29

Tension clouded the air of the control room like smoke as the cruiser slipped from hyperspace and got its first glimpse of Hareth. It was a small tan planet. Not much to look at.

Behind her, Rex was still as marble. Helmet facing forward. From the outside, he was a picture of calm. Of control. But the Force ebbing around him shivered with anxiety and desperation.

His brothers were down there. This was their only chance to save them.

"Cargo Squad," Saedii said, taking the lead. She turned behind her, where the fifty or so Clones under her command waited for their orders.

Twenty Clones stepped forward. A pilot and gunner for every cargo ship, plus a few ARC troopers to storm inside and free the Clones.

Echo was with them, helmet already in place. He'd been volunteered to pilot. While he hadn't been happy about missing the action, his flight experience would be necessary. Saedii had been the one to suggest him.

"Move to position," she ordered.

With a crisp salute, the Clones turned. Heading for the hangar bay. Once Saedii and her distraction party, nicknamed Alpha Squad, got Hareth's attention, the cargo ships would be moving into place to extract their imprisoned brothers.

"Alpha Squad, move."

Around twenty more Clones turned, heading for the hangar after Cargo Squad. Hunter, Wrecker, and Crosshair lingered. They were part of Alpha Squad, too, but they would wait for her. Rex had decided, and Saedii had reluctantly agreed, that the three of them would stick close to her. To help with the Inquisitor if they could. With Kalth.

Tech left with the rest. He'd be piloting the Dauntless. His job was to get Alpha Squad safely back onto the cruiser and provide air support if he could.

Echo and Tech would be safe, at least. Even if the rest would not.

The worry that filled her knowing Hunter, Wrecker, and Crosshair would be close to an Inquisitor was near crippling. On her own, she could focus on the fight at hand. But with the three of them, she would be worrying about keeping them safe. But Hunter wouldn't listen to her pleas to let her handle this on her own. He'd been insistent that they were there to help.

Rex and Howzer were part of Alpha Squad, too, though they lingered as well. Rex turned to Happy, who stood with feet braced and hands behind his back at the helm. "You know your orders?"

"Yes, Sir." Happy didn't seem too thrilled about it. He'd been appointed captain of Beta Squad – the small crew that would remain to pilot the cruiser. He'd be overseeing the deboarding of the cargo ships and, if necessary, would take the cruiser and its crew away from here if the mission went wrong.

Omega was part of Beta Squad, as well. She'd protested heartily when Saedii had given the order, but eventually relented.

"You'll be careful, right?" Omega squeaked as she stood at Happy's side. Her hands twisted anxiously around one another.

"We'll be alright, kid. You'll see!" Wrecker said confidently.

But Omega's eyes were on Saedii. Looking for confirmation.

"Everything will be fine," Saedii agreed.

An anxious sigh escaped Omega's lips, but she tried to put on a good face.

"If Alpha Squad or Cargo Squad goes silent for more than five minutes, get out of here," Rex said seriously, looking at Happy.

Happy nodded. "Understood, Sir."

"We'll be facing heavy fire down there. Make sure the cruiser is ready to go. This extraction is going to be hot."

A flicker of worry passed Omega's face.

Saedii gestured the Clones around her to leave, before Omega got ideas about trying to follow. "Time to go."

"Good luck!" Omega called wistfully behind them.

At her side, Hunter kept close. One of his hands was already on his blaster, fingers inching towards the safety.

Someone else sidled up next to her, and a low voice murmured, "Five credits we get blown out of the sky before we even touchdown."

Saedii looked up and a warm feeling spread through her chest as she found Crosshair standing next to her. He still wouldn't look her way, but the fact he was talking to her was promising.

"Ten says everything goes according to plan."

He scoffed. "When does it ever?"

In the hangar, the four cargo ships had already departed and sat idle at the planet's edge. The Dauntless hummed in anticipation as its engines powered on.

