Surrounded by organized chaos, clone troopers busied themselves donning armor and equipment for the impending battle. This mobilization had been ongoing for some time, even before his arrival.
Yet since reaching Kamino, Captain Rex had been confined to his bunk in the barracks, staring at the helmet before him. Surprisingly, this simple meditation brought him a measure of peace.
"Captain Rex?"
The blond clone captain blinked, looking up to find Echo gazing down at him with evident concern.
"Are you alright, sir?"
Rex took a deep breath, slowly rising to his feet. "I'm fine, Echo," he replied calmly.
He steadied himself against the controlled chaos around him. "How long until we reach Kamino?"
"Approximately ten minutes, sir. The battalion is ready," Echo responded promptly.
The clone captain nodded, patted Echo's shoulder reassuringly, and moved through the bustle with purpose. They need to stay sharp and be prepared for anything, Rex thought.
The clone defenders of Kamino faced an incoming Separatist threat. For the droids expecting an easy victory, entering attack range would prove to be a fatal miscalculation.
Soon after, tension reached its peak. Like an impenetrable fortress, the massive Republic fleet emerged from hyperspace around Kamino, immediately establishing a formidable defensive perimeter.
Moments later, a dozen gunships descended on Tipoca City, the capital of Kamino. They divided into three squadrons, quietly covering every strategic position throughout the city.
At the southern landing platform, Shaak Ti, Jedi Master and Council member, stood beside Lama Su, Prime Minister of Kamino. Next to them stood Captain Fordo in distinctive red ARC trooper armor.
They watched intently as a transport circled before them, its side door opening and extending outward.
As the ramp descended, Fordo touched a control on his helmet.
"Just received word from Alpha," Fordo reported. "Generals Windu, Fisto, and Mundi's forces have deployed and are now positioned at Tipoca's northern perimeter."
Hearing the confirmation, Shaak Ti nodded calmly as the ramp finally contacted the landing platform.
Then, clone troopers of the 501st, 327th, and 41st Elite Corps emerged in blue, yellow, and green markings, led by their Jedi Generals and Commanders, along with two distinctly dressed individuals.
"So this is Kamino," Captain America murmured to himself.
He stood on the landing platform, surveying Tipoca City, gazing into the storm-wracked distance. The fortified city they'd been deployed to defend appeared somewhat austere under the perpetual rain.
"The atmosphere's a bit oppressive," Spider-Man observed.
Ahsoka turned to Spider-Man. "Actually, I've never been here before."
"This is a new environment for me as well," Barriss added.
Jedi General Aayla Secura nodded slowly. "I am only here because of my soldiers. I've come to see my finest troops."
Several clones stood a bit straighter at that, Commander Gree particularly puffing out his chest with pride.
"General, why are you singling him out like that?" Commander Bly asked with mock disappointment.
Aayla smiled at her second-in-command and gently bumped his shoulder. The group then approached Lama Su, Shaak Ti, and Fordo.
"Everyone," Shaak Ti announced in her steady voice, "I wish we were welcoming you to Kamino under more festive circumstances."
Anakin wore a playful expression as he looked at the clone trooper beside him. "Great to see you again, Fordo."
Fordo nodded in response. "Likewise, General Skywalker."
His clone brothers also nodded their greetings before Anakin turned his attention back to the Prime Minister. "It's good to see you've managed everything so efficiently."
Lama Su's expression showed concern. "Why would the Separatists attack Kamino so recklessly during such turbulent times? Hasn't Ultron curtailed their operations?"
Skywalker snorted dismissively. "He's taken action, but apparently not enough to prevent them from making foolish decisions."
"They're coming with considerable force," Shaak Ti added. "So we've prepared an appropriate response."
The tall Kaminoan nodded in understanding, before his eyes caught sight of two distinctive figures among the recent arrivals. Lama Su studied them closely for a moment until his gaze landed on the prominent shield on Captain America's back.
Recognition dawned on his features. "Ah, I understand. You must be the Avengers I've heard so much about." Lama Su regarded Captain America and Spider-Man with respectful interest.
"Steve Rogers," Captain America introduced himself, extending his hand. "This is Peter Parker. Pleasure to meet you."
"The sentiment is mutual. Cooperation always brings favorable outcomes," Lama Su said. "Captain Rogers, I've heard much about your team. But I'm curious why only two of you are present."
"Prime Minister," Aayla Secura interjected, "the Separatists could strike at multiple points throughout Tipoca City. We've distributed our forces between orbit and ground positions to prevent the enemy from exploiting gaps in our defenses."
"I see." Lama Su nodded. "There are other Avengers involved in this defense, then?"
"The entire team has assembled and is ready to meet this challenge," Captain America confirmed.
"Then I thank you for coming to our aid in this time of need," Lama Su expressed with genuine gratitude.
"We owe it to the soldiers," Captain America said warmly, acknowledging the clone captain and commanders present.
The clones stood at attention, and upon hearing Captain America's words, visible pride straightened their spines even further.
Shaak Ti then announced her need to oversee the defensive positions she'd been assigned, solemnly entrusting this sector to Anakin, Aayla, and the recently arrived forces.
"We've got this, Master Ti," Aayla assured her confidently.
Master Shaak Ti nodded with a faint smile, her composure suggesting complete faith in their abilities, then turned and departed.
"Ladies and gentlemen, if you would follow me, please," Prime Minister Lama Su spoke, gesturing gracefully toward the entrance of the domed structure. "I'll show you to the command center."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Writing takes time, coffee, and a lot of love.If you'd like to support my work, join me at [email protected]/GoldenGaruda
You'll get early access to over 50 chapters, selection on new series, and the satisfaction of knowing your support directly fuels more stories.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~