Chapter 346 - Guerrilla

The Twi'leks didn't have any secret tunnel to Nabat. The only way in and out of the city was through the ray bridge, or - if one was crazy enough - through the abyss. Neither of them were available to the Republic forces.

Knowing that, Ragout had decided to adopt the same tactics the 303rd did back then. They knew Ryloth better than any other planet. With their experience, and the freedom fighters' knowledge, they knew every possible ambush site, supply routes, everything. They would give the Separatist one hell of a time.

The disadvantage of using guerrilla tactics was clear, however. It would take a long time, and the smallest mistake could result in their deaths. But there was no hesitation on their part. Be it for Ryloth, the Republic, or simply their orders, Hell Squad didn't care about dying.

Looking at the seven clones, and the Jedi, discussing seriously with Gobi and some other freedom fighters, Syndulla remembered a talk he had with his right-hand man just after the Republic had won the First Battle Of Ryloth.

...

Gobi had approached him right after they watched Hell Squad embark in a Republic cruiser. He was still limping from a wound he had received during the conquest of Lessu.

"What are you thinking, Cham?"

The freedom fighter leader looked at his oldest friend, and sighed. It was only now that he was starting to question himself.

"Was I wrong, Gobi? I did everything I thought was right for our people, but..."

"But?"

"I only thought of us. I never considered the clones. Look at them. I thought they were like machines. But they aren't. They are people just like us... And they gave everything for us, who they didn't even know. So, was I wrong?"

The blue-skinned Twi'lek looked at him, conflicted. He knew what Syndulla wanted to hear, but he wasn't sure if he should say it. In the end, he decided lies would only make it worse.

"You were, Cham. We all knew. You knew. The Republic may have abandoned us, but the clones never did. They fought and died for us, and with us. We all understand you were just trying to protect us, but... Yeah, you were wrong."

Syndulla said nothing for a long time. He wasn't shocked, shaken, or even surprised. He knew it all along, he just needed somebody to tell him that. But it was too late now.

"Why? Why did they keep fighting? Why did they refuse to yield, even when we left them?"

His eyes were fixed on the cruiser leaving the atmosphere. Gobi followed his gaze, sighing.

"Because they made an oath. Because sometimes whether you live or die isn't the important part, but how do you choose to do so. Because... To them, some things are more important than their own lives."

...

Syndulla had never forgotten that conversation. He had just pushed it to the back of his mind, saying to himself that now it was over, and there was nothing he could do. But, two years later, the Separatist attacked again, and it all came back.

Dageer had said he didn't blame him for all the clones who died. But he blamed himself. Maybe, if he had done things differently... If he hadn't been so angry at everyone and everything. If he had simply listened, instead of thinking he knew better than everyone else.

He slowly walked towards the group. Dageer and the clones, and even his own people, just glanced at him before turning back to the hologram map.

"We can't attack head-on. So, we are going to have to take them apart, clancker by clancker. Tonight, Hell Squad will start provoking them. Knowing the mindset of a Tactical Droid, they will only be able to withstand it for a few days before making a retaliation strike to any small town they think may be helping us. We have to make a big move before they do that, as to not implicate civilians."

Ragout was explaining his ideas to the people around the hologram seriously. He had used the Force to feel their intentions, and although he couldn't read their minds, he was fairly sure there weren't any traitors this time. Still, he wasn't giving any specific intel. Better safe than sorry.

"What are you thinking, Master Jedi?"

"Three or four days from now, we will ambush one of their convoys. There are always two or there of them entering or leaving the city each day. However, we will have to fake a mistake, and let the convoy escape. From there, we will simulate a chase with a small group of freedom fighters, until we are in sight Nabat. The tactical seppie will think we are just a small and unprepared group, and send a large force to crush us, but we will be waiting somewhere to ambush them. If everything goes well, we might be able to take out three or four thousand of them at once."

Several heads nodded, including Hell Squad's. They weren't new to this kind of plan. However, there was a problem.

"Are you sure you want freedom fighters to be the ones to draw them out, general? If they aren't careful, they might be wiped out."

It wouldn't have made any difference if Dageer had directly said he didn't think the Twi'leks were skilled enough for this job. Being who he was, the commander rarely held back in his comments. He thought it was better for someone to be offended than dead for not living up to what was required of them.

However, none of the freedom fighters complained, even after Dageer's rudeness. They knew that not even fifty of them were equivalent to him, at least in experience and skill. The Togruta grinned slightly.

"Exactly because of that, I want them to do it, Dageer. Every tactical droid has intel about Hell Squad, even if it just says you are dangerous. If they spot any of you, they will know something is wrong. But they don't consider the Twi'leks a threat. The Separatist will think they are just stupid and reckless. We will prove that is a terrible mistake."

This time, all the freedom fighters smiled excitedly. With just a few words, Ragout had changed their position from the bottom to someone who could make a difference.

"It will still be dangerous, however. You will be too few to resist even for a minute if the major Separatist force catches up to you. In this case, slowing down by any reason is the same as death."

All the freedom fighters nodded thoughtfully, but none said anything. It was a lot of responsibility for one person to take.

"I will lead it."

Without any expression on his face, Syndulla stepped forward. He was the obvious choice. He was the leader of the Twi'leks, and a skilled combatant.

Ragout stared at him for a few seconds, and then nodded. He could feel that Dageer and his brothers had something against - they always would, as long as Syndulla was involved - but the clones said nothing.

"It's decided then. We will all be depending on you, Syndulla."