"Well," Lumbard said, "After a while in a bacta tank, you and your squad are going to be fine."
It was the best news Boss had heard all day.
During the Squad's escapades, it was realized that a miscalculation had been made. Only two points needed to be destroyed before the shields would fall. The second blast had allowed the clones and Jedi to storm the fort and eliminate all the droids. Ventress's ship had been seen fleeing the battle, and rendezvousing with the remains of the Separatist fleet, before jumping into hyperspace with them.
While Shaak Ti had spat some remark about Ventress being a coward, Boss' only concern was for his men.
That when Lumbard had dropped by with the news.
Boss heaved a sigh of relief. They had been extremely lucky.
"Now we have to get you to a medical frigate," Lumbard said. "I must tend to the other wounded. Good luck."
He gestured at a pair of clones. They obediently ran over and picked up the stretcher Boss was on, and began to carry him towards the waiting LAAT.
"One moment troopers."
The stretcher stopped moving. Boss turned his head, and saw a sight he thought he'd never see.
Shaak Ti, trotting towards him.
She skidded to a halt next to the troopers carrying Boss' stretcher.
"How is he?"
"He'll be fine general, so long as he stays in a bacta tank for the night."
"You could have asked me," Boss huffed.
The Jedi looked down at him with a kindly countenance. "I was unsure whether you were awake."
"Unfortunately, I am," the commando groaned.
"You are fortunate to be alive Boss," she said quietly. "Ventress has killed many Jedi. Many of my friends."
Her eyes moistened. Boss got an uncomfortable feeling in his stomach.
"But it seems I was wrong," she said.
"About what?"
She smiled. It was radiant as a sunset over Coruscant. "It seems you are not an incompetent little drone after all."
Boss smiled too. He opened his mouth to say something, but another clone came charging up to the Jedi.
"General," he panted. "An urgent matter has arisen on Centares. The Council has ordered you there with best possible speed."
Shaak Ti's shoulders slumped. "Tell them I am on my way."
The clone turned and left. Shaak Ti began to follow, but she stopped when she heard someone behind her.
"Don't worry. You've got more than air under those montrals."
Silently, she smiled. She turned to look, but Boss was already being carted away into a LAAT.
Even knowing that he would not hear her, she said it anyway.
"May the Force be with you, Boss."