Oblivious to all the conflict that was brewing in the landing zone, Roy and the rest of the clones advanced at a brisk pace through the intricate caves of the mountain system. Getting closer to your goal. Getting closer to the enemies.

The Genocian patrols were not able to detect the infiltrators, using both cover and shadows to go unnoticed. Every step they took took them deeper into a path of no return. Each pass closed their chance of escape. But none of them were going to back down. Not that days. His brothers depended on it.

Nine: - We should be close by now. -

Roy: - A few more meters and we should reach the objective. Are the loads ready? -

Clone: ​​- Yes, sir. There will be no possible way for a wall to withstand so much power. -

Roy: - Very good. Once we enter we will be exposed. Take advantage of the confusion and look for cover. Cover each other's backs... I forbid you to die today... Understood? -

Clones: - Yes, sir. -

However, everyone knew that those would be difficult orders to follow. But they would not be cowed. Not now that they were so close. The charges were placed. The timer was already running. The clones and the Padawan waited nervously behind the rocks to cover themselves from the explosion. The moment had arrived.

KABOOM

The explosion shook much of the facility, alerting both enemies and allies. Roy's group entered the facility from the north side, through the colossal hole that one of the walls now had.

Roy in front, brandishing his two lightsabers with particular fierceness. Destroying every droid and blinding the life of every Genocian who was too close.

Behind him, Nine and the rest of the clones followed him without hesitation. Unloading all his ammunition against any target that crossed his sights.

This surprise attack was a hard blow for the Genosian forces, since the least they expected was an incursion from the rear. Every clone present fought with enviable fierceness. Each one like a one-man army.

The blue blasters intersected with the plasma balls and the red blasters. Swords of blue and mauve light danced like a deadly dance between the dust and darkness. Screams of agony echoed through the chambers, as well as the peculiar sound of metal being cut by the brutality of the concentrated beam of light.

CLon: - LIEUTENANT! CAREFUL! -

Roy raised his head, blinded by the constant rain of enemy gunfire and the darkness of the place. A Genocionao launched itself at the Padawan from above. Unable to be seen. Unable to be detected.

Roy didn't even have time to defend himself against the enemy that was charging at him, when the shot of an allied blaster felled the threat while its wielder landed next to him. All without stopping shooting forward.

Clone: ​​- Are you okay, Lieutenant? -

Roy: - I think so. I owe you a sergeant. -

Clone: ​​- I didn't even mention it. -

Roy: - What is your name, soldier? -

Clone: ​​- Clone CT-7368. But they call me Mayday, sir. -

Roy: - Well, I owe you one, Sergeant Mayday. What do you think? Shall we continue moving forward? -

Mayday: - I'm coming after you, Lieutenant. -

And so, taking advantage of the surprise factor, and the fact that the bulk of the Genosian forces were facing Tukk's group and the challenge of the 194th, Roy and the boys managed to enter the tunnel systems that connected to the facilities. But there was still a long way to go to reach their destination.

---------------------------------------------------0------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, another force was as oblivious to the state of the battle as Roy or Commander Tukk himself.

Doss: - CAPTAIN! -

Hammer: - Doss... Where the hell was he?

Doss: - Our shuttle had to land far from the area. What is happening? Where is the commander? -

Hammer: - There is no time for explanations, Lieutenant. We must move east. Tukk is engaging those damn bugs south of our position. We have to get to them as soon as possible. -

Doss: - ¿Y Roy? -

Hammer: - Their shuttle fell into the canyon. We can not do anything. Lieutenant... I need your help on this. -

Doss: - Count on me, captain. -

Hammer: - Very good. TO ALL UNITS! GO FORWARD! -

The order was given. The white quivers who were still able to stand up on their own feet did not hesitate to listen and obey. Thousands of men ready to charge head on. There were no doubts in his eyes. Even though there was fear in his shaky hands. But he wasn't there to hesitate. They were there to do the right thing.

A huge white tide emerged from cover, taking advantage of the decrease in enemy fire, although unaware of the havoc that Tukk's group was causing behind enemy lines. They didn't expect any kind of support. They expected a wave of blasters raining down on their positions, and yet, it seemed that luck smiled on them for the first time on the sands of Geonosis.

Expert in quick and precise blows, Hammer led his men to the front, assisted by Lieutenant Doss and the rest of the officers under his command. His group was the largest, and his force advanced over enemy lines, coming down like hammers on artillery emplacements and machine gun nests. May the sacrifice of the fallen not be in vain.

The white tide flanked the main firing range, using dunes, rocks, or whatever the terrain provided as cover to advance and flank the main Genosian emplacements. Heavy cannons that would have taken them down in a matter of minutes were now unable to target the positions where they were.

