November 12th
20 BBY
14:45 UNSC time
Galactic Republic Acclamator-class star cruiser
Orbiting Onderon
3rd Person POV:
"Master? Master!" Anakin shouts to the communication device in his hands, desperation working its way into his voice.
A little while ago, Obi-Wan told Anakin that he gets the feeling something bad is about to happen, and he was in such a hurry, Captain Rex had to accompany him to make sure Kenobi didn't do something brash.
The fleet continued preparing their weapons for attack while Anakin cleaned the dark blue helmet that he now prefers to wear on the battle field and conversed with the rest of the Jedi members about the battle plan for this. The Jedi agree that they will limit their killing of the UEG citizens and Sangheili who happen to be there as possible. Their real goal is to end the war, and the only real way to do that is to kill the Madame President and every member of the UEG government. They would then influence new leaders to be elected into their government who will willingly surrender to the Republic, ending the bloodshed. Once Earth and the Sol system are brought under control, they will then deal with the Sangheili at another time.
After a while, Anakin started getting worried, so he activated a comm line to a communication device that is always at Kenobi's side. Unfortunately, he has not been responding for several minutes.
"General. We had just picked up slipspace activity within a thousand klicks." A clone technician calls up to Anakin.
He freezes in place when he hears that piece of news. 'They figured out about our invasion.' His eyes widen to the point of being saucers, thinking of the consequences of this.
Admiral Tarkin walks away from a group of clone technicians he was speaking with minutes before. "General Skywalker, I recommend that we pull into hyperspace within the minute."
"I agree, Admiral. Get all the other Jedi on the line." Anakin says. As Tarkin nods and goes to the large communication table nearby, Anakin looks to his right and notices that the empty space that his former padawan once occupied. 'Ahsoka…' He thinks, looking down at the ground. Even after all this time, Ahsoka's abandoning the Jedi Order and disappearing without a trace. He never had the heart to train another padawan because he feels that would disrespect his memory of Ahsoka. He looks back up when he sees a flash of blue light and the remaining 23 Jedi appear on the holo table. "Master Skywalker, is something wrong?" Windu asks, slight confusion on his usually grim face.
Anakin pauses, thinking over his words quickly, before responding. "Yes, Master. I don't know how, but the UNSC have discovered our locations, but I'm sure all of you know that. I suggest that no matter how prepared the Republic's Might is right now, we need to jump into hyperspace and start the invasion ahead of schedule."
"Are you suggesting that we should leave Master Kenobi down on the planet?" Windu asks, his face hardening slightly.
"…Yes, but I like the suggestion as much as you do. I don't think he's on the planet anymore. Unless I'm very wrong, I think the UNSC captured him and Rex. We need to move now."
"Agree with Master Skywalker, I do." Master Yoda says, stroking his chin slightly.
"I think Master Skywalker is right. We need to end this war while we have the chance." Depa Billaba responds, her padawan, Caleb Dume, standing silently at her side.
Eventually the last of the Jedi agree with Skywalker, everyone turns to Windu. He just lowers his head and sighs. He looks up and addresses everyone that can hear him. "Prepare the ships. Set all coordinates for the Sol system and prepare for battle. May the Force be with us."
With that, the comm line closes and every single technician starts running around like bees in a hive, coordinating clones to lock down all weapons and activate the hyperdrives. 'I can't let Ahsoka's absence distract me. For the next few hours, I need to meditate on the Force, prepare myself for the battle to come.' Anakin thinks, as the Republic's Might simultaneously jumps into hyperspace, blue light swirling around the 200 Acclamators and Venators that make up the fleet. Despite the hasty start, Anakin gets the feeling that the battle to come will be unlike any fought before.
November 13th
12:35 UNSC time
Bridge of Orbital Defense Platform Cairo
Orbiting Earth
Fleet Admiral Lawrence Hood stares up at the holographic screens, watching as the UNSC Home Fleet finishes assembling itself around the planet Earth. As he watches this all happen, he hears the sound of someone walking up to him. Hood turns around and watches as a Spartan male in dark yellow, bordering on gold, armor with the symbol of a bow and arrow on his shoulder plates. His helmet is shaped like the standard Spartan helmet, with a square-shaped gold visor. "Fleet Admiral." He says in a stoic but not robotic-like manner, saluting his superior.
