December 16th
2583
Main Galactic Republic Senate Building
Supreme Chancellor Palpatine's Communication Center
Coruscant
15:54 UNSC time
3rd Person POV:
Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, secretly known as Darth Sidious, walks slowly into his private communications chamber. There is a small smile of triumph on his face as he strolls towards his communications table, where his ultimate plan shall come to a close.
It's time for the grand plan the Sith have orchestrated for decades to take its final step.
Sidious walks to the main communications chamber and pushes a red button on the side of his communications table. The image of a blue Chagrian appears with a surprised look on his face. "Mas Amedda, I want you to send a message to every Senator in the Republic. Tell them that I am convening a special session of the Senate in one rotation."
"It will be done, Chancellor." Mas replies, standing at attention and the transmission immediately cuts out. Sidious pushes the button once again, but instead of Mas Amedda, Clone Commander Cody appears on the comms line.
"Commander Cody, the time has come. Execute Order…66."
"It will be done, my lord." Cody replies before the transmission cuts once more and Palpatine proceeds to send the message to the other clone commanders across the galaxy.
Camp Independence
Fairchild Field
Reach
15:55 UNSC time
Commander Cody puts on his private communication device and looks to his comrades. They are looking at their commander for instruction, the orders clear to them.
Cody then turns around and looks at Ahsoka who is currently wading through the small battle droid army along with a platoon of marines. "All clones. Blast the ground beneath their feet and send them to death!" Cody shouts, before lifting up his blaster rifle designed to function like a sniper rifle. The clones do the same and begin blasting the ground that is next to the cliff.
"What the fuck?" One of the marines shouts before being hit in the thigh by one of the blaster shots and falls to the ground, cradling his wound as he shouts in agony.
Ahsoka looks back and her eyes dilate immensely once she sees what the clones, the very troops she's fought with for years, are doing. "No!" She shouts, but it's too late. The ground gives way to the constant blaster barrage and everyone falls off the edge of the cliff and towards the massive river below.
The droids let out shrieks of shock and fear before the troops crash into the deep river below. Several long moments pass as the clones look down at the river below. "Nothing, sir. No one could have survived that fall." One of the clones states.
Cody continues staring down at the river, deep in thought. "Perhaps. We need to re-unite with our comrades. On the double, men!" With that, the clones turn around and run back towards the speeders they arrived on.
After five seconds pass once the clones leave, Ahsoka pulls herself out of the water, gasping for air as she starts swimming towards the bank. Eventually, she manages to crawl onto the shore and starts taking deep breaths as she stares into the battle-torn skies of Reach. High above, UNSC warships are engaging Separatist and Insurrection forces and while the UNSC is managing to withstand the joint assault with help from the Republic cruisers, the enemies are managing to land their troops onto the planet.
Suddenly, a marine also manages to break the surface of the river and swims to the shore. "What the fuck?" He asks, pulling himself onto the shore and holding his damaged leg.
"Private, can you fight?" Ahoksa asks, then stretches her senses out through the Force. To her horror, all of the other marines died in the fall. The only good news is that the battle droids also survived the fall as well.
"I can, Sergeant." The marine replies, then looks back up at the cliff. "I don't understand. Why are we back to fighting each other?"
Ahsoka also looks up, before her eyes narrow. "I've fought with the clones, longer than I've been with the UNSC. They have never turned their backs on anyone like that before, and I sensed no malice from them before. Almost like they are being hypnotized… Private, get me a comm line. I need to speak with the nearest Admiral and get the clones experimented on. There has to be a reason why the clones betrayed us."
UNSC Meeting Hall
Manassas
Reach
16:30 UNSC time
"Well?" Lawrence Hood asks, staring at the ONI scientist. He, along with the highest Admirals of the UNSC, have been alerted to the clone's betrayal.
The ONI scientist looks at the holograms of the military officials as they sit on the top level of the UNSC headquarters overlooking the capitol of Reach. "I've never seen anything like it. We managed to contain 15 various clones before they could kill any of our troops, the most notable of them all being Captain Rex and Commander Wolffe. Upon inspecting their neural implants, we have discovered this." The scientist then pulls out a silver brief-case and pulls out a small glass tube that contains a series of wires that are connected to a single chip. "Every single clone has these chips in their brains. We are still uncertain as to how they exactly work or to shut them off, but it is fairly clear that they inhibit natural neural pathways and send artificial pathways throughout the body."
