Chapter 324 - Christophsis

The last droid on Kiros fell six days later, by the hands of Captain Rex. Any ship the Separatist sent to assist on the retreat of their troops was taken down, meaning that all three hundred thousand clanckers were destroyed.

Even though the Separatist could produce millions of droids a month, they weren't cheap. Losing three hundred thousand of them and winning nothing pained them. As such, when they saw the Republic was adamant on killing every single droid on Kiros, and letting none fall back, they ordered their units to cause as much damage to the Clone Army as they could. That order resulted in eighty thousand clone deaths, a steep price for the conquest of the planet.

However, now that Kiros was finally in Republic hands, they could start the third phase of the grand offensive. That is, flood major systems with clone troops.

And it was following such plan that Hell Squad and Ragout were on their way to Christophsis. The 501st and the 212th had permanent garrisons there, since the planet was very important to the Republic, for reasons that Dageer didn't know and didn't care. The Separatist seemed to think the same, and so Christophsis, like many other systems, had been locked in war for over three years.

General Kenobi, General Skywalker, Commander Cody, Captain Rex, and Ahsoka Tano had been sent to Onderan, to train rebels to fight against the Separatist forces trying to occupy the planet. The Republic couldn't send official troops there, because the government of Onderan insisted they were a neutral system, which was obviously a lie.

Because of that, Ragout was to command the two legions in Christophsis, at least until their Jedi generals were back.

...

"Did you read the reports, sir?"

Hell Squad was all grouped around Dageer while he read a datapad. Having spent almost two months without any news from the Republic, they had a lot to catch up. And many surprising events happened., which only strengthened Dageer's feeling that something big was lurking in the shadows, and that the war was close to ending.

"Yeah..."

"What do they say?"

"A lot happened. Jedi younglings captured, Republic and Separatist senators murdered in a bombing, attack on the Jedi Temple, an attempt on Chancellor Palpatine's life, and..."

"And?"

"Two new Siths appeared. From a planet called Dathomir. They already killed three Jedis, but it doesn't seem like they are on the seppies side. It looks like they want to take control of the crime syndicates. But that is not all. Ventress left the CIS. Apparently, they tried to kill her because she was becoming too powerful. That's what the Jedis think, at least. But it backfired, and she killed a few important seppies. She is being hunted by both us and them now.

"Ohh..."

There was a stunned silence following Dageer's words. Hell Squad had battled Ventress many times, and almost died by her hands. It was safe to say that she was their oldest enemy, aside from the deceased Hiigi. They hated her, but they always thought of her as a Separatist. It was weird to consider her anything else.

"If we meet her again, what are we to do?"

"The orders changed from 'kill on sight' to 'capture'. The higher-ups believe she might want to deliver intel now that the seppies are hunting her too."

The way Dageer said it left no doubt that if he could, he would ignore those orders. Ventress had caused much pain to Hell Squad, and killed too many of their brothers. Separatist or not, she deserved to die.

"Tech, everything Hell Squad needs to read is here. Transfer it to your datapads. I need to talk to the general."

"Got it."

Dageer couldn't be the only one to read the reports. As a special unit, it was important every member knew about all the battles that happened, who died, who survived, and much more. Most of this information would be useless, and never come into play, but you never knows? It might be important someday.

His helmet under his arm, Dageer walked to the command bridge of the Venator-class Star Destroyer. He had a bad feeling all of the sudden, which was why he left his unit so hastily. His scar started to burn, what only happened when something really bad was about to happen. He quickened his pace, and was almost running when he got to the command bridge.

Ragout was looking at the hologram table, but, seeing Dageer suddenly barge in, he instinctively put his hand over his lightsaber.

"What is it?"

"Not sure, general. Captain, check the scanners! Scatter, Kicks, and Cleaver, make patrols, and search the ship. If anything, anything, is wrong, inform it before investigating."

"Yes, sir!"

"Roger that."

"Understood, commander."

As soon as Dageer started ordering the soldiers around, Ragout had closed his eyes and focused on any disturbance of the Force. Unsurprisingly, he found one.

"How did you feel it before me?"

"Instinct, general. I know when I'm being watched. They are on the ship, I just don't know where exactly."

"Any idea of who they are?"

"Maybe, sir. Brain, I want Hell Squad on the cargo bay. Wait for me and General Ragout before entering. Separatist would have attacked our ship immediately, general, and normal pirates wouldn't dare to rob the Republic. They are most probably from the crime syndicates, and are working for those two rogue Siths. If the intel is correct, and they really want to become the biggest underground organization of the galaxy, they need big weapons, and we are carrying lots of those."

Dageer was talking about the E-Webs, AT-RTs, AT-TEs, and AT-APs that they were taking to Christophsis. If the outlaws got their hands in even a single one of those, the damage they could do would be immense.

"I felt a disturbance in the Force, Dageer. One of the Siths is here. We have to proceed with caution."

Smiling, Dageer put on his helmet, and stroked his vibroblade.

"Don't I always?"

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

"Interesting... That foolish Jedi already sensed me, even though I am shrouding myself with the Force. And those clones... They must be the Hell Squad I've heard so much about. Kakakaka! The galaxy got very interesting during my years of seclusion. Hurry up, slimes! They know we are here!"

"My lord, we need more time! Some of the vehicles are too big to move them quickly!"

The person looked at his subordinates, and smiled. However, instead of comforting them, the smile made them shudder. There wasn't any warmth in it, only cruelty.

"I said to hurry up. Or do I have to give you a little... Incentive?"

"N-No, my lord! We will finish quickly!"

Trembling, the underlings accelerated the process as much as they could. Giving up the huge AT-TEs, they focused on the smaller vehicles and weapons. Several of them were already loaded on the stealth ship they used to escape the scanners when the doors of the storage bay opened, and several clones, as well as a Togruta, entered.

As one, the criminals all looked to their leader, but he was nowhere to be seen. Only his dark cloak remained, falling to the ground slowly.