Hood salutes back then lowers his hand. "Spartan Hill. Why are you here?"
"Sir, my men have gathered every armed personnel on this station to each communication point. They are waiting for you." The Spartan responds.
Hood nods in understanding. "Thank you."
The Spartan salutes the Fleet Admiral again and steps off to the side as Hood turns around and towards the deck officers on the left. "Alright. Get communications online. I want to address every man and woman here."
"Yes sir!" They chorus and get to work on their respective jobs. Lawrence looks forward and there, before him is a holographic projection showing every UNSC soldier, standing in perfect square formation behind their leading officers and a Spartan member of Fireteam Apollo.
"Men, you have defended our homes, our families from those who want nothing more than to destroy us, take what we have spent building for centuries with honor. Soon, the Galactic Republic's precious fleet, the largest they have ever assembled, will be upon us. They want nothing more than to kill each and every last one of you, and make us their servants. But what they don't realize, is that we have already been through the worst wars, ones that would give even their most hardened warriors shiver in fear. Some of you may have even served during those wars. We will give them a true taste of what we have to offer to them, and send them to God himself. When the invasion starts, I want you at all stations and sectors secured in case the Republic tries to board this station. Good luck, and I wish you all godspeed." When he finishes his short speech, everyone starts clapping and chanting "Hooo-ah!" multiple times as the communication cuts off. He then turns to another deck officer on the left. "Get me a Pelican. I am going to go planet-side to help coordinate ground forces."
"Yes sir." The female officer responds and starts relaying the orders. Hood nods then walks to Hanger Bay A where his transport is waiting for him. Something tells him that this battle will be one that will put his skills and every single one of his peoples to the test and many good people will lose their lives before the dust settles.
12:45 UNSC time
Galactic Republic Acclamator-class star cruiser
In Hyperspace, traveling to Earth
Anakin Skywalker is in his quarters, meditating on his bed. He has been deep in the Force's embrace for hours, trying to get as much sleep as possible since the upcoming battle will no doubt take entire days.
He is deep in his meditation, when the world around him changes. When he regains his senses, he opens his eyes again to see a battle raging around him. Pelicans fly off in all directions as a warship that is designed somewhat like the ones the Swords of Sanghelios use, only they drop off other troops: short, little creatures with tanks on their backs, tall bird-looking creatures wielding energy shields of sorts and plasma rifles, all led by another group of aliens Anakin had never seen before. He can't tell exactly what they look like, but he can see thick manes of hair sticking out at certain parts of the dark blue armor as they all start battling with a group of UNSC marines that are using gear that are even older than what they are using currently. The battle rages on, with a single Scorpion Tank driving over a long bridge separating the 2 parts of the city, blasting any aliens that get in their way.
Before he can continue seeing what the vision has to offer, he is pulled out of his concentration when someone knocks on the door to his quarters. "Come in." Anakin says, a little bit annoyed at whoever is interrupting his moment of silence.
The door slides up and an ARC trooper with a dark blue stripe running down the center of his helmet and chestplate, and some on his shoulder pads. Anakin immediately recognizes him as Colt approaches him. For his strength and courage in a battle against the UNSC and their Spartans, Palpatine agreed for Colt to be promoted to an ARC troop commander. "General, we are about to pull out of hyperspace. Admiral Tarkin has requested your presence on the bridge when we leave."
Anakin nods in understanding. "Then tell him that I will be up there in a few minutes. You may return to your squad. As soon as we reach Earth, you will be deployed planet-side."
"Yes sir." With that, Colt salutes Anakin and walks out of the Jedi's quarters, the door sealing behind him. Anakin sighs slightly, but then gets back onto his feet, grabbing the blue helmet off a desk near his bed, and walks out of his quarters as well. He then strolls down the winding corridors, clones running around to prepare for the battle with blaster rifles in their hands and saluting Anakin whenever they pass.
Soon, Anakin reaches the bridge of the Acclamator where the swirling light of hyperspace can still be seen. "Ah, General Skywalker. I've been waiting for you." Tarkin says, walking over to the Jedi.
