Part 14 (1/2)
The first wave reached the roof and scra up a defensive perimeter The second as alreadyhalfway up the side of the building by the ti the ground
”And that's that,” Laytron said with grirouped and started across the rooftop, weapons at the ready ”TheSeparatists can't fire on thee to the plant, butthey'll be able to fire on the landing shi+p as soon as they're in range Isthat the sort of diversion you were thinking about, Master Doriana?”
Doriana smiled ”Yes, Lieutenant,” he said softly ”That should do nicely”
The sounds of distant blaster fire were clearly audible as Tories eht
”Sounds like it's started,” he muttered to Binalie as the two of themraced for the trees where one before themhad already taken cover ”I just hope they can keep it up until everyone'sout”
”Doesn't matter,” Binalie said as they reached the trees
”What do you mean, it doesn't matter?” Tories asked as they squatted beneath the cover of a wide-crested forlaline bush
”That's the whole point of this exercise”
Binalie shook his head ”Maybe it was your point, and mine,” he said, his voice tense ”But it wasn't Roshton's He has no intention of getting those techs out”
”What are you talking about?” Tories de
”Didn't you hear him?” Binalie countered ”Hiave hi about cover to the west; and he never asked”
Tories blinked as the meht: Roshton hadn't inquired about conditions to the west Yetas the obvious direction for anyone fleeing the plant to go
But if they weren't leaving
His eyes flicked around, looking for Roshton, understanding suddenly stabbing into his sto beside the tunnel entrance, gazing down the stairway as clone troopers continued to file out
Tories rose to his feet and started toward him He'd taken perhaps threesteps when Roshton lifted a hand and pointed east And suddenly, the ar toward the landing shi+p toweringabove the treetops The last of the troopers was passing Roshton when Toriescaught up with hi thecommander's arm ”This was supposed to be a rescue ing off his arm ”Of course it's a rescue mission It's a rescue of Lord Binalie's preciousplant”
”But”
”No buts,” Roshton cut hiet into that landing shi+p and destroy the droid control lad to have you If not, just get out of ourway”
Tories looked back at Binalie, still crouching beside his bush, his facerigid with anger and fear and frustration ”Go back to the estate,” he calledto the other ”I'll meet you there”
Binalie's eyes flicked over Tories' shoulder toward the plant
”Go,” Tories repeated
Binalie's expression still looked pinched, but he nodded ”All right”
He slipped away through the trees, and Tories turned back to Roshton”I'll cohtsaber ”But ill talkabout this later”
”Sure,” Roshton grunted ”Co between trees and aroundbushes Occasionally Tories caught a glimpse of white ar at least as fast as they were and had a fairhead start on top of it ”So what's the plan?” he asked Roshton ”The newrevised plan, Idown fire,” Roshtonpanted 'The droids by the landing shi+p are currently trying to pick the the plant With luck, they should all have their backs to use hit therimaced And when they found their ar the droids do? Whatever theydee the Spaarti plant?Probably
It was up to Tories to make sure that didn't happen
”First ele position,” Roshton reported, pressinghis headset tighter against his ear ”Following units are fanning out Ifwe're lucky, and they're not spotted-” He broke off, and Tories caught hisbreath as the volurowled
”All units: fire at will”