《Star wars: Selfish virtue.》Chapter 12: The Climb
Advertisement
Dauntless, en-route to FOB location.
-(''What's the damage estimate?'')- Beatrix inquired.
-(''The hit impacted on the underside of the ship, we lost one pod but otherwise, we are operating at near full efficiency.'')- Tactical reported back.
-(''ETA to destination?'')-
-(''Six minutes if we remain unimpeded.'')- As the exchange finished, Trilla and Qui-Gon entered the bridge.
''What can I do for you both?'' She asked, turning around.
''We came to ask when we'll be arriving.'' Qui-Gon told her. Trilla just stood there quietly, observing the scenery outside the ship.
''In about 5 minutes. Once we get there we will deploy the HK-Tank to defend our location as well as 450 RG's. We'll then turn most of our efforts into search and rescue since we don't have the numbers to engage in open conflict with the Separatist forces.'' She explained in a neutral tone.
''I see. What about us?''
''I'd like one of you to stay aboard the ship and one to command a special strike force for when we need the extra muscle, so to speak.'' She gestured towards both of them with one hand. ''A force-sensitive is quite the unique resource to have on the battlefield.''
Nodding Qui-Gon spoke up. ''Then I'd like to remain on the ship. I don't believe it's a good idea to risk me being seen before the end of this conflict.'' Looking over at Trilla. ''If you don't mind of course?''
''Not at all.'' She responded succinctly. ''It would be nice to do something good for a change.''
''Excellent.'' Beatrix nodded. ''We'll be turning the hanger into a triage area. So, Master Qui-Gon. Be ready to receive the wounded and patrolling around the craft.''
''I understand. I'll go see what I can do.'' He replied as he turned and walked out.
Beatrix turned to face the bridge again. ''Is there anything else Lady Trilla?''
''Is triage all we'll be doing?''
''Of course not. But you don't need to worry about that, Coda may not be a tactical genius but his vision doesn't stop at playing doctor.'' She said with barely detectable mirth.
Nodding slowly Trilla asked again. ''Will he be alright?''
Turning her head to look at Trilla. ''I believe so.''
''I understand. Then I'll take my leave as well, General Beatrix.'' She bowed slightly before exiting.
Meanwhile, above the clouds. Kamino.
RG111 had quite frankly gotten lucky when they were trying to locate this place. They'd known the area, but searching for a planet even in a small area, small being relative. Was a gargantuan undertaking.
They'd noticed what could only be a fleet entering hyperspace on their long-range scanners. Working backward they'd found the origin point, and that origin point was Kamino.
Being an artificial life form, RG111 didn't believe in gods or higher powers. But the odds he'd calculated were so infinitesimal that they'd find it that now he was forced to reevaluate his earlier assumption.
Of course, when the math came back he promptly dismissed it again and chalked it up to the chaos theory at work. Now, on the other hand, they were flying right above the cloud cover and trying to scan for the city that should be here somewhere.
Advertisement
It didn't take too long to find it. When they got closer the ramp opened up and RG111 alongside three other RG's simply walked off the ramp and entered freefall. Once they broke through the clouds their black matter turned into an elongated point that pointed downwards. They did this to prevent themselves from shattering when they'd hit the water.
Once they'd cleared the water surface, the black matter turned itself into tendrils that they used as propellers as they picked up speed and silently approached the pillars holding the city up. -(''Digital communication only from here on.'')-
Getting a positive ping from his three siblings he reviewed the mission file one last time.
Objective 1: Infiltrate cloning facilities.
Objective 2: Gain access to and reprogram inhibitor chips if possible. If impossible, change keywords.
Objective 3: Gain shadow control of all systems. Datamine all possible information and gain codes to all possible Republic vessels.
His determination redoubled. This was his first mission and he would not fail his Lord.
Unidentified Droid Factory, Geonosis.
Coda and 93 had gotten to the bridge. They took a last look before 93 spoke up. ''Everyone ready?''
''Yeah, let's go!'' Coda responded before running out of cover and making his way unto the bridge. ''Stick to the plan!"
They all bolted out of cover and started running down the walkway. The RG's opened fire on the turrets to great effect, they hadn't even registered an attack when they both got slagged.
Using the force to speed up his steps, Coda flew forward as the few droids left started returning fire. Deflecting the bolts coming their way with ease he waved his hand resulting in the droids unfortunate enough to have walked unto the bridge to fly off to the side, into the chasm.
Making their way to the door, they could hear the telltale sounds of wings coming from the chasm. ''Get the door open!'' Coda ordered an RG unit.
Interfacing with the door pad the RG spoke up. ''Sir, it seems we've already taken control of the system. I'm receiving a message through it. We have two other groups already inside the facility, fighting seems fierce.''
The door slid open to reveal a corridor that simply led to another door. ''Ok, get in and lock it from the inside.''
