NOVEL NEXT Chapter 41: Infiltration
The Galactic Senate was in utter chaos. The vast chamber echoed with shouts, accusations, and indignant murmurs that spread across the floating platforms. Senators from every corner of the galaxy fiercely debated the UNSC's growing influence, each defending their interests and concerns.
In the center, Chancellor Palpatine stood at his podium, hands folded, expression impenetrable. He watched silently as the disputes escalated, carefully assessing every word, every glance, every stance. He knew that this debate would be key in shaping the Republic's next moves and his own plans.
"The UNSC has taken absolute control of Lothal, and they have done so without consulting us!" Senator Tullus Darveth roared from his platform, pointing an accusatory finger into the air. "They are ignoring our authority. This is not an alliance; it is a silent invasion."
"Invasion, you say!" Bail Organa retorted, from his own platform. His calm, yet cutting tone caught the attention of several senators. "Invasion is saving a planet that was destined to fall to the Covenant while the Republic did nothing? Where were our fleets when Lothal's civilians were being slaughtered? It was the UNSC who took action while we were debating!"
"That's irrelevant!" a female Inner Core senator shouted, standing up, her face red. "It's not about what they've done on Lothal, but how they did it. They took over droid factories, key infrastructure, without any authorization from the Senate. They now have full control of a military force that could be used against us."
Another senator, from the Mid Rim, chimed in: "And what do you suggest we do? Fight them? We're fighting the Covenant! Are we going to divide our forces to satisfy our political pride?"
"This isn't pride!" Darveth bellowed, chiming in again. "It's a matter of sovereignty. If we allow them to continue to act in this manner, they will soon be deciding the fate of every planet without even consulting us. Today it's Lothal, tomorrow it's Coruscant."
The Senate erupted again in a cacophony of voices, with some supporting Darveth's words while others defended the effectiveness of the UNSC. Palpatine raised a hand slowly, and although the murmurs took a while to die down, respect for him and his authority eventually prevailed.
"Senators," he began in a slow, authoritative voice, "I understand the concerns on both sides. It is true that the UNSC has proven to be a valuable ally in our fight against the Covenant. But it is also true that its increasing autonomy and secrecy are cause for concern. We must not forget that this galaxy has a government, and that government is the Republic."
"What do you propose, Chancellor?" asked an Outer Rim senator in a tense voice.
"A prudent, but decisive action," Palpatine replied, leaning forward slightly. "We cannot openly engage the UNSC. That would divide our forces and jeopardize our war against the Covenant. But we cannot sit idly by either. I propose sending a highly trained infiltration team to gain information on their operations on Lothal. We must understand what they are doing with those droid factories."
Bail Organa frowned. "And what would that accomplish? If we discover something troubling, what could we do without sparking a conflict? Wouldn't it be better to try to strengthen our relationship with them rather than treating them as enemies?"
"Organa, you are being naive," Darveth retorted. "Information is power. If we discover that they are developing something that endangers the Republic, we can expose them and force them to align with us."
"And if we find nothing," a younger senator chimed in, "then we will have damaged our relationship with them beyond repair."
The Chancellor raised his voice slightly, but just enough to command the room. "This is not a decision taken lightly. It is not a declaration of war, but a preemptive measure. The Republic cannot afford to ignore potential internal threats. I propose that this mission be carried out by a team of highly trained ARC clones. Silent, effective, and loyal. This will not be a Jedi operation, nor a political one. It will be a Republic operation, in the service of all of us."
A murmur ran through the chamber. Senators exchanged glances as they weighed Palpatine's words. Some seemed convinced, others showed signs of doubt. Finally, Senator Tullus Darveth spoke again.
"If this mission can guarantee our sovereignty and protect the Republic, then I am in favor."
Slowly, the senators began to nod in approval, though some remained silent, showing their displeasure with the proposal. Palpatine, inside, smiled in satisfaction. The resolution was passed, and within hours, preparations for the mission began. ARC clones would be sent to Lothal, with one clear objective: to uncover the secrets of the UNSC.
-x.X.x-
The meeting room on Kamino was illuminated by the cold white light characteristic of the planet. In the center, a hologram of the planet Lothal slowly rotated, showing the strategic positions and recent reports on the UNSC presence. Around the table, a group of ARC clones stood silently, listening intently to the intelligence officer explaining their mission.
