Fan-fic: Part 1 news - 501st Legion: Vader's Fist

Coruscant, Galactic
Core. 19 BBY, Tylris neighberhood

Republica Apartments,
opposite Tylris Financial Bank

"So anyway, it's broad daylight, and they thought
they'd rob a speeder opposite the main
CSF station? I tell you Jaz, this war's making everyone stupid." Jaz
grinned under his visor. "You don't say?" A young, handsome blonde
man, Jaz had been born and raised on Corellia, before moving to Coruscant in
search of work as a freighter pilot. A couple of nasty run-ins with the local
Coruscanti gangs had killed that dream stone dead, and he had signed up with
CSF a few weeks later. A rising star within the ranks, Jaz was popular with
both CSF and the local community, rapidly being promoted to Sergeant. Fit, lean
and with a sense of humour to match, he had made friends swiftly. One of his
closest friends by far however, was Tish, the tall, green skinned Rodian
sitting next to him. As much as his partner tended to exaggerate, he did have a
point. Every day this war dragged on, it seemed that the criminal element on
Coruscant was becoming even more brash & foolish than usual. Shite, he
would have been off duty a few hours ago, except the chief had everyone pulling
extra shifts due to a terrorist threat on the local bank. Rolling his head, a difficult move in the
full face blast visor he was wearing, Jaz rose and glanced at his partner.
"Hey, I'm gonna go grab some caf, you want anything?" "You can't
be serious!" exclaimed Tish. "We're under orders to maintain this
overwatch position on the bank until relieved!" "I know, I know."
Inwardly, Jaz groaned. Tish was a great partner, hard working, dedicated, a
true copper. However, what also made him a great officer, also made him a pain
in the backside to deal with. He refused to ever bend the rules, and right now,
that meant no caf. Sighing, Jaz slumped back onto the sofa. "You know, if
we're going to be stuck here much longer, you'd have thought the department
might have splurged on a fancier apartment. I mean, this place doesn't even have
access to the Holo-net!" Noticing that Tish was about to begin another one
of his rants, he raised his hands defensively. "Joke! I was only joking.
Come on, not even I would be so slack to watch the Holo-net while on
duty." Tishs' only reply was a noncommittal grunt as turned back to the
window. Jaz moved to take the electrobinoculars from his partner. "Look
kiddo, how 'bout you go catch some sleep? You've been pulling double shifts
ever since that incident at the freight depot." Tish began to protest, spluttering
something about duty and upholding the law, but Jaz raised a hand to cut him
off. "Not now. You can get back to that after you catch some sleep. You're
barely staying awake as it is." It was true. Despite not being able to see
the Rodians face, all the external signs, slumped posture, slow reaction time, and
repeated trips to the 'fresher for cold water, bespoke extreme tiredness.
"Come on, I'll hold down the fort, and I promise not to go out for
caf." When Tish didn't budge, Jaz put a bit more steel into his voice.
"Now, Tish. Don't make me pull
rank." Finally conceding, he stood up and headed for the bedroom. Pulling
a chair up to the window, Jaz leaned back and settled in for what promised to
be a long, boring and utterly uneventful watch.

Coruscant, Galactic
Core. 19 BBY, Senate District

GAR Staging Grounds

To the untrained eye, it looked like utter mayhem. Soldiers
clad in white armour were everywhere, shifting boxes of ammunition, machinery
parts and rations. Five metre tall walkers moved amongst them, while smaller
groundspeeders ferried troops and cargo to waiting gunships. "Come on,
move it people! I wanted that equipment loaded yesterday! At this rate the
Seppies will have taken Kashyyyk before we even arrive! Double time it!" Standing
atop a raised bunker within the midst of the staging area, CC-4086 silenced his
helmets loudspeaker with a quick eye movement, then gave a barely noticeable
nod of approval. Despite his gruff manner, his was impressed with the speed
with which his battalion had reacted to their unexpected deployment for
Kashyyyk. The 303rd Airborne Battalion, a division of the 501st Legion, known
among the troops as the Blackriders, had received orders to reinforce the 41st
Elite on Kashyyyk a mere two days ago. Despite the unexpected deployment
orders, the Battalion had reacted with commendable speed, and would likely be
ready to deploy the within the next few days. Regardless, he couldn't help but
feel an unusual sense of apprehension about the upcoming operation. With a sigh,
the Captain turned away from the organized chaos below, and walked back into
the bunker. "You were saying, Lieutenant?"

CL-8233, identical to the Captain in every way, except for
the million & one minor differences that set him apart like every other so
called 'clone soldier', turned to face his commanding officer. "Sir, if I
may once again draw your attention to
this map..." Turning toward the table that dominated the centre of the room,
Forty observed an aerial map of Kashyyyk, enhanced with images from a Terahertz
penetrating radar, evidently taken from a Probe Droid in low orbit. "Now I realize the quality leaves a lot
to be desired, but the foliage from the Woshyyr trees is making any kind of
orbital reconnaissance nigh impossible. So, from the reports submitted by the
Generals, it would seem as though the Separatists' main Forward Operating Base
is located in this sector," the lieutenant jabbed a finger at a small
island located within the Yaerishuu estuary. "Now, they've managed to set
up a major defensive line running across the east side of the island, making
any sort of forward assault suicide. However,
they've left the western side mostly unguarded, which would allow us the
opportunity to dispatch several-"

"Air assault," Forty said, slapping his armoured
palms down on the table. "Sorry sir? Come again?" The lieutenant
shook his head, perplexed. "Air assault. If we can get our Cruiser close
enough, we should be able to drop out right on top of them, or better yet,
behind 'em. Use the element of surprise. Catch them off guard. If we can do
that, we'll be able to seize their F.O.B., dealing a substantial blow to their
grip on the planet."

"Sir, it's
suicide! The navy is barely holding the airspace above the beach as it is! Any one
cruiser will never get anywhere near that Operating Base!"

"Indeed..." muttered Forty. After a few minutes of
quiet contemplation, he looked up, surprised to see the lieutenant still
standing there. "Dismissed," he barked, a bit more brusquely than
intended. Without waiting for the lieutenants reply, he lowered his head again,
and tried to visualize the situation on Kashyyyk...