Chapter 227 - Hell Squad's Stand

After he sent Ragout and Ahsoka to the cruiser, General Skywalker stared at the clones before him. Forty-five soldiers, including the one leading them, who he recognized as the Sub-commander Dageer. His different armor gave it away. Over his right shoulder pad and arm, there were several uniform lines. They were very similar to the ones Captain Rex had on his helmet.

Walking down the ramp, with Captain Rex by his side, he stopped in front of Dageer. An ugly scar, red and swollen, covered the right side of the clone's face crossing over his eye. Other small scars and bruises covered his face and neck, at least ten of them. Dageer saluted him, as did the other troopers, but it was clear that they were hesitant.

"Sub-commander Dageer. Where is the rest of your legion?"

His words caused the clone to stutter, and take a heavy breath, before letting out a sigh. Lowering his hand, Dageer looked past General Skywalker, past the cruiser, and past many mountains and valleys, to a place that thousands of his brothers gave their lives to defend.

"We are it, General Skywalker. One hundred and eighty-five troopers, of which one hundred and forty-one are critically injured, and unable to battle. Also... Uff... I am a commander now."

It took a few seconds for General Skywalker to process what Dageer was saying. An entire legion, thirty thousand men, wiped out. That was unheard of. He knew that General Di had died, but he didn't think the entire legion would be gone. And, since Dageer was now a commander, that meant Commander Keeli had also perished.

"I see... Then, Commander Dageer, we should get your men inside the cruiser. They probably need medical attention urgently."

"That is true, general. Lieutenant Shield, get on with that."

"Yes, commander."

"Also, Commander Dageer, the 501st will be retreating for now. We suffered heavy losses in this battle, and Admiral Yullaren was badly injured. Master Kenobi and Master Windu will take over from here. You can leave the ground assault to them. You and your men are going back to Coruscant."

Dageer looked at the troopers behind him. They were all tired, battered up, and dispirited. He couldn't deny them the rest they deserved, nor the treatment to their wounds. With a nod, the clones started to board the cruiser. As soon as they were out of sight from their superiors, they dropped their blasters and sat on the floor. They lost everything, but this battle was finally over. More would come, but that was a problem for the future.

General Skywalker and Captain Rex waited for the 303rd to board, saying nothing. Only when they too were about to enter the cruiser, did they notice that Dageer and six other clones weren't following them.

"Commander? Aren't you coming?"

Dageer looked at his squad. During the time the wounded were being moved, Brain and Three-four had joined him and the others, and Hell Squad's ranks were filled up. Glancing at the very similar faces, he saw them nodding at him. They knew what he was planning, and they were more than willing to follow him.

"No, sir. Hell Squad still has a job to finish here in Ryloth."

"Ohh? And what job is that?"

"Get rid of every clancker on the planet. For the 303rd."

General Skywalker glanced at them, clearly feeling the hatred that Dageer and the others held for the Separatist. Still, he didn't stop them or ordered them to go back to Coruscant, although that was what he should have done.

Dageer always felt that General Skywalker understood the clones better than the other Jedis. The young Jedi didn't seem to hold revenge and anger as terrible feelings.

"You do you, commander. But you would better report to Master Windu once he lands. He won't like it."

"I understand, sir. And, thank you, sir."

General Skywalker nodded, and walked up the ramp. The clones from the 501st didn't even set a foot on Ryloth, but nobody could blame them. Their job was to break the blockade, and that they did.

"Good luck, brother."

"Thanks, captain. We will see you back at Coruscant before you know it."

Captain Rex nodded, and followed his general. Soon, the lower ramp of the cruiser closed, and Hell Squad got away from it so it could take off.

"Commander, do you think General Ragout will be all right?"

"It will take time, but he will. He is a Jedi, after all."

"And what about us?"

"We fight. We are soldiers after all. Now, stop asking questions, and prepare to receive General Kenobi and General Windu."

--------------------------

The Republic set camp near the relay station that the 303rd had taken over. During the night, a few thousand droids tried to attack them, but were easily defeated by the clones.

The counterattack of the Republic started the next morning, as troops were deployed all over the planet. Gruesome battles and the fires of war took over Ryloth once again, as the Separatist countered the Republic offense with their vicious tactics.

And it was only later that day that Hell Squad got the chance to meet with General Windu - General Kenobi was already off to a battle somewhere on the planet - they couldn't meet with the Jedi before because Brain and Three-four could barely walk properly. However, after being treated in a bacta-tank for one night, they were ready for battle again. In fact, not only them, but most of Hell Squad went to the bacta-tanks. Now, their wounds still hurt, and their scars were still closing up, but that wouldn't stop them from fighting.

"Commander Dageer."

"Take me to General Windu, trooper."

"Yes, sir."

Hell Squad followed the 91st trooper around AT-TEs and AT-RTs, until they arrived in front of General Windu. The Jedi was talking to Commander Ponds, whom Dageer hadn't seen since Geonosis.

"Commander Dageer."

"General Windu, Commander Ponds."

Commander Ponds stepped aside, and let General Windu face Dageer. As always, the general had a serious expression, as if nothing could make him smile. He looked at Dageer frowning, probably wondering why the clone was still in Ryloth.

"Commander Dageer. Skywalker contacted me, and said you and your squad wanted to stay behind. Why is that?"

"The seppies killed my legion, sir. My commander, my general. Hell Squad won't leave Ryloth before they are kicked out of here."

General Windu frowned even harder, and looked at Commander Ponds. The clone, however, decided not to give his opinion, and stayed quiet.

"Hell Squad will be leaving Ryloth in the next transport. Look at your men, commander. Look at yourself. You are in no condition to battle."

Dageer sighed. The Jedi might have been right, but he didn't understand. For once on his life, Dageer willingly defied the orders of a superior officer.

"We can't leave, general. General Di died for Ryloth. The 303rd was destroyed for Ryloth. I would be betraying all of my brothers if I left without seeing this battle to its end."

"Ryloth will be taken back, I guarantee you. Now, Commander Dageer, go to nearest transport, and leave this planet. I won't let one of the best units the Republic have be destroyed because of your stubbornness."

Dageer said nothing, but he also didn't move. General Windu stared at him, and he stared back. He and Hell Squad had long decided that they would either be there when Ryloth was conquered, or die on the planet. They owned that to General Di and Commander Keeli.

"Didn't you hear me, trooper? You have your orders, so get mov..."

"Thirty thousand, general. That is how many 303rd troopers died for Ryloth. And I knew every single one of them. They were my brothers."