Chapter 123 - The Path to Victory

Dantooine was a mixture of grass plains and rock plateaus, and had no big water bodies. Most of the planet was flat, without mountains, and with just a few hills.

So, when Dageer and Commander Keeli looked south, they could see Garang, the capital city of Dantooine, without any problems, even if it was two hundred kilometers away. The only things obstructing the view were the hundreds of thousands of droids in the way.

Seeing the lines of clanckers, the AATs, Dwarf-Spider droids and whatnot, Dageer started calculating what it would cost the clones to take Dantooine.

"There are a lot more clanckers than I thought."

"Dageer, organize the men. We need all troops well rested for tomorrow. And get a good number of patrols. I want every single corner of this hill under our eyes. If we lose it, we might not get it back."

"Yes, commander."

Dageer turned around and grouped with his squad. Shirli had died, but no one else had gotten hurt, and although Hell Squad was very tired, they were still pumped up because of their recent victory. As per usual, the most talkative was Cell, followed by Brain.

"We did it, sir! Man, I was sure we would die! Did you see how many clanckers we destroyed?!"

"It was easy. No seppie can stay on the way of the Republic."

"Quiet!"

Listening to Brain and Cell discuss arrogantly, Dageer yelled at them for the very first time since Hell Squad was created. He couldn't see Hell Squad members' faces under their helmets, but he knew that the two clones were only externalizing what all the clones were thinking.

And he knew why they were thinking that. Ever since Hell Squad was created, on the first battle of the Clone Wars, they had sufficient nothing but minor setbacks. Even Three-four injury didn't seem so serious, since they knew he would recover. Not too long ago, Dageer had been thinking the same, but Kuvu's death had impacted him, mainly because he knew it could have been avoided. As an officer, it was his responsibility to be confident, but not arrogant.

"You all think the clanckers are so useless they can do nothing to threaten us?! If the Separatist were as weak as you seem to think they are, wouldn't this war already be won?! If they are so weak, why didn't we crush them immediately?"

"Sir, we didn't..."

"Silence! Your superior is speaking!"

Immediately, all the clones straightened their backs. They had been around Dageer for so long that they unconsciously forgot he was their sub-commander. When Dageer yelled at them, the obedience on their genetic code kicked in instantaneously.

"Not only can the droids stay on our way, but they did it today. Otherwise, I wouldn't be talking only with you five, but also with Kuvu, Shirli, Tuti, Leat and many others."

Hell Squad stayed quiet. Dageer didn't know if they understood what he was saying or not, but he couldn't care less. He looked down the hill to the sixth trench, where combat was still happening.

"Move out, directly north. When we get to the sixth trench, split into two groups. I want this hill clear from any seppies before sunset!"

Already scared by Dageer's rage, Hell Squad moved immediately and orderly. Looking at them, unnoticed, was Commander Keeli. Only he knew what thoughts were on his head, but there was a smile on his face.

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Orange light shone upon the hill as the sun rose, illuminating the clone army. Dozens of AT-TEs were on top of the hill, ready to crash down on their enemies. Behind the AT-TEs were the smaller AT-RT - All Terrain Recon Transport - and All Terrain Attack Pods - AT-AP -.

Of course, those weren't the only ones who would attack. Behind the heavy vehicles, thousands of clones lined up, waiting for their orders.

General Di, his padawan Ragout, Commander Keeli and Dageer were in the command center, discussing their plans with a holographic General Skywalker and Captain Rex. During the night, the 501st Legion had taken control of their landing zone, and would start to attack Khoonda at roughly the same time the 303rd attacked Garang.

That is, if both legions could get to the city today. Normally, advancing two hundred kilometers in one day was nothing, but considering the number of droids on their way, anything could happen. When Dageer had discussed with Commander Keeli before, both of them agreed the estimated time to reach the capital was between ten to fifteen days. But the jedis seemed to think it was too long.

"General Di, General Skywalker, the only way to get to the capital is by using a frontal attack. No air support, no infiltration. They have AA turrets everywhere, and the whole city is filled with droids."

"I know. I am only saying that we can't spend that much time to take a single, almost unimportant planet. There are other places in the galaxy that need us more."

No matter how hard Commander Keeli and Captain Rex tried to convince the young General Skywalker that it was impossible to hurry the conquest of a planet, it was for nothing. Even General Di seemed to think that the fifteen days estimation that the clones had given to him was too much. In the end, the three clone officers were forced to drop the matter, because the attack was about to start.

This time Commander Keeli didn't do any speeches. With one order from him, AT-TEs and AT-APs fired a volley with their mass-drive cannons, and the clone army started marching downhill to meet their opponents.

"Let's get to work, boys!"

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"General, we just received updates from some battlefields."

"Cough... cough!!! Tell me."

General Grievous answered with his coarse voice. At the moment he was inside his capital ship, sitting in the captain's chair.

"Yes, sir. Ryloth has fallen to the Republic. Kessel is still under our control, but it is slowing falling to the Republic. Felucia and Bespin are in a standstill. Christophsis and Devaron are under our total control, with only a few resistance pockets remaining. Dantooine..."

"Don't bother me with those unimportant planets! What difference can a piece of rock like that make? Cough!!!"

The droid just ignored General Grievous' words. He was reporting this to the abomination under General Dooku's orders.

"Dantooine is falling much faster than we expected. Two legions, namely 303rd Attack Legion and 501st Legion... Ahhhh!!!"

Before the droid had the chance to finish, his chest was trespassed with a sharp blade.

"What are you doing, Hiigi? This unit belongs to Count Dooku."

The mon calamari said nothing, but the hatred in his eyes spoke better than any word. After he killed the droid, he gave General Grievous a sharp stare, then turned around and left.

"General, he left in his ship."

General Grievous ignored the droid, and kicked the body of the unit Hiigi killed to the side. He walked to the end of the command bridge, and looked down. Below his ship, a Republic cruiser was split in half, its remains filling the empty space.