"Admiral Tarkin, we have reached the coordinates. Pulling out of hyperspace now." A deck officer reports, starting preparations. A minute of silence passes, even though it feels like an eternity before the Acclamator pulls out of hyperspace. About 20 klicks behind the Acclamator, every other ship that makes up the Republic's Might pull out of hyperspace. The ships are about 2,000 klicks in front of a large planet with numerous continents, surrounded by vast oceans and storms raging in certain areas of said oceans. Anakin has to admit, it is a beautiful planet to look at, rivaled only by Naboo or Alderaan. As he looks at the planet more closely, however, he notices that several long stations are ringing the planet, pointing in all directions. With a sense of dread, he realizes that they must be the UNSC's version of the defense platforms he has seen the CIS use around sensitive worlds, such as the time he and Obi-Wan invaded the planet of Muunilinst*.
"General, what are your orders?" Tarkin asks stoically. Everyone looks at Anakin for instructions for what to do.
"Alright. We need to proceed with caution. Knowing the UNSC's style of offense, those are defense platforms orbiting the planet and they will…"
"S-S-Sir. The UNSC are already coming for us." A deck officer reports. Anakin can't help but raise an eyebrow when he senses the fear from the officer. What is making him so nervous.
"How many ships are being sent against us?" Anakin asks, hoping to the Force that they have some sort of edge over their 'enemy'.
The officer looks up at him, and both Anakin and Tarkin are slightly taken aback by the terrified look on his face. "Sir, if the sensors are right, we are dealing with a fleet of 300 ships."
For the first time that day, the color drains from Anakin's face when he hears the report. It shouldn't surprise him, considering the fact that unlike most battles Anakin fought in, this one is in UNSC territory. But the number still alarms everyone within earshot. "General, Admiral. Look!" A clone shouts, pointing straight ahead.
Both of them look out of curiosity, then nearly step back in shock. For the largest grouping of UNSC ships any of them have ever seen are detaching from the defense platforms and flying up to intercept them. There are hundreds of ships of all classes, ranging from a large number of Autumn-class cruisers to Strident-class frigates. "By the Force." Another clone murmurs, as through the Force, Anakin can feel that everyone onboard are on the verge of panicking. Not that Anakin can blame them; he himself feels a twinge of fear.
But he shakes his head, focusing on what to do. "All right. Everyone, stick to our strategy, and we will…"
"General! Sorry to interrupt, but I am picking up fluctuating energy signatures from the planet." The 2nd deck officer speaks up.
"Take evasive action!" Tarkin orders quickly. The deck officers immediately get to work, pulling the ship up. Sure enough, the light from a MAC cannon from one of the Orbital Defense Platforms comes rocketing towards them. Luckily, the rest of the Republic ships caught on to the danger as well and also dodged in either direction, miraculously not hitting each other, as they barely dodge the MAC shot.
Within a second, Anakin realizes that the old plan is now useless and new tactics need to be chosen. After a few seconds, Anakin comes up with a plan only he could come up with. "Contact the rest of the Jedi now." Anakin orders. The clone technician nearest the holo table just nods and gets to work. As the ship starts straightening itself out, Anakin walks to the holo table as the rest of the Jedi appear. "Master Windu, Master Yoda. Our current plan will never work."
"With those high-powered defense stations, I agree, Master Skywalker." Windu responds in his stoic manner.
Before he can continue on his track, Anakin cuts him off, "Look, I have an idea. I need all of you to keep this UNSC fleet off my back. Scramble all fighters and keep those ships distracted. I am going to take a gunship full of ARC troopers and disable one of those defense towers. That will provide you an opening so you can start landing troops on the planet."
"A bold plan, Master Skywalker. But our best course of action, it is. May the Force be with you." Yoda responds then all of the projections cut off as the UNSC ships start firing on the Republic's Might.
"Scramble all fighters. I want all ARCs loaded up on a LAAT ASAP." Anakin says hurriedly to Tarkin, who nods and goes to relay the orders. Anakin runs down the halls, putting on his helmet along the way until he reaches the docking bay. Every single clone pilot is loading up, boarding their respective ships and getting ready to fly. He makes his way past all of this and jumps onto a LAAT. "Pilot, let's get going." Anakin says quickly.
