Chapter 324 - Christophsis (1/2)

The last droid on Kiros fell six days later, by the hands of Captain Rex. Any ship the Separatist sent to assist on the retreat of their troops was taken down, meaning that all three hundred thousand clanckers were destroyed.

Even though the Separatist could produce millions of droids a month, they weren't cheap. Losing three hundred thousand of them and winning nothing pained them. As such, when they saw the Republic was adamant on killing every single droid on Kiros, and letting none fall back, they ordered their units to cause as much damage to the Clone Army as they could. That order resulted in eighty thousand clone deaths, a steep price for the conquest of the planet.

However, now that Kiros was finally in Republic hands, they could start the third phase of the grand offensive. That is, flood major systems with clone troops.

And it was following such plan that Hell Squad and Ragout were on their way to Christophsis. The 501st and the 212th had permanent garrisons there, since the planet was very important to the Republic, for reasons that Dageer didn't know and didn't care. The Separatist seemed to think the same, and so Christophsis, like many other systems, had been locked in war for over three years.

General Kenobi, General Skywalker, Commander Cody, Captain Rex, and Ahsoka Tano had been sent to Onderan, to train rebels to fight against the Separatist forces trying to occupy the planet. The Republic couldn't send official troops there, because the government of Onderan insisted they were a neutral system, which was obviously a lie.

Because of that, Ragout was to command the two legions in Christophsis, at least until their Jedi generals were back.

...

”Did you read the reports, sir?”

Hell Squad was all grouped around Dageer while he read a datapad. Having spent almost two months without any news from the Republic, they had a lot to catch up. And many surprising events happened., which only strengthened Dageer's feeling that something big was lurking in the shadows, and that the war was close to ending.

”Yeah...”

”What do they say?”

”A lot happened. Jedi younglings captured, Republic and Separatist senators murdered in a bombing, attack on the Jedi Temple, an attempt on Chancellor Palpatine's life, and...”

”And?”

”Two new Siths appeared. From a planet called Dathomir. They already killed three Jedis, but it doesn't seem like they are on the seppies side. It looks like they want to take control of the crime syndicates. But that is not all. Ventress left the CIS. Apparently, they tried to kill her because she was becoming too powerful. That's what the Jedis think, at least. But it backfired, and she killed a few important seppies. She is being hunted by both us and them now.

”Ohh...”

There was a stunned silence following Dageer's words. Hell Squad had battled Ventress many times, and almost died by her hands. It was safe to say that she was their oldest enemy, aside from the deceased Hiigi. They hated her, but they always thought of her as a Separatist. It was weird to consider her anything else.

”If we meet her again, what are we to do?”

”The orders changed from 'kill on sight' to 'capture'. The higher-ups believe she might want to deliver intel now that the seppies are hunting her too.”

The way Dageer said it left no doubt that if he could, he would ignore those orders. Ventress had caused much pain to Hell Squad, and killed too many of their brothers. Separatist or not, she deserved to die.

”Tech, everything Hell Squad needs to read is here. Transfer it to your datapads. I need to talk to the general.”

”Got it.”

Dageer couldn't be the only one to read the reports. As a special unit, it was important every member knew about all the battles that happened, who died, who survived, and much more. Most of this information would be useless, and never come into play, but you never knows? It might be important someday.

His helmet under his arm, Dageer walked to the command bridge of the Venator-class Star Destroyer. He had a bad feeling all of the sudden, which was why he left his unit so hastily. His scar started to burn, what only happened when something really bad was about to happen. He quickened his pace, and was almost running when he got to the command bridge.