Inside, the small contingent of Clones all spoke in low, whispered tones. Some laughed, though the sound was nervous, while others slapped shoulders and gave encouraging pep talks. They all fell silent as Saedii stepped on board.

Plo had once taught her that the confidence of a commanding officer can make or break a mission. That it was her job to be confident and cool under pressure, even if she was afraid. The best inspiration for a soldier is to think their commander is ready. To believe in them wholeheartedly as they follow them towards death.

Saedii emulated that confidence now. She held her head high and let them see the determination on her face. They would not fail. She would not let them.

As the Dauntless began lift off, Wrecker gave a little chuckle of anticipation and rolled his neck.

One of the younger Clones nearby watched. Though his helmet covered his face, Saedii could sense his unease. His fear.

"You ready, Crux?" she asked lightly.

Crux was one of the Clones Rex had rescued last year. He hadn't been old big enough to see combat before the Republic had fallen. This would be his first test.

"Yes, Commander," he answered. His tone wasn't convincing.

"What are you going to do to celebrate?"

"Commander?"

She offered an easy smile. Carefree, even if her insides writhed. "Before a mission, I always like to think about what I'll do after. I tell myself In two hours, I'll be drinking a cup of tea on the bridge. Things like that."

Hunter and Rex both gave a little nod, as if this was sound advice.

With a bit more energy, Crux said, "I plan to have a glass of ergas, Commander?"

"Just a glass?" she teased.

"A big glass."

Wrecker bellowed a laugh and slapped the young Clone on the shoulder. "That's the spirit, rookie!"

Some of the troopers around them relaxed. Marginally. The light banter was something they were used to. It felt normal, even if what they were about to do was anything but.

Overhead, Tech's voice called out, "Entering Hareth's airspace."

Saedii's grip on the handle above her tightened as the ship began to shake. Turbulence buffeted the Dauntless, making the hull tremble and jerk. Next to her, Crux sucked in a breath as they passed into the night-darkened atmosphere and the hull was thrown into shadow.

As they drifted further into Hareth's atmosphere, Saedii closed her eyes. Listening into the Force.

It vibrated with tension. With anxiety and fear and eagerness. The usual emotions that preceded a battle. But there was more underneath it – a glow of pain and suffering that throbbed like an open wound.

The imprisoned Clones. Their torment bled into the Force above Hareth, infecting it like a disease. It scratched along her senses. Pressed against her throat like the inro-clad grip of a fist.

So much suffering. Too much.

"Breaking cloud coverage in ten seconds," Tech reported.

In her mind, Saedii went over the schematics of Hareth again. The planet was a desert world. There would no cover once they broke from the clouds – no trees or plateaus or mountains. They'd be center of attention.

Or that was the hope, anyway. With the focus on Alpha Squad, Cargo Squad should be able to sneak in and free any Clones undetected.

Tech was supposed to take out the exterior canons along the outer wall if he could. Howzer's scans had revealed four – one at each cardinal point on the wall. Once the canons were down, they'd storm the inside and draw any guards in the prison outside to engage.

The ship suddenly lurched and an explosion sounded nearby. Wrecker gave a little laugh as Tech relayed, "Perimeter canons have spotted us. They are engaging."

"Shoot back, Tech," Saedii ordered into her comms. "Blast a hole in their outer defenses so we can slip through."

"Aww, I wish I was up there!" Wrecker bemoaned. "I love blasting things."

"That's exactly why you're here," Crosshair said silkily. "If you were on the guns, there wouldn't be anything left."

Saedii's breath caught as the ship lurched sharply to the side. Hunter's hand reached out and steadied her as the echoing booms from their own guns barked an answer.

"Alpha Squad, ready?" Rex demanded in that sharp voice of his.

Twenty Clones called back, "Ready!"

A roar announced the stabilizers. The unfurling of the landing gear. Above it all, Tech continued to lay down fire as the distant booms of canons echoed.

