Cap. 90 - Recess

Icarus: - Unit Doom. What is happening? - He asked as soon as he saw the holoprojection of droid B1 on his communicator.

Doom: - General. We have received the reports from Captains Li Mu and Hawser. The Imperial Battleship has been successfully captured. -

Icarus: - Noticed. Start extraction procedures. We are done too. -

Doom: - Roger. Roger. -

The taste of a victory after so long was something that even Icarus himself could enjoy with joy. This war against the Empire was wearing out his circuits just like an organic would get tired. A good boost for group morale.

In orbit, the four generals were enjoying their first great victory. Hawser with Numa, Lubo and his group, where several of the rescued clones could be seen who were ready to fight against the empire. Li Mu with Cranel and the rest of the resistance. TR-1 coordinating operations from the battleship's main hangars.

Doctor Tifany had checked on Commander Wag Too and determined that his life was not in danger, but the psychological shock he received would keep him asleep for a while. Holdo and the commando clones had received medical treatment and their wounds had been healed, and could now take a rest in the facilities of the frigate Munificent, while the commando droids were taken to be repaired and charged.

Meanwhile, on the sands of Lasat, Icarus along with his magnaguards and B2 rocket droids had finished off the last soldier of the purge, and were now waiting for the shuttle that would take them back to orbit. And meanwhile, the warrior Lasat who had shown impressive courage and combat skills, was approaching them.

Zeb: - An inquisitor... I never thought I would see such a thing. -

Icarus: - I must admit that I didn't think I was capable of defeating him either... At least not in a fair fight. - He said while analyzing the inquisitor's lightsaber that now rested in his hand.

Zeb: - Well... As far as I know, no inquisitor fights his enemies in a "fair combat." -

Icarus: - You may be right. -

The droid now carried in its hands one of the most powerful weapons in the galaxy. An inquisitor's saber would be a great acquisition for Icarus, but what he would do next would leave the lasat very confused. And at the same time, it would demonstrate its intentions.

In one swift movement, Icarus threw the inquisitor's saber a couple of meters into the air, catching his own lightsaber and cutting the crimson saber in half as it fell. A weapon as chilling as that would only give an image of terror to what he meant. And the last thing I needed was a negative opinion.

Icarus: - And tell me... What do you plan to do now? -

Zeb didn't respond instantly. That was a very good question. One that not even Zeb himself would know how to answer. He had wandered for more than six years through the arid sands of what he once called home. Defending a memory that no longer existed, in lands so emaciated that it would take years to recover. Was such a sacrifice worth it? Surely not... But there wasn't much the galaxy's last lasat could do. Or maybe if...

Icarus: - You have proven to be a great warrior... Your strength would be very helpful in our cause. -

Zeb: -You flatter me too much, piece of metal. I'm not a vigilante like you say... I... I don't even know what I am. -

The lasat looked clearly depressed. And how to blame him? He had lost everything he once loved. That would be something I could never forget.

The shuttle that would take the droids back to the fleet had arrived. Its turbines generated strong winds that shook the sand in all directions. Icarus and the other droids remained composed, unable to be affected by such a thing even when the lasar had to cover his eyes to avoid the strong winds full of particles. And yet, unable to look away from that tactical superiority that did not remove its two red sensors from him.

Then, the landing ramp opened, allowing the droids to enter. The B2 rocket droids entered first, while the tactical superiority and the two magnaguards continued to look at the lasat, inside which an even stronger conflict was taking place. What to do was something for which he had no answer. And just before he left... Icarus spoke.

Icarus: - Then come with us. If you don't have a cause to fight for... I'll give you one. -

The lasat could do nothing but laugh at this comment, incredulous at the droid's attitude. His words, his actions. Everything about it was too alive to be a moment of metal parts and circuits. But that didn't stop Icarus from turning around and entering the shuttle, closely followed by his personal escort. Still, the landing ramp didn't close immediately... As if it was... waiting for someone.

Zeb: - A separatist droid huh... I just hope I don't regret this. -

Zeb finally decided to move on. Knowing that he would be leaving his world behind filled him with sadness as the shuttle moved further and further from the surface. But I knew it was for the best after all. His world didn't need protection... Not anymore.

As soon as they reached the mother ship they wasted no time. The lasat had no idea what to do, but Icarus couldn't dedicate his time to every living being that decided to join the rebellion. He had to lead the entire fleet, and as soon as the landing ramp opened in the Munificient hangar, he went to the command center to leave as soon as possible. It was only a matter of time before another Imperial ship or fleet appeared in the sector.

It was a pleasant surprise to learn that the three ships were in condition to make the jump. Both the Kandosii and the Munificent had received some damage from the battleship's constant fire, but nothing that affected their primary functioning. And as soon as the coordinates were set, the three ships returned to their long-awaited home.

