Project Ares Gold Edition

Chapter 17 - Pulled out of the rubble

Moleen - Naboo

Over the last two weeks, the annual wet season on Naboo was in full swing, with the expected flash flooding occurring all across the countryside and open grass plains. This the Naboo security forces and rescue units were well accustomed to, however this year there was a definite increase in the amount of downpour.

The city of Moleen was massive, coming in just under the capital city of Theed, with a population of over 8 million people. Contrary to Theed, Moleen operated mostly on hydroelectric electricity from a series of dams located north of the metropolis. However, with the amount of rainfall coming in and lack of maintenance on the dam due to funds being diverted to the war, it was a cataclysmic disaster when the dam burst.

In response, within 24 hours the Republic had dispatched its notorious search and rescue legion, the 104th's Wolf Pack, led by none other than Commander Wolffe himself. Unfortunately, General Plo Koon along with the rest of the 104th was busy engaging Admiral Trench in another system. As a result, the Wolf Pack was severely undermanned for this mission, with only 300 personnel aboard an Arquitens class cruiser being able to be spared for this assignment. Luckily, Commander Cody received notification about this and dispatched a fully stocked 212th Arquitens alongside four Open Circle Consular class frigates to assist.

Landing his Y-wing at the makeshift Republic rally point, Chief hopped out and searched for the command centre. This was a very precise and complex operation with hundreds of moving parts and a fresh storm coming in within a few hours. Locating the hub of this whole operation inside an emptied out barracks, Chief looked around and found Commander Wolffe giving a series of orders whilst attaching an ascension cable to his rifle. Approaching the commander, Chief introduced himself as someone sent by the Chancellor to come help. Noting the Spartan's massive form and huge muscles, Wolffe asked if the Spartan was fast, to which Chief informed the clone that he could out run a speeder if he had to. "Alright Spartan, you're with me. We'll be going straight into the centre of the city where the markets used to be and getting as many civvies out as possible. Copy?"

"Sir yes sir. What assets are we working with?" Chief asked, their biggest issue is going to be transporting the wounded out of the city and to dry ground. Seeing as all the roads were blocked, this left only air support. "We currently have seven gunships rotating between here and the city. I've put in the request for more but I doubt they'll be here soon. The PDF's capabilities are already stretched thin with other matters so Moleen is on us."

"Copy that sir, let's get to work." The Spartan replied as he led the pair out of the room. As the pair jumped into the first gunship that was cleared, four more troopers dashed forwards and joined them. "Chief, this is Sergeant Sinker, Sergeant Comet, Booster and Swift. They are some of my most trusted men along with Warthog, who is at the front flying us to the dropzone."

"Pleasure sir!" Warthog called from the cockpit seat, waving his hand back at the passengers as thanks for the compliment. Wolffe then started introducing his men to Chief, although he didn't really have to. Legends and tales of Chief's exploits had spread like wildfire across the 501st and 212th, and in the short time that the 501st troopers had rubbed shoulders with other units, they didn't exactly stay quiet about the matter. As for Wolffe, he had received personal recounts from both Cody and Rex, meaning that he definitely trusted the Spartan even though he hadn't met him before this assignment.

As the gunship approached the flooded city, Chief popped his head out of the doors to observe the damage. Fair to say that they needed a lot more than just 700 men and a few gunships for this job. Hundreds of civilians were taking refuge on the rooftops near the market with dozens still in the square, trying to stay afloat by grabbing onto whatever buoyancy they could reach. By the looks of it, the murky floodwater hadn't receded that much and most of the market was being used for food related items, items that would most certainly be rotten and spoiling by now. "Chief, the boys and I will handle the crowded rooftops, I need you to move to that damaged building and clear it. If we can minimise the search area, we can co-ordinate the gunships better."