Chapter 42 - Battle of Christophsis Part II

(I need some feedback. What should I have our MC do? If you remember the clone wars movie, you should know what is coming up. After the Battle of Christophsis, Anakin and Ahsoka go to rescue Jabba's son from Ventress. Should I introduce Tyler to Jabba or should I have him ȧssist in the rescue? Although the Jabba thing might be a bit more boring, I will probably have a really interesting storyline down the road since Tyler would be cutting some sort of deal with the Hutt Clan. Let me know!)

(New question for the readers! THAT MEANS YOU! What is your favorite musical artist and why? Mine is Frank Sinatra. The timbre of his voice is just so euphoric and hits me some type of way. I also love jazz so I am super into the instrumentals of his songs. In other news, I got some cameos for y'all coming up. Should be an interesting storyline and I might do a soundtrack for the chapter. Anyways, enjoy!)

Obi Wan screamed to their group as a juggernaut was destroyed. "AMBUSH!"

Several dwarf spider droids and a few massive octuptarra magna tri-droids climbed over onto the sides of the buildings that overlooked the GAR troops. Meanwhile, droids began pouring off of the side streets and surrounded the group.

Tyler quickly gathered his thoughts. As the commanding officer for this operation, he had to take charge. "ALL HEAVY WEAPONS, FOCUS YOUR FIRE ON SECTOR 010! EVERYONE ELSE FORM A DEFENSIVE PERIMETER AND FOCUS THE DROIDS!"

All the clones and players in their formation quickly created a perimeter. The portion of the conscripted players that were protectors quickly deployed their energy shields and portable hardware on the ground.

It might sound interesting that there are players participating in these operations. However, it was quite normal at this point. The admin system constantly took feedback right from the players based on what is happening in the galaxy. It had seen how much everyone had enjoyed participating in the major events so it made sure to choose groups of players from each side to be ȧssigned to these quests.

Like Tyler, other players also gained military ranks within the GAR and CIS forces. For example, Overlord from Space Force is an Admiral in the GAR Navy. Guild leaders of other major guilds have the rank of commander and so do all players that have achieved the rank of Jedi Knight. Since Tyler is the only Jedi Master, he is the only one that would have gotten the rank of General by default. However, his rank is above that, being General of the Army. He is the third highest rank in the GAR after Supreme Chancellor and then Senator.

Tyler is just a freak of nature and built differently so this is all within expectations.

As soon as the perimeter was set, the heavy weapons had already begun firing. Gunners and clones with launchers began targeting the dwarf spider droids while the heavy cannons on the walkers and the remaining juggernaut targeted the magnas.

They quickly disposed of the heavy artillery above them but there were just too many droids.

Commander Cody ran over to Tyler. "General, there are too many of them. We won't be able to hold this position for long."

Tyler sighed. "Indeed. This General Whorm is quite cunning. Let's cut our losses and retreat. Give me a squad of the most elite troops we have along with Commander Skywalker. We will give you guys an opening."

Cody shook his head. "But, sir…"

Tyler cut him off. "That's an order, commander."

Cody nodded. "Yes, sir." He quickly ran off and began shouting orders.

Soon after, Anakin walked over. "What did you need me for, master?"

Tyler smirked as he deflected a blaster bolt back towards a droid. "We are gonna have some fun. You down?"

Anakin grinned. "You should already know the answer to that question."

Kai looked over to Tyler. "Master, can I come too?"

Tyler shook his head. "I need you to ȧssist Obi Wan. In case something happens, we need more than just one commanding officer. You are a commander now, afterall. Obi Wan isn't coming because he would never approve of what we'll be doing."

Kai sighed and jumped towards Obi Wan. He enjoyed few things as much as participating in his master's shenanigans.

As he was hopping away, the group began their retreat. Most of the fire was focused on the forces that were blocking their retreat.

Captain Rex rushed over to Tyler with several clones and players behind him. He nodded to Anakin. "Commander."

Anakin smiled and nodded. "Rex, good to see you."

Rex then turned to Tyler. "General, I've gathered the most elite troops we have. Allow me to introduce you to Torrent Company from the 501st legion."

Tyler smiled. "Troopers, designations please."

