Chapter 177 - Facing Despair In Ryloth

Dageer, Commander Keeli, and Admiral Dao spent many hours discussing. Every aspect was covered, every flaw they could find were corrected. But their stares only grew more worried as they saw how slim their chances were.

This time even Dageer wasn't that confident. The Republic had thrown the 303rd in a suicide mission, one they couldn't run away from. Not for a moment did Dageer believe that the freedom fighters on Ryloth would actually be of any help. In fact, he could foresee that they would cause a lot of trouble. Still, they had their orders, and they were going to follow it to the bitter end.

Their job on Ryloth was simple. They had to defend the planet against anything the Separatist threw on them. If they could hold the Separatist on space, it was even better. If their blockade failed, them they would fight for every inch of ground.

As such, the commanders had already started making their preparations. Supplies were being loaded on, sh.i.p.s were being fueled, and, most importantly, soldiers were boarding their sh.i.p.s.

To defend Ryloth, the 303rd would give everything they had. Everything. Almost every infantry trooper descended onto the planet, leaving only a few hundred behind to defend the cruisers in case they were boarded.

That day, the citizens of Ryloth witnessed an incredible sight. Gunship after gunship flew down from the fleet on space, dropping men, weapons, vehicles, and supplies. The long convoy continued for hours before it was finally over.

If one looked up, the fleet would appear to be the same, as if the long string of Laats was just a hallucination. But for the clones who remained on the cruisers, it was different. The long corridors, usually bristling with life, were now silent. The canteen was quiet, since even those who remained weren't willing to talk. No soldier had any illusions, they all knew that it was going to be a tough fight, and it was very unlikely they would see each other again.

...

"General! You should see this!"

General Di turned away from the window, and saw one of the crewmen calling for him. For the last couple of hours, he had just been staring at the planet below. Ragout and Hell Squad had already gone to Ryloth, the clones mostly healed from their injuries. Now, the only ones who still had to go to the planet were he and Commander Keeli.

"What is it, corporal?"

"We just received a message from General Kenobi. It has information about the Separatist fleet and transmission for you."

"Play the transmission first."

The clone nodded, and a recorded hologram message appeared. The man in the hologram used Jedi Knight's clothes, in shades of white and beige. His beard was well treated. The man seemed to be a well-educated gentleman, and this impression was only reinforced by how he spoke, even though it was just a recording.

"Master Di, it is unfortunate that I have to contact you under such circ.u.mstances. I regret to inform you that we aren't able to provide you any support, at least for now. The Separatist are engaging us in every planet in the galaxy, and the Republic is hard-pressed to fight back. Some of my men were, however, able to retrieve basic information about the Separatist fleet tasked with conquering Ryloth. I hope it is of help, as little as it may seem. May the Force be with you."

The hologram disappeared, and General Di looked pensive for a moment. The situation was dire, much worse than he expected.

"Put the intel on."

The crewman made as Commander Keeli commanded, and pulled up the intel that General Kenobi had gathered. Almost immediately, curses and imprecations left the mouths of every officer on the command bridge.

"We are doomed."

Admiral Dao's words resumed what every clone was thinking. The 303rd Attack Legion had a fleet that was by no means small. The Sincerity was a Venator-class Cruiser, one of the biggest and most powerful models the Republic had on stock. Not only that, but the fleet also had three other Venator-class Cruisers, eleven Acclamator-class Cruisers and dozens of smaller sh.i.p.s like CR90 Corvettes. The number of starfighters was in the thousands. So what could possibly make the Commander of such a fleet feel certain doom?

The answer was, a much bigger enemy fleet. Not only there were six Providence-class Dreadnoughts, and twenty Munificent-class Frigates, but they also brought a Recusant-class Destroyer. This ship was equivalent to all three Venator-class Cruisers the Republic had. That meant that besides the big number of capital sh.i.p.s, there would be tens of thousands of Vulture droids to deal with. The Separatist usually had a numerical advantage over the Republic, but this was ridiculous.

"Don't worry, my friends. They might have the numbers, but we have the best pilots, and the best leaders. Admiral Dao fought on many battles, more than any of us here. We will pull through this ordeal, and soon, the Republic will send help."

All the officers acknowledged General Di's speech. None of them believed in it.

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Dageer watched as clones marched before him, and into the city of Lessu. Outside the city, AT-TEs, AT-APs, and SPHA-Ts lined outside the city. The citizens looked at the marching army and the massive vehicles in awe and fear. Many of them weren't happy with Republic forces taking control over their capital, even if they were the ones who asked for help.

As he commanded the clones to take position on the walls, he analyzed the outskirts of the city. A blast bridge was the only way in or out of the Lessu. The capital was surrounded by an abyss that seemed to have no end. It was an extremely good defensive position, but if the clanckers did break through their blockade - and Dageer had no doubt they would - then even such a city would fall in a matter of days.

He looked over to the center of the city, where a high building towered over the others. The City Council was having a meeting there, deciding whether or not they should accept the Republic troops.

As incredible as it seems, when Dageer first arrived at the city, the rulers rejected him, arguing that those who asked the Republic to come were the so-called freedom fighters, traitors of Ryloth. Dageer looked at the fat Twi'leks, and ignored them entirely. He had his orders, he was going to carry them.

Some of the members of the council threatened to report him to the Senate, saying that the occupation was illegal. Dageer once more ignored them, instead saying very politely that if they didn't shut up, he was going to arrest them.

At the moment, Ragout was waiting for an audience with the City Council, and Hell Squad served as an escort. Dageer had stayed outside the city to organize the defenses. He was glad he didn't have to attend the meeting.

"Sub-commander, sir, the general is arriving."

"Thank you, Smit. Dismissed."

"Yes, sir."

Dageer watched as the Laat landed, and walked towards it. Only two passengers got out, Commander Keeli and General Di. Dageer saluted both.

"Welcome to Lessu, general. We are facing some trouble with the populace that General Ragout thinks only you can solve. He asked me to tell you to go to the City Council."

"I will go immediately. Arrange transport."

"Yes, general. Bliar, you heard the general! Commander, the defenses are ready for inspection."

"Good. Let's do a patrol."