please cast your votes." Palpatine tells the Senate, a neutral tone in his voice. The droids fly around hearing the votes of each individual Senator. After the votes were applied, the droids flew back away while one headed to Palpatine. He doesn't have that particular emergency power, so it's up to the Senate. It showed the Supreme Chancellor the results of the election, and they didn't surprise Palpatine at all.
Around 90% of the Senators voted for war against the UNSC and Swords of Sanghelios while only 10% voted to try and rebuild their relationship. Also, unsurprisingly, Padme Amidala is one of the few Senators who voted for attempting to re-establish diplomatic relations. "The vote has passed. We are now at war with the Republic's new enemies, the UEG and the Swords of Sanghelios." Many of the Senators who voted for war give a thunderous applause at the election's results.
"I can't believe it. How can they be happy about any of this?" Amidala demands, but not shouts, as she silently glares at a cheering Senator.
"Meesa don't like eese." Fellow Senator Jar Jar Binks agrees, looking concerned.
After a shout of "Order!" from Mas, the Senators calm down once again and hang on every word Palpatine says.
Palpatine stares at each of the Senators, a small smile on his lips. "Now that we have declared war on our new enemies, we must strike them while they are ignorant of our declaration. Admittedly, our knowledge of their governments and worlds are sketchy are best. However, I have heard of a UNSC world on the very edge of their colonies. That is where we will strike first and show them the might of the Grand Army of the Republic. Let be known that the Grand Army shall attack the small planet known as Chorus!" Even more clapping and cheering results from that statement.
9:07 am UNSC time
Main Conference Room
New York
Earth
Utter silence followed when the Republic's Chancellor made his statement. Every member of the UEG, including the UNSC's head Lord Terrence Hood and all of the Senators, as well as every leader in the Swords of Sanghelios are present, some by hologram.
They all knew the Galactic Senate would have an emergency meeting so while Michelle Peterson and Thel 'Vadam made their speeches to the Galactic Senate, the AI Roland who is on temporary break hacked into the Republic's droids, broadcasting every second of the meeting.
"What…the fuck did our ancestors who took their first steps on Chorus do long ago? We just survived a civil war, so now we're expected to the first to be selected for conquering in a new war? Oh, the Blood Gulch crew will be so thrilled to hear this, not to mention my people." Senator of Chorus Vanessa Kimball, in her usual battle armor, shouts in anger.
"To think they know more about warfare than we do. The Republic hasn't fought in war for centuries while we all have fought in wars all our lives. I suggest we teach them a lesson about what true war is." Andrew Del Rio, Senator of the Jovian Moons, says with a slightly overconfident tone.
"While I may not always agree with you, Del Rio, I do somewhat agree with your statement. We must take every precaution we know of and prepare our people for war. We will show them how our wars go." Arbiter Thel 'Vadam answers, glaring at the image of the Republic Chancellor.
"So I'll get my people notified and ready for battle. We have several surprises for them." Kimball says, a grim tone in her voice.
"Do not worry, Senator Kimball. You take care of the ground forces while the UNSC protect space. We let you down before, and by God, we're not about to let you down now." Michelle states firmly.
"Well, then. Let's get started." Kimball says, half anxious to get started.
For the rest of the Earth day, plans are put together. How to keep the Republic at a distance, how to destroy them the quickest and plans for the inevitability of landing on Chorus, even going as far as to prepare emergency plans if they ever reach New Armonia. Around 100 UNSC warships, most being Strident-class heavy frigates, but led by the Mother of Invention. No need to show them the full potential of their respective military powers yet, or the 2 groups united. But when Blood Gulch crew were called into joining the strategy, Grif reluctantly suggested being all hands-on deck by having…everyone.
They have been preparing for this battle with diligence because thanks to Roland who is still hacked into the Republic database, he informed the Council that the Republic is rallying 150 Republic warships and sending them to Chorus, led by Admiral Yularen and 2 Jedi Knights. But once the plans were laid out, the UNSC ships left Reach and hid in the magnetic field surrounding Chorus. Now, they wait and gather any more intelligence on the Republic if possible.
1:00 am UNSC time
Galactic Republic Venator-class Star Destroyer 'Warhead'
Orbiting Esfandia
Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker and Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano have been going over their final plans with Clone Commander Fil and Admiral Yularen on how they shall conquer Chorus.
The plan relies on being quick and precise. They plan on keeping any star ships in the area busy and landing the troops on the planet led by Obi-Wan, where they will capture the capitol, kill their Senator and turn the planet into another Republic fortress world so they can start future assaults.
"All right then. Let's stop waiting around and show those UNSC and Sangheili they don't mess with the Jedi or the Republic." Anakin says finally. "Admiral, give the order to all ships to enter hyperspace and let's begin the attack."
"Yes General." Yularen says then leaves the holo table so he can relay the orders to the other ships.
"I agree that I don't like the wait, Anakin, but we must not rush into this fight recklessly. I have heard many stories about the destruction even the lightest of their ships make, so we need to be extra diligent." Obi-Wan chides his friend, just as the fleet jump into hyperspace. He obviously still remembers the power of their so-called MAC cannons, giving him even more reason for concern.
"General Kenobi is right. I have personally witnessed their military might, and agree to be wary. If we don't attack them carefully and drastically outnumber them, we stand no chance. They are well-trained and have more experience in combat than even Captain Rex." Fil adds, the barest hint of worry in his worry.
"I know." Anakin says, staring at the holo before him. Despite his cocky exterior, the war had changed him and he too is slightly worried deep down, wondering just how powerful the humans of the UNSC and Sangheili are, and if declaring war on them was a bad idea. Sure, Anakin voted for war, but he did so a little reluctantly. The ships rock slightly but pass after a few seconds.
