Project Ares Gold Edition

Chapter 28 - Back to the front lines

Spirit of Fire - Fulucia

After getting his team back along with Jesse and Hardcase, Blue Team was repurposed back to the front lines. They couldn't immediately go after the Separatist high command with the likes of Grevious, Dooku and Nute Gunray, but the planet of Fulucia was under siege yet again and Republic forces are in desperate need of reinforcements.

Along with getting the team back together, Chief was also given command of a new ship. A Consular cruiser dubbed the Spirit of Fire, outfitted with prototype turbolaser cannons and a new hyperdrive, the ship could take Blue Team to any location and still act as their home base. Unfortunately, the Forward Unto Dawn was still in possession of the RSA and Tarkin was adamant about not returning it to Chief's command. As for their new cruiser; the ship came with a fully stocked armoury, mess hall and medical wing, along with an intelligence room where they could organize mission intel from across the GAR. With Chief's clearance restored, there were very few military documents and files that he didn't have access to.

Dropping out of hyperspace, the ship blitzed through the massive space battle as it headed down to the surface. In the cargo hold, Gears, Static and Jesse mounted AT-RT's while the rest readied their normal gear. The plan was simple, rescue the 327th convoy that had been ambushed and transport the wounded onboard the Spirit of Fire. As a result, Midas and Jester would remain on the ship along with the pilots to take care of the wounded as they came in.

Chief, Fives and Thermos would do an airborne insertion on top of the 327th to give immediate relief while the rest would come over on foot after the Spirit landed about 2km away. "Chief, jump zone is 10 seconds out. It's good to have you back by the way!"

"Thanks Streak, count us in."

"Alright, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, have fun down there!" Streak called out as the three jettisoned themselves out of the door. Seeing the massive battle beneath them, 117 observed how a ring of AT-TE walkers were the last line of defence against over 200 droids that were pushing in from all sides. Firing their thrusters at the last instance, Chief immediately opened fire on some super battle droids while Fives and Thermos took off their jump packs. Once done, Thermos gave his opening salvo of grenades while Fives blasted away with his DC-15.

As the droids started to communicate that The Demon was on the battlefield, the onslaught started to ease up and the droids pulled back to regroup. Coming in just as the last shots were fired, Blue Team established a wide perimeter to give the 327th Star Corp a chance to breath. "Master Chief, it is good to see you are back on the frontlines. It seems the droids don't take kindly to your arrival."

"Ma'am, it is good to be back where I belong. What is the situation on the ground?" Chief saluted as Master Aayla Secura arrived along with Commander Bly following shortly after. "The droids made an aggressive landing not too far from here, our convoy was going to establish a forward command post before we got ambushed. "

"We suspect the Separatist general wants to create as much distance between us and the landing zone so that they can land more troops and establish a permanent foothold on the planet." Commander Bly added before explaining that they have lost the objective after the CIS put up proton cannons on an overlooking ridge. "General, if Blue Team takes out those guns, do you have enough men to still achieve the objective?"

"Yes 117, but you're going to have to be quick, those guns are heavily protected by some Vulture droids and machine gun nests." Master Secura warned. "Don't worry about us Ma'am, we'll get it done, we always do."

Getting Blue Team to form up around him, Chief explained the situation. All of them were going to be riding in on two man swamp speeders while Jesse, Gears and Static take out the nearby machine gun nests. The EOD troopers would take out the enemy air support with missiles while the rest of them cleared the outpost. Making sure everyone was on the same page, Chief gave the order. "Mount up, we hit the target in 15 minutes."