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"When the Republic learned of the existence of the Malevolence, a contingency plan was created so that the soldiers of the Grand Army would have a chance to react to the Separatist attacks, but still, we were at our worst possible moment. After having escaped the Abregado system alive, several attacks began in sequence as General Grievous' forces destroyed vital bases and medical stations for the wounded in battle. In the midst of such chaos, the Jedi Council, along with authorization from Chancellor Palpatine, authorized a mission to destroy the Malevolence's ion cannon, with several men being selected to be part of the Dark Squadron, led by General Anakin Skywalker. Being honest, this would be the first time for many in an attack fighter. And probably the last for some... "
When I was reunited with the other Squadron members, we were guided to the ship's hangar for a briefing that would be of great importance to what we were about to face when we were to take on the threat that was hovering over the Republic. To explain to us what was going to happen, Admiral Yularen and General Skywalker were tasked to show us about the Malevolence and the main plan to take out the ship. Deep down, part of me was relieved to have escaped alive from Abregado, but still, the feeling of being adrift was something completely unusual to me, even more so if you take into account the disadvantage I was at when I came face to face with Grievous' ship for the first time. But my main feeling was that I should help in anything that involved the Separatists. Much of what I thought about was what else I should do until then. Maybe fix things and do what I was created to do.
(Yularen) - This attack platoon was selected by the Senate, to eliminate the enemy's new battleship. With most of our forces occupied on the front lines, we will be on our own. General Skywalker will show our attack technique!
Just then, we started to see General Skywalker coming towards us, while at the same time I could see Ahsoka and Master Plo Koon coming to see the platoon briefing. Even more so now at such a crucial moment as this. It was only a matter of time before we started a direct attack against the Separatist forces, and General Grievous' new weapon, so I could feel the tension in the air, greater than anything I had ever faced before. The time in the simulators on Kamino taught me many important things, but in times of war, all their teachings were put to the test, where the line between life and death was drawn in a fraction of a second. The training I went through taught me a lot, but this would be my first time as a pilot on a strike mission. It was something that I wondered if everything I had faced so far would change compared to Malevolence?
(Anakin) - Thank you, Admiral. Our main ships are vulnerable to enemy attacks, so our bombers will be in charge of destroying the ion cannon. Our target will be the bridge and General Grievous.
Many of us started talking among ourselves, realizing Anakin's boldness and audacity for this mission, so much so that one of my brothers spoke in a way that I could hear while sitting down.
-He's too much trouble! Skywalker is getting too bold!
(Anakin) - Our bombers will attack at high speed to evade the cannon. We will concentrate our firepower on the superstructure of the bridge, here. - He points his finger on the hologram of the ship, demonstrating where the attack will be. - If we eliminate Grievous, the ship will fall with him. Any questions?
(Matchstick) - Just tell us where the metalhead is! - Broadside stood up from his chair, convinced of the success of the mission.
(Broadside) - Yeah! I'm waiting for my chance to catch him in person! This is our chance!
(Anakin) - Okay, men, sit down. This is an important mission. If we eliminate Grievous, we can shorten this war. Pilots, prepare your bombers!
And so, I grabbed my helmet, heading towards my ship, about to prepare for battle against the Malevolence. I looked towards Anakin, and Master Plo approached, along with Ahsoka, but I simply decided to ignore a little what they were talking about, and set about preparing my bomber for the imminent attack. It was a mission more risky than anything I had ever faced in my life. But I was willing to take the risk if it meant protecting the Republic.
As I was preparing my bomber, the thought that came to my mind was the exact moment I was in Abregado, and almost got killed, along with some of my brothers. I simply think of the lives that were lost, but I feel that I needed to do something to avenge all those deaths. And now, the opportunity seemed to have fallen from the heavens to be able to assist me in all of this. But one thought I had in all of this was that General Skywalker might be a little more arrogant than usual. He cherished the lives of the clones more than anything I had ever seen, but I knew he had something on his mind about attacking the Malevolence. But still, as a soldier, I need to do whatever it takes for the Republic. Fiddling with the bomber, I could hear a voice calling to me in the process.
-You really are willing, Ratchet.
