Chapter 12
The Battle Begins
Maverick watched the shuttle descend to the planet's surface. It disappeared behind a line of trees.
"Just one shuttle. Must be just a scouting party." Berk said.
"Scouts can still be dangerous. Besides, they've probably already noticed the villages, and they'll be moving towards them." Maverick replied.
"Right, lets take em out." Bets said.
"Might as well, the entire landing party will be landing either way." Maverick said shrugging.
The group of clones put away their macrobinoculars and moved from their position, walking up to the position the shuttle had landed. When they reached the shuttle, they noticed that there was a group of six figures in white armor and one in a grey officer's uniform. Jax pulled out his sniper rifle, aiming for the head of his first target.
"Got 'em lined up, Commander. Just say the word." Jax said.
"When you're ready, Jax." Maverick said.
Jax pulled the trigger, and Maverick saw one of the white-armored heads jerk to the side, then the body fell. The others in the group looked around, before determining the location the shot had come from. Maverick and his men ducked down as a hail of red blasterfire came at them. The clones returned fire from a prone position, killing three more of the armored figures, the rest took cover behind whatever they could.
"Hold fire!" Maverick said to the men on either side of him.
They all did as ordered. Their opponents ceased firing a short time after the clones did, and then they began to stand up, most likely thinking they had defeated their attackers.. Maverick got up on one knee, leveled his rifle to the chest-level of his targets and began spraying the area with blaster fire. All four of the remaining members of the scout group fell dead, each littered with several black burn marks.
"It won't take them long to realize that their scouts are missing." Berk said plainly.
"No, it won't." Maverick said, more to himself than to the others.
"We should get back, and tell the ponies to get ready." Vek said.
"Right, let's go." Maverick said, getting up and leading the way back to Ponyville.
***
The briefing went smoothly, and everypony was now either erecting barricades, digging trenches, or locating positions for sniper nests. Twilight was walking around, inspecting the progress the ponies were making, and occasionally giving out her 'two bits' of advice. She walked over to Fluttershy, who, along with the help of the fillies and colts, was setting up medical tents.
"How is everything coming along, Fluttershy?" Twilight asked.
Fluttershy was too busy putting away her medical supplies to turn around, "Oh, it's going very well Twilight. Even better, since all of the little ones are helping out." she said.
"Good, but are you sure about this, the ponies that are brought in here won't be suffering from the same injuries that you're used to working on with your animal friends." Twilight said, with concern.
Fluttershy took in a slow breath, "I know, Twilight, and that's why I need to do this. If I don't do this, I'll be failing myself as well as everypony else." she said, as she turned to look her unicorn friend straight in the eyes.
The look on Fluttershy's face was that of determination.
"Alright Fluttershy, I understand." Twilight said.
"I'll be fine, if I need help, I'll call for Nurse Redheart." Fluttershy said.
Twilight smiled a little, "Alright, try to keep in touch." Twilight said, giving Fluttershy a wrist commlink.
"Right." Fluttershy said, nodding.
***
"Sir." the Lieutenant on the bridge said, taking Kerner's attention off of the blue and green planet in front of him.
"Yes, Lieutenant?" Kerner asked, turning around.
"Sir, our scouts have not reported in yet, and they are 1 hour past due." The Lieutenant said.
Kerner's brow furrowed, "Have you tried contacting them yourself?" he asked.
"Yes sir, there has been no response on either their shuttle's comm or their personal comm." the Lieutenant said.
"What was their last report?" Kerner asked.
The Lieutenant handed the Captain a datapad.
Kerner read the report and grimaced, "So, the planet is inhabited, and it appears the inhabitants can fight back." he said.
"Shall we prepare for ground assault?" The Lieutenant asked.
"Leave that to me." Kerner said, as a smile began to form on his face.
Kerner walked over to the control console of the bridge, and activated it, causing the intercom to give off a low tone to call all occupants on the Marauder to attention, "This is Captain Kerner, all hand to your battle stations, prepare for ground assault. All Stormtroopers, and mechanized units to your designated landing craft." he repeated the message once more before thumbing the console switch off.
***
"Commander, three more drop ships have launched from the Star Destroyer!" Sparky called out, from his station at the radar console.
"Sound the alarm, and get to your battle station." Maverick said.
"Yes, sir." Sparky said, activating the alarm.
Maverick walked outside where he saw ponies running running to the the trenches and barricades, just like they'd practiced, weapons in tow.
Twilight came running up to Maverick, "Maverick, you need to contact Kal!" she said, forgetting about all formalities of rank.
"I know, I was just about to, and during a battle situation, you are to refer to me as Commander, not by my name, understood?" Maverick said.
"Yes, Commander. Sorry, sir." Twilight said apologetically.
"It's fine, now get to your post." Maverick said.
Twilight saluted before running to her post.
Maverick activated the communicator on his wrist and raised it to his mouth, "General, we have incoming enemy dropships on their way."