Chapter 208 - A Transmission Cut Short (1/2)
Far, far away from Ryloth, a giant planet was bustling with life. Sh.i.p.s and people of every corner of the galaxy landed and took off in a constant stream. Buildings as tall as the planet itself, going from one side of it to the other, and lights that never turned off.
However, not all of Coruscant was like that. In a famous, clones-only bar, several troopers wearing differently painted armor looked at a hologram. All the clones were captains and above, with the exception of a few sergeants and lieutenants.
Commander Cody, of the 212th, Commander Ponds, of the 91st, and Captain Rex, of the 501st, together with many officers, looked at a hologram of Admiral Dao. The admiral had transmitted his pleas for help not only to the Jedi Council, but also to the commanders, in hope that when the 303rd died, others would avenge it.
”We can't let them die just like that!”
”Calm down, Ponds. There is nothing we can do. Even if we could get to Ryloth in time, and we can't, we don't have our orders.”
”But we will have soon. I spoke with General Kenobi today. In twenty or thirty days, our battle over Christophsis should be over, and we will be redeployed. I doubt they will leave Ryloth belong to the seppies for long.”
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While the clones were discussing in the Revontre, a very similar conversation was happening in the Jedi Temple, on the other side of Coruscant.
Like the last few times, the ones talking to Admiral Dao were General Yoda, General Kenobi, and General Windu. This time, however, the admiral talked with an urgency that wasn't there before. That was understandable, since he was not only in the middle of a battle, but in his last battle.
”Generals, I said before that I probably wouldn't contact you again. I was wrong. But now I am certain. Ryloth needs help. General Di needs help.”
”Much fear I sense in you, Admiral Dao. Uhmm... Fear... But also happiness. Why?”
”I am about to die, General Yoda. That is why I feel fear.”
”A wise man fears death, admiral. But Master Yoda is right. I can sense excitement, even when you say you are about to die.”
General Windu frowned. He had been to many battles since the Clone Wars started, and even more before that, but he had never seen a man happy or excited because he will die.
”Remember how I told you before that our fleet was already dead? That the only ones who could be saved are the troops on the ground? That hasn't changed. I've ordered our sh.i.p.s to attack.”
”Attack? I thought the fleet lost so many sh.i.p.s you could barely hold?”
”That is the truth, General Kenobi. This is our last attack. If we have to go down, then many of their sh.i.p.s will go before us.”
The three Jedis looked at him stunned. Even General Yoda seemed surprised by the determination and madness in Admiral Dao's words.
Suddenly, the hologram buzzed with interference, startling the Jedis. Alarms went off on The Sincerity. Admiral Dao looked behind him, and saw the Acclamator-class Cruiser blowing up in millions of pieces. Without time to talk anymore, Admiral Dao just conveyed the message that General Di gave him.
”If help doesn't arrive soon, the entire Outer Rim Garrison will be wiped out.”
”Surely there must be something you can do...”
General Kenobi looked pensive, and tried to think of solutions to their predicament, but before he could finish talking, the hologram suffered from interference once more, and a clone ran up to Admiral Dao, panicking.