Crescent City burned. The fires had raged and tore throughout the night in the slowly-cooling fall climate and the smoke and ash had been carried far and wide across the doomed urban sprawl. Crescent City burned, and its rebellious populace, led by a corrupt city official, were the kindling. The never-ending sounds of battle could be found echoing throughout the shattered streets and walkways of the formerly beautiful city (one said to rival Theed nearly), and bodies were almost as commonplace as the scavengers who now feasted upon them. Councilor Ruben von Sturm was not to be found. He had been an excellent public speaker, especially for Gibad. He should have known better. His entire staff should have known better. Simply because Palpatine was no longer among the living; was now cooking french toast with all the other dead Sith in their little afterlife and not unleashing viral attacks, did not mean they the people could simply up and revolt against their rightful sector governor. It was an outrage! A complete and utter outrage! Who could have forseen that von Sturm's men would have made up a large part of the city garrison? Who could have assumed that so many citizens were willing to lay down their lives simply in the hopes of starting a planetwide revolt? That much of a problem still had time to go, but the sheer amount of weapons and vehicles appropriated by von Sturm's saboteurs, regulars and civilian irregulars was staggering. They had come out of practically nowhere, overrunning the city garrison with ease. They had even appropriated a number of AT-AT and AT-ST walkers which, although their driving skills were lacking, they had used to drive out a majority of the infantry remaining loyal to the sector governor. It was here though, outside Crescent City, a city that had dared to incite revolt, that a stand would be made for the glory of the Empire. It was here that the understrength, under-equipped 708th Armor Regiment (Vanguard) would halt this pointless and all-consuming revolt, if it cost them down to the last man. Lieutenant Colonel Trossus Staph had promised that to Moff Cole, and he was not a man who went back on his word. Word was easily given though, and from where he sat inside the All Terrain Tactical Enforcer (AT-TE) that served as his command post, several miles removed from the city and well outside artillery range, of course, the task seemed far more daunting than it had been when he had arrived from half a planet away with intent to pacify.
The 708th Armor Regiment (Vanguard) was a unit that had never truly seen an upgrade. They utilized Clone War-era technology in their walkers and weapons for the most part, excluding the dismounted infantry battalion attached to them, as was common among all Imperial Army elements. In short, they were outgunned, lacked the terrain advantage and had no foot to stand upon for support. The only hope they had if they could not break the rebel actions was to hold them pinned in the city long enough for Moff Cole's fleet to arrive, whereupon if surrender was not immediately declared, Crescent City would be reduced to ashes from orbit. If the revolt broke out into neighboring cities though, the devastation would be untold.
"Colonel, the advance units are approaching the city edge. Shall I patch you through?"
Ah, the sound of 'Colonel' rang in Staph's ears. Despite his rank, the term of 'Colonel' was used for both those of full rank and those of Lieutenant Colonel rank. If this operation went as planned, the full Colonel might well be within his easy reach. From there, who could say where it would go to next? Geoff Cole was known for being fair and reasonable. A true Imperial if there ever was one.
"Of course. Patch me in."
A moment or so later, the crisp voice of Major Regis Hawthorne came through the headset and into Staph's ears. Like Staph, Hawthorne had also come from a wealthy background. Unlike Staph, Hawthorne had chosen to go what some called the 'true soldier's route' and remain amongst the infantry, while Staph chose the route of armor. They had known each other for some years, largely because the 708th was understrength in vehicular numbers and because Major Hawthorne's battalion, 2nd battalion, 34th infantry (more easily known as 2-34 Battalion (Assault)), had a high rate of expert soldiers, many of whom among the upper tiers were survivors or veterans of battles such as Endor. There was even one man, a Lieutenant, who had been on Dathomir the day Zsinj was killed. He'd later been rescued by a group of smugglers and eventually rejoined what was left of the Imperial Remnant.
"Colonel, so kind of you to check up on us. Tell me, do we have any word on aerial support?"
"It is a good thing you mention that, Major. The Reliant should be on station soon. However, regrettable as it is, we cannot provide coverage within city limits until Moff Cole arrives. Standard procedures and whatnot, but we can scramble some fighters from the airbase to the south. That should keep them off your back for the time."
The Reliant was one of three light corvettes (or Imperial customs corvettes, as they were known in some sectors) that was dedicated to the planetary defense of Gibad, along with three squadrons of TIE fighters and a single squadron of TIE bombers. Luckily, the opposition had little in the way of anti-air defenses, but a direct bombing was out of the question. Cole wanted the city as intact as possible, and old-school Imperial retribution could not solve this issue.
"Understood, Colonel. I'm moving the company into the city proper."
"I have the 3rd Armor Battalion stationed to cover your entry and follow you in. Best of luck."
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Orders came down from the headquarters of the battalion, down to Alpha company, which would lead the battalion through the city gates and into the city itself. Alpha and Bravo companies were heavy weapons, with Charlie and Delta being line companies. The former pair would act as the spearhead with the latter covering flanks.
The 3rd Armor Battalion much like all of the units, was understrength. Only thirty-six TX-130T tanks were within its roster, making it even worse. Older models on top of understrength units. It was the best they had though. As the signal was given, the line of tanks opened fire from beyond range of the eighty-foot wall that surrounded the western portion of the city. Built originally to keep predators out, the wall had never been reinforced, becoming more of a historic landmark along with its large entry gate. This, however, served as a shield of sorts for the up-risers to not only hide behind, but to organize mortars to fire on the word of spotters posted in the taller buildings within Crescent City. Under the withering barrage, the wall had little chance. Gaps were opened as chunks of mortar exploded back into the city, cutting down rebels and damaging the closest shops and buildings.
Under the cover of the fire, Captain Raul Montero of Alpha company led his men out in a dead sprint, followed by Bravo, Charlie and Delta companies. From the hillock they had been stationed behind, it was four hundred meters to the gate and to the nearest cover. For a good ten seconds there was no return fire, almost as if their opponents simply could not believe so many men would make a nearly suicidal frontal assault. Then again, the TX-130Ts were acting to keep heads down. This did not prevent every crack shot from taking a chance. Blaster bolts emerged from the city, striking down stormtroopers as they zigged and zagged to avoid becoming easy targets.
Of the one-hundred sixty-five soldiers in Alpha company, one-hundred thirty made it into the cover of the city. In the foremost was the 2nd platoon of Alpha, led by Lieutenant Gregory Schofstall, a capable and expert stormtrooper. Under his command, all of his men had made it safely inside the city walls. Three of Schofstall's squads were equipped with Imperial heavy repeaters, allowing them the heavy support fire and explosive capabilities to provide the necessary support for the fourth squad, which carried the components for an E-web blaster, as well as their own weapons. Schofstall already had his orders and it called for his platoon to push towards the city center and occupy a church, locking down a four-way intersection from within the building.
More to come.
