Chapter 287 - A Jedis Path (1/2)

A battlefield. Rocks and red soil. Small and shriveled trees. And bodies.

A stretch of over ten kilometers, all of it covered in bodies. The majority of them were yellowish droids or big, silver ones. They were in pieces, and full of holes. Their carcass toppled over one another, sometimes piling up to half a meter high. Here and there, something different appeared. Something white and brownish-red.

The deeper one went inside the battlefield, the more they would see those bodies. Each of them had a blaster in their hands, and dozens of dead droids around them. Clearly, they put up quite the fight. But the enemy was too overwhelming.

At the center of the battlefield, laid twenty or so of those soldiers wearing white armor. Under their helmets, they all had the same face. Around them were hundreds of droids.

A broken helmet, with a peculiar design, was next to one of the dead bodies. It was broken in the middle, the visor cracked, and pieces of it were missing. In the few parts of it that were still intact, an image appeared. The pitch-black visor reflected flames that weren't there.

Suddenly, an overwhelming amount of noise appeared. Weapons being fired, explosions, and screams. Many, many screams. Of pain, of rage, of hatred.

The source of those screams was a different body. Brown skin, rough like scales. Small bone thorns on the face. Weirdly enough, even though the screams were coming from it, the body had a smile on it's face.

The smile grew wider, and the body got up. The ones clad into white armor also started to rise, even though they were clearly dead.

”We suffered a lot. We suffered too much. Put an end to it... Put an end to it! Avenge us! Kill! Avenge us!”

The screams, filled with anger, seemed to come from everywhere, and nowhere at the same time. But the target of all this pain was calm. A voice filled with sadness, but also a bit of happiness, spoke.

”Sorry, master, brothers... I will always remember you, but... Revenge is not my path.”

As if it was made of dust, the entire battlefield crumbled and disappeared. The dead bodies, including the one the voice called master, also started to become particles that flew away. The angry screams stopped, replaced by a voice filled with pride.

”You have grown, my padawan. Follow your own path, for it is an important one. And remember to take care of those who follow you on that path. They will need it. May the Force be with you.”

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Ragout opened his eyes, and, for a moment, saw his master in front of him, in a translucent, almost spectral form. General Di was smiling warmly, and his words resonated inside Ragout's head, filling the Jedi with happiness.

”Thanks, master... For everything.”

As he murmured those words, General Di's smile grew wider, and he disappeared. His padawan was on the right path. Now, he could rest knowing that he had done everything he could to prepare Ragout.

”Did you say something, general?”

Ragout shook his head slightly, awaken from his stupor, and looked at the spot where General Di had just been. He didn't know if it was a dream or a vision from the Force, or even just his subconscious showing him what he wanted to see, but he was happy anyway.

After a few seconds, he looked at Hell Squad, who, in turn, were staring at him. They were used to the Jedi's weird actions, but Ragout staring at nothing confused them.

”Nothing important. I was just... Talking to myself.”

The clones shrugged, and returned to what they were doing. A few minutes later, Dageer got up, and told his brothers to follow him to the canteen.

”We were going to grab something to eat, general. Wanna come?”

Ragout declined the offer. After the vision he just had, all he wanted was to meditate. Dageer just nodded, his scar moving along with his frown. He could feel that something had happened to his general, but whatever it was, Ragout seemed almost happy with it.

Watching Hell Squad walk away, Ragout felt Dageer's doubt, and grinned. The vision he had was a Jedi's matter, and he couldn't tell that to anyone but his fellow Jedis.

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Dageer hadn't even started eating when a trooper ran up to him, saying that his presence was requested at the command center.

Looking at his men, Dageer shrugged, and put down his tray. He was more than used to being called without any prior notice, and it seemed to happen even more when he was trying to eat or sleep.

He walked to the command center, his helmet under his arm, and met Commander Gree on the way.

”Do you know what this is about, Dageer?”

”No idea. This is weird... Why wouldn't they contact us through our comlinks?”

Commander Gree shook his head, unsure. He knew from experience that if something couldn't be discussed over comlinks, it was because it was extremely important, and top-secret.

He was proved right when they entered the command center, and saw a projection of Chancellor Palpatine, General Windu, and General Kenobi, talking to General Unduli. Aside from them, the room was empty.