"Pulling us out." The pilot responds and once the docking bay doors open, all of the ship's fighters fly out and soar through space towards the UNSC Home Fleet. Those ships also turn to the side and release their own swarm of fighters, ranging from Longswords to Broadswords. All around the LAAT, the battle starts as fighters engage one another in brutal dogfights. Even though the UNSC now outnumbers the Republic rather spectacularly, the Republic pilots, hardened after months of combat with them and the Sangheili, manage to keep themselves from getting blown up.
As much as Anakin doesn't want to do it, he lets the battle progress the way it's going, as the gunship approaches the nearest Orbital Defense Platform at the fastest speed it can travel. Suddenly, the ship starts shaking, knocking everyone off-balance. "Kriff, I lost one of my rear turbines. Everyone, brace for impact. We are coming in hard." The pilot shouts to his passengers as he approaches the closest hanger, the ship still shaking from losing one of its turbines.
Anakin grabs one of the handlebars on the gunship, along with the rest of the ARCs around him. After several tense minutes of battle raging around them, the gunship crashes into the ground, jolting everyone forward a little. "Alright, men. This gunship is not going anywhere. The Force better be with us." Colt says, pulling out his blaster rifle.
Anakin activates his lightsaber and uses the Force to swing the blast door open. "Go, go, go!" Anakin says, jumping out and immediately dances around, deflecting bullets flying at him from 20 marines and soldiers wearing heavier armor that shows that they are in the UNSC Army. The clones also leap out of the permanently grounded gunship, which is still smoking from the shot it took, and return fire. Some of the strikes hit a handful soldiers, but they shrug off the blaster shots while a few crumple to the ground, dead. While this is happening, until Anakin starts using the Force to throw UNSC crates at the troops, either crushing them completely or sending them flying in different directions.
"Retreat. Secure the halls." A UNSC marine sergeant says with a surprisingly calm voice, firing his twin pistols at the ARCs to keep them at bay while his own troops start backing up behind the suspension for a platform above, eventually dropping out of sight. The Sergeant gets off a few more shots, dodging a box Anakin throws at him, before getting off 2 mores shots. These bullets impact an ARC trooper's throat, causing him to gag a little, blood seeping out from underneath the helmet before collapsing. With these last shots, the sergeant runs backs through the doorway as it closes and locks behind them.
"Clear." Colt says as he sweeps through the hanger, a few corpses of UNSC troops on the ground.
Anakin also looks around, looking for any possible ambush point. "Sir." Another ARC says, catching Anakin's attention. "They have locked the door that they have escaped from. From the sounds of it, they are setting up mounted turrets and preparing to make a stand in the chamber on the other side."
"Brave soldiers." Anakin murmurs. "Whoever that sergeant is, he's certainly courageous." He then looks up and even from the side, he notices a docked Pelican strapped down and just waiting to launch. "Sergeant Colt, secure this hanger. Pilot, I want you to get on that Pelican and figure out how to operate it. Once we're done here, we'll take it down to the planet. I will take care of the MAC firing controls. Without it or control over their MAC cannon, the Republic's Might's ships will be able to land."
"Yes General. Here's a few thermal detonators." Colt responds, giving Anakin 3 silver spherical grenades.
"Thank you, Sergeant. May the Force be with you." With those words, Anakin runs in the direction where the other troops fled down. Colt nods, then turns around to helplessly watch the fireworks as Defense Platforms fire MAC shots at the distant Republic fleet doing battle with the UNSC fleet. Anakin runs to the door with glowing red lights on it. Activating his lightsaber, he stabs the door and twirls the blade in a circular motion. Then with a push from the Force, the cut-out metal is shoved out and smashes into the opposite wall.
After Anakin crawls through his opening and sees that the hallway is clear, he takes a turn to the left and runs down the winding corridor. That is, until he has to duck behind the wall to not get torn to shreds by the makeshift turrets that are now blazing in his general direction. Taking a deep breath, Anakin runs out of the hallway, jumping high over the 2 UNSC Army soldiers manning the turrets and slashes around, slicing into a female marine's shoulder but not killing her. Since time is of the essence, Anakin ignores the shots raging around him, occasionally using his lightsaber to deflect a bullet with his boosted senses thanks to the Force, as he runs down the corridor that winds to the right and leads into a 2nd hanger. Even more UNSC troops are present and firing on the Jedi. All the while, the alarm is blaring and a male voice is shouting over the comms, "Attention, attention! The Cairo station has been boarded. Repeat, the Cairo has been boarded. All troops, get to your battle stations. This is not a drill; repeat, not a drill."