As I stepped out from under the bomber, I could see Commander Tano in front of me, half-confident in the mission we were about to face against the Separatists.
(Ratchet) - Commander Tano. How can I help you?
(Ahsoka) - I don't need any help at the moment. I just want to know how we are doing with the bombers of the Dark Squadron.
(Ratchet) - I am finishing organizing my ship right now. Right now I am looking at the ship's stabilizer and navigation system to make sure nothing goes wrong. What about you? Has General Skywalker decided which ship you will be flying?
(Ahsoka) - To tell you the truth, none.
(Ratchet) - What do you mean? Did General Skywalker forbid you to go on the mission?
(Ahsoka) - Not exactly. I will participate in the mission, but as his gunner. He wants me to be in his bomber, providing cover. As if I can't fly my own ship and participate in the mission without having to be on someone else's side.
(Ratchet) - This can be a bit of a difficult situation. If you look at me, I will be honest, and tell you that this is my first mission flying an attack fighter. Hopefully the time in the simulators on Kamino will have been enough for the imminent attack on the Malevolence.
(Ahsoka) - You'll get away with it, Ratchet. Many people have a certain nervousness about flying for the first time. My training has prepared me for combat, and you have to believe that your training has prepared you to fly a bomber.
(Ratchet) - I have a certain sense of what we are up against, and that is what makes me most afraid of this problem. I mean, what are the chances that any of us won't come back alive? The Dark Squad is known for having no losses in combat, and to be part of this squad is an unimaginable opportunity.
(Ahsoka) - I know we are in this together. But you must believe that you have the chance to do whatever it takes to accomplish the plan of attack. We can't let the odds dictate the path we will face in the war. Because we can beat the odds, even if it seems impossible.
You and General Skywalker really have something in common: A willingness and desire for adventure.
(Ahsoka) - On that I can agree. Should I leave you alone?
(Ratchet) - To tell you the truth, I was just finishing up with the fighter. I'm just wondering when we're going to take on the Malevolence.
(Ahsoka) - Anytime, Ratchet.
The thought pulsed on the mission I would be taking a chance on as to the confrontation with the Separatists. Even if adversity was upon us, a certain moment could be crucial to what we are about to face.
When the moment was right, I climbed into my fighter, looking at all its systems: navigation, stabilizers, thrusters, checking that everything was in order before I left. Because being a little thorough never hurts a soldier. But a certain caveat in combat was that Grievous had his ion cannon at his disposal to destroy any Republic base. And our sources said that Grievous intended to attack a Republic medical base in the Kalida system, which made it clear that if the Separatists destroyed the medical base, we would lose several men who were recovering from fighting on other planets. Time was ticking against us, and we needed to destroy the Malevolence at all costs to prevent casualties from being inflicted upon us.
So our squadron took off from the cruiser hangar, heading into battle against Grievous and his Battle Droids. The Dark Squadron was in a tremendous mood for the impending mission, which we needed to accomplish with all necessary caution and success. General Skywalker's ship took the lead, leading the way for us soldiers.
(Anakin) - Dark Squadron, in formation! Get ready!
-Dark 2 ready!
-Dark 3 ready!
-Dark 4 ready!
-Dark 5 ready!
-Dark 6 ready!
-Dark 7 ready!
(Ratchet) - Dark 8 ready!
There were 12 of us, and we couldn't be too careful. So we jumped into hyperspace, in which Anakin said he had a shortcut we could take to get to the Malevolence faster, so that we could destroy the Separatist ship before the medical station was destroyed. But time was still against us. And we needed to go as fast as possible to successfully accomplish the mission.
Our bombers came out in what seemed to be near a nebula, and with General Skywalker guiding us, it felt like things were looking a little strange for our side. Since the Malevolence appeared, the losses to the Republic have been enormous in every respect. Many clones, admirals and soldiers have succumbed to the might of Grievous' ship, which used every resource it had to sow fear throughout the galaxy. As I piloted, a question was racing through my mind: We fight for the good of the galaxy, but when we go into combat, how far are you willing to go to do the right thing? The Separatists thought they were heroes, fighting for a galaxy, free of the corruption that could exist within the Republic, while we fought to stop Dookan and the Separatists from dominating the entire galaxy. But the thing is, in this war, the term hero was somewhat indistinguishable, because those who followed Dookan believed themselves to be the heroes of history, but the Republic believed that the Separatists were manipulated by him, willing to do whatever it took to ensure that their plans were realized. On both sides, there were heroes, according to their opinions. But what would they do when both sides demonstrated that among them, there would always be those who were corrupt or the corrupted?
