Clone troopers led by Commander Cody from the 212th Attack Battalion and 41st Elite Corps were establishing defensive positions while engaging incoming AAT hover tanks and Geonosian warrior formations.
A clone trooper approached Cody and reported: "Sir, our target factory has activated its ray shield generators. Air strikes are no longer effective against the installation."
"We'll need to consolidate all available forces for a coordinated ground assault," Cody replied. "What's the status on General Luminara, Commander Gree, and their forces?"
"En route, sir. Approximately three klicks south of our current position."
"And General Kenobi?"
"Over there, sir."
Cody looked forward to see Matt pointing toward a crashed gunship in the distance.
To confirm, the Clone Commander raised his macrobinoculars and indeed recognized the specific transport that his General and the Avenger had been aboard.
Surveying the crash site, Cody clenched his jaw as he observed the battle raging around them.
"This isn't good. The hostiles are attempting to encircle us."
Shortly after, two clone troopers appeared beside Cody and Matt.
"Boil reporting as ordered, sir."
"Waxer reporting, sir."
Cody nodded and addressed the summoned clones. "We have a downed gunship approximately five kilometers to the east. We believe General Kenobi was aboard. I need you to conduct search and rescue operations."
"Copy that, sir."
"Mr. Murdock, can you accompany these men and provide support?"
"Absolutely," Matt nodded. "Let's move, soldiers."
Matt advanced ahead of both clones. "Watch your left flank, Waxer. Reduce speed."
The troopers were confused but followed Matt's instructions, diving for cover just as explosives detonated mere meters from their previous position.
"Move out," Matt gestured and sprinted forward.
The two clone troopers shook their heads in amazement and resumed their advance, reaching the downed gunship where all three took cover positions.
"Why do we always get the exciting assignments?" Boil complained.
"Those hostiles are beginning to close on our position," Matt observed, his enhanced senses detecting multiple subtle movements around their location.
The two soldiers quickly forced open the gunship's side door, revealing Obi-Wan and several other clones, with Scott lying unconscious among the wreckage.
"Waxer, Boil—good to see you both," Obi-Wan said weakly. "Scott and I are the only survivors from our transport."
"Glad to find you alive, General," Waxer replied.
"Commander Cody has established a perimeter outside this position," Boil informed him.
"The enemy forces are advancing, attempting to surround us," Matt added. "We need to extract immediately."
Both clone troopers and Matt helped the wounded to their feet, determining the safest route back to friendly lines.
"Uh, Matt?" Scott regained consciousness.
"Right here," Matt replied with relief.
"Good to see you," Scott said, shaking his head to clear the disorientation. "What's our situation?"
"Your transport was shot down. We're currently surrounded," Matt explained concisely.
At the perimeter, several additional AT-TE walkers had been deployed as the clone forces established stronger defenses against the massive waves of Geonosian attackers.
Lowering his macrobinoculars, the clone beside Cody reported his observations.
"Sir, they're still alive."
Nodding, Cody spoke into his wrist communicator. "AT-TE Six-Three-Six, provide covering fire."
"Sir, incoming AAT formations on the left flank!"
The clones and Matt soon returned with their rescued comrades.
"General, what's your condition? Scott?"
"Nothing too serious," Obi-Wan replied simply.
"Just need some rest, and I'll be operational," Scott added.
After being brought within the secured zone, Obi-Wan requested a tactical briefing. "What's our current situation?"
"Well, sir. We have no air support available, most of the Generals and Avengers on the ground are separated from our position, and we're surrounded by hostile forces. The enemy appears well-prepared for our assault, General. They seem to anticipate our every tactical move."
"Where are Luminara, Barriss, and Hope?"
"Approaching now, Obi-Wan."
Everyone turned to see Luminara, Barriss, Commander Gree, Hope, and their squad of clone troopers arriving at the perimeter.
"Are you injured, Master Kenobi?" Barriss asked, kneeling beside him.
"Much better now that reinforcements have arrived," Obi-Wan replied with a slight grin.
"We should be able to halt enemy advances and delay their assault until additional support arrives," Gree reported to the Jedi Masters.
"We won't maintain this position for long unless we eliminate those armor formations surrounding us," Matt stated pointedly, his head turning toward the approaching droid forces. "The two commanders... they're coordinating an attack on our position right now."
"What?" Waxer asked in confusion. "How can you possibly know that?"
"Enhanced hearing, taste, and smell," Matt explained calmly. "Compensating for my blindness."
"I'm still amazed by your combat capabilities, Matt," Barriss commented.
"So what's our tactical option?" Gree asked. "If we remain passive and defensive, this isn't sustainable."
"We need a surprise assault plan," Cody suggested, "to eliminate them somehow and secure the factory."
"Maybe it's time for me to contribute again," Scott muttered, slowly getting to his feet.
Understanding his intention, Hope expressed her concern.
"You cannot do that. You're injured right now. We don't know how long you can maintain that state, and the consequences are unpredictable."