All the troopers stood at attention. "Sergeant Coric." "Sergeant Hez." "Sergeant Mik." "CT-8256, Hans." "CT-7286, Lars."

Tyler nodded. "Pleasure to work with you boys." Then he turned to the players. They all looked like they were starstruck. "Gentlemen."

The players stood at attention. "Yes, sir." They still visibly struggled to keep a straight face. They were in front of the unofficial number one player in the galaxy.

Tyler sighed. "Come on, get your shit together boys. Perform well on this and I'm sure you can get some extra rewards."

Unbeknownst to him, a quest popped up on each of these players' HUD's. The idea of the quest was essentially to impress General Draco. If they succeeded, they'd make a shit ton of credits, gain reputation with the GAR, and earn a promotion quest for the GAR. All of the players' eyes lit up like they were staring at a gold mine.

Since he was a high ranking official, even the smallest words he speaks could have drastic consequences for other players. He could unintentionally distribute quests and change the fate of others quite easily.

Tyler looked annoyed. "Off to a great start boys. How about you introduce yourselves? Name, class, and guild please."

The players stood at attention. "Woodford, protector, and elder of Alcoholics Anonymous." "Macallan, brawler, and Vice Guild Leader of Alcoholics Anonymous." "Najja, ȧssassin, and core member of Wakanda." "Blastoise, brawler, and elder of Nazjatar." "Eclipse, Assassin, core member of Limitless." "Shevchenko, gunner, member of Tri Paloski."

Tyler raised his eye at that last one especially. "So, a normal member of a guild is considered an elite?"

Shevchenko nodded and replied in his russian accent. "Yes, sir. I just retire from military service. I was commando. I only come to galaxy last year."

Tyler nearly choked. "You are a trained commando with a body count and you are only a normal member?"

Shevchenko nodded. "Accolades best earned by skill, not by reputation."

Tyler laughed. "We might have to have a good talk after this mission. Anyways, Woodford, you will stand behind me and provide cover to the other men. Anakin, you're with me. Najja and Eclipse, you remain in the shadows and scout ahead of us. Report back everything no matter how small. Everyone else, diamond up and watch the outsides. Be ready for anything. Let's move out!"

While they were moving within the larger group, he glanced at Eclipse's status.

Eclipse, 25 years, Assassin

Level 73

(Okay, I've been super inconsistent with this so I'm gonna fix it. ALL players will not have asterisks bordering their status. NPCs will have the asterisks. This is final. If I forget, pls roast me.)

As the larger group was retreating, the elite squad split off into a building off to the side. It wasn't just any building, it was the tallest building in the area so they could get a good view of what they were getting into. It wasn't that tall, only being 35 floors but

As they were sneaking through the first floor of the building, Tyler closed his fist and raised it just above his shoulder. The entire group halted immediately. He glanced around the corner and noticed two players leaning against the walls on opposite sides of the hall next to the door they needed to get through.

Tyler pointed to Shevchenko and Lars, the clone. They both had the DMR equivalent of blasters so they would take care of the two players. Lars stood up while Shevchenko crouched down so they could both peek around the corner with only their rifles and the corner of their head visible.

Since the clone outranked the gunner, he counted off by whispering through comms. "On three… one… two… three!"

The both fired and hit headshots on the two players. With that, the dropped dead and an item flew out from the both of them.

Tyler smirked. "Shevchenko, those are yours."

The russian nodded. "Thank you, sir." He rushed over and put the two items in his inventory.

The other players didn't even bat an eye. Despite the fact that most of the valuable items are bound, unbound items still hold some value and every credit matters to the average player. However, they did not object as the rewards for their bonus quest outweighed almost any item they could pick up.

After a few minutes, Najja reported it. "General, the stairs are clear up to floor 20. There are two other players guarding the doors to the stairs on that floor. Requesting permission to engage."

Tyler smiled. "You are cleared to engage any hostiles that you determine you can handle. Eliminate them with extreme discretion."

Najja replied. "Yes, sir."

Tyler then turned to the rest of the group. "Let's move." They slowly climbed the stairs. It was not that they didn't trust the determinations of the two ȧssassins. In fact, it was because many unexpected things could happen in the field.

Fortunately, nothing happened as they climbed all the way to the roof which was on top of the 35th floor. Once they reached the roof access hatch, they found the two ȧssassins.