The return trip was a moment of anxiety for everyone. Numa, Mirana, Lubo, Hawser, Li Mu, Cranel, Helgait, and many others had the luxury of eating something decent together, while discussing the previous conflict. Tifany soon joined them, when she was sure that Wag Too's health was not in any danger.

Although wounded, Holdo, Kurt, Bly and the commando clones eventually got their long-awaited rest and decent food after several months working as an undercover in Fondor's shipyards. Both the woman and the clones had received medical attention, and Fixer managed to recover without sequelae from the concussion he received, and now they even made fun of how complicated everything became. It's a shame that the commando droids were not able to enjoy those moments, as their presence would have been very welcome. And then... a very peculiar guest arrived in the dining room accompanied by many other refugees.

Foxley: - Wow... Seeing all this is a surprise without a doubt. I would never have imagined it. -

And how could I do it? No one in their right mind would expect to see clones and Separatist droids working together. But the reality before his eyes could not be denied.

Bly: - Fence, another one of us. Welcome brother. -

Foxley: - Yes... Well... I wouldn't call my own brother if I were you. -

Boss: - What do you mean? -

Foxley: - Let's see how I explain it... -

Icarus: - Clone CT-7462. Lot number 007. Designated to the 104th battalion... Deserter. - He read the super droids from a datapad as he entered the dining room.

Foxley: -Wow... It seems I can't hide anything from you. -

Icarus: - Your records were in the ship's Imperial database. Nothing I would classify as... appropriate... for a soldier. -

Foxley: - Calm down a little, tin. I stopped being a soldier long before the war ended. -

Bly: - You are a deserter.... How could you abandon your brothers? -

Unlike the commando clones, whose loyalty was more linked to their squad than to the army, the former clone marshal had an unwavering loyalty to his own. Despite having executed Order 66, which would torment him for the rest of his life, Bly was dedicated body and soul to his legion. Therefore, the simple existence of a defecting clone during the time of the Clone Wars was unacceptable.

However, this new Foxley clone did not respond at all. As if he refused to talk about his past. Who were they to judge him after all? I didn't even know them. While he was slightly grateful for freeing them, that didn't mean he had to explain himself to anyone. Unless:

Icarus: - Abregadro... -

A simple word was enough for the former 104th soldier to open his eyes in shock... As if a wave of negative memories were tormenting his mind. He was visibly affected, and did not hesitate to leave the group, take a tray of food and sit alone in a corner of the dining room, where no one could disturb him, or where he would not be able to hear anyone. What he didn't expect was for a lasat to sit at the same table as him.

Those older ones fell silent as soon as they heard that name, but the younger ones had no idea what the general was talking about.

Numa: - What is Abegadro? -

Kurt: - A kernel system. A lawless place... A place where you hear stories of a great massacre during the war period. -

Fixer: - Were you there? -

Kurt: - I've only heard stories. As the Republic suffered countless casualties there. -

Icarus: - The battle of Abegadro was a hard blow for the Republic. A blow that would mark the 104th legion for the rest of the war. The separatist database estimated that the Republic lost ninety-three point eight percent of its forces there. Of them, most belonged to the 104th legion. -

Boss: - If he was present... It's a miracle he survived. -

Icarus: - Commander. -

Bly / Boss: - ¿Señor? -

The fact that both clones responded in the same way was very funny, and some of those present were unable to hide a laugh. They both had the same rank after all.

Icarus: - Commander Bly. I want you to keep an eye on the refugees. Especially Foxley. Some were bounty hunters, and he doesn't want any information leaks. -

Bly: - Understood. -

Holdo: - What do you plan to do with them once we get to your shelter? Not everyone may be willing to collaborate. -

Icarus: - I think it's better not to discuss that here. Commander Boss, Holdo. Senator Organa wants you to report to him as soon as possible. At Gwori we have an encrypted communications base where you can establish contact. -

Holdo: - Understood. -

Icarus: - To the rest. I am aware of the reports. Numa, Howser. Their coordination presents some discrepancies that must be corrected. Li Mu, Cranel. Their strategies are still too aggressive. Once in Gwori we will resume their practices to correct such errors. That's all. I will retire to the command post. -

And so, the droid left the place, leaving the four mentioned in a rather depressing state. Howser and Li Mu seemed somewhat calm, but neither Numa nor Cranel hid their discontent.

Holdo: - Is it that bad? -

Numa: - The general has no mercy. We spent hours studying combat plans and in drills. And to top it off, Gwori day is endless. -

Helgait: - The time he spends training you shows that he trusts you. -

Numa: - But that doesn't take away the subsequent fatigue... I think I need a vacation. -

The rest of those present could not contain their laughter at such a carefree comment. Fixer and Sev looked at Boss, because he was the same leader, always reviewing combat plans when he had the least free time. However, Holdo was curious about the Twi'lek's words, as if he had something on his mind.