Star Wars: The War That Only the UNSC Can End

The third day began with a different atmosphere. After breakfast, the clones headed out to the war zone, where they were greeted by Johnson and Forge. This time, the simulation that unfolded before them was completely different. The battlefield was a closed, dark, claustrophobic environment, filled with narrow corridors, dark corners, and raised platforms.

Johnson and Forge stepped forward, their gazes serious and defiant. Forge began the introduction.

"You will have no open field to hide in today, no room to maneuver as you please," he said, gesturing around the surroundings. "You are trapped in hostile terrain. And facing you will be the worst: elites in active camouflage. You will not be able to see them until it is too late."

Johnson stepped forward, his expression hard and devoid of humor. "Listen up, because I'm going to give you something that's going to save your asses: you're not Spartans, let alone Jedi. You don't have the ability to take on an entire enemy squadron alone. If you try to be heroes, you'll be dead in minutes. Here, your only advantage is learning to act as a team and move with precision."

Forge nodded, continuing the instruction. "I want you to hear this clearly. When in an environment like this, keep your senses sharp. Always cover your blind spots and don't stray from your squadron. The key here is communication and coordination. One mistake and you'll be at the mercy of these invisible elites."

Johnson looked at the clones. "And remember: value your life. You'll gain nothing by falling in the front lines of battle. Use it to protect your brother at your side, not to waste it."

The clones nodded seriously, understanding the message. Rex, Echo, and Fives shared glances and seemed to already be plotting a mental strategy. In this simulation, it would be a matter of moving slowly, covering every corner, anticipating every attack. It wasn't going to be easy.

The simulation started with good initial coordination; the clones moved forward silently, following instructions to the letter. Rex, Echo, and Fives stood at the front, leading each move calmly and with silent gestures. But they had barely advanced a few meters in the closed, dark environment when everything began to fall apart.

A flash of an Elite's active camouflage was enough to unleash chaos. One of the clones, too nervous, opened fire prematurely, giving the signal to the enemy Elites. Immediately, the Elites appeared from the shadows, attacking with precision. Panic broke out: the clones began to fire haphazardly, breaking formation and moving without a plan. Within minutes, the entire team was being wiped out. The clones fell one after another, each more isolated and disoriented than the last. The simulation ended in a crushing defeat, leaving all the clones "dead."

Johnson, who had been watching the simulation, looked at them with an expression of utter disappointment. He shook his head and walked over to them while the clones remained silent, lowering their gaze.

"What the hell was that?" Johnson exclaimed, not containing his frustration. "They weren't even two minutes in and they were already spread out like each one was a lone hero! How many times do I have to repeat this? They are not Jedi, nor Spartans! They are a team! And if they don't learn to act as one, they won't last five seconds in a real fight."

Forge, crossing his arms, also came closer and pointed firmly at the group. "When you see an enemy, breathe before you shoot. If one opens fire too soon, everyone is spotted and no one gets out alive. This is the kind of basic tactics you need to master."

Johnson continued in a stern tone, looking at the clones in the center of the room. "Next time you see a threat, I want you to think. Don't shoot blindly and hold your position. Understood? This is a team battle, not a contest to see who gets the bullet first!"

After Johnson and Forge's lecture, the clones regrouped with renewed seriousness. This time, a platoon of experienced Marines was assigned to accompany them in the simulation. The Marines entered with an air of confidence, giving a quick nod to the clones before preparing for the simulation. The discipline and confidence they displayed impressed the clones.

The Marine sergeant addressed the clones before starting. "Listen up, guys. No one goes it alone here. We move as a unit, take cover, and make sure everyone makes it to the end alive. Understood?"

The clones nodded, this time much more focused. Rex, Echo, and Fives took their positions, ready to follow the sergeant's instructions and learn from the Marines.

The simulation began again, replicating the same closed, dark environment, littered with elites in active camouflage. The Marines moved forward first, moving cautiously, and motioned for the clones to follow in tight formation. Each move was methodical: the Marines covered every angle, ensuring that no one became separated from the group.

