The Song of Infinity

First Talks

Buck was sort of surprised by the deployment of the troops in the Base. He looked from an overhead window in the command post of the Grand Army of the Republic at the motor-pool, where six-legged walker-tanks and strange gunships resided, guarded by dozens of troops. Not to mention the artillery that still thundered in the background as the sun began to set. A shuttle lifted off in the distance, pushing its oddly-angled engines to the maximum as its wings unfolded.

He turned toward the Holographic table in the center of the room, walking up to it while his soldiers lazed about next to the Clones. Admirals Lasky and Yularen had begun their talks with Generals Skywalker and Kenobi no less than half-an-hour ago. When he got into range to hear them talking, Admiral Lasky stated, "... The UNSC is willing to provide assistance in securing Christophsis. The Confederacy fired at us without provocation and they're not responding to hails on any of their frequencies that you've offered. It's war they want."

"And, from the looks of your Fleet, Admiral, it is a war they'll get," Yularen said rather placidly, "The terms of the alliance will, however, need to be properly ratified by specific parties. We could ask the Republic Senate to send an ambassador to your fleet. Engage in negotiations properly, rather than just this one-off talk. We will need to know force composition, strength and what kind of support we can expect."

"Understandable," Lasky replied with a nod, "We'll have an envoy vessel ready with a group from ONI Section 1. Diplomatic corps."

"That'd be good," Anakin quipped, crossing his arms. "I'm sure more than a few senators would be glad to negotiate our friendship, Admiral..." And the audible sound of gunfire took the man's attention away. He stated quickly, "But I think we might need to cut this meeting short..." before turning to Buck and his men. The ODSTs all slid their helmets on their heads and ran out first.

Down the corridors and out of the base, the ODSTs were the first to spot the few enemy Air Assets still in play:Enemy fighter-like droids swept in, their energy weapons raking the ground. UNSC mobile SAMs had them pegged the moment they'd poked their heads out, however. Missiles streaked, trailing with white smoke before detonating next to the fighters themselves, sending the remains tumbling to the floor, detonating.

Rex and Cody ran out next, noting the destroyed craft's remains sprawled out across the ground. Rex sighed and looked to Buck as the Gunny gave the soldiers manning the SAMs a thumbs up. He took his helmet off and murmured to himself, "That was probably cutting it close..." before looking to the Captain, Commander and Generals, "Sir, air defense is online. Oughta keep the enemy's air support in check."

"Not like it wasn't dwindling already..." Anakin said, sighing in relief, "Good shot."

"Not my hit, sir," Buck quipped, then looked around and ordered, "Alright, Alpha Niner, let's move it out. Find our positions and pray we get a bit of a break to get acclimatized. Anakin crossed his arms to his chest as he saw the men salute and turn to leave for one of the forward barricades, all while the clones around their fellow UNSC infantry and units were examining the kit deployed by their newfound allies of circumstance.

Anakin noted, "They've got a lot of slug-throwers and missiles..."

"Waxer and Boil said they saw one of their heavier weapons was a pulse laser," Cody added, eyeing some of the Marines as they unpacked equipment from another Pelican. A dish and a few consoles they set up in the middle of the place, presumably to test it. He crossed his arms to his chest and said, "Sirs, I'm not too sure how to feel about them... Call me jittery, but this is... Convenient."

"Tell us about it," Anakin snorted, then looked to Rex, "Rex, do we still have that Separatist observation post nearby?"

Buck seemed confused as to why the man would bring it up, but Rex nodded, "Yessir. Haven't been able to get to it yet and that means the Clankers can see right into our backyard in a way. If we take it out, they're going to have to rely on calling their airstrikes the moment they make contact with our troops tomorrow..." And he l oked to BUck and the others, soon realizing what Kenobi meant.