Once inside, the door closed behind them as they made their way towards the next door. ''It seems to be an elevator. I've called it down. Be ready for anything.'' 93 reported.
Taking positions they waited until the door opened up. Only for it to be empty. ''Get in, we're on the clock.'' Coda said as he walked into the elevator.
Once they were moving upwards, Coda started messing with his arm-pad. Not this one... Not this one... Hah! This one is apt, war pigs indeed. ''Oink oink motherfuckers.''
All of the clones turned to look at Coda as 93 spoke up. ''Sir?''
''Don't worry about it.'' He turned to an RG. ''Any idea what we're walking into up there?"
''Negative my lord. The message was automated. It only mentioned fierce resistance.'' He answered simply.
Nodding. They all fell silent as the elevator made its way up. They started hearing explosions and blaster fire as it came to a stop.
Advertisement
When the door opened it revealed another corridor that branched off in two directions, as well as a squad of Geonosians. Reacting instantly Coda reached out his hand and force drained the entire squad.
As he took on their life force he took a deep breath while his eyes flashed with his signature dark orange and silver. The clones stood still as a wave of uneasiness followed this sight. The RG's simply ignored it and walked out of the elevator, past the spasming bugs.
When the last one stopped moving 93 stated. "That didn't look like a Jedi trick.''
''There are no such things as Jedi tricks. Only force 'Tricks'." Coda said as he walked into the middle of the corridor. To his left was the exit, as the other one looked to be a storage area. Walking down the right path, he opened the door. His mask hid it, but when he saw it's contents a sinister grin spread over his face.
Looking over the room he spoke up. ''RG's, you think you could persuade these good fellows to help us?''
Walking up to Coda the RG responded after he glanced through the room. ''Affirmative Lord Coda.'' Entering the room, he and the other 5 RG's got to work.
93 was holding with his brothers at the other door when Coda came walking back. His eyes were smiling. ''Anything useful over there?''
Nodding he answered joyfully. ''Twelve inactive Droidekas. Seems like the deployment rack was fucked, so they didn't activate. My RG's are doing some Robo-voodoo to get them on our side.'' Looking over at the door down the hall. ''Any movement?''
93 stalled for a second before he answered. ''Eh, Right. Yeah. There's definitely fighting on the other side, and I think someone is trying to breach the door.''
"I see. Let me take a look." Coda walked up to the door, putting his hand on it and closed his eyes.
Using the force, he started to sense what laid on the other side. Droid trying to open the door... 40? No, 60 plus, they're holding some sort of stairs or ramp? We'll open up into their side. Perfect. As he opened his eyes he glanced over his shoulder. ''Anyone have any explosives?''
The clones just shook their head as one of them spoke up. ''We finished them hours ago.''
Nodding, he stepped back from the door. ''Someone go get an ETA from the RG's.''
All four of the clones moved towards the side room as Coda just shook his head. Turning to look at 93. ''You're not going to go with them?''
''Should I?" He just asked back with mock hurt in his voice.
Shrugging he just chuckled at 93. ''Whatever, no skin of my scrotum.'' He said, causing 93 to start laughing as well.
When the others returned around the corner they saw the two of them giggling like idiots. Completely ignoring the situation one of the RG's spoke up. ''My Lord, we've finished. They're coming online as we speak, we can continue our assault.''
Soon after he spoke up they could hear the distinct sound of rolling destroyers as the came around the corner, lining up behind them. ''Excellent. Everyone ready?''
Seeing them all nod he nodded himself and turned his attention to the door. ''Let the rollers go first, use them as mobile cover once they deploy.''
Coda started focusing the force on the door as it started to vibrate. Soon after it started to give off steam as they could see parts of it start to warp.
On the other side, a B1 droid was trying to use the door pad to get it opened. For some reason, it was locked out of the system. Soon his systems picked up an increase in temperature as well as a grating sound as the door was vibrating heavily. Looking up he saw that the metal making up the door was starting to drip.
"Oh-Oh" Was the last thing it ever said as the door exploded into their room causing molten metal to spray into the room. Junking many of the droids inside the room and causing the Geonsians that weren't instantly killed to give out shrill screams as it ate away at them.
Before they could mount a proper response to the situation, Droidekas rolled in and deployed. Opening fire on them as the RG's and Clones followed and started picking off targets.
93 stood with Coda that was still in the corridor. He noticed that Coda was panting rather hard. ''You alright there?''
''Yeah. I just need some rest once this is over.'' Seeing 93 tilt his head slightly he continued. ''I did something stupid before I came here. I guess I'm still paying for it, I can use drain as a stop-gap measure for now. We need to keep moving.'' He explained, ruefully shaking his head.
The fight on this floor didn't last very long. Caught off guard, they were easily defeated as the forces pushing up the stairs joined up with them.
