Shattered Stars (TCW)

Chapter 9 -- Routed and Rerouted

A time of sorrow. The 38th attack battalion has sustained heavy losses, their attack on the droid factory of Nuluf not going as planned. The young Twi’lek who has joined them, Raena, has been separated from her family as well. Heavy burdens rest upon General Rokanh’s shoulders as she must decide what to do next.

Seryn dropped the blaster before shimmying down the tree, proud that she could help somehow.

Taska ran the rest of the way to where Ace lay, kneeling by his side.

“Think we got them all?” he groaned weakly, and she removed his helmet to see how pale his face was.

“At too high a cost, commander,” she responded, taking his hand in a feeble attempt to comfort him—but also to make sure the pulse kept up.

The three looked out over the bodies of their brothers, scattered, and Taska felt her sinuses constrict.

“How terrible,” Seryn muttered, following Taska's gaze.

“Thank you for saving him,” she murmured to Seryn before turning to the commander. “I'm sorry they died.”

H

is eyebrows drew together as he looked at the bodies of his brothers. “It's what we were born to do, sir.”

Her heart sank. “I wish you didn't have to,” she whispered sincerely, before remembering that she still had troops in other areas that would need their general. She sniffed, placing her mind firmly where it needed to be. “Can you stand? We’ll have to help ourselves back to the others.”

“I’ll do my best,” he promised.

As they made the agonizingly slow trek, Taska under Ace’s arm as she propped him up, a small beep came from her communicator. “Gen—General Rokanh? Gen— kanh?”

“Yes? I’m here, who is it and what do you need? You’re cutting in and out,” she replied quickly, her voice clipped in a military fashion.

“I—Comma—Doom, sir,” the voice said. “We—attacked—by pirates. That’s why—di—inforcements. Comms—damaged.”

“I understand, commander,” she said with a grimace. “Get your men any help they need. The battle is over anyway.”

Ace heaved a sigh. “We were doomed from the beginning.”

“Let’s just hope our diversion worked,” Taska replied anxiously. “They could never hope to blow the facility if it didn’t.”

“The charges should be going off any minute now,” Ace reminded her. “What if—”

A loud crashing sound filled the air, followed by a shake of the ground.

Taska gave a dry smile. “At least some good came of our efforts.”

They finally reached the rest of the troops, who grimaced at seeing so few return. “Where’s A’den?” Taska asked, gesturing to the injured commander.

“He’s actually being treated by Thread right now,” Copper said. “All we’ve got are two rookie medics.”

Despite the situation, Taska gave a small laugh. “He can’t be happy about that.”

“No, sir,” Copper said, taking Ace’s arm over his own shoulder and guiding him to the area the medics had arranged.

“Vis!” she called to the blue-eyed trooper.

He offered a gentle smile as he removed his helmet. “Hey, General.”

“It’s good to see my favorite ARC trooper again,” she said, and Zevi gave her a look from across the clearing.