Project Ares

Apex

As the ship took off to safety, Master Chief attached the additional weapon to his spare slot before commencing the climb up to the palace. Due to the heavy enemy presence, thrusters were not an option and Chief did not know what to expect on the top, so he decided not to use cables either. As the behemoth climbed further up the rock face, he reached a service tunnel that would provide him with a perfect entry point. Making sure that there were no hidden traps or alarms with his suit's scanners, Chief ripped open the thin steel grate before climbing in.

It wasn't a small tunnel, being a hexagonal shape and about 2 meters in diameter, it was certainly meant for maintenance droids that had to service parts of the rock face. However, because of his superhuman size, Chief had to lower his body to a considerable level before commencing his trek further into the belly of the beast.

Exiting the cramped tunnel into a green-lit hallway, Chief detached his assault rifle just in case there were any droids nearby. Quickly drawing the palace's blueprints from a nearby terminal and displaying it on his HUD, 117 made his way to the Count's chambers where he would conduct his business. Appearing on an elevated platform that overlooked the entire room, Chief switched his assault rifle for the sniper to truly take advantage of his position.

As if perfectly timed, the Count appeared through the main doorway obviously pleased by the giant smirk on his face. Taking a seat on his large throne, Dooku brought up a hologram of a large Nightbrother with yellow and black markings all across his face. "Well done my apprentice, you have completed your task with utmost prejudice."

"Thank you, my Master, your training served me well in disposing the Jedi filth."

"I have another assignment for you Savage, you are to go to the planet of Kashyyk and eliminate Chief Tarfull, leader of the Wookies. With his death, the Wookies will lose faith in the Republic and possibly refuse to continue providing essential resources to the war effort."

"It will be done, my lord." Dooku ended the transmission before heading off again to a different room. Chief had observed the entire conversation and knew where he had to be and who to shoot. Getting out of the building without being noticed was the easy part, getting picked up was not.

As soon as 117 was aboard the transport, Vulture droids and turrets started blasting away at the fleeing transport. Finally escaping the closing claws of Separatist fighters and cruisers, the stealth ship sped off to Kashyyk where Chief was hoping to intercept the Nightbrother brute.

Time skip

Kachirho City - Kashyyk

It was fair to say that the Wookie chieftain was not very happy when he heard of the plot against his life. Although he was definitely open to the spartan's suggestions when it came to his survival. Tarfull would be transported inland to a Wookie farming settlement along with a large portion of his honour guard. In the meantime, Master Chief would wait for the Sith apprentice to make his appearance.

Not long after Tarfull had left did the yellow-eyed Nightbrother storm through the front doors. Wielding a large steel pike alongside a double-bladed lightsaber, he was a force to be reckoned with. Coming just taller than the Master Chief, the giant brute yelled in rage at the sight of an empty throne. Making his appearance, Chief opened with a barrage of blaster bolts as he rushed the warrior. Deflecting some of the blasts, Savage continued to yell in rage as he threw his pike at the armoured attacker like a spear.

Dodging the incoming projectile just in time to see it crash through the wall, Chief slid underneath the assassin's incoming crimson blade and delivered a powerful uppercut to the Zabrak's chin. Following this strike with a few more punches and a kick to the abdomen, 117 struck the ignited lightsaber out of the Sith warrior's hands, sending it across the room.

Furious, the Sith grabbed 117 by the shoulder and tossed him into the wall. Before he could throw a counter, Chief was Force pushed through the wall and proceeded to fall down the tall trees of Kachirho city. Eventually landing on the beach with a heavy thud, sending sand everywhere and leaving a large crater. Hearing the angry Sith leaping down to finish him, Chief quickly rolled out of the way before gaining his footing.

Unsheathing his Vibroblade and shaking his arms loose, Chief watched as the Dark side brute charged at him with his pike once more. Coming down with a powerful slash, Chief ducked out of the way of the steel blade before grabbing the shaft and propelling himself up into Savage's face. With an iron fist, Master Chief sent the brute sprawling backwards.

Charging at his opponent, 117 dived into the Zabrak warrior as the pair rolled through the sand. Finding a gap in the muscular alien's defence, Chief landed a deadly punch below the Sith's shoulder, paralysing Savage's arm. Bringing his knife around for the kill shot, the Zabrak tried to counter but it was no use. Plunging the knife deep into the Nightbrother's chest, green blood oozed out from the wound along with an emerald-coloured gas. Though he tried to resist, Chief blocked all attempts to recover as Savage's immense strength was drained from him via his wounds.

After the warrior's last breath, Chief called for the transport to come to pick him up and to bring a body bag. Hearing this news, the pilot responded with congratulations and said that he'll contact the Jedi Council immediately. As the ship appeared from its invisible cloak, Chief shouldered the large corpse while walking towards the ramp. Setting a course for Coruscant, 117 returned the sniper rifle to the crew and thanked them for letting him use it.

"He he, it was no problem sir, and plus, it's not like we could say no if we tried to." The primary pilot replied jokingly, igniting a series of chuckles from the rest of the crew.