Bat Squadron: The Rise Of Darth TS

Chapter 23

1ABY
Utapau

"Yes sir." Derik tells TS, staring at the back of his head as he slowly lays back down onto the ground with the help of TK-8751.

​"Lord TS, we have walkers on the way now." The Admiral says through TS communicator.

​"Copy that." TS says before he slowly stands up.

​"Where are you off to, sir?" TK-8751 asks.

​"I need to get a head start before you begin your attack." TS tells him.

​"Yes sir." TK-8751 says and watches as the Sith starts walking off.

Meanwhile, Ex and Thanan were making their way through the plains back toward the base. They were traveling down the sloped road around the edge of the sinkhole that led to the base.

​"Are we there yet?" Ex asks.

​"You have got to be kidding me." Thanan says.

​"What?"

​"You aren't even walking. I've been carrying you this whole time!" Thanan yells.

​"Doesn't mean I don't get bored."

​"I swear, if I didn't know any better, I would've left you knocked out in that pod back there."

​"You wouldn't! Would you?"

​"Maybe." Thanan chuckles.

​"No no no! Tell me you're joking!" Ex yells.

​"I'm joking."

​"That doesn't sound convincing. You aren't joking are you?!" Ex asks.

​"Maybe." Thanan says, laughing now.

​"You would not leave me!"

​"Oh yes I would." Thanan says.

​"You wouldn't be able to live with yourself if you did!" Ex yells.

​"Yes I could. It's easy. Like they taught us at the academy." Thanan says.

​"You mean as a stormtrooper? You really apply that still, even with the squad?" Ex asks.

​"Sometimes. It makes things easier...sometimes."

​"Really?"

​"Yeah...really." Thanan says quietly.

​"I uh...I didn't know that." Ex says, looking down at the brute who was carrying him.

​"We're almost there. Look." Thanan points toward the masses of troops that were fortifying positions in preparation for the full scale Imperial invasion.

​"Halt!" A voice screams at Thanan and Ex and the duo quickly stops in their tracks.

​"Hold your fire!" Ex yells back.

​"Identify yourselves!" The voice demands.

​"It's us! Ex and Thanan!" Ex yells back.

​"You guys survived? Get down here!" The voice yells.

The duo makes their way down to the base where they found Jesse and Grame helping to direct troops around. Grame's arm was in a sling now.

​"Glad to see you guys again!" Jesse yells as he walks over and hugs Ex and Thanan.

​"Why such the warm welcome?" Ex asks.

​"The team's been separated for a while. It's just good to have everyone all back in one place." Grame chuckles.