One of the Marines turned to Rex and whispered, "When you see something suspicious, don't shoot immediately. Give the alert silently and let everyone see it before acting."

Rex nodded, and as the group moved forward, one of the Elites materialized a few meters in front of them. Instead of opening fire, Rex raised a hand in a halt signal and pointed toward the threat. The Marines, in a coordinated movement, surrounded the Elite and quickly eliminated it, avoiding alerting the rest of the enemy.

The Marine sergeant looked at the clones and nodded. "This is how it's done, soldiers. We move forward together and act silently. Good job, Rex."

As they moved deeper into the simulation field, the clones began to mimic the Marines' movements and tactics. They began to take better cover, observe their surroundings, and move in sync. Although some clones stumbled and made mistakes at first, the Marines patiently corrected them, showing them how to stay focused.

Eventually, they reached a critical area, where three Elites guarded a narrow hallway. The Marines and clones quickly devised a strategy: Fives offered himself as a decoy, drawing the Elites' attention while the rest of the team strategically positioned themselves to flank them.

"Now, Fives," the sergeant murmured.

Fives made a quick maneuver, drawing the Elites toward him. Meanwhile, the Marines and clones rushed in from the sides, mowing down the Elites in a lightning attack. Teamwork and precision made this part of the simulation a complete success.

By the end of the simulation, the clones were exhausted but satisfied. They had learned to move and act with the precision and coordination they had previously lacked. Johnson watched from a distance with a slight smile of approval, while Forge nodded in satisfaction.

"That's what I want to see, soldiers!" Johnson roared. "Now you're starting to look like a real combat team!"

After lunch, the clones returned to the training area with renewed confidence and energy after the congratulations and encouragement from their peers. When they arrived, Johnson and Forge were waiting for them with their arms crossed and expressions that made it clear that the difficult part of the day was just beginning.

"Listen carefully, boys," Forge began. "Today, we're going to teach you how to adapt to unforeseen situations. On the battlefield, things never go as planned, so you're going to learn how to improvise."

Johnson, with his trademark cigar in his mouth, added, "Forget routines. There's no perfect 'manual' here. You're in the field, everything's going to hell, and you have to figure out how to survive. Today, we're going to mix it all up and see how you manage."

The simulation began with a ruined field, littered with rubble, destroyed vehicles, and a few standing structures. The clones were divided into small squads, with no clear plan other than the goal of moving and surviving. This time, there was no obvious path forward. They were told they would have to advance between positions with whatever resources they found along the way.

Before long, one of the squads found itself out of ammunition. Instead of stopping, remembering what Forge and Johnson had taught them, they began to improvise. They used debris to create barricades, took cover behind vehicle wreckage, and began scanning the area for any abandoned equipment or weaponry. Fives cleverly led his group, instructing them on how to set up a trap using wires and debris to trip up the patrolling Elites nearby.

Another group was caught between a group of Grunts and several shielded Jackals. Echo had an idea and ordered her team to throw debris and metal shards to distract the Jackals and force them to move to the side. They took advantage of the moment of distraction to flank and quickly eliminate them, adapting to the situation without losing their cool.

Johnson and Forge watched from the console, analyzing every move. "Those guys are starting to use their heads," Forge said, nodding in satisfaction.

"And not only that," Johnson added, "they're learning to work together and find solutions on the fly."

As the simulation continued, the clones faced more complex obstacles. Some were left without communication equipment, others without ammunition or with blocked paths. But the difference was notable: each squad improvised, created last-minute plans, and even sacrificed equipment or strategic positions to get ahead. Rex, Echo, and Fives excelled at leading their comrades, guiding them through situations where, at first, they would have failed.

Finally, the simulation ended, and the clones gathered together, exhausted but full of confidence. They had learned not only to follow orders, but to trust in their own ability to adapt.