An ear-splitting crack sounded below. In the Force, Saedii caught a glimpse of fractured metal and blackened steel. Of a gaping hole billowing smoke. The broken remains of canons.

The wall had been breached.

Way to go, Tech.

Smoke filled the hull as the exit doors opened. Thirty feet below, visible only in the swinging shafts of light from the exterior spotlights, the ground was decorated with smoldering chunks of the wall and the long, empty nose of a canon. Two others smoked in the distance. The air echoed with rapid blaster fire as Tech laid down heavy cover, forward guns swinging along the parapet and scattering the white-clad armored figures that had manned it.

The remaining canon below swung up towards them.

Saedii didn't wait for the ship to land. She launched herself out of the side, drawing both lightsabers.

She landed in a roll, swinging up and slicing straight through the barrel of the canon in a single fluid move. The storm trooper before her spun, drawing his blaster, but Saedii pushed him away with the Force.

Behind her, she heard as the rest of Alpha Squad followed her lead.

The familiar din of battle washed over her – booming canons, staccato blaster fire, the pop of exploding metal. Around her, the Force had grown heavy with adrenaline and desperation – both theirs and the storm troopers that faced them. Even in the dark, on an unfamiliar planet, she had the sudden sense of déjà vu. Knew exactly where to place her feet as she took off.

Saedii ran along the wall, sliding beneath the outstretched arm of a storm trooper that tried to blast her as she approached. Her lightsaber swung up, slicing through him. Killing him before he could kill her.

Them or us. Hunter's words echoed in her mind.

I choose us.

She leapt down off the prison wall, landing in what appeared to be a wide yard that had been trampled by thousands of boot marks. Faint puddles of what appeared to be blood stained the sand – some new, others days or weeks old.

The comforting presence of Hunter and Wrecker settled behind her as a group of storm troopers rushed out of the prison before them. Saedii's lightsabers flashed, blocking their fire as Hunter and Wrecker returned it.

Somewhere behind her, the bark of a sniper rifle told her Crosshair had taken up a vantage point along the remains of the wall.

Saedii pushed forward, swinging her lightsabers around in a deadly swoop. Slashing at the white armor that gleamed before her. At the traitors who had taken up the helmets of the Clones that had died to defend them.

When Saedii dared to look to her left, Rex and Howzer were leading the rest of the Clones in a fanned approach. They'd taken up cover wherever they could – behind overturned storage containers and broken remains of canons. Ducking as they fired back at the dozens of storm troopers that rushed from the prison, shouting for reinforcements.

"Do you sense the Inquisitor?" Hunter asked.

"Not yet." Saedii looked up just as the four cargo ships glided silently overhead. Without the canons to impede their progress, they went unchallenged. A map in her head following their progress, marking their landing point at the south end of the prison.

On her comms, Tech reported, "All exterior canons have been terminated."

"Good job, Tech," Saedii replied. "Stay close and lay cover where you can."

"Affirmative."

Hunter and Wrecker kept close as they pinched in towards the rest of Alpha Squad. Before them, a quick count revealed about thirty storm troopers, crouched low along the front entrance of the prison. As more tried to join from the east and west exits, Crosshair picked them off one-by-one.

Saedii moved on instinct, blocking blaster fire and pushing forward when she could. She attacked in quick bursts – running forward to take down two or three storm troopers before retreating. Just enough to keep them busy. To pique their interest.

As she fought, her mind brushed against the Force. Checking for the sure-tell signs of dark threads that announced an Inquisitor. So far, she hadn't felt any.

More troopers poured out of the front door. From above, the Dauntless flew in, firing down into their ranks. The troopers scattered for cover.

"Cargo Squad to Alpha!" a voice called on her comms. "We've made contact with the prisoners. Beginning the first extraction now."

A mental clock began to tick down.

Thirty minutes.

They had to keep the guards' attention for thirty minutes. Starting now.