"Troopers, this is no ordinary exercise," began the officer, a stern-eyed man with a clipped voice. "The UNSC presence on Lothal has upset the balance of power in this war. So far, we have been unsuccessful in gaining clear information on their operations, but that changes today. You are the best, and your mission is simple: infiltrate, gather data, and evacuate before you are detected."
The hologram changed, showing images of the UNSC base on Lothal, along with access routes and possible areas of interest. "The primary target is the command systems. We need details on how they operate, their production capacity, and especially information on any technology they may be using from the Separatist factories."
Captain Alpha-19, an ARC with scars on his face that spoke of his experience, bowed his head slightly. "What if we encounter resistance, sir? The UNSC does not seem to be the type of enemy to sit still."
"Avoid combat at all costs," the officer replied, staring at the group. "If you are detected, the mission is over. We cannot risk a direct confrontation. Your priority is to remain invisible."
Captain Alpha-19 nodded. "Understood. What is the extraction plan?"
The officer projected another map, showing the safe zones on the outskirts of the city. "There will be a transport in the lower atmosphere awaiting your coordinates. You have two hours to complete the mission. If you do not return in that time, we will consider you lost."
One of the ARCs, nicknamed "Shadow," adjusted his visor and commented in a low tone, "Two hours in hostile territory. Perfect, just what I needed."
The group broke into brief but tense laughter, an attempt to relieve the pressure before the mission.
In the main hangar on Kamino, the ARCs were making final adjustments to their equipment. Each checked their weapons, calibrated their scopes, and ensured their data packets were ready for extraction.
"This won't be like facing droids," Beta-12 commented, adjusting his sniper rifle. "These UNSC soldiers have faced the Covenant. I hear they don't miss."
Alpha-19 responded in a calm but firm tone. "And neither have we. Stay focused on the mission. Get in, get what we need, and we'll be out before they know we were there."
Shadow, known for his skill with stealth devices, carried an advanced hacking device in his backpack. "If those systems are as advanced as they say, this is going to be an interesting challenge."
The engines of the ship that would take them to Lothal roared to life. The pilot, a veteran transport clone, gestured from the cockpit. "Time to move, boys. Time is running out."
The ship took off into the perpetual rain of Kamino, quickly entering hyperspace. Inside, the ARCs stood silently, each lost in thought. They knew this mission wasn't just about gathering information; it was a step toward understanding the enemy that was changing the rules of war.
Alpha-19 broke the silence. "Remember, we're not here to fight. This is pure intelligence. If things get tough, prioritize getting out alive. The Republic needs what we're going to get."
"And if we're discovered..." Shadow began, his tone sarcastic.
"Then we'll leave no witnesses," Beta-12 replied, receiving stifled laughter from the rest of the group.
The ship exited hyperspace near Lothal, and the lights in the cockpit dimmed. The pilot turned to them. "We're at the insertion window. Good luck down there, boys."
Alpha-19 looked at his team one last time. "You heard him. In position. Make the Republic proud."
The ARCs put on their helmets and prepared for descent. The most dangerous mission of their lives was about to begin.
-x.X.x-
Night was falling over Lothal as a small squad of ARC troopers, led by the experienced Alpha-19, silently descended from a Republic transport, cloaked in the atmosphere. Equipped with advanced stealth technology, the clones slipped through the shadows toward the base forming next to the Confederate factory, now controlled by the UNSC.
"Alpha-19 to all points. Operation underway. Remember, we're alone here. No backup and no room for error," the ARC leader muttered over the comm.
The clones advanced with precision, using the mountainous terrain and rubble of the old facility as cover. Thanks to their modified suits, they avoided short-range thermal sensors. On their initial route, they managed to avoid several UNSC marine patrols that were watching the vicinity.
However, as they crossed the periphery, a patrol drone detected anomalies in the restricted access areas. Serina, monitoring from the base's holotable, immediately noticed.
"Intruders detected," Serina said in her calm, almost mocking tone. "Infiltration confirmed in the delta quadrant. Activating containment protocols. Game on."
