Capítulo 223: Discipline
A few hours before Syndulla and the survivors returned, Dageer was startled to see his comlink suddenly light up. For the past few days, it had been inactive, since the seppies were jamming long-distance communications, but the comlink clearly indicated that the transmission was from far away.
He tapped it quickly, and transferred the message to his hologram projector. An image of General Skywalker appeared. It wasn't live, and there were several moments when interference made it almost impossible to understand, but Dageer was sure it was real. The codes used were known only to a few, himself included.
"Padawan... Out. Hold tight, there are... Fleets going to... Loth. Help will arr... Soon."
At this moment the transmission broke off really badly, probably a sign that the Separatist blockade had discovered it, and was trying to intercept the contents.
"... Outside Nabat. You... Garrison... Clear landi..."
The hologram disappeared. Judging by how long the transmission was, General Skywalker probably had been alerted that the seppies were about to eavesdrop his message, and ended it.
Although it was very fragmented, and most parts were impossible to understand, the purpose of the transmission was still clear. General Skywalker, and possibly another Jedi, had finally arrived to help Ryloth. Unfortunately, they were a few days too late. The 303rd was gone, and, although Dageer didn't know that at the moment, so were the freedom fighters. The battles that General Skywalker was going to fight would be to conquer Ryloth, not protect it.
Shaking his head, Dageer quickly found Ragout, and showed him the message. From what General Skywalker said at the start, Ragout fished out something that Dageer hadn't noticed. General Skywalker talked specifically to Ragout, not General Di. That meant the Jedi Council - and, consequently, the Republic - already knew that the Jedi was dead. And General Di's death meant the death of the 303rd. As such, the Jedi Council had to be confident in their ability to take back Ryloth, knowing that they wouldn't have a lot of support from the ground.
"What do you think about Master Skywalker's request?"
The newly-appointed commander frowned hard, and grimaced in pain when the small movement caused the cuts and wounds in his head hurt. His scar was red and swollen, because it had opened again more than once during the many battles. That was one of the reasons why he was using his helmet less recently.
"It is dangerous. We have fifty-eight troopers in condition to fight. It probably is enough to take on a small garrison. Besides, we don't have to hold it, just make sure that gunships can land. From there onwards, the job will be in the 501st hands."
"I feel a but. What is it?"
"We will have to time it perfectly."
Dageer pulled out his hologram projector again, and showed a diagram and a map of Nabat. The city wasn't as big as Lessu, but it was still huge. However, Dageer wasn't focused on it, but on the relay station outside it. It was fifty kilometers away from the town, and would be ideal for the Republic troops to land.
"If we take it too late, the gunships will be gunned down. If we attack too early, Tambor's forces on Nabat will come to reinforce it, and we will all be killed."
"Uhmm... Is it possible to take down the clanckers in there without alerting Nabat?"
"I doubt it. According to our data - and that is a few days old, so a lot could have changed - there should be roughly one hundred and twenty seppies. With sixty clones, we can take them easily, but it will be difficult to do that silently. If it is just Hell Squad, though..."
"No. With Brain and Three-four badly wounded, you are two men short. Besides, you are a commander now. I need you here. No. We will do as you said, and attack it when the time is right. For now... Uhm... We have to leave. We are too far from Nabat, and we need to be ready to invade that relay base at any moment. Also..."
"Syndulla is probably going to be angry with you, right? You shouldn't bother with him, general."
"I know. But you also know I can't do that. I'm a Jedi, Dageer. Or I will be someday."
The clone said nothing. Ragout seemed to be reminiscent of something, and Dageer wouldn't be the one to intrude upon his thoughts.
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Dageer could feel Syndulla's hatred when the Twi'lek glanced at them as the clones left the hideout. He couldn't believe how stupid Syndulla was. Just like any clone soldier, Dageer wouldn't voice his thoughts unless he was specifically asked to do so, but even he felt like arguing. The 303rd had lost literally everything, from their fleet, to their commander, admiral, and general. And Syndulla blamed them, telling Ragout that they had betrayed Ryloth.
Unfortunately for Dageer, he was too disciplined too actually do that. As such, he and the other clones could only leave with Ragout, which was kind of a relief to them. Although the other Twi'leks didn't seem to blame them for anything, they didn't like to be amidst civilians.
Before they left, Shouta ran up to Dageer, to say her goodbyes. Just like any kid, the little girl had no idea of all the politics involved behind the 303rd's departure. Gobi, her father, shook Dageer's hand before they left. He was one of the few Twi'leks who Dageer liked. It was a pity this was probably the last time Dageer would see the two of them.
...
It took two days for the clones to get to their new location. It was a cave, and a not very big one, but it fitted one hundred and ninety-seven clones well enough.
"Three-four, I want you and Brain to stay, and take care of the wounded. Understood?"
"Yes, sir."
"Shield, you are coming with us. We did this a hundred times before. We gotta be quick, and hit the clanckers fast. We have one shot at it."
"Don't worry, commander. You said it yourself. We have done it a hundred times before."
Dageer chuckled, and patted Lieutenant Shield's shoulder. Soon, however, his expression became serious again. It was rare to see Dageer smile before, even more these days.
"We have to be careful, lieutenant. I don't want to lose anyone more, okay?"
"I understand, sir."
"Good. Then, get everything prepared. We are taking all those who can fight. The others will stay here, and take care of the wounded. Get ready to go at any moment."
As if waiting for Dageer to say that, several Republic ships appeared in space. It wasn't a lot, but Dageer could clearly see the 501st symbol on them. Soon, he spotted several starfighters aiming for the Lucrehulk-class Battleship that was the core of the Separatist blockade. Dageer was almost sure he saw a Jedi starfighter leading the Republic forces.
For a few minutes, the Republic V-Wings simply crushed the enemy Vultures. The clones next to him cheered, and even Ragout smiled.
Frowning, Dageer saw the starfighters getting closer and closer to the Separatist blockade, seemingly unopposed. Something was wrong. A Separatist fleet capable of crushing the 303rd, even though they were already severely weakened, shouldn't be suppressed so easily.
Then, Dageer saw two things, and so did the soldiers beside him as they put their hands down. Firstly, he saw a squadron get too cocky, and approach the Lucrehulk-class Battleship. Well, maybe that was their plan all along. That was how General Skywalker liked to fight. Secondly, Dageer watched as four Providence-class dreadnoughts that were on the other side of the planet started to move.
And then he knew what was wrong.
REFLEXIONES DE LOS CREADORES 
Reis123
Reis123 Well guys, we are entering another episode of the Clone Wars. It is episode 19 of the 1st season, if I'm not wrong. If you haven't watched it, I suggest you don't. If you had, it doesn't really matters, because we will be seeing it through Dageer's POV, and not Ahsoka's, like they do in the Clone Wars.
I just wanted to leave this small message, and, as I always say, may the Force be with you!
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