The UNSC officials have looks of immense confusion on their faces, while Admiral Jeremy Winter's eyes wide slightly. "Mind control. You're speaking of mind control."
"That's one way to describe it." The scientist deadpans.
"If that's true, what can we do about it?" Another Admiral asks, looking deeply concerned about these changes in events.
Lawrence looks thoughtful for a long period of time before replying. "All we can do is fight. Observe the clone's actions after their inhibitor chips are removed and report your findings."
"Yes, Fleet Admiral." The scientist says, then puts the tube back into the briefcase, and sits silently while the rest of the meeting occurs.
"What are our orders?" A female admiral asks, a grim expression on her face.
"We can't wait to hear the results from ONI. Have all civilians been safely evacuated, Admiral Bauer?" Lawrence asks.
"Affirmative. They were evacuated before the Separatist reinforcements arrived." The female Admiral replies curtly.
"Good. Prepare for an immediate evacuation of all ground forces. Have all ships be sent to space and head to the rendezvous point. All ship-board AIs will have the coordinates."
"Sir? Permission to speak freely?" Admiral Bauer asks, looking concerned.
"Granted."
"How bad is the situation?"
Suddenly, a massive explosion can be heard and the Admirals turn around to see the remains of a UNSC Strident-class frigate explode in a ball of fire and start to crash to the ground, smashing against a mountain and sending enormous boulders crashing down. "Grim. Admiral Winter is reporting that while the Republic is continuing their onslaught against the Separatists and the Insurrection, they have also back-stabbed our forces. Over five Super MAC cannons are destroyed along with all orbital stations with the exception of Reach Station Epsilon. Thankfully, Arbiter Thel 'Vadam has agreed to dispatch his forces to aid with our evacuation. They should be here soon. Godspeed for you all." With that, the transmissions cut out, leaving the scientist alone.
He turns around and stares out of the bullet-proof glass the barrage of blue laser fire and the returning bullets, with the occasional rocket flying through the chaos and exploding upon impact. "Why does it have to come to this?"
Landing Point Zeta
Manassas
Reach
18:00 UNSC time
"Move it, maggots!" Lieutenant Redfield shouts, waving his hands towards the open Pelican. The marines and leftover ODST troopers begin marching towards the dozens of docked Pelicans. Once one of the Pelicans was loaded up with red and blue sim troopers, the Pelican's hatch closed and the ship took off towards space, among many other Pelicans.
Warthogs are driving around in all directions, patrolling the abandoned streets of Manassas to make sure the opposing forces don't attack the city-turned-fortress. Agent Washington walks out of one of the many make-shift barracks, then looks to the sky to see multiple explosions. He shakes his head as he sees his friends, the entire Reds and Blues as well as Carolina, as they sit in two Warthogs that are being filled up and talking. Wash smiles slightly at seeing Carolina, but he squares his features under his helmet and he walks towards the lieutenant. "Lieutenant Redfield?" He asks, saluting.
The Lieutenant salutes back. "Agent. It is an honor to finally meet you." The two men then lower their hands. "I assume you have heard about the situation?"
"Indeed, I did, sir."
"Good. Then I want you to assist in pulling out more of our troops pinned down. You will lead Fireteam Charlie, which will be also composed of the so-called Blue team, to rescue a squad of marines pinned down 10 klicks from here."
"What about the other marines that are trapped out on the field?" Wash asks, his voice rising slightly to be heard over the carnage before they hear the sounds of an explosion. They look up to see three ARC-170s sweep in and shoot another one of the Pelicans, causing it to explode. Before the small squad could do any more damage, a series Swords of Sanghelios Banshees fly in and fire their plasma shots, making the Republic fighters explode. "Thank God they got here when they did, or there would be no hope for any of us."
"Thankfully, the rest of the marines that are still alive on this planet were on their way back to Manassas by the time they were ambushed. Red Team, led by... Sarge, unfortunately, will be Fireteam Bravo and investigate another distress beacon that was recently activated."