"Hey, sweetheart, I promise it won't be like last time," Scott assured her. "Last time was on a kaiju scale."
"This is a damn war zone," Hope said grimly.
"I'm sorry, Scott," Obi-Wan began. "You're not planning to do what I think you're considering?"
"Oh, he absolutely is, and I strongly object to it."
"What exactly are we discussing?" Gree asked.
Hope looked over at Scott, who smiled and shrugged as his helmet sealed around his head.
"You'll see."
Several clones administered Scott a medical injection to manage his pain.
"Just don't become permanently disabled after this," Hope warned him. "I don't want to care for an invalid."
"Trust me, that's the last thing I want to become. Now provide covering fire."
Scott performed some basic stretching exercises before beginning his approach.
Then he started running forward, targeting the downed gunship he had been aboard. It remained relatively intact.
Scott began increasing his size, and his entire perspective shifted dramatically in both height and viewpoint.
The giant had returned, striding onto the battlefield, lifting the gunship in front of him with his bare hands and hurling it at an AAT hover tank, which immediately exploded in a brilliant fireball.
Many clone troopers ceased firing, completely stunned by the spectacle. Some even activated their helmet displays to confirm that what they witnessed wasn't some kind of illusion.
Even the Geonosians flying around the battlefield stared in complete amazement at the scene before them.
"Time to wreck their day!" Scott roared, grabbing a Geonosian fighter craft and throwing it like a projectile at another vessel.
Not far from the factory entrance, Sora and Sev'rance stared in wide-eyed disbelief at what they were witnessing.
"What in the galaxy?!"
"This is my first time actually observing this ability," Sev'rance muttered, her red eyes widening. "Master Dooku mentioned it in his briefings. But actually seeing it..."
Scott advanced, his massive figure casually grabbing an AAT tank and hurling it at another armored vehicle like it was a mere projectile.
Cody was among the first to recover from his shock, and he quickly regained tactical control.
"All walkers, advance formation and move forward!" Cody began shouting.
With their line now on the offensive, the 327th Star Corps and 21st Nova Corps had reached their designated positions and troops were massing for the forward assault.
Prior to this development, Commander Jet had contacted Admiral Yularen requesting air support to help mitigate the challenging conditions for their attack.
"Negative, Commander Jet. We're unable to provide air support at this time," Yularen responded.
"Understood, sir," Jet replied. "But we're assaulting heavily fortified enemy positions and risk significant casualties."
"This is total warfare on a planetary scale," Yularen cautioned. "I cannot redeploy atmospheric assets without risking complete annihilation of our space forces. All I can tell you is that you'll have to make do with current resources."
"Yes, Admiral," Jet acknowledged, terminating the transmission. "Generals, no air support is available at this time."
"Then we execute this the traditional way," Bacara announced. "Jet, prepare the AT-RTs for frontal assault. We'll provide suppressing fire while you advance through the center. Keeli, get your flamethrower teams ready. Engage those Geonosian formations massing on that ridge."
"Why not simply eliminate them with blaster fire?" Pietro asked.
"It would take too long, and unfortunately we're operating under time constraints," Ki-Adi-Mundi explained.
Pietro simply smiled. "Well, we can handle this—after all, I'm here."
"Then proceed according to your plan," Ima-Gun Di said, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder, and Pietro nodded.
"Hey, Keeli, did you brief the others?" Pietro asked the unspoken question.
"Yes sir, they understand what happens when you start running," Keeli confirmed with a knowing tone.
"Excellent." Pietro clapped his hands together. "Then gentlemen, please try your best to keep up."
After saying that, Pietro rushed toward their target droid installation, leaving behind a cloud of dust from his superhuman speed.
"I hate it when he does that," Keeli muttered, waving his hand to clear the dust around him.
"Come on, soldiers," Di commanded, igniting his lightsaber. "We need to advance, or Maximoff will eliminate all targets before we arrive."
Bacara simply bellowed, "Attack!"
A formation of clone troopers gave a battle cry and charged forward with blasters raised, firing at the distant Geonosians and the large formation of battle droids positioned in defensive formations. On two separate ridgelines in front of the droid installation, Geonosians were being launched into the air in groups, crashing down among the advancing clone forces.
Di led Keeli and a large squad of clones toward one of the rock faces, and the unit deployed their climbing gear and rapidly scaled the cliff face.
As the Separatists began returning fire, chaos erupted, with battle droids suddenly being destroyed and Geonosians being launched through the air by an invisible blur.
"I'll admit, I'm grateful we have someone like him on our side," Bacara acknowledged, nodding with approval at the speed with which enemy forces were being eliminated.
"Indeed," Mundi agreed, his eyes barely able to track Pietro moving among the Separatist formations. Observing the densely packed indigenous defenders, he called to his troops. "Deploy flamethrower units!"
Soon, several clones advanced from the rear, equipped with flamethrower weapons. Once in position, they began engaging enemy positions with flame attacks, providing Pietro additional maneuvering space.