But he is completely one with the Force, dodging each shot that goes off and occasionally throwing a box of supplies or weapons at the troops. One of them shouts, "Ah, what the fuck, man? What is it with these Jedi dipshits?" But Anakin ignores the sarcastic comment and runs down a staircase to avoid being hit by a rocket from a rocket launcher. He continues sprinting past another parallel corridor, up the 2 staircases, through an armory of sorts, past a chamber with natural vegetation and up more staircases. On and on he goes through the base, never stopping to do battle with the troops although he does get some lucky slashes in, killing an Army soldier and wounding about 10 more. While most men or women would faint from going so fast and so long, Anakin has the Force flowing through him, guiding his every movements as he senses that it will lead him to his destination. Eventually, he reaches a long chamber with 4 glass windows on either side, and crates lying everywhere. Suddenly, the door leading to open space opens up and to Anakin's slight surprise, 4 men in full armor that's bordering on gold appear and start firing on the Jedi.
He ducks under the SMG shot and uses the Force to throw one of the many crates lying around at the Fireteam. They easily dodge the 1st crate, but the 2nd one knocks them back out into open space. He is about to take a sigh of relief, when the Force screams in warning and he moves out of the way as the presumed leader of the Spartan Fireteam tries to stab him with a combat knife. He has some success with the attack, however, as the sharp knife penetrates the armor on Anakin's forearm and pierces flesh and bone. Anakin hisses in anger as he uses the Force one last time to knock the Spartan off-balance, allowing Anakin to slash him across the chest and knock him out cold. When the Republic wins this battle, he will be put on trial for assaulting a Jedi.
Anakin looks down at the knife in his arm and after grabbing it, rips it out of his arm. He groans in pain, wishing that he brought bacta with him on his solo mission. Ignoring the throbbing pain in his arm, he leaps out of the corridor and into the open space. Right now, Anakin is so happy that he kept the blue helmet from the mysterious Project Freelancer that he is currently wearing, as it is giving him the oxygen supply needed to allow him to breath in open space like he is doing now. He quickly turns around and starts running along the defense platform's exterior, looking around. While he may despise the UNSC for their actions against his fellow order, he has to admit that these orbital defense platforms are truly remarkable, much more effective than any other defense platform he had encountered in the Clone Wars.
After several minutes of running down more corridors, he rides down a magnetic elevator that lowers itself to another level, where 3 marines are waiting. They jump in surprise and are about to let loose their assault rifles, but Anakin uses the Force to pull them out of their hands and slashes them apart, shouting in pain as they collapse to the ground. Fortunately, he did not meet any more opposition until he enters an airlock, allowing Anakin a chance to turn off the helmet that is now running on stale air. In here, at least 50 troops are waiting, their guns blazing when they see the Jedi run in. But being the Jedi he is, Anakin ducks behind some crates as the troops keep on firing at him.
"General! What's your status?" Appo's voice says over the communication bracelet on his left arm. Anakin taps it and the image of Colt flares to life.
"Just peachy. What's your status?" Anakin asks, as 2 marines jumps over a crate only to get slashed in half by Anakin.
"Well, the UNSC have been pushing hard against us, General. We lost 4 more men, but our pilot figured out how to operate that Pelican we secured and escaped. What's your position?" Anakin looks up, noticing the large yellow beam moving back and forth and the light shaking here. With a jolt, Anakin realizes that this must be a vulnerable point where the MAC cannon fires. Place the thermal detonators there, and…
"Sergeant, is there an airlock near your position? Repeat, is there an open airlock?" Anakin asks before his eyes widen and he jumps aside to barely dodge a brutal shot that resembles the MAC cannon's bullets sent by a rather large marine, his helmet blown off to reveal his bald head.
"…You're crazy, General, but it's your best way to get out of there. Yes, I do see a place where you can jut out, but you're crazy."
