Chapitre 92: Pirates
Squad leaders reported to sergeants. Sergeants reported to lieutenants. Lieutenants reported to captains. And captains reported to Dageer.
One by one, the reports trickled in. Most of them didn't have any problems, but not all. A captain named Vartos called Dageer worried.
'Sir! We have problems."
"Who is missing?"
"We have lost contact with an entire squad, including the squad leader."
"Who is the squad leader? Any chance that they are at the canteen or the infirmary and didn't hear?"
"No. I was at the canteen, and everyone in the infirmary already checked in. Also, the squad missing is under Berro's command. You know him, sir. He would have answered if he could."
"Berro? What was their assignment?"
"They were guarding the elevators of the eleventh floor."
"Go there right now. Be careful, they have killed or captured an entire squad without anyone noticing. I'm on my way."
"I'm almost there."
"Vartos, leave your comlink channel opened. I want to hear what is happening."
"Yes sir."
The sound of Vartos giving orders and his rapid breathing were the only sounds Dageer heard for a while. Finally, Vartos arrived on the eleventh floor and reported. Dageer was still on his way.
"I'm here, sir."
"Go easy, check for allies before firing."
"Yes sir. All right, Typo, Blut, with me. The others split in groups of three. Guard the doors and do a throughout sweep."
Before long, Dageer arrived on the eleventh floor. Panting, he saw Vartos waiting for him near one of the elevators.
"Captain, what is the situation? What is the status of the missing squad?"
"The floor is clear sir. No signs of enemies. We did find Fort Squad. They have four dead, their necks twisted the same as Weembo and Guyrli on the cargo bay. Berro and six others are unconscious. Something or someone hit them hard on the head."
"You didn't find anything? What do we have of important on this floor?"
"Nothing sir. There are just some storage rooms with little to no value. Most of the rooms are dormitories. No... wait."
Vartos stopped in the middle of his sentence. He took a datapad from one of the clones nearby and looked at it for a few seconds.
"Actually... I did not remember it at the start because it is new, but General Di's padawan was moved here while proper accommodations are made. The room he was supposed to have suffered some damage on Mon Cala."
"That is it! Whoever they are, they are after the padawan! It is the only possible option."
"But... how did they know he would be here? The most logic would be for the intruders to go after him at his normal room. And, if they knew he was staying here, how did they even get this information?"
"They can break into our capital ship, incapacitate an entire squad without making a sound, and are still on the run. We don't even know who they are. They wouldn't come unprepared."
"But they will come out empty-handed. Ragout is not here."
"I know. I was with him, and I left him alone. I was stupid. Ragout! Ragout, come in! Come on kid, come on."
There was no sound from the other end of the transmission, not even static. That meant that the comlink had been broken, and that the padawan was in danger.
"Commander! We have problems! Huge problems. I and Vartos came to the eleventh floor, but there were no signs of trespassers. We think they are after Ragout, but we can't get in contact with him."
Commander Keeli was at the other end of the transmission, waiting for news from Dageer to know where he should send his men.
"Do we have any information on his location?"
"Last time I saw him was near the infirmary. Do you want me to seal the area?"
"Do that, then meet me there. The general said he sensed something wrong just before the alarms went off, and left. I will warn him."
"Yes sir! Captain Vartos, initiate a lockdown, protocol level 3."
After giving his orders, Dageer went back all the way, to where he first left the young jedi. Of course, there was no one, just an empty corridor.
"Keeli, Dageer, go to hangar bay 34. I found the invaders."
"General! Just let me gather some troops and I will be there."
"No! Just you two, that is enough. Any more and the pirates will notice us. Besides, I have Brain and Metal with me already."
"Pirates? All right, general, we will meet you there soon. Dageer, where are you?"
"I am near the infirmary. I will meet you at section 7, commander."
"Okay. Be quick."
Albeit worried, Dageer followed his orders perfectly, and ordered the clones that were with him to stay behind. When he met Commander Keeli, who had also ditched the guards that were with him, neither of them spoke anything.
It didn't take long for them to arrive at hangar bay 34. General Di, Brain and Metal were waiting for them there, hiding behind a Laat. Dageer couldn't see from what they were hiding, as the hangar bay looked totally normal.
"General."
"Be quiet. They are close."
Commander Keeli and Dageer got silent and paid close attention to the hangar bay. His eyes sweeping around, it took some time for Dageer to understand what the jedi meant.
At the far end of the hangar bay, a connection tunnel had been opened, meaning that there was some ship connected to The Sincerity. Near the entrance of the connection tunnel, a group of shadows was discussing. Focusing more, Dageer saw that one of the shadows was carrying someone over his shoulder.
Dageer was sure that he could take our all the shadows in a matter of seconds since they were with their backs turned to him. And, he had assistance from three other clones.
"I see them. General, permission to fire?"
"No. I want to follow them. Let them leave, we go right after."
"Errrr... sir, are you sure this is the best idea? They are taking your padawan."
"Nobody kidnaps a padawan for no reason. They are receiving orders from someone, I want to know who it is. They are going. Come on, and stay close."
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone