Scorch took a breath as all of Delta Squad stepped onto the bridge for the first time. In any other circumstances it would have been a great honour for the commandos. Scorch looked around the pristine white command room. As far as he could tell, every Republic Navy and Grand Army senior officer on board was there. This was probably the first time he was the lowest ranking person in the room. He began to feel nervous before spotting Martz setting up the large holoprojector in the centre.
"Captain, please tell me this is just payback for the mess in Hanger B?" he quipped out of instinct.
Martz looked up at the flippant commando who stopped in his tracks. The squad was used to reading the captain's range of expressions like a book: annoyance, revulsion, enragement, sadistic amusement etc. But right now? Scorch was seeing something he had never seen in her eyes before: fear.
"No such luck Delta-62." She said with a tone of false confidence. The holoprojector switched on as she broke the bad news. "The Separatists will be launching a full-frontal attack on Geonosis. Local intelligence is suggesting they mean to destroy the planet using a secret super weapon and by local intelligence, I mean Chief Sen'luh's husband's sister's ex-babysitter."
The hologram changed to display a long range sensor reading as Martz continued. "Regardless of the original source's validity, we have detected a singular separatist battleship that will arrive here in under 2 hours. The Republic has provided us with 2 starfighter squadrons which we will back up with our own pilots." The captain's jaw clenched in annoyance before adding "We were also hoping Gamma Squad would join us but sadly one of their members decided it was a clever idea to play 'shoot the boot'. Along with that, 5/6 of the promised GRA elite squads have come down with a nasty case of 'Kriff-that-you're-on-your-own-itus'. Only the Horned Viper Squad were loyal enough to join us."
"Loyal? More like the enemy within." Sev uttered with a sneer. As soon as he said this, he heard a weird noise somewhere between a growl and an insect's chirp. He looked behind him to see Hunter Vesso clenching his lower jaw and staring daggers into him as Midec subtly tried to get him to stay quiet.
Martz quickly resumed talking. "Oh-Seven's prejudice aside, he may have a point. Republic intelligence also suggests we have a defector on board the Prosecutor and they will be used to invade or sabotage the ship." The navy captain continued, heavily stressing the fact "However, there is no evidence to suggest it's the GRA. It's just as likely it's a clone trooper or even one of my own officers."
Sev stared back at the Geonosian sniper. It was obvious to everyone he didn't believe it for one second.
"Now, here's the plan." The projector changed to show a battle map. "The Prosecutor will take on the main battleship backed up by Red and Blue Squadron from the Republic. All pilots on board are part of Gold Squadron led by Delta-42 who will focus on defending the Prosecutor from any attacking ships."
The battle map then changed to a realistic cross-section of the ship. As the projection zoomed in, the crowd was surprised by the intricate level of detail. From the imperfections on the thin walls to the miniature crew walking along the decks, the ship was a perfect replica.
As Martz explained the plan for the navy officers, Tabura whispered in awe to herself. "It's like a holographic dollhouse."
"I wonder where I am?" Scorch pondered. "I want to play with myself." he immaturely added causing a nearby lieutenant commander to snort.
"Six Two, will you cut the chatter and actually listen when the captain's talking?" Fixer warned, elbowing Scorch in his chest.
"Oh lighten up Fixer." Scorch muttered as Fixer turned to face the projector. "Cough RPA cough." Fixer heard behind him causing the other officers to start snickering.
"I heard that Six-Two!"
"That wasn't-"
"As I was saying!" Martz deliberately interjected over the bickering commandos. "I will be on the bridge with my crew controlling the Prosecutor and coordinating the Starfighters. Delta Squad's advisor CC-01/425 will also be here to take charge of security and supervise all soldiers onboard. Talking of which, Clone troopers will be divided equally at the 4 Hangers led by one member from both Delta Squad and the Horned Viper Squad."
Sev cursed under his breath when he saw he was assigned to the same hanger as Vesso. He decided to propose an alternate plan. "With respect ma'am, if there's only one battleship, why not send Delta Squad to try to take it down on the inside. We've taken down bigger targets then that."
Boss was about to speak up before hearing a definitive "No" from Sen'luh. Everyone turned to the platoon chief who was shaking his head. "I don't doubt your abilities Oh-Seven and Delta-lead suggested the exact same thing. However, because of the inconsistencies in our collective information, it's too much of a risk. As I said before this meeting, the captain's plan is better."
Sev looked back at Martz. There was no trace of the usual confidence or reassurance in her eyes. "Thank you Chief." She said calmly.
Martz concluded her meeting as a realistic battle simulation played out on the projector. "However, this plan is still not without extreme risk. This is the greatest battle that the Prosecutor has ever faced. We must be extremely vigilant and not let anything slip by us." Scorch noticed a small enemy star fighter fly into the holo-ship's hanger.
"Nothing and no one can be allowed to breach our defences. Otherwise-" Without warning the simulated ship exploded! Everyone was startled and looked on in a sickened silence as their home was reduced to nothing but lifeless debris. Scorch felt a chill in the pit of his stomach as he recognised his own armour markings on one of the floating corpses.
He caught Martz's cold unbreaking gaze through the harsh light of the projector. "Oh look. There you are, Six-Two."
"…Thank you, ma'am." Scorch responded under his breath.