Chapter 164 - Docking Zone Battle

It took two days to get all the clones who would partake on the operation ready. In total, sixty-four clones were chosen, including Dageer, Thire, Hound and Commander Thorn.

Commander Thorn had argued at first, saying that using so many men would scare Sing, but Dageer countered by saying that no matter how many soldiers they took, Sing would face them.

"Why?"

"Because if she doesn't, we will find her. She needs a distraction, and she needs us to create it."

Dageer looked at the stern faces around the hologram projector. All those who were sergeants or above were in the meeting. None of the clones in the room were rookies, and they understood exactly what Dageer meant. Nobody said anything, but they knew they were destined to suffer casualties, and not just a few. But that was the reality of war, and this small chase after Aurra Sing was, after all, a consequence of the Clone Wars.

Whilst Dageer was explaining their plan, with small interventions from Hound - who would lead the main force - from time to time, Commander Thorn thought that the sub-commander would make a good commander one day.

----------------------------

It was never really night on Coruscant. The lights of the city - or rather, of the planet - made the night looks like day. It was, however, nighttime when the clones set off to the docking zone. They decided for that time because of no other reason than the fact that there would be fewer civilians around.

"Sergeant Hound."

"Yes, commander."

"You will take your unit and search the east docking area. Split as you seen fit, but make sure that each man is always within the line of sight of another."

"Yes, commander."

Commander Thorn was giving the last instructions to the soldiers. In fact, he was just repeating what was said in the meeting, to ensure the clones knew their orders. The tactic they were using was an unusual one, but very efficient when searching for someone. By staying in the line of sight of each other, soldiers couldn't be ambushed, at least not easily. Besides, Hound was in command of the massiff unit, so even though he only had eleven troopers with him, Commander Thorn wasn't too worried.

"I will take the rest and search the west area. We will split into two groups, but stay close. Understood?"

"Yes, sir."

Several clones voiced their agreement, and made the last minute checks they always did before a battle. Weapons were loaded, and armors were adjusted. Commander Thorn looked through the nearby clones until he saw the two soldiers he was looking for.

"Thire, Dageer, you see that control tower?"

"Yes, commander."

"Go there and take sniping positions. You will be able to overlook much of the docking zone. If you see anything unusual, warn us. I don't want as much as a womp rat slipping past us."

"Yes, commander."

Commander Thorn looked at the men around him, and found sixty clone helmets, their 'T' shaped visors facing him.

"Let's move, boys."

...

"I didn't know you were trained as a sniper, sir."

The clones had already split up, each group going in its own direction. Dageer had been keeping an eye on his comlink, to make sure he was warned at the first sign of Sing, but Thire's words caught his attention. He and the lieutenant were going to the control tower, to provide overwatch. Dageer grinned.

"I wasn't."

For a few moments Thire stayed silent, unsure of what to say or do. He didn't expect that answer.

"But I trained on it later on. Being on a special unit means you can't be hood at just one thing. You have to be good at everything. It doesn't matter if it is me or Metal, our heavy gunner, or anyone else. Each of us can take a DC-15x and work with it. Dab, our sharpshooter, can also use a Z-6 Rotary better than most troopers. Of course, I will never be as good as him with a sniper rifle, but we each have our own strengths."

Soldiers might like to exaggerate their stories, to make them look more brave and strong, but clones only did that when they were out of battle. Thire knew that a brother of his would never do that in the situation they were right now, because that could cause their deaths. As such, when he heard Dageer speak with such confidence, Thire knew that the sub-commander wasn't lying when he said he could use a sniper rifle.

The two clones took the lift to the top of the tower, their weapons ready. Thire was using the standard DC-15x, but Dageer had chosen a sniper rifle more of his liking. Differently from the DC-15x, his blaster looked much more simple and solid, with one big scope. It was called NT-242, an unusual choice because of its weight, but Dageer had used all the weapons the Republic had on its armory, and he had on preferred for each type.

The door of the lift opened, and several workers looked surprised at the two clones. Dageer patted the closest one on the back.

"Everyone, I need to ask you to leave this building, and the docking zone. Be careful and don't run. More soldiers of the Republic will be waiting for you at the exit. Follow their instructions."

Muffled sounds of complaints could be heard, something about interrupting their operations, but Dageer ignored them. When he saw that the workers were still reluctant to leave, Dageer urged them by saying that they could be arrested for disrupting the order.

This time the workers got scared, and packed the lift full. Dageer motioned to Thire, and the clones advanced with caution. The control tower was a good vantage point, although a bit obvious, so they doubted Sing would be there. Still, being careful did no harm.

However, there was no sign of Sing or one of her companions. Dageer and Thire set their sniper rifle sin position on the catwalk outside, about twenty meters away from each other. While Dageer scanned the docking zone with his macrobinoculars, Thire contacted Commander Thorn.

"We are in position, commander."

"All right. Dageer, keep a close watch on us. By now Sing must know we are here. Whatever she is planning on doing, she will do in a moment."

As if Sing heard them talking, a sniper shot rang out in the night. There was a moment of silence after it, and them the civilians started running and screaming. Commander Thorn's men were already in position to block anyone who looked like Sing and the other bounty hunters.

"Thire, did you see where it came from?!"

"No."

The lieutenant gave a short answer, his eyes nervously scanning the containers and buildings, looking for Sing. They knew it was her, because only she would use a sniper rifle.

Over the comlink, Dageer heard Commander Thorn and Sergeant Hound bark orders, and he vaguely heard that one clone had died. Two more sniper shots could be heard, one missing and the other killing a second clone. But this time Dageer saw from where it came from.