992, The Strongest Warrior Race (Part 2)
Eriadu satellite, Crystal Sea front, Galactic Republic positions.
A frontline commander put down his communicator and shouted to the Communications Soldier beside him, "Pass the order to all units! Deploy formations immediately! Artillery units, set up at once and prepare to launch the first wave of attacks against the Separatist forces!"
"Yes!" The Communications Soldier immediately relayed the orders to every combat unit.
The Galactic Republic's UT-AT self-propelled artillery units immediately halted their advance, descended from their hovering state, and secured themselves with stabilizers. The heavy multipurpose howitzers mounted on their backs began loading, entering combat readiness.
UT-AT stood for Unstable Terrain Artillery Transport, a firepower platform developed by the Galactic Republic for use even in difficult terrain. The AT-TE did poorly in this regard, often becoming immobilized by complex terrain.
(PS: Don't bring up the AT-TE climbing vertical cliffs in the animated version. Even if it had that kind of horsepower and traction, no cliff could bear this thing's weight. That was just a children's cartoon plot and shouldn't be taken seriously.)
Once the self-propelled artillery had deployed, the frontline commander continued issuing orders. "TX-130 Saber tanks and HAVw A6 Juggernaut tanks, spread out and outflank them from both wings! All other units, establish defensive positions on the spot!"
"Yes!!"
After a string of orders was issued, the Republic's armored legion formed into a U-shaped formation. The powerful but slow AT-TEs and UT-ATs held the center, while the Turbo Tanks, capable of reaching 160 kilometers per hour and carrying 300 soldiers, transported the elite clone troops in flanking maneuvers to the left and right under the cover of TX-130s.
A perfect tactical arrangement.
A soldier walked over, saluted, and said, "Colonel, the Separatists' Indjori have launched a charge. They're pretty fast, but