Star Wars Battlefront: Dancing Music

Timeline: During Episode 48

            SOM-292 tried to line up his shot on a clone trooper laying waste to multiple battledroids that tried to take the clone position with a chaingun. He lined up the shot… and fired.

            And missed.

            “Curse my processors!” he hissed. His nearby guardian, a droideka, slightly shifted its head in response. “Sir?”

            Of course, the “conversation” was held entirely over their communicators, and in droidspeak. This was meant to be a security feature.

            SOM-292 hated it all the same.

            “I can’t line up a shot!” he hissed again, taking aim at the SAME clone from before. “It’s this… nonsense being broadcast over the wideband.”

            The droideka hummed for a moment. “I suppose it doesn’t bother me.”

            SOM-292 scoffed. “Of course it doesn’t, does your programming even allow you be bothered?”

            “No,” the droideka responded tonelessly, “it does not.”

            The droideka’s shields turned on, and SOM-292 took that as the sign he should duck behind it. Sure enough, a few red-marked clone troopers came barreling around the corner, and the droideka opened up. The clones screamed as the heavy blaster bolts ripped into them, their own blasts helplessly impacting on the shields. When the blasts finally stopped, all the clones were dead, and SOM-292 looked around the droideka as its shields clicked off.

            “Great. Now they know we’re here.”

            “They most likely learned of it due to your missed shots.”

SOM-292 glared at the droideka. The dispassionate tone almost made the barb sting more. “Whatever. I’m not even DESIGNED for sniping. By the maker’s sake, my models are known for having POOR accuracy.” He set back up at the ledge, looking for clones to snipe. “And this stupid music isn’t helping!”

He took a shot, and this time met with success. A clone fell to the ground, a hole seared into his helmet. SOM-292 would have grinned, if he had a mouth. “Now THAT’S more like it.”

“Reports across the field are similar to yours,” the droideka mused suddenly. “I wonder if the clones purposefully began to broadcast this music to distract us, and if so… intruders.”

The droideka’s shields went up again, and SOM-292 went to step back behind it. But this time, all that came around the hallway was a tiny blue orb… with a rapidly flickering light.

“… Damn it,” SOM-292 said before the electromagnetic burst went off, causing him to crumple lifelessly to the ground. The droideka was hardly phased, though it took a moment for his sensors to re-adjust after the magnetic burst.

When they did readjust, he saw a clone standing nearby, holding up a massive chaingun. The droideka couldn’t tell, but the clone smiled behind the helmet.

“Here that chrome dome?” it said, tapping his helmet. “They’re playing our song.”

The droideka began to open fire, and as the clone rolled out of the way, the chaingun warming up. “Let’s dance!” he yelled in maniacal glee as the lasers ripped between the two.

Star Wars Battlefront: Technical Difficulties

UB Report BF-47-MPM

To: Count Dooku

From: Untella Barr

Attachments:

RV-47

Commander Hattana has asked me to respond to your queries about the peculiar case of what, exactly, occurred during the recent attack on Rhen Var. I will do my best to keep things brief.

As you know, one of our primary advantages over the Republic has been our ability to pinpoint enemy movements via sub-orbital drones that can monitor life signs, and communicate with our ground forces. This allows us to triangulate enemy positions and get accurate readings on their movements. Conversely, these same drones hamper enemy communications and scanners, allowing us a clear advantage in the terms of tactical intelligence.

After the last attack at Rhen Var, experiments began on dramatically improving our capabilities in this regard, particularly via a modified Lucrehulk Battleship, similar in nature to the Droid Control Ships used by the Trade Federation. We were hoping to improve our droids’ tactical prowess by giving them all the benefits of a hive mind with none of the side effects.

With the recent Republic attack, however, there were complications.

The Republic managed to land to the west of our terrestrial research center, while the battle in space raged on. The Confederate Navy was quickly able to gain the upper hand, but not without the modified Lucrehulk taking damage. While still operating nominally in regards to controlling the suborbital drones, as well as disrupting Republic gear, the more experimental systems were… more volatile.

Of the various glitches and malfunctions, our AATs, and the droids slaved to operate and monitor them, began acting oddly. Most of AATs wouldn’t operate, and the pilot droids acted strangely: they would go from being strangely aggressive, to completely stationary, to erratically firing their grenade launchers. The explanation is that old corrupted B1 Battledroid code was broadcast and the pilot droids, being the most similar to the B1s, received conflicting programming.