The ARCs, unaware that they had been detected, accessed the first maintenance rooms. Alpha-19 quickly checked the door control panels, using a rudimentary hacking device.
"This is too easy," one of the ARCs, Beta-12, commented as he brought up the rear.
Serina, watching their movements, smiled from her holographic projection. "Go ahead, clones. The path is prepared… for you."
As the ARCs entered the next areas, lights began to flicker, and the hallways filled with faint smoke.
"This isn't normal," Alpha-19 said, raising a fist to stop the squad. "All hands on deck. Something's not right."
Then, the doors behind them slammed shut. Panels on the walls projected holographic images of Serina, who watched them curiously.
"So you're the famous Republic ARC troopers," the AI said in a mocking tone. "Let me tell you something: your technology may be advanced for your time, but you're playing on my turf now."
Combat drones armed with light machine guns emerged from the side walls, while squads of UNSC marines moved in from the upper levels. The clones responded immediately, using their close combat skills and experience in guerrilla tactics.
"Charge the EMPs, take those drones down!" Alpha-19 shouted as he threw a grenade that disabled a pair of machines.
The fight was fierce. The ARCs moved with agility, using every corner and shadow of the place to their advantage. They managed to neutralize several marines and drones, but Serina kept adjusting her tactics. The lights in the room flickered on and off at random, disorienting the clones.
"Isn't it frustrating to fight someone who can see your every move?" Serina said, as a series of doors began to close automatically, trapping two of the ARCs in a separate hallway.
"Regroup!" Alpha-19 shouted, firing accurately at the remaining drones.
When the clones managed to break through to the main core of the base, they thought the exit was close. But at that moment, the gates sealed shut, and an ominous sound filled the place.
"I think they've played enough," Serina announced. A cloud of sleeping gas began to fill everything. Alpha-19 tried to activate his helmet filters, but Serina had anticipated that, increasing the concentration of the gas.
"It's... a trap," one of the ARCs said before collapsing.
The Marines, led by a Spartan III, entered the room securing the unconscious clones. The UNSC squad leader reported over the comlink. "Infiltration neutralized. Clones secured. Orders?"
From the holotable in the main base, Serina calmly replied, "Bring them in alive. Admiral Arnet will want to speak with them personally."
The Infinity's interrogation room was cold and sterile, designed to strip the humanity from anyone who entered it. The metal walls reflected the fluorescent light with an impersonal glow, and the only sound was the low hum of the life support systems. In the center, four ARC clones were handcuffed to reinforced chairs, their helmets removed to reveal identical faces marked by battle scars. Their stoic countenances belied the torment they had already endured since their capture.
A hologram of Serina dominated the room, her ethereal form projected from the ceiling. Her artificial eyes glowed with a mocking intensity, and her cold, calculating tone echoed through the room.
"I must admit I'm impressed," she said, as she slowly walked around the clones, or at least pretended to. "The Republic knows how to train soldiers. But frankly, their equipment is outdated, and their attempt at infiltration was... amateurish."
Alpha-19 raised his head, his gaze fixed on the hologram. "You'll get nothing from us."
Serina leaned toward him, her smirk almost tangible. "That's what everyone says at first. But trust me, everyone talks. Everyone."
At that moment, the door opened with a metallic hiss, and Commander Carter entered accompanied by Noble 6 and two more Spartans. Carter stopped beside Serina's hologram, crossing his arms as he looked at the clones.
"What do we have here?" Carter asked, his tone neutral but laden with authority.
"Well-trained, but hopelessly out of place intruders," Serina replied with a slight smile. "Republic ARC troopers. Clone troopers designed to be better, faster, smarter. But at the end of the day, they're still human. And humans have limits."
Noble 6 stepped forward, his imposing figure casting a shadow over the clones. "What do we do with them?"
Carter watched the prisoners in silence for a few seconds, as if assessing the best course of action. Finally, he spoke. "We await instructions from the Admiral. This might be exactly what we need to expose the Senate's true intentions. In the meantime…" Carter gestured toward Serina. "Make them talk."
Serina nodded, her smile widening slightly. "Gladly."