As 93 checked on his men. An RG unit from the same group came up to report. ''My Lord, we have locked down most of the doors in this facility. Almost all information has been downloaded and stored as well, the command room seems to be at the top.''
''Excellent work. How many of you survived? Clones as well.'' Coda inquired.
''Despite having encountered multiple ambushes as we made our way here, we have 72 units left if we count your group as well. The clones are 41 in total.'' Seeing Coda nod he continued. ''Our biggest losses came when the Geonosians bombed a side of a chasm, resulting in two entire groups falling as the path came apart from under them.''
Coda's head tilted back a bit. ''Clever little critters. Any way of shutting off these droids somehow seeing as we have access to their systems?''
The RG shook his head. ''They aren't shackled to this system my lord. Apart from direct contact, it's a virtual impossibility for now.''
Taking one last look around the room, he just sighed. ''Then I guess we go up.''
Advertisement
Viscount's Rise
With his father dead and his brother inheriting the earldom, Braydon sets out to inherit the family’s neglected title, Viscount of Cliforge, the only land of the Kingdom on the other side of the Brimstone Mountains. His new lands are on the border that is held peaceful by an uneasy truce and the same lands that claimed his father’s life on the battlefield. With no reputation in noble society and no military might to speak of he will be a long way from challenging his brother whose land is some of the most prosperous in the empire, and has the backing of their younger brother, who has the smarts to raise their position even further. Will he become another casualty to the lands that have already claimed his father, or become something more as he climbs his way to prominence? At least he can be sure that his brother would never see him rise peacefully, and the neighbouring Grand Duke desires the last territory of the kingdom on the eastern side of the mountains. His position is anything but stable, he will do anything to change that and build his realm. Chapters are posted every other day at 11am and pm (gmt).Basically just selecting Gore and Traumatising Content to cover myself, profanity is guaranteed though.
8 200World After Calamity
Two hundred years ago, the Calamity occurred, an event which changed the terrain and climates of the world immensely, shifting continents and regions, developing new religions and altering life itself. The existence of magic and monsters was no longer able to be concealed, and until the Sage came and ended the Calamity, the world lived in chaos. Now, two hundred years later, two primary forces in the globe, united under a single government, oversee all magical and supernatural crime and disruptions, working from the shadows and in the light to ensure the safety of all. Something has upset the delicate balance the Sage created, however, and monsters sightings occur more and more frequently, and the signs of a second Calamity have begun to reveal themselves. At the same time, young superhumans begin training to fight against the forces causing this, to protect the mundane from monsters, and to ensure ancient artifacts are preserved and secured. This is the story of Team Lusvar, a unit of extraordinary superhumans, the world they live in, and the missions they're sent on and trials they face.
8 87Blind Wastelands
[Royal Writathon April 2022 winner] (Support me on Patreon ) They say it was a war that blocked out the sun. They say it was poison bombs that reduced the land to rubble. The blind wastelands were what it was called now. Where there were once sprawling cities, farmlands, and crops that grew in the sun, sparkling waters that shone like diamonds, there was now darkness; a cloying, viscous darkness that filled men’s hearts with dread and sunk their bellies like stone. What remained of humanity scattered away from the darkness as much as they could, banding together in settlements lit with gas lamps and bonfires. A young man named Yunkef leaves his home at Settlement 41 to join a Scavenger team to bring back much-needed resources for his Settlement but finds there are much worse things in the darkness than just the beasts. He meets Lady Black.
8 217Wailing and Gnashing
Some are born to save life. Some damned to endure it. To those who dwell in the dark, gnashing their dagger teeth with hunger, life is for feeding on, and they've just discovered an endless feast. "There are those whose teeth are swords,whose fangs are knives,to devour the poor from off the earth,the needy from among mankind."-Proverbs 30:14
8 69Earth Ravaged: The Alliance Chronicles Book 1
Originally published on Amazon in 2013, now published here as a serial for the free enjoyment of all. Book 3 to come later this year. This one could also stand a complete re-write with the knowledge and skill I've developed in the interim, and I may do so once I have pushed out chapters for the third book in the series. In the not too distant future, a group of seven people will set out on a mission of exploration to a nearby star system. Their destination is the Tau Ceti system, one of ten planned destinations as part of a new privately-funded space programme, involving many countries across the Earth. However, old problems still exist, and while they make their successful launch, they have no idea what begins to take place at home, what they will face on their journey, and who decides to pay Earth a visit while they are gone.
8 162Unipsi, lovely entity
Follow commander Scilla Lis in her discovery of the cryptic Esterians. Problems and oddities will soon become part of her every day life just as war and death had already done. "Such a strange life, uncertain and full of horrors, but she keeps on going. it's such a lovely entity" -Observer 5.511!.76! (if you read this, remember that you will have to tolerate my horrible english, it's not my first language)
8 146