Chapter 252 - Second Battle Of Geonosis

"The chancellor, join us will. Very interested in this battle, he is."

General Yoda pressed a button on the hologram table, and an image of Chancellor Palpatine appeared. The Jedis greeted him, while the clones saluted. Once again, Dageer shivered, as his instincts warned him of something, he just didn't know what. To his surprise, he found that Boss had a very similar reaction. He would need to find the clone commando and talk to him. Something was definitely wrong.

"Thank you, my friends. I didn't want to disturb you, but this invasion will be of extreme importance to the Republic. Master Yoda, please do continue."

"Uhmm... Master Kenobi, explain our plan, now will."

"Yes, Master Yoda."

The Jedi put a datapad above the hologram table, and transmitted the information on it. Soon, several stone buildings, characteristic of Geonosis were showed, all surrounded by a red shield.

"Our sh.i.p.s are in position, and we are ready to begin our campaign against the Geonosians."

"And what about Poggle? Any report on his location?"

General Windu interrupted General Kenobi. Poggle the Lesser was the main leader of the Geonosis, and one of the most important Separatist commanders. The factories of droids under his command were responsible for over sixty percent of the droid army.

"It seems he is held up at the primary droid foundry, here."

General Kenobi put his finger on one of the buildings, exactly on the center of the massive shield that was shown in the hologram.

"The factory is protected by a shield generator. Anakin, Ki-Adi, and I shall attempt a three-pronged attack through their defenses lines, to a staging area just short of the shield."

Three green lines, in different angles, appeared on the hologram, all going to the shield generator's location, in the outer area of the shield - not out of it, just near the border. It would be heavily defended by hundreds of thousands of droids, there was no doubt.

Dageer heard a trooper sighing, and muttering 'this is gonna be fun' under his breath. He had to agree. It certainly wouldn't be easy.

"Once we have landed, we shall knock out the shield generator. That, is our primary target."

Up till now, the plan was simple. Most invading forces, when faced with a shield, would do the same. The tricky part would be landing. This wasn't like the first invasion, when the seppies didn't even know that the Republic had an army. This time, they would be prepared.

"Isn't it risky, committing three generals to one area of the attack? If something goes wrong, we could be dealt a serious blow."

Surprisingly, the next one to talk was Chancellor Palpatine. He seemed genuinely concerned, which was uncommon for politicians like him.

"To ensure that rises again, Geonosis does not, capture Poggle we must."

The chancellor looked at General Yoda, and smiled.

"Of course. As always, I shall leave the strategy to you, Master Jedi."

"Our thanks, chancellor."

Politely as always, General Kenobi acknowledged Chancellor Palpatine's words, before nodding General Yoda and General Windu. As the three holograms disappeared, Dageer heard General Windu speaking.

"May the Force be with you."

The hologram table turned off, leaving only General Kenobi, General Skywalker, General Mundi, General Unduli, Ragout, and the two padawans, as the Jedis who would lead the attack.

Under his helmet, Dageer was looking at General Skywalker, and frowning. Before the holograms disappeared, the commander was sure Chancellor Palpatine had glared at him and Boss for quite a long while, but most of the time, he was looking carefully at the Jedi. Dageer couldn't help but wonder why.

Still, it wasn't his business. He turned to General Kenobi, waiting for the details of the plan.

"Good. Cody, these are the coordinates for the rendezvous."

The 212th commander stepped forward, and pulled up another hologram, this time of the landing zone.

"Yes, sir. When we hit the ground, we will create a perimeter there. Getting past their defenses here, will be the trick."

Dageer glanced at the line that Commander Cody had drawn into the map. As the clone went on, he grinned, he already knew what Hell Squad's assignment would be.

"Generals, our gunsh.i.p.s will never be able to get past this point if those artillery barrages are working."

"Jet is right. However, I believe that is young Ragout's job?"

General Mundi agreed with his commander, then looked at Ragout. The Togruta was already nodding, and pointed at the anti-aircraft turrets.

"Don't worry, masters. We will take care of this. The seppies split their artillery into two different blocks, north and south. I will take Hell Squad to the south one, while Boss and Delta Squad take care of the other."

Most of the Jedis nodded, while the two padawans, Ahsoka and Bariss, exchanged glances, somewhat confused. Finally, General Skywalker's apprentice wasn't able to contain herself anymore.

"Master Ragout, are you sure just you is enough? I could go help, and also bring some troopers..."

"I appreciate it, Ahsoka, but we can handle it."

"Although she wasn't supposed to speak, my padawan's concerns are accurate, Ragout. Are you sure you won't need help?"

General Skywalker put emphasis on the word 'padawan', glaring angrily at his apprentice, before turning to Ragout. He, however, just smiled.

"We will be at the landing point long before you all, Master Skywalker. Right, Dageer, Boss?"

"Yes, sir. General Ragout is right, General Skywalker. This is our job."

Dageer nodded, agreeing with Boss. That was exactly the type of mission that special units excelled in.

"Still, we will only be able to take out their main artillery. The Laats will face a lot of opposition to land, but we will do our best to reduce it as much as possible."

The Jedis exchanged glances, and, while the two padawans still seemed unconvinced, they didn't say anything else. General Mundi and General Kenobi had already seen both squads in action. They knew they weren't just special units. They were the best even amongst those on top.

"Look at that giant wall with all the gun emplacements. That won't be easy to get past."

With the anti-aircraft turrets situation set, the group soon turned to the other obstacles in their path. This battle wouldn't be an easy one. Everything, from landing, to advancing, taking out the shield, and finally capturing or killing Poggle, would require a price in clone blood.

"Don't worry. We aren't going anywhere near that."

"Ohh? What happened to all the enthusiasm I saw earlier?"

"Don't worry about us. You just make sure you get to that landing zone in one piece."

"Yes... I shall be waiting for you when you finally arrive."

Ahsoka, General Kenobi, and General Skywalker soon started joking around, which prompted General Unduli, General Mundi, Commander Cody, and Captain rex to shake their heads. It was clear this was quite the common occurrence.

"Gentlemen, if you are quite finished, we have a battle to begin."

"You are right, Luminara. Everyone knows your role?"

Several people nodded. Commander Cody, Commander Jet, and Captain Rex left to prepare the gunsh.i.p.s, while General Unduli, Bariss, and Commander Gree went to their own cruiser.

"Hell Squad, Delta Squad, in the lower hangar in five. We need to get going soon."

"Yes, General Ragout. I will meet you there. I just need a minute with Boss."

Ragout glanced at Dageer before nodding. He sensed there was something wrong with the commander, but if he wouldn't tell him, then Ragout wouldn't ask.