Chapter 90 - Ragout

Nossor Ri was never found. The Republic assumed he was either buried or had run early in the fight.

The clones pressed the droids, and stopped for nothing. In the end the battle was considered to be a brilliant victory. Republic casualties were only a small fraction of what was expected, and CIS casualties were three times the estimated.

But that were just the numbers. For the clones who fought, it wasn't so simple. Victory or not, they still lost many brothers. Besides that, the statistics didn't account for the civilians. Intended or not, the Crab Cannons had caused massive damage to the buildings, razing many of them to the ground. Thousands of mon calamarians died and became 'collateral damage'.

A meeting was conducted after the battle, to decide what would be done with the clones. Other planets required them, so not all could be kept at Mon Cala. Also, the droids had fled, but the defeated quarrens were still there. A lot of political moves would be needed to make them accept the Republic.

Using the excuse that he was still clearing some resisting droids - which wasn't a total lie - Dageer didn't go to the meeting. In the end, many hours later, he got to know what had been decided.

First of all, the planet of Mon Cala as a whole joined the Republic, and although the quarren representatives complained, as the defeated party they didn't have much of a choice.

Secondly, Hell Squad and the 303rd clones who took part in the battle would return to The Sincerity. With Hell Squad intervention, they haven't suffered many deaths, and their losses would be replenished soon.

Thirdly was what Dageer considered the dumbest and unnecessary decision of the meeting. Yos Tivos, brother of the king, was considered a traitor for actively going against his king's orders. As such, his name would be erased from the royal family, and all his closest relatives would lose their positions in the royal court.

Anyway, neither of those points above were for Dageer to worry. For him that was just another battle. Surely, not one to be forgotten, but still just a battle.

Before leaving, Dageer found Kit Fisto and Monnk to say his goodbyes. They would stay on Mon Cala at least until the planet stabilized, and all Separatist resistance pockets were exterminated.

"Well Dageer, you crazy clone, take care, alright?"

"Don't worry about me, Monnk. You are the one who fights in the water. Compared to that, Geonosis was easy."

While Monnk and Dageer were bickering, the jedi said nothing. It was only when Dageer was about to go that the jedi talked.

"Dageer. You are a weird clone. I can tell you disagree with my methods, but dove into danger to save me even when it wasn't your job. You are a commander, but you didn't stay out of the fight, where it was secure, but jumped in the action."

"You are mistaken on this one, general. It is not that I am a weird clone, but just that I am a clone. Every one of my brothers would have done the same. The longer you fight by Commander Monnk's side, the more you will understand that. After all, we are the same."

Dageer saluted the clone and the jedi, and turned on the thruster on his back, going back to the surface. There a cruiser from General Di's fleet was waiting to pick up the soldiers.

Kit Fisto looked at Monnk, who got a little scared by the stare. He had never seen his general so surprised.

"Clones, hummm..."

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Dageer did his job as sub-commander, seeing each of his men out of the transports, and following the injured to the infirmary. It was only after that that he reported to General Di. As always, the jedi was on the command bridge, looking to the vacuum outside.

Together with him were Admiral Dao, Commander Keeli and a small hooded figure that Dageer didn't recognize. The first to greet him was Commander Keeli with a handshake and Admiral Dao with a nod. Neither General Di nor the figure turned around, so Dageer started his report.

"General. Sub-commander Dageer reporting. During the battle on Mon Cala, of the two regiments sent, two hundred and eighty-two clones died. Another three hundred and forty will need some time to recover."

General Di turned, as did the hooded person, but Dageer still couldn't see his or her face.

"You did a good job commanding your men down there. We already received confirmation that our forces will be replenished soon. For now, I would like to introduce you to someone. You will work with him a lot from now on."

The hooded person stepped forward, and took off his hood. A young face was revealed, with light blue skin and red eyes. Two large protuberances sprouted out of his head, blue as his skin, but with white stripes.

Togruta. That was the specie of the newcomer. They lived in a planet called Shili and took the t

Republic side as soon as the war started. Not only that, but the planet had a significantly larger number of Force-sensitive children.

"Dageer, this is Ragout, the new padawan sent to me by the Jedi Council. He is still young, and learning, so you will have to look after him in the following battles."

Ragout made a gracious jedi posture.

"It is my pleasure to meet you, sub-commander Dageer. Commander Keeli already told me about your achievements. I look forward to fighting alongside Hell Squad."

The young face was filled with expectations. Dageer felt pity for the kid, as he would soon face the dark and not so glamorous side of war. Still, Dageer answered him without giving away his thoughts.

"It will be good to have another jedi by our side. Welcome, kid."

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Kalee, Grievous base.

General Grievous was watching Hiigi with his hands behind his back. A few weeks had passed since he started training Hiigi, and the body of the mon calamari was riddled with scars.

Hiigi was at the moment just looking at the empty air, his eyes blank. Grievous coughed and slammed his metallic leg on the floor to capture his attention.

"Insect, your planet just fell for the Republic. Cough! Cough... cough!"

Hiigi said nothing, and just looked at Grievous, who laughed maniacally.

"Kakakakaka! I forgot, you can't say anything anymore. Cough! Cough... cough... cough! Kakakakaka! The insect lost his tongue! Kakakakakaka!"