Chapter 37 - Maybe

Dageer greeted each of the clones. It appeared that most of them had the same idea as Dageer, since, with the exception of Guard, all of them had different hair cuts and tattoos. Fondor, one of the lieutenants of the 303rd looked at Dageer and said with a surprised voice.

"I don't believe you are a lieutenant. How did you got into the officers canteen? I am just asking, don't be mad at me. Since you are here you must have authorization."

"Actually I am not sure what my rank is now. However, I have been given the same privileges as officers. Let me present myself. I am Dageer, leader of a special unit called Hell Squad."

Scar and Cedar didn't have any reaction when he told his name, but as members of the 303rd, Fondor and Guard had obviously heard of him. Guard, who appeared to be a stern type, talked for the first time.

"So you are Dageer. The men on on my platoon have been talking about you. I heard you had a tough time on that Battlesphere on Geonosis."

"It was fun. At least it sharpened my squad. They were much better on Alaris Prime than on Geonosis."

"Since you mentioned it, what was that on Alaris Prime? Guard and Fondor platoons stayed on the ship. They could only tell us what they had heard."

The one who asked the question was Cedar. The captain was the most serious of the batch, maybe because of his responsibilities. Dageer frowned when he asked about what the jedi called 'Harvester'.

"It was... disturbing. On this month or so of war I have seen many men die. But not the way it happened on Alaris Prime. Everyone that touched that thing simply... fell and died. It was as if everything inside them was sucked away, and only skin remained."

"I'm sorry... Dageer, do you alredy know what is your mission when we disembark?"

"Not yet captain. Hell Squad will follow the 303rd and act according to the situation."

Dageer talked to the clones a little more, then went to Hell Squad quarters. All of Hell Squad was there at the moment, which was a surprise, as the clones usually eat at this time, Hell Squad was no exception.

Brain and Tech were playing some game on a hologram table. Dab was cleaning his DC-15x, and Cell was sleeping. Three-four and Metal were discussing something on one of the corners. Metal seemed to have accepted his transfer to Hell Squad, although he complained quite a bit.

When Dageer stepped inside the room they all stopped what they were doing and saluted him. He dispensed them, told them to get back to what they were doing and went to sleep himself.

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When Dageer woke up the shield was still on. Now there was only Metal on the room with him, playing with his weapon. Dageer sat on his bed and called him.

"Metal. I know you are not happy with being taken out of your squad, but Hell Squad is in dire need of a heavy gunner like you."

"It is not that sir. I don't care with being transferred. I was surprised at most. It is just that... uff... all my old squad members are dead. Some died on Alaris Prime, and others on Rhen Var. In the end only I survived."

"I am sorry to hear that."

"No need to be sir. We are soldiers, this is normal. Even so, when I am alone I can't stop thinking that I could have done something. Maybe if I have grabbed that E-Web earlier. Or if I have entered the sewers first. Or if I had waited more on Alaris Prime. Maybe..."

"Metal. I know how you are feeling. I lost as many brothers as you did. And for that reason that we have to keep fighting. So we can end this war earlier and make sure that we all can go home as soon as possible."