"How will we be able to avoid the dozens of Republic patrols that are outside the city?" Carolina asks, walking over to the talking duo, while another Pelican gets loaded up with troops and supplies before taking off.
"That is being arranged. We are sending out a dozen spy drones in a 50 klick-radius. That should confuse the Republic on our marine's location."
"That won't be enough." A familiar voice says. They all turn to see Obi-Wan Kenobi walking towards them, along with Captain Rex, Ahoksa, Officer Deckerson, and a tall Sangheili soldier in bright red armor and holding a deactivated plasma sword in his hand. "We will need to find Commander Cody and call off this attack. There is something not right about all this." Kenobi insists, looking deeply troubled.
"You think?" Redfield asks, exasperated. "Besides, where the hell have you been for the last few hours?"
"Dealing with General Grevious." Kenobi replies. "Wash can attest to how it was fought."
Fairchild Cliffside
10 Klicks West of Camp Independence
15:35 UNSC time
Kenobi lets out a silent grunt as he dodges a red blaster shot from General Grevious as he continues riding through the grassy Cliffside of Reach. Kenobi suddenly gets an idea, causing him to smirk slightly then he lets out a battle cry. The Moa he is riding responds to the cry by starting to run faster than before. As Kenobi slowly approaches Grevious's Wheel Bike, he pulls out his lightsaber and activates it before holding it out to his left.
It took several minutes, but he had success. The lightsaber started to cut through the small spikes that line both halves of the Wheel Bike. Within seconds, the Wheel Bike starts shaking violently, no matter how much Grevious tries to regain control.
The standoff continues until they reach a sharp turn on the left, with a patch of cliff north of the turn where Grevious's personal transport is open and waiting, with a tactical droid waiting on them. However, the tactical droid notices the situation and tries to run back inside the transport. Seeing the approaching cliff, Obi-Wan pulls the Moa sideways to prevent it from running off the side of the cliff while Grevious leaps out of the Wheel Bike. The Bike, which has lost all traction, continues driving forward and crashes into the fleeing tactical droid and sends them both over the edge of the cliff.
Taking advantage of the momentary confusion, Obi-Wan leaps into the air while holding his lightsaber over his head. Grevious sees Kenobi falling down and activates his own four lightsabers and lifts them upward in defense. But Kenobi's blade slips thorough the defense and cuts off one of the droid general's hands, which falls to the ground. Grevious looks at the glowing stump, lets out a deep growl, then starts slashing up the ground with two lightsabers, leaving deep gashes in the ground, and slashes at Kenobi with the third. Kenobi gets himself into a battle stance and once Grevious gets close enough, he closes his eyes to keep himself from being distracted by the torn-up ground and slashes upward. He does not open his eyes, relying on the Force to guide his actions, but he is rewarded by the sound of metal being sliced through and Grevious letting out another shout of agony.
"Where are those Insurrection cowards?" Grevious shouts angrily before dropping both his last lightsabers, grabbing Kenobi with one of the robotic arms and lifting him up by his neck. Kenobi starts gagging slightly under the pain of being strangled, dropping his own lightsaber, and stares into the emotionless, reptilian eyes of Grevious. They both look to the right to see a big ball of fire explode high in the sky. "As you can see, you and your pathetic allies are… doomed."
Kenobi then looks down and barely notices the general's heart between two sand-colored chest plates. Kenobi manages a faint laugh. "Oh, I don't think so." Then he grabs both chest plates and pulls apart with all his might.
Grevious looks down in shock at what Kenobi did, then throws the Jedi to the right in disgust. Kenobi rolls along the ground, unable to stop his momentum until he falls off the side of the cliff. Fortunately, he able to grab the edge of the cliff and hang on for dear life. From his vantage point, Kenobi sees Grevious approaching him slowly while holding up his two lightsabers. Kenobi then notices his own lightsaber lying on the grassy field nearby.
Memories flash through Kenobi's mind, remembering the time he was in this very situation over a decade ago and how he got out of it again. Hopefully, history would repeat itself. But before Kenobi could act on his plan, he hears numerous gunshots that sound like automatic UNSC assault rifles. Grevious takes the shots to his heart and the numerous tubes of fluids that run throughout his body are punctured, and erupt into flames. The cyborg general starts screaming in pain louder, fire erupting from every part of his body, including his eyes. Within seconds, his chest explodes in a small ball of fire and the deceased general falls backward.