"Sir! We are arriving at our destination!" A technician calls up to the 3 Jedi and Fil after a few tense minutes.
"Pull us out of hyperspace." Ahsoka says, confidence in her voice. In seconds, the Venator pulls out of hyperspace, the fleet appearing around them and facing a planet. It is a beautiful planet with many land masses, a polar cap on the top and a ring around the planet along with a metal moon. Obi-Wan pauses for a second, before he is pulled out of his trance when Fil speaks up.
"Generals. We are receiving a transmission from the planet."
"Put it through. I want to see the leader of this planet." Anakin says to Fil, who nods and pushes several buttons on the side of the holo table. Suddenly, a woman appears in front of them. She is wearing full body armor with ice blue trim on it and holding a battle rifle in her hands.
"Greetings, members of the Galactic Republic. My name is Vanessa Kimball, Senator representative of Chorus for the UEG. May I ask why you are coming to our planet with a full Republic battle fleet?" The woman, now named Vanessa, asks. She seems too calm about this, putting Obi-Wan on edge.
"I am Anakin Skywalker of the Galactic Republic. You have insulted the Senate, who have declared war on your small government. As such, your world is the first to be attacked by the Grand Army of the Republic. Of course, you could surrender your world and save us both the hassle." Anakin says confidently.
Vanessa stares at Anakin, and since Obi-Wan can't see her face, he can't be sure but he has the feeling she is smirking at Anakin. "Oh, we know about your little declaration. If you think that you will take my home without a fight, you're even more arrogant than I heard. We have survived the worst wars and an invasion in the past. I hope your government's proud of the war, they started. We're not going down without a fight." With that, the transmission cuts off and Vanessa disappears.
"Generals! Several energy spikes in the magnetic field, about 15,000 km away!" A clone technician shouts at them.
"They have that kind of range?" Ahsoka wonders aloud while Obi-Wan gives an order.
"It's an ambush! Take evasive action!" The clones start getting to work, but suddenly the sound of engines powering down ring out, and the lights flicker for a second as an orange field surrounds the ship.
"What's going on?" Anakin demands sharply, worried why a new Republic warship would lose power like this and what that light is.
"Sir. An energy beam has overridden all the engines on our ship. We can't move."
"Where's the beam coming from?" Ahsoka asks, running the possibilities through her head.
"Generals, I think this energy is coming from the planet itself." Fil responds, figuring that the UNSC ships don't have that sort of power.
"…How are they doing this?" Obi-Wan asks.
Flashback
1:07 am UNSC time
Crash Site Alpha
Chorus
Lieutenant Jenson and Lieutenant Bitters of the Republic party, along with Dr. Emily Grey and Captain Cunningham of the Federal party, are gathered at Crash Site Bravo. Senator Vanessa Kimball decided to remain at New Armonia and send a transmission to distract the Republic. A message was sent that the Republic was arrived, so time is of the essence. After a few minutes, Jenson speaks up. "The tractor beam is almost ready to freeze them in place so our friends in space can shoot them." Jenson says confidently.
"Are you sure this idea will work? Why not pull them to the planet and kill them quickly? We have more than enough power to do so." Cunningham asks skeptically. In his mind, bringing the enemy to them and killing them is the more efficient way to go.
"This plan will absolutely work. Working with alien technology, especially Forerunner, is so exciting! As for our fight, we all know they will come to us and we'll tear them apart." Dr. Grey says, then the machines start beeping, causing Grey to add, "Tractor beam's ready!"
"This will be one hell of a surprise to those shitheads. I have to regroup with my soldiers, so I'll be seeing you later." Bitters says, then runs out of the fortress. As he leaves to meet with 2 of his soldiers on Orange team in a modified Warthog, he looks up and sees the tall tractor beam activating, sending a beam of orange light into space and an unsuspecting fleet.
1:20 am UNSC time
Galactic Republic Venator-class Star Destroyer 'Warhead'
Orbiting Chorus
"Generals! The energy spikes are flying towards us. We can't avoid them." The clone warns.
In a split second, Obi-Wan makes a choice. "Tell all ships to double the deflector shields to that quadrant and brace for impact!"
The clones immediately get to work relaying the message to the other ships while also rerouting all shields to the area the energy is coming from, which takes the form of a hundred streaks of brilliant white light soar through the open space. A few miss but the majority strike the Republic ships. To everyone's slight horror, some ships are horribly crippled, their deflector shields permanently destroyed and even 1 other Venator starts floating helplessly in space, while the majority are split apart or explode dramatically in a scene of brutality yet to be seen in the war. A moment of silence, then every Republican saw it.
Easily a hundred UNSC warships fly out of the magnetic field, leering at the already weakened Republic ships. Then, after a tense silence, the UNSC ships start flying towards them. "We need to stop them! Scramble all fighters so we can attack the UNSC ships and destroy them from the inside. Ahsoka, you're with me. Once the ships are down, send the LAATs down planetside." Anakin says over the comms to the ship. Ahsoka follows her Master as they leave for the docking bays and board the fighters. Within minutes, the docking bays of every active Republic warship activates and a massive wave of Republic fighters fly out and towards the Republic fleet.
"Anakin, I hope you know what you're doing." Obi-Wan mutters as he too heads to the docking bays to board the gunship ready to head to Chorus. The first true battle has begun.
AN: Hello everyone and welcome to 2017! I hope this chapter is a good celebration of being back on the job.
Next chapter will add more detail to the 1st battle of the Bitter Wars and introduce a special guest. I laughed so hard while writing it. For the Sangheili at battle, they will appear later, but not for a good while.
Anyway, see you next time.