Chap. 88 - Priorities

B1: - Commander. A large number of targets are approaching our position. -

Inside the main hangar of the imperial destroyer, the droids had set up an improvised command post to guarantee the safety of the operations until the two organic battalions completed their mission. A bastion made up mostly of B1 and B2 droids, which kept the Imperial forces at bay in the corridors surrounding the hangar.

TR-1: - What's happening? -

B1: - Sensors indicate that a large number of targets are approaching to support the enemies from inside the battleship. They are heading here using the secondary hallway of the ship. -

TR-1: - That's strange. It is assumed that all enemy forces were already located. -

B1: - Apparently, this group had not shown themselves before and... Wait... This is strange. -

TR-1: - What's happening? -

B1: - The new group stopped at a considerable distance from the confirmed Imperials... Some are even turning around. -

TR-1: - Unit B-76384... Where did that new unknown force come from? - He asked a little worried.

B1: - Everything seems to indicate that they come from the prison complex. -

What happened next would have been impossible to believe for anyone watching. The tactical droid turned around and left as fast as its metallic body would allow, completely leaving its duties behind.

B1: - Commander? Where is he going!? -

TR-1: - Those are not imperials. TO ALL MECHANICAL UNITS.... ACTIVATING PROTOCOLS GUARDIAN ONE. HIGHEST PRIORITY: GUARANTEE THE LIVES OF CIVILIANS. HIGHEST PRIORITY COMMAND. PALADIN AND FIFI UNITS, WITH ME. -

Given the order, absolutely all the droids that were not in combat were activated and prepared to advance towards the position of the tactical droid commander, who was taking the assured corridor that would take him directly to the conflict zone in question. General Icarus was very precise in his programming, always being the top priority of each droid unit to prioritize the lives of organics, and with his fast processing ability, TR-1 understood that this new group was not enemy reinforcements.

However, the situation was critical in that sector of the battleship. The Imperials panicked as they saw an enemy force appear behind them, as now they had no chance of escape. Even so, there is no beast more dangerous than the one that is cornered.

Lacking common sense and victims of panic, the stormtroopers advanced towards the rear, where many saw the weakness of the supposed new combatants, but the truth was that these were mere prisoners, exhausted and tired due to the lack of sleep, water and food. . Some carried blasters, but very few really knew how to use them.

Not being warriors and not having a heart prepared for war, many prisoners fled when they saw the imperials ending the lives of those right in front of them. As was well known, Howlhell took prisoners both the guilty and the innocent, the latter being the majority. Of the more than a thousand present, only thirty of them were rebels or evildoers. The only ones capable of using a blaster correctly, this mysterious clone being the one who did everything possible to maintain the battered resistance in the corridors of the Imperial Battleship.

The battle became bloody and brutal. The prisoners did everything possible to remain firm against the imperial forces, who were making great efforts to regain positions. The blasters were getting closer to each other, and the piled up bodies of fallen civilians, killed by enemy fire, made retreat extremely difficult.

Still, that was not what fate had in store for them. The fear returned to the faces of the prisoners when they saw a hail of red blasters attack from the enemy rear, shooting down all those stormtroopers who were exposed. Some of the prisoners were happy about this, they were worried about the possible new force that entered into combat, doubting whether they would be allies or enemies. But the clone in command... felt terror at what his eyes saw.

The white cloak of imperial armor fell before the separatist might. Like a funeral march, at the end of the corridor an image rebelled that caused terror to all those who ever set foot on the battlefield during the clone wars.

A formation of four columns of droids advanced towards the freed prisoners, with Paladin and Fifi being the ones in front. Behind them, several columns of B1 and B2 droids slowly approached.

The prisoners were very tense, at least those who had never even lived under the Separatist mantle because, if we think about it coldly, the Separatist Alliance were the liberators of the Galaxy for those who lived on the worlds under their jurisdiction. After all, in war there are only points of view, neither good nor bad.

Some kept their rifles raised, but seeing that the droids were not showing themselves as a threat they had no choice but to relax a little. All except the clone in the lead, whose past did not allow him to dissipate his tension in the face of those who were once his sworn enemies. Then, the figure of a tactical droid moved to the front of the droid formations.

TR-1: - This Imperial cruiser is under attack by the Separatist Alliance. Please hand over your weapons and accompany us to a safe area. -

Clone: ​​- The Separatist Alliance was destroyed seven years ago. What you say makes no sense. -

TR-1: - I understand your words, clone. But ideals do not die. Instead, I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't point your blaster at my face. I am no longer your enemy. -

The clone thought about it quite a bit. Regardless of the fact that opening fire would be an idea bordering on stupidity, he would not be able to protect those behind him. With no choice, the clone had to surrender, thinking that now he would simply be taken prisoner, but what would happen next would break all the prejudices he had.