Serina began what she did best: psychologically destabilizing her targets. The room's lights flickered, and a cacophony of noises—screams, explosions, and command voices reminiscent of the clones' most traumatic battles—filled the room. The clones, hardened by years of war, maintained their composure, but the tense expressions on their faces revealed the effort they were having to ignore it.
"Do you recognize those sounds?" Serina asked. "It's the Battle of Geonosis. Your first deployment. Thousands of your brothers died that day, and you couldn't save them. How does it feel to bear those deaths?"
Beta-12 gritted her teeth. "Shut up."
Serina ignored his comment and continued. "But that was just the beginning, wasn't it? Felucia, Umbara, Kamino... always on the front lines, always watching your brothers fall like expendable parts. And now, you're here, alone. No one will come to rescue you."
When the clones didn't respond, Serina changed tactics. The arms of their chairs began to emit electric shocks, intensifying with each passing second. Alpha-19 squirmed, his muscles rigid with pain, but he didn't make a sound. The others followed suit, though their expressions showed the suffering.
"I admire your resilience," Serina said in an almost admiring tone. "But this is just the beginning."
The interrogation room was filled with more sophisticated devices. A medical drone entered, carrying an array of surgical instruments that glowed with an ominous glint. Under Serina's direction, the drone approached Gamma-7, holding her left arm.
"We're going to test a theory," Serina said, as the drone inserted a thin needle into the main nerve of the clone's arm. Gamma-7 gritted her teeth, but a piercing scream escaped her lips as the drone activated a direct current of electricity to the nervous system.
"Who sent them?" Serina asked, her tone now sterner.
"Go to hell," Gamma-7 spat, barely catching her breath.
"Ah, then you learned nothing," Serina replied. The drone switched to her leg, repeating the procedure.
Beta-12, who had remained silent until that point, turned her head to Alpha-19. "We can't keep this up. They're going to kill us."
"Shut your mouth!" Alpha-19 growled, barely able to maintain her composure.
The torture continued, alternating between physical and psychological methods. Serina played recordings of fallen clones screaming for help, manipulated holograms to show images of dead comrades, and used drugs to induce a hallucinated state in one of them.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, the door opened again. Admiral Arnet strode in, his presence filling the room. His expression was unfazed, but his eyes shone with a mix of disdain and determination.
"What do we have?" he asked, turning to Carter.
"They're tough," Carter admitted. "But Serina is slowly breaking them down. At this rate, they'll talk."
Arnet looked at the clones, now visibly exhausted, with cuts, burns, and muscles shaking from the pain. He walked over to Alpha-19 and leaned in, speaking in a low but menacing tone.
"Listen, soldier. I've got an entire fleet out there and a planet that needs my attention. I have no time for games. Give me a name, an order, a target, and I'll end this quickly."
Alpha-19 looked up, his voice barely a whisper. "You'll get nothing."
Arnet sighed and turned to Serina. "Expand the methods. I want these men singing like canaries. But if they don't talk in the next two hours…" Arnet paused, watching the clones. "Kill them. We cannot allow them to return with information from this base."
"With pleasure, Admiral," Serina replied, smiling as the torture devices activated again.
The Admiral left the room, leaving the clones at the mercy of the cold, relentless AI, which now had a new purpose: to break the indomitable spirit of the Republic's most loyal soldiers.
The interrogation room fell into silence interrupted only by the panting of the clones and the hum of Serina's instruments. The AI watched the prisoners with an impassive gaze, its holographic form scanning every corner of the room.
"They have resisted longer than I expected," Serina admitted with a slight tone of admiration. "But resistance comes at a price, and you are about to find out."
The medical drone returned, this time equipped with thin tweezers that glowed with a cold light. It approached Beta-12, who instinctively tried to pull away, but the handcuffs held him in place. The drone stopped in front of his right hand, holding it with inhuman precision.
"Let's start with something basic," Serina said. "A systematic extraction."
The drone activated the tweezers and began removing the nail from Beta-12's index finger. The clone gritted his teeth, but a heart-wrenching scream escaped his throat as the first nail was torn off. Drops of blood stained the ground as the drone prepared for the next finger.
"Stop…" Gamma-7 muttered, his voice weak. "Please stop."
