[center][h2]117th Attack Battalion [/h2][/center]

Major Pierce and nine other men from 1st Company took cover behind a large bolder a short distance away from the Separatist jamming station housed in a small cave. There was only one entrance which was guarded by a barricade with two laser turrets manned by battle droids. On the bright side, the cave was built into the side of a rock formation that created a hill above the cave’s entrance. Lieutenant Kai and the four clones with him would be in position shortly. 

“Alright, let’s go over the plan one more time. We engage from here in a frontal assault as soon as Kai gets his men in position. They’ll attack from above and take those turrets out, then we enter the cave and blow up anything that looks important. The entire area is a free fire zone.” Pierce could almost see Boomer’s smile behind his helmet. That meant there was no need to watch for collateral damage. 

“Good thing I came prepared sir.” Boomer said tapping the rocket launcher slung across his back. The major nodded and pat the specialist on the shoulder. After another minute or so Pierce’s comm-link made a beeping sound that meant Kai was ready. 

“Go go go!” Pierce yelled. He popped out from behind the boulder and fired his DC-15 blaster rifle. He took the head off of two battle droids before they could even react. The turrets came to life quicker than he expected, one of his was ripped apart from the combined fire of the two weapons. Pierce took cover behind a small rock and leaned to his side to take out another droid. 

Kai’s men began firing almost immediately. Within seconds the two droids manning the turrets were destroyed from above. Droids began charging out from the cave only to be torn apart by the two pronged attack. Boomer fired a rocket into the mouth of the rock formation causing a large ball of fire to erupt from the inside.

The Major rushed through the fire as it died and tackled a droideka that was in the process of rolling towards the battle. The attack was more accidental than he’d like to admit but he remained composed. He fired his weapon into the unprotected metal and took down a super battle droid that was advancing toward him. 

Lieutenant Kai ran up beside and tossed a detonator deeper into the cave. Apparently his men were done rappelling down the rocks. The two officers nodded at each other before Pierce picked up the metallic corpse of the destroyer droid he was lying on top of. He used it as a make-shift shield as he advanced further into enemy fire. He took down more and more droids as his men followed closely behind him. 

Boomer was the first one to notice the large concentration of computers and circuits on the very back wall of the cave. He fired another rocket destroying everything. The explosion was accompanied by blue volts of electricity that passed through the entirety of the cave. The volts were not enough to kill or injure any of his men but it did mess up the droids systems for a second. The clones mopped up the rest of the droids within a few minutes. 

“Set charges on everything else that looks important. The clankers aren’t going to be able to salvage anything.”

[center][h2]Fort Garrick[/h2][/center] 

Jedi Knight Vail Lencer blocked two more blaster bolts before cutting through the armor of a super battle droid. The feline back flipped into cover next to Major Angel of the 99th Storm Battalion. The clone was fighting valiantly but they were over run. It was obvious that someone was leading this attack. The Jedi stood up and sliced down two more droids with a slight smile. Somehow he was still enjoying this. 

“General, communications are coming back online.” A clone in plain white armor ran up to him. The cat nodded and took cover beside Angel once more. 

“Admiral, Commander Blue.” The cat started as he set his comm to Legion communications. “Fort Garrick has fallen, we need to evacuate. Send ships to pick us up now!” Vail never heard the affirmative, he was thrown out of the way of a multitude of missiles by Major Angel. They connected with the ground and sent concrete and dirt flying into the sky. 

Vail’s ear were ringing, he looked over to the side to see the charred body of the Major dead next to him. It was only recognizable by the wings painted onto the side of his helmet. The Jedi picked himself up and followed the clones falling back further into the fort. A resistance fighter to his right was shot, her twi’lek body hitting the ground alongside dozens of dead clones. 

“2nd regiment this is HotShot of Striker Squadron, we’ll cover your retreat.” Vail heard over the comm as dozens of clone fighters flew overhead. They fired missiles into the mass of advancing droids and tanks. It wasn’t enough to break the siege but it might just give them time to retreat. The entire regiment had fallen back along with the resistance fighters to the center of the fort. Vail noticed Commander Spook and Dar Stochen arguing next to one of the gunships that was landing. 

“I am not leaving this fort! We will not retreat again.” The human law enforcement officer was yelling at the clone in a raised tone.

“If you don’t get the hell out of here all my men died for nothing. Move, NOW!” The Commander responded. Vail said nothing but Stochen finally agreed. The resistance fighters were the first to be evacuated. 


“Commander you must leave as well.” The Jedi said.

“Not until all my men are safe.” He yelled before running back towards the fight. For another thirty minutes the droids advanced before breaking through the Clones’ lines. Vail recognized their leader immediately. A Muun general with a double bladed red lightsaber. Dask Gat. The last of the Clones were retreating to the gunships but the Dark Acolyte was cutting them down far too quickly. 

Vail jumped towards Gat and engaged in a vicious lightsaber duel. He blocked a high slash only to have to dodge out of the way of a low attack from the other side of the weapon. The Jedi rolled away from the Muun and cut up three battle droids that were getting too close before blocking another saber attack. 

“You have lost Jedi, and now you will die.” Dask Gat chuckled as he force pushed Vail backwards and into a wall. Spook jumped off of the last gunship and ran to aid the Jedi. He let out a battle cry as he fired at the lightsaber wielding enemy.

“No Commander, get on the gunship!” Vail jumped back at his opponent. The Muun blocked his low slash and spun away deflecting the Commander’s blaster bolts. With another spin he lobbed the Clone’s head clean off of his shoulders. Spook’s lifeless body fell to the ground slowly. 

The tanks were in the center of the fort now. Their combined fire destroyed the last LAAT before it could escape. Vail was all that remained. The droids surrounded him but the Muun raised his hand ordering them to stop. 

“He’s mine.” He said. Vail and Gat circled each other looking for a weakness. Vail knew he would not survive this no matter the outcome but at least he could take out a Dark Jedi with him. They clashed again. Vail rolled under Gat’s blade and thrusted backwards. His attack was batted away and he had to regain his balance in order to block the next attack aimed at his feet. 

Vail blocked a high slash so powerful that it put him on his knees. The sound of the two sabers struggling against each other was extremely loud. Using the force to strengthen his legs Vail stood up, their two lightsabers still connected. 

Dask Gat used his free hand to send thousands of volts of Force Lighting through the Jedi’s body. The impact from the attack sent him flying backwards. Vail fell to his knees again. After a struggle he stood up but was too slow to block the next attack. His right arm was severed from his body sending a white shot of pain to his head. He didn’t even see the blow that decapitated him coming.