On the positive side, however, the fighter tanks and AT-TEs of the Clones also showed signs of malfunction, limiting them strictly to ground forces. Despite securing their landing zone early on, the clones were able to push up to right outside our research center where a long stand-off took place until we were able to correct the programming errors and dispatch Magnaguards and Droidekas to eliminate them.

While the attack was merely a defensive victory, I must stress the importance of our find with this new aspect of disruption technology. If we can harness it properly, we may be able to even damage Republic vehicles from orbit. That said, as it stands, even a small number of these modified Lucrehulks could, with proper escort, become an incredibly effective blockade.

Commander Hattana has granted me the authority to dispatch these Lucrehulks as I see fit. With your permission, I wish to test a blockade against the jungle planet of Yavin IV, as well as dispatch some more droids to secure Bespin’s Cloud City. The resources there would be valuable to our research, both those funneled from us to keep the siege going, as well as those that are present in Cloud City.

Regards,

Lead Researcher Untella Barr

**   ***  ***   **

RE: UB Report BF-47-MPM

To: Untella Barr

From: Count Dooku

Dear Lead Researcher,

            Your report is most interesting, and though I was somewhat upset that we were forced into such a corner, I am pleased to hear that we’ve managed a boon of knowledge and experience from the encounter.

            I support your plans whole-heartedly. Any edge we can get on the Republic can only help our cause, and I tire of seeing the Republic bring technological prowess to bear when we have the support of several large corporations. I will see what I can do about getting more Lucrehulks transferred to your command. Keep in mind, however, that the will of the Separatist Council trumps my own: should they wish to attack elsewhere, your forces will be diverted without question.

            Likewise, as a personal favor, do pass along a message for me to Commander Hattana. Tell him he can stay on Tatooine a bit longer, and to let you handle the more complicated tasks of taking enemy positions.

Sincerely,

            Count Dooku

Star Wars Battlefront: War on Two Fronts

Personal Log of Shand Hattana

Attachments:

TA-45

NA-46

I fear I may not be long for my position, and what happens to me after that, who can tell? But I would like some record to show: this isn’t my fault. Watching the attached holograms, repeatedly, has convinced me of this.

Unable to break into the holdout at Cloud City on Bespin, I was given two sets of orders. One, from Count Dooku, was to take hold of the Outer Rim world of Tatooine, though he insisted I do this ‘as quietly as possible.’ For what reasons I don’t know, but I made sure detach a brigade with aerial support, and landed them in the relatively isolated Dune Sea. Unfortunately our presence there was detected by the Republic, and they came at us. We were able to hold our position and defeat the garrison of clones, but at a relatively high expenditure, given our few gains.

Simultaneously, I was given orders by the Separatist Council. Nute Gunray, in particular, was very supportive of these orders: an all-out attack on the planet of Naboo. The Trade Federation had failed to force our agenda on Naboo so many years ago, and Gunray was out for blood. Unfortunately, with our own forces split between Bespin and Naboo, and having recently been depleted by the action on Tatooine, we were forced to rush in droids from a variety of smaller battlefronts before we had sufficient forces to even attempt a landing. These actions did not go unnoticed by the Galactic Republic, and they sent a massive number of Clones, armed with the latest intel, weaponry, and training, to force back our assault.

The losses were, frankly, catastrophic, and our fleet was in disarray, unable to fight off the Republic counter-assault. We were forced to retreat with our tails between our legs, while the Republic forces are, if nothing else, relatively centralized and focused. Wherever they decide to swing that blade, it will fall upon my neck as well. Our scientists have been hard at work developing further counter-measures against the Clone forces… and I can only hope that’s enough.

Now I have to tell Count Dooku, Nute Gunray, and the rest of the Council of our actions at Naboo… and should even one find me disposable, this will most likely be last testament to that effect. If I'm fortunate, I mean that only in the professional sense.

Star Wars Battlefront: Treacherous Tactics

SH Report BF-44-MPM

To: Count Dooku

From: Shand Hattana

Attachments:

BE-44

Count Dooku, I am pleased to tell you that we have secured a number of Bespin refinery platforms and isolated the majority of the Clone Troopers to Cloud City. While we are still taking out isolated pockets of Republic loyalists throughout areas of our control, the Republic threat is negligible. We have also apprehended the saboteurs; it appears to be a group of Duros who have been posing as Trade Federation Engineers. We are working on extracting their secrets.

We did have difficulty getting our own fighters down to the planet, with Republic defensive emplacements damaging them during atmospheric descent. Our engineering droids were able to make last-minute repairs, but at first the battle went somewhat poorly; our initial thrust into the largest of the platforms progressed well, but clone gunships were able to move behind our lines and seize platforms behind us.

