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Chapter 284 - Chapter 284: How Should We Defeat It?

In orbit over Coruscant, the Republic Fleet was doing its best to hold the line against the enemy armada. However, this was proving increasingly difficult as more ships continued emerging from hyperspace.

As the battlefield descended into chaos, many of the incoming vessels began ramming directly into Republic Star Destroyers.

From his starfighter, Saesee Tiin could only watch in horror as death and destruction unfolded on multiple fronts simultaneously.

All he could do now was channel this into further motivation to end this conflict as quickly as possible.

He piloted toward the nearest Republic vessel, which he boarded after an emergency landing.

"General Tiin, the ship is about to be destroyed."

"Then it's time to acquire a new one," he said, eyeing an enemy vessel nearby as he disembarked from his fighter. "Can everyone evacuate?"

"Unknown, sir, but Admiral Yularen is attempting to ensure everyone reaches the escape pods in time."

Tiin simply nodded. "I'll locate the Admiral myself."

Before he could proceed, he heard the Admiral's voice crackling over the comm.

"Jedi Master, you will do no such thing," the Admiral said firmly. "All personnel are to abandon ship immediately."

"Admiral—"

"This is not negotiable, General Tiin," Yularen interrupted. "We must evacuate now. Enemy vessel bearing down on our position."

The Jedi Master paused momentarily.

"Understood, Admiral," Tiin replied. "Ensure complete evacuation."

"I'll do everything possible—"

When communications suddenly cut out, Saesee ordered all personnel to rally at a single point on the ship.

Minutes later, the remaining ship's complement had assembled.

Saesee Tiin shouted as the hangar bay doors slid open.

"Prepare for boarding action!"

As he spoke, everyone leaped out and dove toward the enemy vessel, attempting to capture it.

After landing on the hull, the troopers opened fire on any targets ahead to give Master Tiin time to breach the ship and fight his way to the bridge.

Upon landing, the Iktotchi Jedi used his lightsaber to cut through the hull. He employed the Force to pry apart the metal plating, then he and several clones dropped inside.

Once aboard, they moved swiftly through the corridors, though they were immediately met by overwhelming robotic resistance awaiting them.

If they could have seized this ship faster, the Republic vessel they'd just abandoned might have been saved along with countless others.

Sadly, more sections of the craft exploded, claiming many lives in the process.

Casualties would be tallied later, but for now the battle continued.

On Coruscant, the ground war raged on.

Remarkably, Republic forces were slowly gaining footing against the seemingly endless waves of drones.

Jedi Knights and their clone captains and commanders had reorganized into stronger defensive lines and begun expanding outward from both the Senate building and the Jedi Temple.

The two separate forces had linked up and now presented a unified front, with additional clone units scattered across the city attempting to rejoin them.

Senate Commandos, security droids, and even armed Coruscant civilians had joined the fight to repel Ultron's assault.

"We're making progress," Anakin declared, leading the 501st's advance.

Beside him were his faithful Padawan, his captain, as well as Peter and Sam.

"I don't think progress matters much," Sam said, using his wings to bat away multiple aerial drones. "These things just keep coming."

"So is there any way to stop this Ultron?" Rex called out, grabbing a drone by the head and twisting violently, severing its internal circuitry.

Before anyone could answer, the entire area began shaking violently.

Continuous rumbling echoed in the distance and screams could be heard from all directions.

"What's that sound?" Ahsoka asked loudly, slightly panicked.

A moment later, an enormous shadow fell across them, engulfing the entire 501st Legion. Everyone turned toward the source of the shadow.

Upon seeing what loomed before them, nearly everyone's eyes widened in shock—helmets were removed, and many either collapsed or fled outright.

"...I don't think Scott can handle this one," Peter shouted.

They all heard a deep, menacing laugh emanating from a giant Ultron towering above them.

Compared to the massive Ultron, Scott's enlarged form now appeared relatively small.

One of Ultron's colossal hands wrapped around one of Coruscant's many skyscrapers, and the towering structure was immediately crushed.

"This is about to get much worse," Sam Wilson said nervously.

"Oh, you're only just realizing that," came the booming voice of the giant Ultron.

"..."

"...Shit, he heard us."

The massive Ultron drew back his fist.

Anakin's eyes widened at the motion.

"Scatter!"

Everyone sprinted at maximum speed in all directions to avoid the incoming enormous fist.

Unfortunately, many clones who couldn't clear the area in time were crushed by the impact.

"Hey!"

Giant Ultron turned to see the massive form of Ant-Man leaping toward him.

"You're pathetic! The technology within you is unsuitable for organic waste!" the giant Ultron bellowed, swinging his right arm and striking Scott's chest with his enormous metallic fist, gripping him tightly.

"If I possessed pain receptors like you, this might actually hurt," Ultron sneered.

The massive synthetic quickly retaliated, grasping the giant Avenger in one hand and effortlessly hurling him away, sending Scott flying backward to crash into a nearby building.

"Scott!" Hope screamed in horror.

Below, Matt stood with Plo Koon, the blind hero looking up at the gigantic enemy through gritted teeth.

"How are we supposed to defeat that thing?"

"I'm uncertain," Plo Koon admitted grimly.

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