TR-1: - Very good. To all units. Escort the refugees to the transports and take them back to the mother ship. Inform the general and request food rations and medical supplies for the evacuees. -

B1: - Commander. There are too many. The transports will have to make several trips while exposed to enemy anti-aircraft fire. -

Unit B1 was right. Until Li Mu's group took control of the command post, the Imperial Destroyer's anti-fighter turrets would remain operational. While the four C-9979 transport ships would be capable of transporting most civilians, at least several dozen prisoners would still need to be mobilized. The transports would be able to return to the Munificent, but returning them would compromise operations. They couldn't risk getting hurt, as they had to retreat if something went wrong. But as Ryloth taught them, the presence of civilians in the war zone was never a good thing. What should I do?

Clone: ​​- We can help. - The clone's voice caught the droid commander's attention.

TR-1: - I hear it. -

Clone: ​​- Some of us are bounty hunters. Our ships had been confiscated, and they are surely in the secondary hangar. We will be able to help with evacuation. -

The idea itself wasn't bad, but trusting someone you barely know is not, in any sense, logical. Still, the options at his disposal were not many.

TR-1: Very good. Platoon 11, come with me to the secondary hangar and recover the confiscated ships. The rest of you, return to the main hangar and hold positions until further notice. If anyone tries to escape... Eliminate them. -

The last word shook the prisoners to the core. The droids may have shown themselves as allies, but they had to prevent at all costs any mercenary from escaping and revealing information to the enemy. The cold mentality of the tactical droid would not make a mistake as basic as that. After all, mercenaries and bounty hunters aren't exactly renowned for their honor and loyalty.

TR-1: - I'm not surprised to see a clone as a prisoner. It's not the first one I know. What is your identification, soldier? -

Clon: - CT-7462. -

As expected, the clone responded with his identification number that was imposed on him on Kamino. TR-1 was a droid, so this way it would be easier for his computer full of codes and calculations to understand him. Still, the droid looked him in the face, not pleased with his response.

TR-1: - I asked him for his identification.... Not for his code. -

That was definitely not expected. A tactical droid interested in knowing the name of a clone? It was something the clone would never think to see in his life.

Clone: ​​- Captain Foxley, of the 104th Attack Battalion - He said still surprised.

TR-1: - Very good. Captain, it seems you are the one who took command of the prisoners during the revolt. -

Foxley: - Don't get the wrong idea. I only did what was necessary to get out of there alive. I'm not a warrior...not anymore. -

TR-1: - I have not mentioned anything about it. -

The droid's response was a shock to the clone. Apparently, the droid had set a trap for him into which he completely fell. And he was right. The tactical droid never mentioned anything to him about being a soldier and his duty... That was an answer Foxley gave of his own free will... Maybe there was still something in there after all.

TR-1: - When this is over, I recommend you talk to the general. He will be able to give you a better answer to the future than I can. For now, focus on getting out of here and taking out as many civilians as you can. -

Foxley: - Well... I'll do what I can. -

The group finally reached the secondary hangar, where droid forces had secured the perimeter around the area just minutes ago. The hundreds of prisoners were efficiently distributed among the bounty hunters' different ships, although some of these did not look very safe. Especially due to its age and lack of maintenance. But it was all they had. And finally, TR-1 and Foxley arrived at the clone ship along with a small group of refugees.

TR-1: - So... This is your ship? - He asked a little worried.

Foxley: - Hey... It may be missing some paint, but it can fly without problems. -

TR-1: - I hope so... What do you call her? -

Foxley: - I like to call it... The Spirit. -

Before their eyes was a VCX-100 freighter, manufactured by the Corellian Engineering Corporation, although it was clearly seen to have some modifications. It was not a small ship, with a length of 43.9 meters and a wingspan of 34.2 meters. In addition to a height of 14.5 meters. Enough to transport a good number of passengers. The model, although somewhat old, had a class 2 hyperdrive and several weapons to defend itself, so it could not be taken lightly.

TR-1: - Captain, you know what to do. Don't go off course and don't try anything stupid. -

The droid's words were more of a threat than a warning. Several B1 and B2 units entered the ship, which would ensure that no pilot attempted anything that would jeopardize the operation. They were willing to execute whoever was necessary to guarantee the safety of this small attempt at rebellion.

Foxley: - You already made it clear to me... And don't call me captain. I haven't used that range in a long time. -

The droid simply stared at him, as if trying to tell him something without the use of words. For the clone, that scene was very strange and uncomfortable, and he did not fully understand what was happening.

TR-1: - Good luck... Captain... We can't see the ship. -

And so, the tactical droid turned around and prepared to return to its duties in the main hangar, leaving the clone somewhat grumpy that he didn't pay attention... Or did TR-1 perhaps want to say something else?