(Anakin) - Right. If we can navigate through my shortcut, we'll be fine.
(Plo) - A nebula can be unpredictable. I recommend that we be careful.
(Matchstick) - Don't worry about us, Master Jedi. We can take care of ourselves, can't we, Dark Squadron?
(Tag) - Roger, Dark 2.
(Ratchet) - Understood.
(Ahsoka) - Does anyone here care what the Padawan thinks?
(Anakin) - Of course, abused, but we're going through the nebula anyway.
As I entered the nebula, it reminded me that Master Plo had volunteered for this mission, and we needed any help we could get for this mission. Entering the nebula, the journey into the Ryndellia system was slowly proving to be a fierce mission. I could hardly see anything. The communicators were active, so we were able to talk a little among ourselves during this period of travel.
(Matchstick) - My visibility is zero. Can anyone see anything?
(Anakin) - Just keep an eye on me, Dark One 2.
(Ahsoka) - You'll have to stay anyway! The scanners aren't doing any good!
(Anakin) - This is an old-fashioned flight here. You need to feel the right path that you have to take.
(Plo) - Skywalker is right, young lady. Clear the way, and you will see the way.
(Ahsoka) - I can't see anything.
(Broadside) - I always know where I am going.
(Matchstick) - Oh yeah? and where are you going?
(Broadside) - Detonate that enemy ship!
(Plo) - This is for sure the right way.
(Ratchet) - For once, I don't think I know what you have to do. I'm starting to get a nervous, like I'm half frozen.
(Anakin) - This is something that every pilot feels the first time he commands a fighter. You just have to follow your instincts, and you will find the ideal way.
Our fighters continued to fly through the nebula, while trying to figure out where we should go. But one feeling was that there was still something more to come.
(Ahsoka) - So, Skyfora, how did you find out about this place? - I increased the range of the communicators a bit, trying to get a better understanding of the shortcut we were taking.
(Anakin) - The pilots on Tatooine said that this nebula was used as an old smuggler's route. It was used most of the time when one of them wanted to accomplish the missions successfully.
(Ahsoka) - Smuggler's route? That makes me very relieved. - Ahsoka said, in a somewhat ironic tone.
(Ratchet) - General Skywalker, just out of curiosity, what is the name of this route?
(Anakin) - The smugglers used to call this route the Balmorra Escape.
(Plo) - Escape from Balmorra?
(Ratchet) - I wonder why I have a bad feeling about all this. And I don't say that much.
Suddenly, the radar started beeping, picking up the presence of movement around us that we could not see because of the haze. Piloting, I could hear Master Plo's voice surrounding our communicators.
(Plo) - Skywalker, listen to me, we need to go back!
(Anakin) - We can't. Not if we want to get Grievous.
(Ratchet) - Guys, is anyone out there also seeing movement around?
(Matchstick) - I am.
(Tag) - Ditto.
(Ratchet) - My radar has gone crazy here. The signals are all mixed up!
(Ahsoka) - I'm picking up something huge here. There's not just one. Now there are two!
(Ratchet) - I'm getting three on my sensors!
(Ahsoka) - And one more! And another one! And another one! These ones are gigantic!
(Plo) - Skywalker, listen to me. Balmorra is home to the giant stingrays of Nebray!
(Ratchet) - I got a bunch more here! The scanner has gone crazy! Where are those stingrays?
My heart was almost leaping out as I tried to understand what was surrounding us in the fog, but now it was very clear that we might have entered a place that was not meant to be entered. Suddenly, I saw what looked like a giant stingray floating around, which already chilled me inside, trying to understand where we were.
(Anakin) - Evasive maneuver!
