Project Ares Gold Edition

Chapter 16 - Knocking down doors

Republic Military Complex - Coruscant

Once Chief got back to the R.S.A. he was immediately called into Tarkin's office, located adjacent to an information processing room. As Chief neared the room, he began noticing the increasingly dense amount of Coruscant Guard troopers that lined the walls, by the time he had arrived at the door, 117 had spotted around 20 fully armed clone troopers with bright red markings across their armour. Either Tarkin was paranoid or he loved the feeling of power over those beneath him. Guessing that it was likely the latter, Chief entered the room to see fully furnished office with detailed battleship models and designs contrasted by an exotic collection of melee weapons ranging from crude knives to sophisticated bo-rifles. Spotting Admiral Tarkin standing at a holotable across from Commander Fox, Chief asked what the mission was.

Tarkin explained to 117 that a few days ago the Coruscant Underworld Police picked up chatter amongst the criminal element that a Separatist cell was forming beneath the very surface of the Republic Capitol. Seeing as this would likely break out into an all-out street war if it wasn't dealt with immediately Chief spoke up; "Sir, where do you want me?"

"Master Chief, I want you to co-ordinate with the strike team on the ground, locate and eliminate this insurgency. It is of utmost importance that word of this does not get out and it remain hidden from the rest of the Republic." Tarkin briefed, before allowing Fox to point out on the holomap who the likely targets were and where they were currently staying. Saluting the Admiral before departing for a Police Gunship that was waiting for him and a squad of riot troopers.

Touching down in the heart of Coruscant about ten layers from the surface, no natural light could reach the men aboard the transport as the only form of illumination came from the few lamps and floodlights that had not been smashed. Currently there was a series of protest going on around the sector as a result of a supply shortage from the agricultural ports, meaning that there was plenty of chaos to hide amidst for the insurgents. Just before the riot troopers departed for a street that had become increasingly violent, they informed Chief that his team was waiting for him on the balcony of a nightclub located on the corner of 7th and 34th.

Thanking the men before plotting a beacon on his HUD, 117 departed into the Coruscant underworld. Being this far deep beneath the surface, there were so many people that it was impossible for the Spartan not to be spotted by the populace. But this had been the heart of the Republic for thousands of years, meaning that strange and inexplicable sights were commonplace this far down. If something appeared militant in nature, it was probably gang affiliated and best to stay away from. But Chief couldn't risk word getting to the CIS terrorists, so he mostly remained in the shadows until he reached the adjacent balcony to what his alleged team was.

Jumping across, 117 came face-to-face with four DC-17m assault rifles as the team of clone commandoes prepared to fire. Upon noticing that this was the backup that Fox had told them about, the men stood down as one of them approached Chief to give him the briefing. "We have observed 12 military aged personnel enter the premises so far with none exiting. Our best sources put their estimates at a total of 30 combatants inside the structure with an additional 10 stationed around the area."

"Sounds like they are staging for an attack." Chief concluded, with the squad leader nodding his head in affirmation. If the insurgents were in fact preparing to strike, then the team must move fast. Telling the commandos to breach via the back door in 5 minutes while he dealt with the sentries, once they breached the Coruscant Guard would make a bold push and pass over the location. That would be the moment when they could all exfiltrate without any unwanted civilian attention. Agreeing with the plan, the men split off, Chief had faith in the commandoes' ability, they were the best of the best after-all.