Shakily and in shock, Kenobi pulls himself off the edge and onto his feet. He then looks in the direction of where the shots were fired and was greeted by the sight of an army of soldiers wearing armor of varying colors though the colors are related to red and blue, along with others. In the front of the group, who also has a tank, is a certain man wearing bright blue armor and holding a smoking assault rifle in his hands. "…Tucker did it." He said, pointing his index finger behind him.
The aqua-armored soldier he is pointing at just sighs in exasperation. "Caboose? I fucking hate you."
Landing Point Zeta
Manassas
18:05 UNSC time
"And that's how it happened." Wash finishes, smirking a little on the inside.
The Lieutenant just stands there, an expression that is between puzzlement, baffled, and downright dumbstruck. "Seriously? That's how Grevious was dealt with? Does Caboose usually shoot at people with their back turned?"
Wash shudders slightly. "You don't want to know half of the story. Let's just say he has lots of team-killing…"
"Is someone talking about me?" Caboose says, sneaking up on the group and speaking behind the Lieutenant. He lets out a yelp of surprise and falls forward.
"Where the hell did you come from?" He shouts.
Wash lets out a chuckle of amusement of the antics and looks at Kenobi. "Hey. I just wanted to say sorry for stabbing you in the leg a few months ago."
Kenobi nods, smiling slightly. "I got over it, and I understand. You were doing your job, and I was doing mine."
"I heard that." Wash replies, then returns to the members of Fireteam Charlie with Caboose at his side. "Hey, Doc. Are we loaded up?"
"Uh, yes. Although I am still not comfortable about you going out and fighting anyone." Doc replies, only for Omega to take over briefly. "Your pacifism makes me want to barf. I live for the chance to spill blood on the ground. Wahahahaha!"
"Wait, you have another person living in you?" Sister, who is sitting in the driver's seat, asks, "I had two guys inside me for six hours once."
"That sounds nice. Wait, what?" Doc asks, only for Omega to chime in. "In the name of all things sacred, I have never met a more disgusting individual. What I wouldn't give to splatter you on the ground!" The passing marines and Sangheili soldiers running around glance briefly at the Blues as they have their exchanges.
"Enough!" Wash shouts, hoping to regain order before too much chaos breaks out. "All right. Blue Team, with me. Carolina, Doc, Donut, Lopez, make sure the evacuation goes smoothly."
"You got it. Officer Double O Donut is on the scene." Donut says in his usual finesse.
"[Good God, no! Fine.]" Lopez says, then the small squad go off to do various duties.
With that, the Freelancer runs to the side, gets himself seated in the passenger's seat and pulls out his battle rifle. "Alright, Sister… punch it."
"Woohoo!" Sister shouts as she handles the stick masterfully while she is driving the Warthog through the numerous streets of Manassas, accompanied by several more streams of Warthogs following directly behind, and they continue progressing towards the large wall surrounding the city.
"Simmons, fire a grenade!" Sarge shouts from the passenger's seat of the Red Team's Warthog.
"Yes, sir!" Simmons shouts back before aiming his turret gun and firing at the wall. It explodes in a ball of fire, and the Warthogs drive through the wreckage, coming up to stunned clone soldiers.
"Haha! You got Sarge'd!" Sarge shouts as the squads of clones get run over by the Warthogs or getting body parts blown up by Sarge's shotgun.
"Excellent one-liner, sir!" Simmons says, after firing a grenade shot at a rocket clone trooper and blowing him up.
"Oh, kiss my ass some other time, Simmons. We have some soldiers to save. Step on it, Grif." With that, the Warthogs all travel their separate directions, hoping to save the last of the UNSC's forces before things can get worse.
AN: Hey, everybody. I wanted to post this update today as a gift to you fantastic readers as my Christmas gift!
I admit, this is a bit of a filler chapter, but things in the next few chapters (the last ones) are going to be interesting.
See you all next time when the evacuation continues, and an old enemy returns to the battlefield.
Anyway, merry Christmas to you all, and to all a good day (or night)!