Steve Rogers, Rhodey, Sam, and Natasha stood around the holographic tactical table aboard the flagship of Anakin Skywalker's fleet, the Resolute. Peter hung upside down from the ceiling, watching the proceedings with keen interest.
Gathered around the table were Anakin, Aayla Secura, and Ahsoka, accompanied by Captain Rex and Commander Bly. Flickering blue holographic projections displayed Jedi Masters Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ki-Adi-Mundi, Luminara Unduli, Barriss Offee, Mace Windu, and Yoda. Their respective clone commanders—Cody, Gree, Fil, and Ponds—stood at attention beside their Jedi Generals. Finally, Chancellor Palpatine's hologram completed this crucial war council.
Throughout the massive Republic fleet, similar holographic conferences were taking place on different ships, all vessels linked together as they formed the armada approaching their destination.
Geonosis.
"Everyone's present and accounted for," Anakin announced, his eyes bright with anticipation. "Now let's go over Steve's operational plan in detail."
After the Avengers had reunited on Coruscant, Sam and Rhodey had immediately started making jokes about D-Day operations, causing Steve's expression to grow distant and thoughtful when they mentioned those particular battles from his past.
The combined Republic and Avengers team had gained comprehensive intelligence on the target droid factories' layouts and defensive capabilities. After extensive analysis and strategic consultation, they had developed what they believed to be their best chance at success.
Now it was time to put that plan into action.
"Never thought we'd be returning here under these circumstances," Ki-Adi-Mundi muttered, his elongated head turning toward the viewports that showed the barren, rust-colored world where the Clone Wars had begun.
"My primary concern is that this conflict appears to be extending indefinitely, with no clear resolution in sight," Obi-Wan commented thoughtfully, earning solemn nods of agreement from the other Jedi Masters.
"The Council shares your concerns, Master Kenobi," Yoda replied gravely.
"Our fleet is in position and ready to commence the assault on Geonosis," Commander Cody reported with military precision.
"What's the latest intelligence on Poggle the Lesser?" Mace Windu inquired. "Do we have confirmation of his current location?"
Obi-Wan activated a detailed holographic display showing the droid factory schematics that Senator Amidala had courageously obtained for them during her recent reconnaissance mission.
"Intelligence suggests he's fortified himself within the primary droid foundry here," Obi-Wan explained, using a laser pointer to highlight specific areas of the facility.
"The entire complex is protected by powerful ray shield generators and heavily defended by both battle droids and Geonosian warriors." The tactical display showed coordinated attack vectors as he continued. "Our strike team will consist of three separate assault groups: Anakin and Aayla, Ki-Adi-Mundi and myself, and Luminara with Barriss.
We'll execute a coordinated three-pronged attack to penetrate their defensive lines and establish staging areas near the shield generators. Once we successfully land and secure our positions, our primary objective will be to disable those shield generators."
"Isn't it extraordinarily risky to deploy six Jedi Generals directly into an active combat zone?" Palpatine asked, his voice carrying obvious concern. "If the operation encounters complications, we could suffer catastrophic losses to our leadership."
"Stop the Geonosian uprising, we must. Capture Poggle, essential it is," Yoda stated with firm resolve.
"I understand the necessity, Master Yoda," Palpatine replied, his holographic image showing a worried frown. "However, this doesn't diminish my concerns about the potential consequences."
"That's exactly why we're here, Chancellor," Rhodey said confidently, his Warmachine Armor gleaming under the bridge lights. "We'll work alongside the clone troopers to ensure every Jedi makes it through this operation safely."
Several clone commanders struggled to suppress their amusement at the Avenger's bold confidence, while some of the Jedi exchanged knowing smiles at the display of determination.
Multiple tactical holograms materialized in front of Steve, displaying troop transport formations, gunship squadrons, and Y-wing bomber wings arranged in precise attack patterns.
"This builds on Obi-Wan's strategic framework—we're executing a multi-vector assault," Steve explained, his tactical experience evident in every word. "The critical element from our perspective is neutralizing those anti-aircraft batteries before they can target our gunships. Standard orbital bombardment from our Venator-class Star Destroyers won't be effective since most of the droid production facilities are located underground. That's why our starfighter and bomber squadrons are absolutely essential to this operation's success."
The holographic display shifted to show three distinct waves of attack formations. "We'll deploy three sequential fighter formations. The first wave will punch through the ray shields protecting the factories and eliminate key defensive positions. The enemy will be fully alert at this point and will launch their most aggressive counterattack. That's when our second and third waves from across the entire fleet will join the engagement."
Steve gestured as the tactical display animated his explanation. "While the first wave holds off any atmospheric air support the Separatists deploy, the second wave will provide additional bombardment support and defensive coverage to protect our troop transports during their approach. Each transport group will have an escort of no more than three Y-wing bombers and three ARC-170 starfighters. We must maintain constant fighter rotation to create confusion among the Geonosian defenders and prevent them from concentrating fire on our gunships. Every gunship we lose reduces our chances of successfully establishing our beachhead in what the clones are calling 'Point Rain.'"
As Steve described the operational plan, the holographic display showed bombers, fighters, and gunships executing his strategy, with the landing zone highlighted as a red-circled area positioned strategically between the three factory complexes they would assault simultaneously.
"It's absolutely critical that we establish artillery positions within each factory's ray shield perimeter," Rhodey added, his tactical systems interfacing with the display. "Having that heavy firepower will accelerate the ground battle significantly and help us maintain our foothold once we're planetside."
"We mustn't forget that the droid factories we're targeting will undoubtedly deploy their own automated forces to counterattack our positions," Commander Cody pointed out with veteran insight.
"And the Geonosians themselves," Captain Rex added grimly, his memories of previous encounters still fresh. "This is their homeworld, their territory. If anyone understands how to fight effectively on this planet, it's the indigenous population."
"Establishing our troops in proper defensive formations before the main assault force arrives appears to be the most critical aspect of the entire operation," Aayla Secura observed thoughtfully. "We cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of our first engagement here—charging in without proper preparation."
"We won't make those same errors," Ki-Adi-Mundi promised solemnly.
"It is a well-conceived plan, my friends," Palpatine said, his tone measured and diplomatic. "However, I must advise extreme caution, as I would with any military operation during wartime. I cannot bear the thought of losing six Generals, two promising Padawans, the Avengers, and our finest soldiers in a single engagement."
When the Chancellor finished speaking, a moment of heavy silence fell over the assembly.
"Don't worry, Chancellor," Anakin said with unwavering confidence. "We have each other, and we have the Force. We cannot fail."
Looking directly at Anakin's holographic projection, the Chancellor sighed deeply before offering everyone an encouraging smile.
"I have complete faith in all of you."
With those words, the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic terminated his holographic connection.
As the massive fleet drew closer to Geonosis's atmosphere, Republic officers and clone commanders throughout the armada directed their troops to their assigned vessels and transport craft.
"Everyone knows their mission parameters," Mace Windu announced with authority. "You all have your designated objectives and assigned teammates. Good fortune to all of you. May the Force be with you."
After delivering those words, Master Windu's hologram flickered out.
"You heard the Master," Steve said, his voice carrying the weight of command. "Let's move out."
The inter-ship communications terminated, and across the fleet, clone troopers, Jedi, and Avengers all made their way to their respective hangars to prepare for the imminent battle that would determine the fate of Geonosis—and potentially the war itself.
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