Battle of Umbara (Part 2)
Master Pong Krell's plan, put kindly, was to send out an advance party. Put bluntly, it was to forcibly drop a unit into the field without any support whatsoever, then use their lives to create an opportunity for the troops landing afterward.
Anakin Skywalker looked over the list of companies in the 501st Legion displayed in the hologram. He raised his hand, but his finger hesitated.
"General Skywalker, no matter what orders you give, we will carry them out without hesitation! It is our duty!" said a Clone Commander beside him resolutely.
Anakin Skywalker nodded. His finger passed over Rex's Torrent company without stopping, then skipped past Torrent company and casually selected two other companies, issuing the deployment order.
The combat orders were delivered at once. On the Acclamator-class assault ship they were aboard, as well as another one, a company of Clone Troopers on each ship rose without hesitation, put on their full-cover helmets, checked their weapons—which had long been in optimal condition—once more, then ran to the Hangar Platform and boarded their respective LAAT/I assault transports!
Then the Hangar Platform doors opened. In that instant, the previously quiet platform was filled with the roar of furious winds, mixed with dense gunfire and explosions!
Blaster bolts, lasers, and plasma weapon fire flashed constantly amid the dark clouds overhead. Every flash signified a powerful attack!
At that moment, the lights on the hatch turned green, and the LAAT/I assault transports lifted off, flying directly out of the Hangar Platform!
Almost at the same time, one LAAT/I transport that had just flown out of the platform was struck by an ion cannon blast!
Boom!! The transport's right wing was blown apart, and thick smoke instantly billowed out. The craft immediately lost control, spiraling rapidly downward.
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