- CASTLES CRUMBLING (A.S.) -

- 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐄 -

some mistakes get made. that's alright, that's okay

EVERYTHING HURT. A bright light was shining down on Regina... No, it was a flashing light. Opening her eyes slowly, Regina was met with the ceiling of the Separatist transport. She tried to sit up but overwhelming pain hit her torso.

"What's going on?"

Breaker's anxious face came into view and Regina sensed that it wasn't just worry over her. Something else—something bad—was happening.

"About that, General..."

Breaker was cut off by a sharp sound: Blue clearing his throat.

"But the commander will explain it to you." Breaker offered Regina an anxious smile before
sliding out of the way to make room for Blue. Blue's face, too, was lined with worry.

"Dooku's forces came after us," Blue explained, running a hand through his dark hair. "They caused a lot of damage to the ship. The navicomputer was damaged in the process and we can't make the jump to hyperspace."

Regina clenched her jaw before forcing herself to relax.

"What are you telling me, Blue?"

It was difficult to think. She had to focus.

Blue shook his head and gave it to her straight. "We had to take the long way to Umbar. The Separatists are still on us. We've taken a lot of damage and we're almost out of fuel. We're close to the system now, but it's gonna be a rough landing."

Regina took his response in, thinking it over. Then something occurred to her.

"Blue, how long have I been out?"

"Three days." Blue turned away, as if to hide the worry she could sense seeping off from him.

"Three days?" she repeated.

Breaker came back into view, nodding. "We had to patch you up, General. Thought for a while that you wouldn't make it." Blue gave Breaker a harsh look.

"That bad?" she asked weakly. Breaker nodded again but he didn't get a chance to add anything.

"Entering the Umbar System!" came Dux's voice. "Glad to see you alive and well, General."  Regina smiled weakly at her pilot's optimism.

"Get us to the surface safely, Dux."

"Got it, General."

But as soon as he said that, the ship rocked. Regina heard Dux curse and the clone began flipping switches as an alarm sounded.

Breaker shot Regina a concerned look.

"You okay, General?"

Regina nodded. "How are the rest of the troops?" The ship rocked again. The alarm was still blaring and Regina felt that they were about to crash. Regina focused on Breaker who was studying the clones who were out of her line of sight.

"Not bad, all things considered. We've been flying alongside the rest since we took off. We caught them right after you passed out, actually. We're all safe for the time being."

The alarm was still going.

"You're being unusually optimistic," commented Clipper dryly. Breaker rolled his eyes. Regina couldn't see him but sensed his amusement mixed with worry. The ship was about to crash, after all.