The bombers began to dodge the stingrays, and this chilled me inside, complicating things even more. Looking around, I could see the stingrays that Master Plo had mentioned, and this already made me nervous. I looked at my navigator, wondering what action to take. But any wrong move I made could mean my death on this mission.
(Ahsoka) - Those gas eaters are huge!
The evasive maneuver continued at full speed, and yet my nervousness increased, as if everything else disappeared in a split second. Now getting out of this nebula alive had become a suicide mission, in every sense.
(Plo) - Don't shoot, or they'll panic!
(Ahsoka) - Are they panicking? I'm panicking!
(Matchstick) - There are many!
The Nebrays were very close to my bomber, and I was still hoping that my hands would not turn the wrong way and condemn me. In one sudden movement, I saw a stingray approaching, and I swung my fighter down in an attempt to dodge it. I was almost hit, but I had managed to avoid any damage to the bomber. Turning to the right, another stingray came in rather suddenly, and I steered my ship upwards, making another detour, until I heard a voice on the communicator, shouting as if it was in trouble.
(Matchstick) - I'm hit! My stabilizer is gone!
As I drifted off, Matchstick's voice on the comms simply took over, still wondering if anyone else had suffered trouble from the ship.
(Anakin) - Hang on, Matchstick!
With every move I made, my thoughts simply went to the moment when I wondered how we would get out of the nebray. A Nebray could be seen from anywhere, yet I still continued the evasive maneuvers, trying to dodge in every possible way.
(Matchstick) - I did it! All right!
(Ahsoka) - These creatures will end up eating our dinner!
(Anakin) - Squadron, take up positions behind me!
Obeying General Skywalker's command, we all lined up behind him, while the Nebrays surrounded us more and more, and suddenly the head of one of the Droids was blown off by one of them. How would we get out of here without one of us being killed by one of those giant stingrays?
(Plo) - Hurry! They won't follow us out of the nebula!
As we tried to leave, another Nebray came closer to us, leaving me completely stunned, at the same time as I heard Ahsoka's voice taking over the communicator.
(Ahsoka) - He's hungry!
(Anakin) - No way! He's laughing at you!
(Ahsoka) - We're almost out!
I kept steering and maneuvering my bomber, dodging the Nebrays, until we managed to get out of the nebula. The worst was over, it seemed. A sigh of hope was huge in my body, but at the same time, it seemed that I was giving in to a fear that I had never felt before, even more so at such a crucial moment as this. The Malevolence had a reputation of being completely merciless with the victims it made, and the Separatists seemed that they would spare no effort to destroy stations vital to the Republic. Time was already against us, but even so, the road would still be somewhat arduous and tortuous in many ways.
(Ahsoka) - Let's hope that this shortcut was worth it.
(Anakin) - We must be on Grievous' tail by now!
A few minutes later, the Dark Squadron was already in formation again, while a recurring fear took over, where I wondered how long it would take until we would be able to destroy the Separatist ship, but still, what would I do in all this? Maintaining hope was what I would do after the last events, and I would continue to maintain it until I could do no more. The battles that had already taken place in the Clone Wars were already considered the most dangerous so far, but never, an attack mission on this level was this huge. The Dark Squadron was struggling to stay in formation after having entered the nebula with the Nebrays, but even so, it could already feel a tightness because of what the Separatists were about to do.
(Plo) - Dark 2! What's wrong with your ship?
(Matchstick) - Don't worry, sir!
(Plo) - We can't take any more unnecessary risks! If we lose even one ship, our mission will be compromised!
(Anakin) - Understood, Master Plo! But we haven't lost any ships and I think that-
-Sir, another sign!
(Ahsoka) - I thought they wouldn't follow us anymore.
The scanners began to pick up a somewhat unusual presence again, as I wondered what was approaching, but I didn't even want to know anymore, because I was sure I knew what the answer would be.
-They are not following! It's coming from hyperspace! It's a ship! It's the Malevolence!