Hammer: - DON'T STOP! GO FORWARD! -

Finally, the moment had arrived. The clones reached the foot of the caverns and the entrances to the intricate system of tunnels, which went deep into the earth. The darkness itself was invaded by an army of flashlights and blasters flying over the battlefield in both directions, while shouts, commands, and the roar of gunfire saturated everyone's ears.

Advancing through the passages was torment. Darkness saturated every corner, and the constant flashing light sources saturated the soldiers' optical sensors and eyes. Those who used flashlights were limited to the range of vision they provided. Those who tried to use the inflared visor were cut down as soon as the blasters passed overhead.

Dead ends. Enemy ambushes. Endless droids and Genosians who never gave up. Every soldier's nightmare, and a tragic memory for those who set foot on the sands of Geonosis for the second time.

Clone: ​​- ENEMY AT THREE O'CLOCK! -

A clone shouted as he saw more enemies approaching. A blaster was fired from his weapon, but was reflected back into the wall by the power of a lightsaber.

Pablo: - ALLIED FIRE! -

Hammer: - STOP FIRE! CEASEFIRE! -

Both groups had met inside one of the caves. With all the chaos it was impossible to recognize allies or enemies, and any target that came to the front was a potential enemy. Especially when communications were interrupted even when they were just a few meters away.

The clone who opened fire apologized to the general on more than one occasion, although he understood that it was not entirely his fault. The only thing he could do was thank the force that was the Jedi master who was leading the way, or taking down one of his brothers would have been something he would not be able to overcome.

Hammer: - General, commander. How good to see you. -

Pablo: - I see that things are quite complicated here. -

Hammer: - Moving forward is almost impossible. These insects know very well how to use the terrain to their advantage. -

Tukk: - Those bastards. We should burn everything to ashes. -

Pablo: - Cold mind, commander. - His voice was heard as a call for attention. - We can't risk doing something reckless. We don't know what could be down there. -

Tukk: - If we destroy everything from orbit it would be more effective. This planet would be better off if it were purged. -

The commander's words were quite worrying. His resentment was palpable in his words, and it went unnoticed by no one. Both for his brothers who knew his past, and for those who did not.

Pablo: - Commander, take the rear. Captain, with me in front. We must continue moving forward. -

The clone's fury and frustration did not go unnoticed by the Jedi. Having him in front was very dangerous, and Tukk soon realized the reason for the general's decision. Forgetting that battle was impossible for him... And no one could blame him for that. It was a living being after all.

And not just the past. The present was wreaking havoc on the clone's mind. Thousands of his brothers had died without him being able to do anything but honor their sacrifice so that they would now be in that place. He couldn't let them perish in vain.

Doss: - Commander. The forces are ready to continue. -

The lieutenant mentioned, who stayed by Hammer's orders to support the rearguard. Although the real objective was to try to cheer Tukk up a bit while they followed his people away from the front.

Tukk: - Understood... To all units... Let's go. -

--------------------------------------------O----- --------------------------------

Meanwhile, behind enemy lines:

Nine: - ENEMIES AT TWELVE O'CLOCK! -

Roy: - FIRE AT DISCRETION! LET'S GO GUYS! DON'T STOP MOVING FORWARD! FOLLOW ME! -

The few clones under the Padawan's command were advancing frantically through the interior of the facility. The number of enemies he faced was much smaller, as the bulk of the separatist forces were concentrated to confront the 194th legion from the landing point. So its progress, although much longer, was more progressive.

Mayday: - WE HAVE CROSS SHOTS IN FRONT! -

Nine: - THEY ARE OURS! -

Roy: - DON'T STOP! GIVE THEM COVERING FIRE! -

The small group reached a chamber, where the Genosionians and several dozen B1 and B2 droids were engaging other Republic forces. Due to the darkness and the number of blasters flying over the area it was impossible to see who they were, but any ally at that point was more than welcome.

Roy led his men across the battlefield, taking advantage of the crossfire on the Separatist forces to eliminate the enemies from the rear, who could not hold out long despite their numerical superiority. And when calm took over that sector for a few seconds, both groups met.

Roy: - I am Lieutenant Roy of the 194th legion. Who are you? -

Commando Clone: ​​- Boss Commander of Delta Squadron. -

Boss: - How did you get here? -

Roy: - Our shuttles were shot down to the north. We made our way here through the cave system. -

Boss: - Understood. The rest of the 194th is fighting several sectors to the south within the facility. General Pablo is in command. If they return our way they will join the rest. -

Roy: - Where are you going? -

Boss: - We must get to the command room. Only then can we deactivate communications interference. Meanwhile, our forces will be blind. -

Roy didn't think much about it. The Padawan turned around, and seeing that his men still had the strength to fight, he made a decision.

Roy: - Very good commander. Let's go with you. I trust that my boys can continue under the general's command. -

Sev: - Are you sure? It's not going to be a pleasant experience. -

Mayday: - It won't be worse than what we went through to get here. We can do it. -

Boss: - Very good. Let's not waste time. Let's go. -