Chapter 224 - A Failed Rescue Mission

Short-distance hyperspace travel.

Entering and leaving hyperspace in a split-second, just enough to travel less than half a parsec. Basically, it is enough for someone to go from one side of a planet to another. It was also a very dangerous and highly costly move.

Such type of travel used the same amount of fuel as any long-distance one, sometimes even more. It was also risky because, since it was almost instant, it would shake the entire structure of a ship. Smaller sh.i.p.s would instantly fall apart, and bigger ones would suffer a lot. But that wasn't the worse of it. By using short-distance hyperspace travel, anything that hit the ship when it came out of hyperspace would have the same impact as a laser cannon shot. And, considering that Ryloth's surroundings were currently filed with debris, one could imagine how big the chances of 'accidents' happening were.

But the Separatist gamble paid off. After all, they had tactical droids, and their circuits were programmed to deal with situations like this. They calculated were the dreadnoughts would arrive perfectly, and, aside from a few holes in their shields, the sh.i.p.s were almost intact. And that was where General Skywalker's plan failed.

He wasn't able to see two things. Firstly, he couldn't scan the fleet around the planet, so he failed to notice there were more enemy sh.i.p.s. Secondly, no one would have ever thought that the Separatist commander would be crazy enough to use short-distance hyperspace travel. Even for the Separatist and the Trade Federation, dreadnoughts weren't cheap.

"That isn't good..."

"Yeah. General Skywalker should retreat. He won't be able to break through now."

"This... isn't Master Skywalker."

"What? What do you mean, general?"

Ragout frowned, and looked up. Following his gaze, the clones saw the small squadron that was attacking the Lucrehulk-class Battleship push on forward.

"What are they doing?! They are being cut off!"

While Cell was questioning the mental state of the clone pilots, Dageer looked at Ragout. The padawan had an expression of horror in his face.

"Who is leading this squadron, general?"

"I feel... Uhmm... I think it is Master Skywalker's padawan, Ahsoka Tano. Yeah... I feel her presence."

"General... I mean, Commander Tano? Why would she be leading the attack?"

"Master Skywalker must want to train her, just like Master Di once trained me. She is just like I was... Just like I was on Dantooine, with Kuvu."

"Well, Ryloth isn't exactly the best training grounds for a new padawan. She has to fall back, otherwise they are all going to die!"

Unfortunately, there was nothing the few dozen troops on the ground could do. It didn't take long for the first starfighters to blew up, and the Republic fleet also started taking heavy damage. Almost hesitantly, the starfighters got back to their cruisers, not without losses.

It all happened so fast. Firstly, it seemed like the Republic was winning, and in the next minutes, they were forced to run away with heavy losses, leaving several starfighters and one cruiser behind, to increase the amount of debris around Ryloth.

The clones watched silently as their hopes were crushed. It was almost impossible to believe it. The Republic's attempt to save Ryloth lasted less than an hour.

"I-Is... Is that it?"

"General Skywalker's capital ship was hit. I doubt they have the strength to fight the seppies. I guess we don't have to attack that relay station now..."

Tech analyzed the battle better than any of the others. Small discussions filled the clone group. After so many battles, they had long learned that it was better not to underestimate the Separatist. Commander Tano, unfortunately, was too inexperienced to know that.

Dageer looked at the troopers, and glanced back at Ragout. His meaning was clear. Ragout was now their general, and there were times that he should speak up to his troops. The padawan nodded, and turned to the clones, who instantly stopped talking and entered formation.

"At ease. The first attempt of the 501st have failed, but if I know Master Skywalker, he will be back soon. For now, we stay put, to when he needs us. We have been in Ryloth for a long time already, a few more days won't make a difference. Dageer, Shield, you know your roles."

"Yes, general."

"Understood, sir."

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The clones waited for a long time, ready to invade the relay station. However, the 501st didn't come back that day. When night arrived, Ragout ordered the troopers to go to sleep. General Skywalker wouldn't attack today.

Dageer stood on guard that night. Usually, commanders wouldn't be on guard duty, but he insisted. Commander Keeli did that when he was still alive, and Dageer followed his example. It was a way to show the soldiers that although he was an officer, he was still one of them.

When his shift was almost over, he heard footsteps behind him. His hands reached for his vibroblade and his DC-17, but when he turned around, he saw it was just Brain. His brother saw him slowly moving his hand back, and nodded towards it.

"Things aren't good, are they, commander."

"Argh... I still hadn't got used to you calling me commander. It doesn't feel right."

Brain knew Dageer was deviating from the subject, but he didn't point it out. Other clones might not notice it, but Brain knew Dageer was under a heck more pressure than he showed. The clone never let the others see his weak side, when he doubted their chances of survival, and, worse, when he doubted himself.

"The nightmares are getting worse, aren't they? That is why you insisted on doing a guard shift."

"Yeah..."

Dageer didn't deny it. It was only with Hell Squad, and especially Brain, that he could tell the truth, and didn't need to show a strong facade. After all, the six clones knew him better than anyone else. Their bond wasn't something normal troopers had. It was forged by months of constant war and death.

"The day General Di died... The voice got stronger. It was... Happy. Happy that a Jedi died. And, for a moment, I felt happy too. Why, Brain? Why do we dream that every night? We are soldiers, created to fight for the Jedis. For the Republic. Why would we want it to end? Why would we want to destroy the Jedi?"

"We don't want to, sir. It is just nightmares, that's all it is."

Dageer frowned, looking at the moons over Ryloth. He wished Brain was right. He wanted Brain to be right. But his feelings told him that wasn't the case. There was something else to the nightmares. He just didn't know what.

With a sigh, he put his arm around Brain's shoulder, careful not to touch the bandages around his head and neck, which were covering his injury.

"What... What will happen with us, commander? I mean, if General Skywalker is able to take back Ryloth."

"I have no doubt we will leave this planet, Brain. For better or for worse, our job here is done. There is nothing much we can do. The 303rd was destroyed. We will be divided amongst other legions. That is the normal procedures. As for Hell Squad... We are different. You know that."

"And what about General Ragout?"

"He is a Jedi. They have their own ways. Remember, Brain, we are soldiers. And this war isn't over yet. It won't be over for a long time. We will avenge General Di and Commander Keeli, no matter what!"