Daily Entry 06: Clone Battalion Commander CC-4242: (158 Days ABG)

This has been an engaging day. Where should I start this debriefing?

With less than a day to the cruiser, Kali'sto and I encountered a ravine. It extended for miles through the caverns, and provided another obstacle that prolonged the journey. It took us almost an hour to reach a ledge from which I could fire my grapple to move across.

Our instructors always warned us to focus on the task at hand, take only preemptive surveillance of the environment. I think the expression is "Don't look down." Yet another regulation I couldn't help but break. I couldn't help but find awe in it. Kali'sto even commented on this, saying that his favorite part of every mission is the places they visit. He went on to describe some of the planets he's visited, such as Dac, Alderaan, and Taris, and I listened eagerly. Our conversation was surprisingly amicable, considering everything I said last night.

We eventually reached an appropriate site, and I prepared to apologize as I readed my grappling cable, but inevitably it was at that moment when trouble found us.

A CIS patrol, made up of four STAP Speeders, flew by us. Once they spotted us, they slowly zipped around the canyon so they could reach us without risking collision or breaking formation. Kali'sto and I were exposed on the ravine's edge, vulnerable to their blasterfire. We couldn't hope to outrun them, leaving us with only one option.

I glanced at Kali'sto and asked if he could use his Force powers here. He nodded. I subsequently gave him directions. Kali'sto and I took up position, me with my rifle and Kali'sto with his lightsaber, waiting for the STAPs' first pass.

One of our earliest lessons on battle droids was this: we can think and act intuitively and creatively, they cannot. Battle droids always stay in formations and always obey orders, unable to change tactics without direct orders from a commander. The ravine forced these droids to fly in a tight formation, their only advantage was their speed.

We waited, listening for the sound of their engines, until I could see the faint silhouettes approaching us from down the ravine.

Then, Kali'sto extended his hand, and the lead STAP suddenly stopped in midair. Unable to break formation, two of the other STAPs collided with the lead and blew apart. Only the last one evaded the trap.

Just before it could open fire, I quickly raised my blaster and started firing, just as the STAP began to fire.

However, Kali'sto jumped in front of me and, with a speed I could barely process, deflected each bolt from the speeder bike, until one of my blasts took out the droid.

As the speeder began to fall, I realized we had an opportunity, and told Kali'sto to grab it. Suffice to say, we found a ride.

At this rate, I estimated that we were less than five hours from the cruiser. I spent the next few hours piloting the speeder bike down the ravine, Kali'sto's arms around me. I couldn't help but smile.

That would only be the beginning, however. We set down two clicks from the crash site to eat and relieve. But, just as we finished up, I heard footsteps. Putting on my helmet and adjusting its audio sensors, I heard voices, voices that weren't those of clones. They were discussing a plan of attack, a means by which to ambush us.

I immediately raised my blaster pistols, but Kali'sto ordered me to lower them. Before I could protest, he gave away our position by introducing ourselves and calmly announcing that he wished to speak with our ambushers.

Our would-be-assailants revealed themselves, led by a tall wookiee who introduced herself as Vargaalou. She ordered us to come with her. I protested, wanting to return to the cruiser, but Kali'sto ordered me to follow. I halfheartedly agreed.

We followed Vargaalou through a network of smaller tunnels. As we did so, Kali'sto explained that we had a unique opportunity to find allies and better understand our tactical situation, apologizing for his decision to pull me away.

We continued until we reached a canyon that––to my shock––opened up into the planet's surface. Though the air was clouded with smog and dust, I can guess that it is currently nightfall. We were in a large town, made up of housing units that resemble large containers. The structures are scuffed and worn down, a sentiment shared by its populace in their attire and tools, which are old and worn.

The population of miners here is surprisingly diverse: including the wookiee constable Vargaalou, there are rodians, twi-leks, duros, humans, even a Toydarian. Kali'sto explained that this is Crevice, a mining town that serves as a waypoint between several popular mining spots. I asked if he had ever been, but he explained he hadn't, only reading about it. He seemed uneasy, even upset, at what he saw around us.

I asked what had happened with his previous mission to Doan. Kali'sto merely responded, "Not what we were hoping for."

When we reached the building at the center of the city, Kali'sto asked to enter alone, telling me to stay behind until I was needed. I decided to trust him.

I am now waiting outside, typing up this journal. At first, I was uneasy, and frustrated that we are delayed yet again. My troops have probably abandoned the cruiser by now, and have hopefully gathered in a position where they can be better prepared for a counterattack. Whatever decision they've made, they're out there, and they need me.

But, I realize that I might have a much better chance of locating them if I follow Kali'sto's plan. So I've decided to trust him on this one, if only because I don't see a plan b.