Johnson and Forge approached, both with expressions of approval. "Good job," Johnson said, looking at the clones. "This is what I want to see from you. Don't give up, never give up! Because in the real field, this is exactly what will save your lives. Now rest, we'll be back tomorrow with something worse!"

The clones, exhausted but smiling, retreated to their barracks, more confident in their abilities and knowing that they were increasingly prepared to face the Covenant.

 -x.X.x-

At four in the morning, the clones were abruptly awakened by the now customary roar of gunfire. This time, however, the conditions were even more extreme: outside, heavy rain soaked the training ground, and the ground had become a mix of mud and deep puddles. Hearing the blank shots and Johnson's thunderous shout, the clones rushed out of the barracks, stumbling in the mud as they tried to get into formation.

Johnson, with his cigar in his mouth and completely indifferent to the rain, watched with his arms crossed as each clone lined up as best they could, soaked and with no time to recover from the shock of awakening. Forge, also in the rain, watched with a stern expression as he paced between the rows of clones, assessing every detail.

"Listen up, you sons of bitches!" Johnson roared, causing even the most tired clones to straighten up. "Today is a special day. Today you will learn something fundamental: how to defend yourself without your damn blasters! The Covenant doesn't always give you the luxury of a gun in your hand. Sometimes, you have to rely on your own fists to get out alive."

Forge nodded and added, in a deep voice, "Don't forget that many of those enemies out there are bigger, stronger, and deadlier than any of you. A brute will tear you apart with a single blow. An elite has superior speed and reflexes. And yet, you have to find a way to defend yourselves. Today, you will learn the difference between fighting and surviving."

Johnson stepped forward. "Now, pair up!" he shouted, and the clones quickly formed pairs, exchanging nervous, ready glances. Forge began instructing them in basic hand-to-hand combat techniques, demonstrating moves with a pair of marines who mastered the techniques with precision and brutality.

As the rain fell incessantly, the clones came face to face with what physical combat meant on real terrain. Forge and Johnson guided them through defensive techniques, attacking stances, and ways to take advantage of their surroundings. But there was no rest: every failure was punished with a shout or a stern correction.

After a few rounds of training, Johnson gave a signal, and a few Marines stepped forward, armed with padded batons and body armor. "Okay, boys! Time for you to face someone with a little more experience," Johnson said, smiling as he looked at the Marines. "Let's see how you hold your own against a real opponent."

Each pair of clones faced the Marines, but they soon realized the difference in skill. The Marines, hardened by real combat, took down the clones in seconds, rolling them in the mud or slamming them hard into the ground. For the clones, it was a humiliating experience, but also an eye-opening one. They realized their shortcomings and how fragile they were against someone with better training.

Johnson and Forge shouted instructions, watching every attempt, every failure, and every small achievement. Rex, Echo, and Fives stood out, holding on a little longer, using their experience and agility to evade a few blows, but even they failed to hold their ground for long.

"Remember! The battlefield is merciless," Forge shouted as he helped them up. "If you have to fight hand-to-hand, it will be your last option, and you must be ready to do whatever it takes. Don't think, act!"

As the practice continued, some of the clones began to understand the moves, to learn from their mistakes. They began to dodge, to anticipate, to use the mud and water for their own moves, throwing handfuls of mud at their opponents' faces to create distractions, or using their body weight to throw the marines into unfavorable positions. With each attempt, they became more agile and precise.

Johnson, watching the progress, growled, "Way to go, clones. This is what I want to see! Blood, sweat, and mud! Learn to endure it, for this is what awaits you in war."

To conclude the session, Johnson ordered them into a series of endurance matches. The clones were to stand for at least five minutes of punching and blocking, trading blows endlessly with their soaked and exhausted comrades. When he finally allowed them to rest, they fell to the ground, panting and covered in mud, but more confident than they had learned.

"Remember, boys! This was just the beginning. If you think rain or mud is an obstacle, you are wrong," Johnson shouted. "The real enemy will not be stopped by any of this. So prepare for the next round!"

