The 155mm gun lowered and a cheat haze rose from the barrel as the self propelled gun completed the barrage and a gentle hiss and tink of changing metal could just about be heard under the din of the engine and the events going on around them. The barrage had been short, sharp and intense with a sudden massed bombardment of the area making a wide access lane out of the now wasteland. 

“Bloody hell, they brought some big guns today.” Anakin said as he reached out to take a quiet spell to reload the 30mm as they rolled slowly though the area to where the next rally point they had to hit on the mission plan. Everything was blasted, tanks tossed like toys and the very earth blackened and she'll holes by the dozen. 

Smoke rose from a tank with an acrid smell, it had been hit and he assumed it was torn apart by at least 1 direct hit from a high explosive shell, its ammo rack and fuel leaving it scattered for 50m across like a smear of blasted and burned metal already turning to rust from the flames. The King's of battle had made their roar and the bite was even harder. “Kings of Battle Ladies and Gentlemen. We have hot pockets.” Anakins voice came over the radio net as they rolled up and down a blasted area they could not tell if was a dip in landscape or a very unlucky trench. Slow, heavy and not as glamorous the heavy rocket and gun artillery had done their work well. 

“Update from arty net. Combat engineers are gonna clear the path to set up a potential supply axis if needed and dig in their 240mm mortar from Dragon Company. MLRS used most on the ridge or deep fire.” maybe someone were paranoid about back up plans but establishing a clear potential line of supply if enemy resistance was more determined and sheltering the heavy less mobile and 1 round per minute virtual siege weapon was just good military sense. Just because they were winning did not mean they should be careless. 

The rockets were beyond powerful but that came at a cost and they were a one shot system almost. But taking the ridge was essential to not lose momentum and get bogged down. “Copy. Targets and cords on channel Echo 5.”  He said as he put the radio back to the verbal net to find out how the others might be doing across the wider front. “You all are good. Sounds off.”

“Sleeping on the job boss. Engines fine.” Nord replied with a cheeky response and danced them round  to reach their spot they found an area some shelter from indirect fire. 

“Good, ammo is still in the expected Anakin, they say its sand out their though..” The main gunner said as he dropped down to help Xena with checking the ready rack and getting the laser guided shell back into the storage area. “Specials minus 1 tungsten only.”

“workout unlike you lazy bitches. The main gun needs a strip down after to realign the loader arm. Can still fire. Just try to avoid super charging the gun.” Xena reported from the after where she learnt drinking some water after they moved the laser shell back into its slot. 

“Copy. Dial the speed back on the gun, but keep it on auto.” He ordered and got a charity of responses from cheeky to the yes sir. But long as they did their jobs and followed orders when it mattered he let that go. They were not normal soldiers and they never let him down so far in a real fight. “Bring me some clankers my 501st.” He said more lightly but focused on the job. 

“We are some of the worst clones ever made.” The Canadian said with an almost deadpan tone. “Copy. Gun speed set down. Auto.” He added more businesses like. Banter yes. But job first. 

“Copy. Loader ready.” :Copy. We are in cover, it's not great but something.” came back and they halted in cover with the gun lowered down and still hot from the day's firing. 

…

Anakin checked the 30mm optics and saw a drone flying in thankfully from the friendly side as it passed over, it sent a smoke trail of missiles at some target that had obviously been important… been the operative word. The drone was not so lucky to eat an anti air missile. "Ammo is good for now. In temporary Postion. Gun has mechanical damage, but operational. We still able to fight." He finished the status report to the rest of the team.