"Sergeant, wait there to rendezvous with me and start setting up a comm line with Master Windu." He then closes the comm line. Briefly noticing a Venator getting blown up by missiles from a Halcyon and Strident cruiser, Anakin jumps from out of his cover and starts slashing any UNSC soldiers in his way as he jumps up to the yellow beam rising to the ceiling and after pulling out his thermal detonators, activating them one at a time and setting them in a place where he knows they will do the most damage.
"No!" A marine shouts, firing his battle rifle at him. But after raising his lightsaber, Anakin deflects it back to its owner, punching through his head. Now that time is of the essence, he runs to a 2nd airlock on the right side of the large room. Once the doors close, Anakin reactivates his helmet, now full of fresh oxygen, and after the airlock stops going down, he pulls a lever at the new destination. Suddenly, the airlock doors shoot open and Anakin flies out, drifting aimlessly in space until a Pelican flies right at him. The hatch opens up and the closest ARC trooper reaches out, pulling the Jedi inside as the hatch door closes behind them. Deactivating the oxygen once again, Anakin pulls off his helmet and gasps for air.
"I see you are still alive, Master Skywalker. Did you succeed in your mission?" Windu asks, standing as stoically as ever.
"Thank you, Master Windu." Anakin responds, then watches as an explosion takes place on the side of the station and the lights that were once on the side of the giant MAC cannon dims considerably before going out. He adds, "To answer your question, I have succeeded in my mission. The station is not going to bother us any longer. You may begin landing our troops."
13:10 UNSC time
Bridge of Orbital Defense Platform Cairo
Orbiting Earth
As the Pelican hijacked by the Republicans flies away from their position and down to the planet, it is being watched on a holographic projection by a squad of marines and Army soldiers, while some of them are tending to their wounded and deck officers are trying to reactivate the MAC.
"Damn it." A marine sergeant in his mid-30s says, sheathing his twin pistols and taking his helmet off, revealing short black hair and holds it to the side. "I let them get away."
"Don't blame yourself. None of us were prepared to take on a Jedi, especially one who disgraces our Spartans by wearing one of their helmets." A female marine says, placing a hand on his shoulder.
The man looks at wife and sighs. "I know. I'm worried because now that the MAC gun can't work anymore, those cloned soldiers are going to be able to land on Earth, led by more Jedi. I need to make sure my sister is going to be okay."
"Caleb?" A young male voice asks, a light British accent in his voice. The 2 turn around to see a very young army soldier, no more than 19, looking up at him. His helmet is off so his blonde hair and ice blue eyes can be seen, a half-scared, half-angry look on his face. His twin brother is nearby, examining the wounds of a marine, hissing in pain from the deep gash in his stomach. "I'm sorry, but my brother and I can't help these people too much. We can patch them up, but we need a real hospital to treat them properly."
Caleb clenches his fists together when he hears that, ignoring the unprofessional addressing. "Of course, Private Mandus. We need to get off this station now. But how?"
Before anyone else can converse any further, the projection flares to life and the image of Admiral Snow appears in the middle of the bridge. "Ah, Sergeant Redfield. It's good to see you again."
"Admiral Snow, it's been a while. Listen, we have wounded troops up here. We need extraction to the planet. That's where the real battle will take place." Redfield responds, standing at attention.
Snow chuckles slightly. "You haven't changed at all since you were transferred from my post. Very well, I shall send a Paris frigate to pick up your troops. The wounded will be taken care of. As for the rest of you, I want you ready to fight. When I drop you down to the planet, you will be on your own."
"Copy that, Admiral."
AN: And thus, the battle begins. Yes, I decided to recreate the Cairo Station mission in Halo 2. It just felt appropriate.
To OmegaEntertainment: Thank you so much. I had a feeling that was the case but wasn't sure. I was preoccupied at the time.
Yeah, I am not that great with names so I decided to reference numerous games with the new soldiers who will make more appearances as the rest of the story goes on, and older ones previously mentioned reappearing. Now, you may be wondering why the Sangheili battles aren't coming enough. The reason is that I have not found the right time to bring them up.
But I can promise you all, you WILL see the Sangheili in open combat later.
*Yeah, I saw both the Clone Wars volumes and I'm confused as to which is canon and which is not: The 2 Clone Wars volumes that introduced Grevious or the cartoon with Ahsoka. I just settled on doing a fusion between the 2 sides for this story.
Anyway, see you next time when the battle starts heating up.
Later!