Chapter 177 - Facing Despair In Ryloth (1/2)

Dageer, Commander Keeli, and Admiral Dao spent many hours discussing. Every aspect was covered, every flaw they could find were corrected. But their stares only grew more worried as they saw how slim their chances were.

This time even Dageer wasn't that confident. The Republic had thrown the 303rd in a suicide mission, one they couldn't run away from. Not for a moment did Dageer believe that the freedom fighters on Ryloth would actually be of any help. In fact, he could foresee that they would cause a lot of trouble. Still, they had their orders, and they were going to follow it to the bitter end.

Their job on Ryloth was simple. They had to defend the planet against anything the Separatist threw on them. If they could hold the Separatist on space, it was even better. If their blockade failed, them they would fight for every inch of ground.

As such, the commanders had already started making their preparations. Supplies were being loaded on, sh.i.p.s were being fueled, and, most importantly, soldiers were boarding their sh.i.p.s.

To defend Ryloth, the 303rd would give everything they had. Everything. Almost every infantry trooper descended onto the planet, leaving only a few hundred behind to defend the cruisers in case they were boarded.

That day, the citizens of Ryloth witnessed an incredible sight. Gunship after gunship flew down from the fleet on space, dropping men, weapons, vehicles, and supplies. The long convoy continued for hours before it was finally over.

If one looked up, the fleet would appear to be the same, as if the long string of Laats was just a hallucination. But for the clones who remained on the cruisers, it was different. The long corridors, usually bristling with life, were now silent. The canteen was quiet, since even those who remained weren't willing to talk. No soldier had any illusions, they all knew that it was going to be a tough fight, and it was very unlikely they would see each other again.

...

”General! You should see this!”

General Di turned away from the window, and saw one of the crewmen calling for him. For the last couple of hours, he had just been staring at the planet below. Ragout and Hell Squad had already gone to Ryloth, the clones mostly healed from their injuries. Now, the only ones who still had to go to the planet were he and Commander Keeli.

”What is it, corporal?”

”We just received a message from General Kenobi. It has information about the Separatist fleet and transmission for you.”

”Play the transmission first.”

The clone nodded, and a recorded hologram message appeared. The man in the hologram used Jedi Knight's clothes, in shades of white and beige. His beard was well treated. The man seemed to be a well-educated gentleman, and this impression was only reinforced by how he spoke, even though it was just a recording.

”Master Di, it is unfortunate that I have to contact you under such circ.u.mstances. I regret to inform you that we aren't able to provide you any support, at least for now. The Separatist are engaging us in every planet in the galaxy, and the Republic is hard-pressed to fight back. Some of my men were, however, able to retrieve basic information about the Separatist fleet tasked with conquering Ryloth. I hope it is of help, as little as it may seem. May the Force be with you.”

The hologram disappeared, and General Di looked pensive for a moment. The situation was dire, much worse than he expected.

”Put the intel on.”

The crewman made as Commander Keeli commanded, and pulled up the intel that General Kenobi had gathered. Almost immediately, curses and imprecations left the mouths of every officer on the command bridge.

”We are doomed.”