Project Ares Gold Edition

Chapter 7 - Landfall

Geonosis

It didn't take long for Blue Team to be encompassed in a massive battle. Consisting of mostly Geonosians and some droid patrols, the resistance was extremely tough. As soon as Blue Team took out a wave, another one would attack from a different angle. They had reached the designated Landing Zone for the main 212th invasion force, but they had not anticipated that it was right in the middle of a host of different patrols that were now all converging on their position.

Blasting away at some foot soldiers that were running up to them, Chief looked at the timer in his helmet. The fleet would be arriving any second now, but it would still take a while for the troops to hit to ground. Emptying his last rifle magazine at some oncoming speeders, Chief ordered Fives and Echo to throw smoke at a large contingent of battle droids that were marching towards them. As the canisters flew through the air, Chief took out his two pistols and rushed towards the formation, with the smoke covering his approach, he was quickly in the middle of their ranks.

Firing his pistols at anything that was moving, the magazines soon ran out, holstering the blasters and taking out his knife, Master Chief got even more close and personal with the cybernetic soldiers as he cut them up into pieces. But he soon lost his advantage as the smoke started clearing and he was surrounded by Geonosians and battle droids alike. Looking at his team, the Spartan saw that they had also been surrounded. But he was not going to allow it to end like this, gripping his knife tight in his hand, 117 decapitated three soldiers that were too close to him before grabbing their weapons.

With a droid blaster in one hand and a sonic cannon in the other, Chief quickly disposed of the enemies around him. Turning to his men, Chief expertly hit the droids in their heads with the blaster whilst also taking out a pair of speeders coming at him with the sonic cannon. Noticing his renewed vigour, the clones attempted to match the Spartan's ferocity, firing more blasts at their attackers and slowly starting to push them out of the LZ. Throwing down some smoke grenades to signal where the transports had to land, Chief ordered Static and Gears to establish a small radio nest where they could communicate with incoming transports and where  the men could rally around. Getting to work amidst the blaster fire, explosions and shrapnel, the two clones managed to set up the radio nest. Giving the thumbs up to 117, Static got on the line and radioed the main Republic force that was busy breaking through orbit.

"Attention, attention, attention. This is CT-8256, clearance codes Alpha Gamma three six. All Republic forces be aware, Landing Zone is clear. I repeat the Landing Zone is clear." Static called over the comm. Hearing the relieving humming sound of gunships, Chief quickly looked up to see the first wave of 212th troopers approaching the landing zone. The gunships were outfitted for a full combat mission, including the laser turrets and high-yield missiles. Demolishing the last few droids before opening the doors, dozens of clones rushed out of the gunships, dressed in ARF trooper armour painted in a mixture of brown camouflage with yellow markings to signify rank and roles. The newly arrived clones quickly set up a perimeter, deploying heavy blaster turrets and rocket launchers to repel any potential counter-attack.

In the chaos, Blue Team was escorted to the middle of the clone force where Cody was busy giving orders to some men while waiting for a holotable to be set up in front of him. The next step of the plan was to establish a solid foothold of the LZ, setting up a medical station alongside AV-7 artillery cannons. Asking Commander Cody where he wanted Blue Team, Chief was informed that they would be assaulting the main foundry with the 212th. However, they would be going on a secret mission through the catacombs that led to the main reactor of the factory. Reasoning that it would take hundreds of men to conventionally take out the factory whereas now it just needed a few soldiers, some well placed tanks and AV-7s, along with a strike team to take out the factory. "Commander Cody, will we be getting any Jedi support?"

"Commander Tano from the 501st will be assisting. General Skywalker thought that this would be a good learning opportunity." Cody informed them, receiving the same reactions from the clones that he had when he was told. Fives and Echo personally knew Commander Tano and that she was a very capable fighter, but this would be a mission that would challenge even some Jedi Masters. Chief on the other hand did not know who Ahsoka Tano was other than that she was General Skywalker's apprentice and she was apparently young, not a good combination for a mission of this importance and seeing as she'll be the highest rank in the group, Chief did not feel much confidence in taking orders from a Padawan.

Circling around some crates to restock their ammunition and supplies, Blue Team geared up for another extensive fight through the Geonosian catacombs, one of the most dangerous places on the whole planet. Chief equipped his weapons accordingly, taking flashbangs instead of his EMP grenades along with a Z-6 minigun in addition to his pistols, rifle, knife and grenades. Telling Blitz and Streak to equip themselves with M3 Bulwark shields along with a DC-17 pistol so that they could push any potential gun emplacements. As for the rest of the men, each carried their standard weapons plus extra detonators and explosive cord.

"Hey Fives, Echo!" A feminine voice called from where a gunship just landed, turning around, Blue Team spotted the young Tongrutan Jedi. Her orange skin almost matching the rough Geonosian sand, the thing standing out most being her Lekkus and silver hilted lightsaber. Unlike General Kenobi or Skywalker who donned aspects of clone armour for additional protection, Ahsoka took a very minimalist approach, wearing a tube top and skirt in matching maroon colours along with some long boots. "Well this is going to be interesting" Chief thought to himself.

"Good to see you again Commander, ready for the mission?" Fives asked after taking off his ARC trooper helmet. Only Ahsoka didn't reply at first, being absolutely stunned at the massive green goliath that towered over her. She wasn't exactly short, being 5'7" but the Spartan was massive, coming in at just over 7 feet tall and at least six times her size. "Commander?"

"Sorry." Ahsoka snapped out of it, looking at Fives and giving a quick smile before returning her attention to the team as a whole. Explaining that they will have to make it through approximately 500 meters of underground tunnel before they reach the reactor, Ahsoka told the men that she will lead the front alongside the Master Chief and ARC troopers while the rest bring up the rear, providing support as needed. Agreeing to the plan, the clones made their final preparations before heading off. This was going to be a risky mission, but if they worked together and timed it right, then everything should go according to plan.