Luckily, we were able to slice into some Republic protocols during their retreat from Rhen Var, and some of our droid pilots were able break the security locks on a squadron of V-Wings found at a botched Republic landing zone. While our droid pilots could easily identify these vehicles as compatriots, the Clone pilots were confused by their own ships being used against them, and we soon found the battle turned in our favor.

Bespin is not under our complete control yet, but it would take an outside assault by Republic forces, or significant luck on the part of the Cloud City Holdouts, to remove our grasp. I await the orders of yourself or the council on how to proceed further!

Star Wars Battlefront: Opening Salvos

SH Report BF-43-MPM

To: Count Dooku

From: Shand Hattana

Attachments:

KS-42

RV-43

Forgive my impertinence Count Dooku! My reports were delayed due to unforeseen factors, but I am pleased to report a strategic victory for our forces.

As I am sure you have heard, our renewed offensive against the forces of the corrupt Republic were stalled outside during our initial landing of Kashyyyk. We refrained from orbital bombardment in hopes of catching the local garrison off-guard, but our intelligence neglected to inform us that an additional Clone division was in-system, and managed to get past our blockade. Coupled with the surprisingly resilient native militia, our droids proved quickly outnumbered. I have attached the video surveillance of specialized droids for your reference, and will continue to do so.

Though we were able to withdraw with much of our fleet, we found ourselves pursued back to our forward operating base at Rhen Var. Our planetary defenses held for the most part, but I would be remiss in not informing of you a Republic Division that forced a landing in a relatively open area. They were backed with Fighter Tanks and several AT-TEs, and poised to take a heavily defended position. Had they done so, we would have lost access to our planetary defenses and they may have been able to overrun our base at Rhen Var. We believe Republic agents, possibly Jedi, were able to infiltrate our base before hand, as many of our AATs were found damaged and malfunctioning.

Despite this disadvantage, however, our forces were able to repel the clones and overrun their position. In particular, may I note I made the decision to deploy droidekas to the ice tunnels; this created a bottleneck that killed many clones, and a push that put us within firing range of the main Republic forward base! With the fall of their landfall, the Republic fleet dispersed in several direction, and I am awaiting orders from you or the council to see which of them I should pursue. To the death of the Republic!

**   ***  ***   **

RE: SH Report BF-43-MPM

To: Shand Hattana

From: Count Dooku

Dear Commander,

            It is my understanding that you are a personal friend of Viceroy Nute Gunray. For the sake of your continued friendship with him, I suggest you make your actions in the field, as well as your reports on those actions, more tolerable with me. I am a patient, understanding man, but I am no fool.

            Victory implies gains. At best, we are now at the same point we were before the attack on Kashyyyk, except now we have many more droids to rebuild. Although I will admit the Republic also has to recoup their losses, and the loss of several AT-TEs far outweighs our own, it is hardly a victory.

            That said, I will offer advice for how to proceed.

            First, should a second attempt be made to assault Kashyyyk, I would recommend establishing air superiority early on in the fight. Without support from their gunships, the clones would be far less useful against our battledroids.

            In regards to Rhen Var, I have watched the recordings, and notice how you failed to mention in your report that, while a majority of our forces were pushing to take a useless hole in the ice, a Republic assault force was pushing into our headquarters. I was impressed with the speed the MagnaGuards deployed to your position were able to secure our bases with once more, and will work on authorizing their further use; they will be expensive to replace, but I feel their skill at close-quarters combat and mobility will be the downfall of the clone armies, especially given the lack of Jedi being deployed so far.

The Separatist Council is busy with their own affairs on the multiple fronts provided by the Republic’s forces, so you will fall under my command for the time being. That said, all of these reports will also be screened by they; I act FOR the council, not opposed to them. Your next target is Bespin. A damaged Republic carrier group is seeking repair there, having been damaged above Rhen Var, and lacks capital ship escort. We also believe this group to be harboring the agents that infiltrated our ranks and sabotaged our vehicles. A decisive strike at the refining platforms will not only deprive the Republic of resources, but also take out a fair amount of their fighter fleet, and force them to fight in the city. Under such circumstances, they would be ultimately helpless.

            I am not asking for lies Commander, but should you again report victory when there is none, regardless of your station with the Viceroy, I WILL see you removed from command. Perhaps the Trade Federation prefers fabulous propaganda within their own reports, but the Confederacy of Independent Systems is fighting corruption; we shall not fall prey to it here. See to it the corruption of Bespin is wiped out.

Sincerely,

            Count Dooku