Tyler looked at them. "What's the hold up?"

Eclipse sighed. "There are 8 bogeys on the roof. It was too much for us to handle so we waited for you, sir."

Tyler shook his head. "This was never supposed to be easy. Well done, both of you. I have a few questions though. Is the door locked?"

Eclipse shook his head. "No. That is how we determined the number of enemies on the roof."

Tyler smiled. "By any chance, is it windy outside?"

Najja checked her wrist console before nodding. "Yes, sir. There is a thunderstorm picking up."

Tyler grinned. "Perfect. Anakin and I will handle this. Everyone else, pull back one flight of stairs. Anakin, come here."

Anakin walked over. "What are we going to do?"

Tyler smirked. "Here's what we are going to do…"

-GE-

A robotic voice sounded over comms as a tactical droid's hologram popped up. "Captain Marth, report your status."

Marth stood at attention as he looked at the hologram.. "Commander, there has been no activity in this sector since the republic troops retreated."

The droid replied. "As I calculated. Report any anomalies."

Marth nodded. "Yes, sir." The hologram disappeared so he went back to solitaire on his data pad.

Suddenly, he heard the roof door slam open. He quickly turned around but saw nothing other than the door open. He then yelled in frustration. "Damn storm. Someone go check on that."

One of the players started walking over. "Wilco."

After about a minute, he had yet to hear a reply so he turned around angrily. "What the fuċk are you…"

As he turned, a blue lightsaber ignited and stopped right before his neck. "Not a word."

Looking past the lightsaber, he saw the bodies of his comrades laid on the ground. They were all dead.

An unfamiliar figure walked over behind the Jedi. "Tell us what we want to know and I won't put a bounty on your head."

The voice sparked his memory and he shuddered in fear. Standing before him was the one player that there was a run on sight order issued for across all of the CIS. It was the infamous, the one, the only, Lord Draco.

-GE-

Tyler tapped Anakin's shoulder. "Let me handle this."

Anakin nodded and deactivated his lightsaber before sheathing it. "Yes, master."

Marth nearly fainted from the pressure of that. The chosen one, soon to be Darth Vader, calling this player master was nearly too much for him.

As Tyler noticed the player losing consciousness, he relaxedly raised his hand, lifting the player into the air. "Oh no you don't. Marth, is it?"

The CIS captain immediately regained his composure, or what was left of it at least. "Yes."

Tyler smiled. "Will we be doing this the easy way, or the hard way?"

Marth snapped out of his fear. "Keep talking. I ain't tellin' you shit." He then spit on Tyler.

Tyler chuckled before his face turned dead serious. He ignited his lightsaber and cut off the guy's arms. "Now, dipshit. Let's do this the hard way."

Tyler reached out with the force and called on the dark side to break through Marth's memories. It was his first time doing this on a player. This guy was quite weak minded so it would be easy to experiment a bit.

As he reached through Marth's memories, he found that there was an impenetrable wall. Coincidentally, it was right where the memories that were created in game ended and real life began. The only logical conclusion was that this was how the admin system protected the real lives of the players. It must have a database for each player on what memories are created in game and out.

After a few minutes, Tyler lifted the player's body and flung him against the wall next to the door. Within a few seconds, the door opened and the rest of their group filed out.

Rex looked at the mangled body and then back at Anakin.

Anakin shook his head. "Don't look at me, it was all him." Rex then looked at Tyler.

Tyler shrugged. "What? He spit on me. His arms were in exchange for the dry cleaning fee."

Rex shrugged. "Did you at least get the information we need?"

Tyler nodded. "Here's the deal."

The occupation was rock solid. They had a large group of forces ready to move out at any second to repel any enemies. In addition to that, they were holed up in the center of the city. Their forces had a large number of tanks and magna walkers in terms of heavy artillery. Other than that, there were countless droids, a tactical droid, and of course, General Whorm.

After his explanation, he turned to Anakin. "Any suggestions?"

Anakin nodded. "I believe we can set a trap for their forces. We can even take the same approach that they took to trap us. We should move the other transport over to the other one so we can consolidate our forces. After that, we should be able to advance towards the center of the city."

Tyler smiled. "Great analysis. Let's do just that."