Chapter 219 - Dageer Loses Control

Suddenly, a loud noise woke Dageer up from his daze. He looked at the sky, and saw several sh.i.p.s dropping their escape pods. The pods landed on the earth in front of the mixed group of Twi'leks and clones, and created small craters. One of the freedom fighters cautiously opened a pod, and pulled a box from inside it.

"It's food and medical supplies from the Republic!"

Cheers erupted, old and young jumping in happiness. Syndulla looked at the escape pods and at his people, running towards it, and humped in annoyance. However, he couldn't disguise the glints of relief on his eyes.

However, none of the clones moved. The Twi'leks, initially surprised by their sudden stop and reactions, quickly forgot them, and ran to grab the supplies.

Dageer sighed, and blinked. Using the back of his hand, he wiped out his tears. There would be a time to grieve, but it wasn't now.

"Tech, Shield... Get... Get the others up. We have to keep moving."

"Sub-commander..."

"Sir..."

"I know it! I know... Just... Keep moving."

Dageer looked around. All of them were on the verge of tears, but they still followed his orders. Slowly, the clones got back on their feet, supporting each other. However, their backs were curved, and they walked unsteadily. An aura of defeat surrounded them.

It was over. The 303rd Attack Legion was over. General Di and Commander Keeli were dead. Admiral Dao, Rozal, Fondor, Timer, Narza, Berro, Bliar, Ace, Jax, Sharp, Thartam, Womp, Milo, Cooker, Macro, Jung, Frit, Trapper, Sannel, Virgo, Vigil, Plasma, Jesper, Pride, Smit, Storge, Torc, Agil, Weet, Sparky, Falco, Bat, Ferit, Spark, Bliar, Poshe, Kuvu, Spike, Shep, and so many others. They were all gone.

Dageer didn't know what was going to happen. He didn't what would be made of the few survivors, Hell Squad included. He didn't know a thing.

"Sir. What about the gene... General Ragout?"

Cell approached him quietly. There was blood trickling down his fists. Even his armor wasn't able to protect him from himself when he punched the ground in anger and despair.

Looking at Cell's ragged hands made Dageer realize that he wasn't the only one who felt lost. Those who had something to do were still better than those who hadn't. Clones like Three-four and Brain, who were too wounded to even move, could only stare at the sky blankly. The fact that they didn't have anything to occupy their minds made it worse.

And then Dageer saw Ragout. The Togruta was crouching on the ground, crying. Dageer could only imagine how bad it was for him. If even the clones felt the loss of General Di so strongly, then what about Ragout, who had a direct connection with his master?

"I will talk to him. And, Cell... Send someone to fetch Syndulla for me. I need to talk to him. I don't care if he doesn't want to come. He is going to hear this news from my mouth."

"I will go myself, sir."

As Cell ran away, Dageer walked towards Ragout. He thought about what he could say to cheer up the padawan, and realized nothing would do this. After all, it was his master who died. Maybe telling the truth would be better.

He grabbed Ragout's arms, and lifted the padawan. Tears filled his face, but when he saw Dageer, he tried to wipe and hide them.

"There is no need, general. I felt it too... We all did."

Any wish of hiding his pain and despair left Ragout. He let the tears stream free down his face.

"What do we do? Master is dead... What can I do?"

Dageer patted Ragout's shoulders. He didn't know how to comfort the padawan. He was a soldier, he only knew how to fight. But he did know that in situations like that, sometimes just saying the truth was better.

"Now that General Di is gone, you have to lead is, sir."

"I-I can't do that..."

"You have to. The 303rd is gone, but some of us are still here. We have too many wounded, and the seppies are still after us. We can't stop here."

"I-I-I... Uff... Okay..."

"Good. You should get in one of the Blurrgs, general. The Twi'leks have stopped to catch the supplies, but I will get them on the move. Meanwhile, I will find one of the freedom fighters to show you the way. The injured are priority."

"I understand. Thanks, Dageer."

It was weird to give orders to a Jedi, but Dageer knew it was necessary. After Ragout started moving, Dageer grabbed Miwy, and told the Twi'lek to lead the way together with Ragout. For once, she didn't complain.

"Lieutenant Shield!"

"I'm here, sir."

"I want every man who can still walk to get to those pods, and organize it. Don't let the civilians near it, otherwise it will be a huge mess."

"Yes, sir. Syndulla is not gonna like it."

"I don't care whether he likes it or not. I'm going to talk to him. Remember, don't get in a fight with the Twi'leks, but don't let them take the supplies. And start getting them to walk. Tell them the clanckers are on our tail, and we can't waste the time that General Di brought us."

Lieutenant Shield nodded, and assembled the troopers. Soon, Dageer could hear complaints from the Twi'leks, but none of them dared confront the clones. Either they respected them for all they sacrificed, or they were afraid of the blasters. Dageer didn't care. He wasn't in a good mood.

"Sub-commander Dageer! Order your men to stand down!"

He heard Syndulla long before the Twi'lek appeared, riding his Blurrg. Dageer now understood why General Di said they couldn't trust Syndulla to take care of the injured clones. He had completely ignored them, and only cared for the supplies.

Rage filled Syndulla's face, but Dageer just put on his helmet, and lifted his blaster. He didn't aim it at anyone, but Syndulla retreated a few steps nonetheless.

"Where is the padawan? I want to talk to him."

"General Ragout is leading your people. Don't forget that we still have seppies following us."

"Rar! I thought that was why that Jedi decided to stay behind! Can't he even stop a few droids, or did he just run?!"

Despise filled Yate's face as the Twi'lek spat on the ground. He never liked the Republic, and even now, it didn't cross his mind why the clones had suddenly stopped.

"Yate, shut..."

Syndulla sensed something in Dageer's eyes, and wanted to warn the freedom fighter to stay quiet, but before he could, Dageer had knocked him out using the butt of his blaster. The impact was enough to send Yate in unconsciousness.

Several freedom fighters aimed their weapons at Dageer, seeing the clone suddenly attack one of them. Dageer, however, ignored the blasters, and ordered his own troopers to stand down. Looking at Syndulla, he waited for the Twi'lek to do the same.

"What are you doing? Put those blasters down! Now!"

Hesitantly, the Twi'leks did as they were said. The clones looked at Dageer surprised. They had never seen the sub-commander lose control like that, but they knew Yate was lucky that Dageer didn't use his vibroblade.

"Get him up. And when he wakes up, tell him it was well deserved. The Republic is our ally, and he should learn to respect them."

Syndulla looked coldly at Yate as the Twi'lek was taken away, and then yelled for his people to let the clones take control of the situation, and get going. He already understood why Dageer was so angry.

Soon, only Dageer, Syndulla, and Gobi were left there. The Twi'lek gestured for Dageer to say what he wanted.

"General Di and Commander Keeli are gone. If you don't want their sacrifice to be wasted, get us to your hideout at once."