Storm troopers fell before them, but more came to take their place. Mildly, Saedii wondered how many there were. Wondered how many people had risen to answer the Empire's call when they asked for replacements for their loyal soldiers. A part of her didn't even feel sorry for them as they fell beneath the organized press of the Clones.

Worry gnawed in her gut as Kalth still had yet to appear. Her senses were on hyperdrive, touching into the Force every few seconds to search for any sign of him.

Where was he? What was taking him so long to appear?

Something brushed against her skin. A warning.

Saedii's stomach churned as she looked up. As she felt the sinister pull of energy from above moments before Happy's voice called, "Beta to Alpha! Two Venators have just appeared out of hyperspace!"

Venators.

Hunter and Wrecker both tensed at her sides. They, too, remembered what had happened the last time they'd been on the wrong side of a Venator.

"Happy, do not engage!" Rex's voice ordered.

But Happy replied a moment later, "We have no choice! We're taking fire here!"

They were targeting the cruiser. Of course they would – it was the Clones' only way off Hareth. If they took that away, they'd be trapped.

"Omega," Hunter said at once.

Saedii barked into her comms, "Tech, swing by and pick up Hunter and Wrecker! The three of you take the Dauntless and the Marauder and provide air support for the cruiser!"

It was laughable. An attack shuttle and a freighter taking on two Venators. But they were pretty low on options at the moment.

Tech's voice was immediately reporting, "The odds of success –"

"Don't give me stats right now!"

"But if I take the Dauntless off-world, you will have no way to get off –"

"Tech!"

"On my way!"

"We can't leave you," Hunter protested.

Saedii pinned him with a look. "Omega is in trouble. And if they take down that cruiser, the rest of us will be too. Make sure it doesn't happen."

He hesitated. Unsure.

On the comms, Crosshair's voice urged, "Go. I've got it from here."

When Saedii looked up, she found the sniper's scope trained on her. He'd watch her back.

Hunter was still for a long moment before he gave a brief nod. Together, he and Wrecker ran for the hole in the wall. Off to meet Tech and join the firefight happening in the stars above.

A round of blaster fire came her way as more storm troopers trickled out of the prison. Saedii blocked it before ducking down beside Crux, using the remains of a canon to take cover.

"Rex, how are we doing?" she demanded as Crux fired over the top of the smoldering remains of metal.

"One casualty so far and two injured."

Saedii cursed. Almost a quarter of their ground forces were down. And now air support was gone.

"Commander, requesting permission to provide aerial cover for Alpha Squad," Echo's voice insisted.

Immediately, Saedii ordered, "Denied! Stay where you are! We need those extractions to go as quickly as possible! We'll handle things here!"

"Things aren't exactly going to plan here, Commander," Crux said forlornly at her side.

A laugh actually bubbled out of her throat. "Actually, most of our missions ended like this during the war. I would be concerned if things were going well."

He gave a relieved laugh, too. "Good. I was starting to get worried –"

His voice broke off into a wet gurgle. Hot red blood exploded from his neck, coating Saedii's face.

A glowing red lightsaber had split his throat.

Crux's body dropped, revealing the black-clad figure standing behind him. A dark helmet of black and silver, fashioned in the shape of a skull, stared back at her.

Kalth.

"Hello, little Jedi."

His mechanized voice was like broken glass against her ears. So rough and grating and inhuman.

Kalth's head tilted to the side. Mocking. "Did you miss me?"

Saedii slid into the ready position as she turned to face him.

Then froze as the Force brushed against her. As dark ribbons bled and wove into the fabric of the Force. Not just in front of her, but behind her, too.

She spun.

Another black clad figure stood. A green face stared out beneath a black helmet tipped in sharp, pointed metal. Yellow eyes narrowed in anticipation as a tall, lithe figure spread her legs wide and settled down into her own engagement stance. A smile curved her lips.

Dread filled Saedii's stomach.

Howzer had gotten it wrong. There wasn't one Inquisitor waiting for her here on Hareth.

There were two.