Chương 344: Back To Ryloth
Both Syndulla and Gobi had a complicated expression on their faces. After everything they had gone through together with the 303rd Attack Legion, they were well aware of their shamelessness in asking for help once again. But just like they couldn't save their planet by themselves before, they couldn't do so now.
The many politicians that formed the delegation with them were governors, mayors, and such. They were all smiling, greeting the two Jedis while ignoring the clones. They also kept some distance from the two freedom fighters, which almost - only almost - made Dageer pity Syndulla. It was apparent that even after everything he had done - and all the mistakes - he didn't receive the recognition he thought he deserved.
The politicians' smiles slowly faded away when Dageer and Ragout passed by them without even looking at them. Caleb nodded at them as a greeting, but since Ragout was the one in command, didn't do much else.
The four men stared at each other for a long time, none saying anything. Syndulla and Gobi felt guilt and shame, while Dageer felt anger, pain, and disgust. Only Ragout was calm, his emotions unchanged. He had thought he would feel anger or sadness, but there was nothing.
The first to open his mouth was Cham Syndulla, but before the Twi'lek could say anything, Dageer punched him.
Stumbling, Syndulla walked back a few steps under the startled gazes of the others. Surprisingly enough, he, Gobi, and Ragout weren't the least shocked. They had all seen it coming.
"Commander Dageer! What are you doing?!"
"Quiet, Caleb. This is between us. Go entertain the other Twi'leks. We will be with you shortly. Grey, mount camp."
"Roger that, general."
The Togruta had two reasons for sending them away. The first was that he didn't want to deal with politics now. The second was that the conversation between the four of them was a personal matter, that no others needed to see.
Albeit hesitating, the padawan obeyed, while Grey pressed Dageer's shoulder quickly. It was his way of telling his brother to control himself.
"Commander Dageer, Master Ragout... No apology I make would be enough..."
"Ragout won't be the one talking to you, Syndulla. He is better than that."
The freedom fighter shut up, but still stared straight into Dageer's eyes. The clone's anger was palpable. The Togruta, on the other hand, stepped back. He had already agreed to let Dageer talk, on the condition that he wouldn't kill the Twi'lek. He knew Dageer was inclined to do that. After all, Syndulla's actions were too much.
"We don't blame you for the deaths of General Di, Commander Keeli, and my brothers. That was our choice. Our job. There isn't a day I don't wish I had died here with them."
Syndulla shrunk, aware that Dageer wasn't exaggerating. He had seen for himself how strong the feelings between clones were.
"But Miwy, Yate, and even Tram and Tae... Their blood is on your hands. You wasted everything the Republic gave you, the time we bought with thirty thousand lives."
"They were my friends long before you knew them, Dageer! Tae was my son!"
"And you led them to a massacre, all because of your arrogance and blindness! Is it possible that you couldn't see you were wrong? That you still are?"
Syndulla was trembling. Whether it was of shame or rage, probably even he didn't know. As for Dageer, he was already tired of it. He never was one to make long speeches. The only reason he talked so much now was because he could sense that deep down, Syndulla still thought everything was the Republic's fault. But here he was, asking for help again.
"I don't know why you asked for Hell Squad and the general, Syndulla. But we will do our job, like we always do. Ryloth is too important for us to let it fall into Separatist hands again. Just know that you aren't worthy of the trust your people put in you. You betrayed them once, and you will be the cause of their demise again."
The freedom fighter didn't argue. It was clear by his expression that he only agreed to some of what Dageer said, but he decided to keep quiet. It was already good enough that the commander didn't kill him.
Unwilling to stare at Syndulla any longer, Dageer shook hands with Gobi - he understood why the Twi'lek insisted on following Syndulla, and he respected it, although the trust was misplaced - and turned around. Ragout looked at the two Twi'leks for a while longer, and sighed.
"My master died to protect Ryloth, Cham. So did my entire legion, Commander Keeli, and Admiral Dao. Yate and Miwy, and countless freedom fighters, sacrificed themselves for their home. Don't let your arrogance blind you to what they left. Gobi, I am counting on you to put him on the right track."
The blue Twi'lek nodded, and put an arm over his friend's shoulders. A sad, defeated grin appeared on Syndulla's face.
"Believe it or not, Master Ragout, I learned my lesson. That's why I asked for you. Because I know only you and Dageer will fight for my planet as hard as I will. And I promise I will do my best to... Everything."
"I know you will. Tell your old people we would like to see them. The ones who were with us back then. Hell Squad and I still got many friends there."
"I will."
The Togruta nodded slowly, and reached Hell Squad, who was waiting for him some distance away. They all looked at Syndulla with hostility, but Ragout had already told them to drop the matter, and so they did.
----------------------------
The meeting that followed the Republic's troops arrival was lengthy and drawn-out. At the start the Twi'lek politicians insisted on making demands, and showing how badly they needed assistance, in a process Ragout knew all too well. Again, what mattered for them the most wasn't their people, but their money and status.
Eventually, he got bored of it. Ryloth was too important to him to waste time thinking about their interests. He gestured for Dageer to step forward, and take off his helmet. His anger still hadn't subsided, and it was enough to scare the Twi'leks into shutting up.
"The seppies took over Nabat and half of the southern hemisphere. For now, the 91st was able to hold them back, entering a stalemate. We are here to change that. The plan is simple. Grey and General Dume, you reinforce the 91st and Neyo. Meanwhile, Hell Squad and General Ragout will retake Nabat."
"Just you?"
"We already took Nabat once before, we can do it again. Besides, the freedom fighters will be with us. Remember, Syndulla, we are in charge. Got it?"
The Twi'lek nodded. Obviously, the plan wasn't as simple as Dageer put it. But Hell Squad had never been good with following the plan. They tended to improvise along the way. Another reason was that they didn't know how much they could trust the Twi'leks present. The only two they knew would never betray them were Gobi and Syndulla.
Having said his piece, Dageer stepped back, and looked at Ragout while putting on his helmet. In the end, all decisions laid on the Jedi's hands. Of course, he rarely disagreed with the commander.
"You heard Dageer. Caleb, this will be your final battle as a padawan. Consider it a test, but remember that while victory is important, you have to consider the costs."
The human nodded, although he was fully aware Ragout wasn't talking to him, but sending a message to Syndulla. Still, he promised to make his best.
"All right, Gobi, lead us to the freedom fighters. Hell Squad, let's go."
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