The practices continued without giving them a moment's rest. Johnson and Forge took the clones to the next level, teaching them crucial techniques for surviving close combat with the Covenant. The first lesson was how to disarm an enemy: each clone had to learn to take a weapon out of the hands of a larger and, of course, much stronger opponent.

Forge walked through the ranks of clones, pointing out those who performed the moves poorly. "It's not about strength, it's about precision and speed. Disarming an enemy of the Covenant means your life depends on it, so take it seriously," he warned.

Johnson, in his hard, direct style, added, "The Covenant's greatest weakness is not their strength or size; it's their arrogance. Use that. When an elite feels confident, take advantage! Use their own weight against them."

The clones trained tirelessly in pairs, facing each other with replicas of Covenant weapons, learning the grip points and movements necessary to snatch their energy weapons. Rex, Echo, and Fives excelled at this practice, proving themselves agile and effective in the moves they were taught. The battle experience of all three was evident, and they soon became role models for the other clones.

However, Forge and Johnson weren't satisfied with that. Once they saw that the clones had mastered the basics, they threw them into knife training, teaching them how to engage heavily armored enemies up close. Each clone was to practice against either a Marine or Johnson himself, who showed them how brutal a close-quarters encounter with a blade could be. "In combat, the most important thing is to hit where it hurts," Johnson told them as he demonstrated the moves. "The neck, the joints, behind the knees. No amount of armor can protect everything."

Next, they began studying the specific weak points of each Covenant enemy type. Delta, the support AI, deployed holograms on the field, showing detailed representations of Elites, Brutes, and Grunts. Johnson and Forge explained how each race had its vulnerabilities.

"Elites, for example," Forge said as he pointed to a hologram, "rely on their energy shields. A direct hit to their support point on the shoulder or legs can destabilize them and give you time to attack."

Johnson showed a hologram of a brute and added, "With these guys, don't expect to destabilize them with force. They're more resilient, but cuts to key points like tendons are effective. Also, always have a second plan!"

The clones took on increasing challenges, practicing techniques in pairs and teams. One of the exercises was a full simulation in which they had to sneak up, disarm their opponents, and use knives in close combat while applying knowledge of weak points.

As the day progressed, the clones showed remarkable progress. They had gone from being uncoordinated soldiers to combatants with a much more strategic and practical vision. And although they still had a lot to learn, they were beginning to show a renewed spirit and focus.

Johnson and Forge watched them with an air of satisfaction, but did not allow them a single break. "Don't get used to easy victories," Johnson warned them at the end of the day. "This training is only a fraction of what they will face in war.

The rest of the week went on like this, and the clones' training intensified with each passing day. Johnson and Forge, along with the Marines, showed them the raw and brutal side of war. From advanced tactics to hand-to-hand combat methods, the clones were exposed to a reality that went far beyond the lessons learned on Kamino. The training followed one another mercilessly: rapid deployment maneuvers, responses to ambushes, simulations of survival scenarios in hostile terrain, and even methods of evasion under enemy fire.

Johnson and Forge made sure that each clone understood that war was not just about blindly following orders, but about adapting, reading the battlefield, and reacting effectively. Any mistake, any hesitation, could be fatal. In war simulation sessions, the clones learned how to move in close formation and respond to attacks in open areas and in urban combat. They were taught to quickly change positions, to coordinate under the leadership of experienced soldiers, and to act without losing control even in the most chaotic situations.

The brutality of the training also included mental survival practices: Johnson and Forge did not just want soldiers capable of combat, but clones who could think under pressure and control their emotions in the face of the loss of comrades or sudden Covenant ambushes.

The days passed, and in just one week, the 200 assigned clones went from being simple soldiers to becoming experienced, hardened, and effective combatants. Rex, Echo, and Fives also showed incredible progress, standing out as true leaders and role models for others. The constant exercises, the physical and mental demands, and the techniques taught by the UNSC veterans had transformed each of these clones. By the end of the week, they were not just a group of clone soldiers. Now, they were real soldiers.

End of Chapter 22.