Project Ares Gold Edition

Chapter 9 - Headhunter

The Prosperity - Geonosis

Approaching the Landing Zone where they had previously been, Blue Team looked down in pride as the watched how the little field that they had cleared a few hours ago had turned into a sprawling base for the GAR ground and starfighter forces. Along the perimeter was a series of quick-deployment walls and security gates that protected from any sudden ground offensives, accompanying this was a neatly ordered line of barracks, medical facilities, armouries and briefing rooms that were currently being set up by the 212th's engineer division. At the centre of it all was an Acclamator class cruiser, the Prosperity, offering a massive boost in firepower and also as a base of operations where vehicles could be repaired and supplies could be organised before being carried out to the growing base.

Landing in the main hangar, the team were quickly greeted by the Marshal Commander, who swiftly ushered them into one of the hangar bays where there were a large number of BARC speeders, freshly assembled and straight from the factory. "Congratulations on the mission guys, but you're being sent straight back out."

After the main factory was destroyed, the rest of the planet still had to be taken back from the clutches of the Separatists. Currently the 212th, 501st, and now the 42nd were all planet-side and busy assaulting the other major bases simultaneously. These were mostly supply depots, airfields, and a few large bunkers. However, there were these roaming supply convoys across the orange sands that each contained anywhere from a few dozen to a few hundred droids.

This is what Blue Team was being tasked with, gathering around the hologram table to see how widespread this was, the men looked at a map of the immediate area. Turns out there were four convoys nearby, all easily accessible via gunship or speeder. Ordering the men to pair up on the BARC speeders with the exception of Fives and Echo, the men gave a hearty affirmative reply before donning their helmets and restocking their supplies. Within 5 minutes, the majority of Blue Team were riding across the Geonosian plains, orange and red sand trailing in their wake.

"Sir, what will we be doing in the meantime?" Echo asked politely, it was unusual for them to not be on the tip of the spear on assaults, especially since becoming ARC troopers. Explaining that each of them will be in charge of a gunship loaded with an AT-RT and a dozen men each and will be reinforcing the rest of Blue Team wherever they may need it. And soon enough a call came through from June and Static who had found a convoy that was way too large for just the two of them to deal with.

"Copy that, do not engage. Mark the targets and I'll be there in five minutes." Chief answered on the comm, picking up his DC-17m and signalling his squad to load up on the gunship; the mix of 501st and 212th troopers hastily grabbed their gear and ran to the gunship. This bird was equipped for full combat pursuit; fully loaded with air-to-ground missiles, laser pods next to the doors and also contained a cache of heavy weapons in the cargo hold. Making his way to the front of the gunship's interior, Chief told the pilots to take off and take the squad to the last known location of June and Static.

Looking between the men at his disposal, Chief could see a few battle worn soldiers from either legion, with scorch marks across their armour and victory tallies on their helmets. Then he also saw some new rookies or 'shinnies' as the clones liked to call them. "Listen up, I can see some of you have had your fair share of combat, others are still yet to be thrown through the forge. You older troopers look out for your younger brothers, and vice versa. Copy?"

"SIR, YES SIR!!" The clone troopers proudly responded, from the interactions Chief had previously had with the clones, they heavily appreciated being recognised as soldiers and not just cannon fodder, something some Jedi sadly had a reputation of doing. Chief could somewhat relate, seeing as he was always the edge of the sword, tip of the spear and first to jump into hell. It would be too easy to mistake his position as a Spartan as just a line breaker, cannon fodder, grunt, blunt tool, but for those that really knew the depth and precision that the Spartans worked at, they would tell you that Spartans are machines forged for war, refined by battle and polished by bloodshed. And after the asteroid base, listening post, canyon, landing zone, and just previously the catacombs and reactor, the rest of Blue Team could attest to that fact.