Eye Of The Needle (Star Wars)

Chapter 84: Something's Not Right

"Get ready to hold on." Fives mentioned.

"That's why he's the ARC trooper." Rex stated.

As the ship made its way out of the hangars towards us, Rex and Fives fired their grappling guns. Once they secured the ship, we climbed on carefully to not give ourselves away just yet. As soon as we entered the ship, we made our way to where Tup was being held. Once the doors opened, we saw Tup standing up against the wall on his stretcher, unconscious with several commando droids and clankers with blasters.

"Scrap 'em!" Anakin shouted.

We wasted no time in fighting off the droids. As Fives, Rex, and Maya fought off the droids towards the entrance of the room, Anakin and I pushed forth, slicing the droids in half, making our way towards Tup. The tactical droid from the cockpit made his way towards us, he managed to dodge some of our blows, punching me in my stomach along the way. I groaned as I fought on. I refused to back down. With one hand clutched around my stomach and the other on my lightsaber, I sliced on of robotic his arms off. Anakin used the Force, pulling the tactical droid towards him until he grabbed his neck. At that moment, we heard one of the piloting the ship, speak up. "Hey, now we're experiencing turbul-"

Rex shot down the two droids in charge of flying the ship. He then made his way into the cockpit, taking over the controls. Anakin kept his grip on the droid with his lightsaber on the droid's neck. I raised my lightsaber, keeping it pointed at the droid.

"What's going on? What do you know about this clone?" Anakin questioned.

"I am programmed to resist intimidation." The tactical droid retorted.

"Well, can your programming resist destruction to your mechanical body?" I shot back.

Before the droid had a chance to respond, I decapitated his head, destroying the droid. Well, so much for getting answers. We then made our way to Tup, who didn't look so good.

"How's he doing?" Maya asked.

"Not well. Not well at all." Fives mentioned. "I think he's dying, sir."

"We have to get him to Kamino." Anakin advised.

With that, Anakin and I took over the ship. We quickly flew us back to our fleet, where we quickly requested another shuttle to transport Tup back to Kamino. This time, Rex would be heading out with the shuttle.

"I'll want a full report from Kamino." Anakin ordered.

"If Tup is the victim of some Separatist plot, then we have no idea of how widespread it already is." I added.

Anakin then left to check in with Admiral Yularen. Once Anakin was gone, Fives turned towards Rex. "Permission to come with you, sir. He's my best friend. You may need help."

"But everything must be done by the book." Rex reminded him.

Fives nodded. "Understood, sir."

"You're to stay by his side at all times. I don't want any more slipups." Rex informed him.

"Yes, sir." Fives assured him.

"Good." Rex said.

At that moment, Maya blurted out. "I'm coming as well."

This surprised all three of us, especially Fives. Fives placed a hand on Maya's shoulder. "General, as much as I'd appreciate you coming along, I believe you're needed here."

I saw Maya's face fall. I felt my heart hurt upon seeing my sister's face. With this in mind, I spoke up. "You may go, Maya. Vi na'wat ta cá ta y'ai tuvorsh. Once you return, of course."