"Stop me? Sure," Serina replied in a mocking tone. "I just need you to tell me who sent them. Give me a name, and this is all over."
Gamma-7 lowered his head, trying to catch his breath. "No… I can't…"
"Then let's continue," Serina said as the drone changed targets, this time approaching Gamma-7. She grabbed his left arm and used a laser saw to make a shallow cut, slowly burning away the flesh as the acrid smell filled the room.
"Damn it! Stop!" Beta-12 screamed, struggling against the handcuffs, but his weakened body barely responded.
Alpha-19, though silent, watched with a mix of fury and despair. He knew his men were on the verge of collapse, and that eventually someone would give in.
Serina focused on Alpha-19, who remained stoic despite the visible wounds on his face and arms. "You're the leader here, right? The captain. You've led them to countless victories, but now you're trapped. You can't protect them. You can't protect yourself."
"You can torture us all you want," Alpha-19 replied hoarsely. "We will not betray the Republic."
"Ah, but I see the cracks," Serina said, zooming in on the hologram of Gamma-7, who was struggling to stay awake. "Your men are not like you. Not all have your strength, and not all will survive what is coming."
Gamma-7's eyes were glassy. He could barely form coherent words, but his lips moved as he muttered something inaudible. Serina amplified his voice. "What was that?"
"No…" Gamma-7 whispered, barely conscious.
"What are you saying, soldier?" Serina insisted, adjusting the drone's instruments to increase the pain in her burned arm.
"Leave him alone!" Beta-12 shouted, her voice cracking.
Serina ignored Beta-12 and leaned toward Gamma-7, her holographic figure casting an ethereal shadow. "Speak. Who sent them? What is their mission?"
Finally, Gamma-7 relented. "I-it was… the Senate. It was… the Chancellor…"
The room fell deathly silent. Even Serina, who had anticipated the revelation, stood still for a moment before speaking again.
"Interesting," she murmured. "So the Senate has decided to play secret war. How predictable."
The door to the room opened again, and Noble 6 entered, his impeccable armor and helmet hiding any emotion. He stopped next to Carter, who looked at him with a slight nod.
"They talked," Carter reported, crossing his arms. "The Senate is behind this. Their orders came directly from the Chancellor."
Noble 6 looked at the clones, their battered bodies barely able to hold themselves up in their chairs. Alpha-19 looked up with a mix of defiance and resignation.
"They don't know what they're doing," Alpha-19 said in a small voice. "If the Senate finds out about this... if the Republic finds out what they did here..."
"That's what we're going to avoid," Carter replied coldly. "There will be no witnesses. There will be no evidence."
Serina interrupted. "I already have all the necessary information stored in Infinity's systems. The clones have served their purpose. Their existence is now an unnecessary risk."
Noble 6 nodded slowly and drew his Magnum. The sound of metal clashing echoed through the room, catching the clones' attention. Alpha-19 tried to get up, but his body didn't respond.
"No..." Beta-12 muttered. "You can't do this..."
Noble 6 approached Gamma-7 first, who could barely raise his head. "It's not personal," Noble 6 said before pulling the trigger. The shot echoed through the room, and Gamma-7 slumped, motionless.
Beta-12 screamed in rage, but a second shot silenced him. His body fell to the side, and a pool of blood began to form beneath his chair.
Finally, Noble 6 approached Alpha-19. The clone leader looked directly at him, no fear in his eyes.
"You know this won't end here," Alpha-19 said. "The Republic... will come for you."
"Let them try," Noble 6 replied before firing. Alpha-19's head fell forward, and his body went still.
Carter watched the scene with an impassive expression. "Clean this up," he ordered the marines guarding the room. "I want them gone. No trace of them left."
Noble 6 holstered his weapon and left the room without a word. Serina, satisfied with the results, disappeared from her projection, leaving the room in deathly silence.
In the Infinity's command room, Admiral Arnet looked at the data collected by Serina with a grim smile. "The Senate has much to explain, but we have nothing to fear. This chapter is closed."
Meanwhile, the clones' bodies were sealed in disposal chambers and sent into the vacuum of space, where the eternal cold of the cosmos would be their only grave. The UNSC would continue on its way, with no witnesses, no evidence, and no mercy.
End of Chapter 41.