And in this, I realized right away that my intuition was correct. In just a few seconds, the Malevolence jumped out of hyperspace and appeared in front of us, about to complete the job that the Separatists had been aiming to do. The Republic medical station was getting closer and closer, but at the same time, the Malevolence was already close to accomplishing its main objective. With each passing minute, we were giving Grievous and his Battle Droids more chance to inflict even greater damage on our forces. Protecting the medical station was a matter of keeping most of my brothers alive to fight another day. As I sensed that Grievous was already launching his attack, several Vulture Droids appeared, about to attack us. I was already preparing everything I had to destroy any of the enemy fighters that tried to attack us.
(Ahsoka) - We have company coming, people!
Once again, evasive maneuvers began to be used, and yet the Vultures continued to try to attack us. We knew that it would take a long time if these attacks continued, but that was all the time we had to be able to launch the attacks that would turn the tide of the war. The gunners continued to fire in every possible direction, taking out several Vultures, but there were more coming that made me a little worried. The gunner who came with me was providing the crossfire I needed to get through each of them. But the problem was that whether the weather was in our favor or not, the Separatists were willing to do whatever it took to destroy the Republic medical station.
-Hold on, Squadron! Hang in there!
The attacks continued, and yet we were all willing to go through the Vultures no matter what. I looked to one side, and tried to see how we would get out of this, but the odds seemed to be conspiring against us at that very moment. But we insisted on evasive maneuvers, and counterattack attempts were offered to us.
(Anakin) - Get those fighters off our tail!
(Ahsoka) - It gets difficult with your bold driving!
As we continued to fire in the direction of the Vultures, the ion cannon was fired, and at that moment, it seemed as if time had stopped for me, wondering how we were going to get out of the situation we found ourselves in. The Malevolence was ahead of us, but still, the risk increased even more. The pressure of having to carry out a mission to destroy something vital to the enemy was already putting us at our limits, and yet, the weight of it all was already enormous, and the fact that we were close to fulfilling our mission already began to make my hands tremble on the fighter's handle.
(Ahsoka) - They shot!
(Anakin) - Let's get out of range of the beam! Now!
And so all the fighters began to climb, trying to get as far away from the ion cannon charge as possible, while the Vultures continued to fire in our direction. The blast was getting closer, and I continued to guide my ship aloft with everything I had.
(Anakin) - Come on! Full power!
We kept going even higher, looking at what was approaching us, and I could sense something was going to happen to us. Still wondering what else I would do to fix this, suddenly the scanners continue to beep, in a way that completely worried me.
(Ahsoka) - Darkness 2! You're losing speed! What's wrong?
(Matchstick) - It's nothing! Don't worry!
(Anakin) - You can do it, Matchstick! Hang in there!
We continued to climb, until suddenly Matchstick's fighter stabilizer started to malfunction, and he lost control of the fighter, which amazed me. Suddenly, he began to lose power, while we began to swerve, in an attempt to escape being killed. The worst was about to happen. The Matchstick fighter began to catch fire in the stabilizer, and the systems started to explode. But that was not the worst of it. In our attempt to dodge, one of the fighters was caught in the crash of Matchstick's, and was destroyed as well, to my shock. Continuing upwards, we had managed to escape the ion cannon, but the problem was that things got worse, in an unimaginable way. Not only had I lost two fighters, but some of them were caught in the blast from the ion cannon, drifting away and decreed dead. I looked on and simply could not believe what had happened. A grief came over all of us at that moment. It was unimaginable.
(Anakin) - Dark Squadron, report.
(Ahsoka) - We lost Matchstick and Tag. Shadow 6, 7 and 10 were caught in the lightning.
What happened was something that I didn't believe would happen. As a result, we lost half of our squadron. The Dark Squadron, considered to be the elite squadron that had never lost any fighters, let alone pilots, had just suffered an immeasurable loss. I had never felt pain like this before. When I was saved in the Abregado system, I have to be honest: I was not even part of the mission. I decided to go as a volunteer so that I could honor those who died in the first appearance in the Abregado system. To honor my brothers, above all. A mission I wanted to honor those who fought against the Separatists. If I were asked if the thought of the fights that followed could ever fade away, honestly speaking: Those kinds of thoughts we never forget. The memories we have never fade. Each day is followed by nightmares, which you never forget. The first day on Geonosis was a nightmare for many. I never got out of my head the piles of bodies that fell on the first day of combat. My thoughts simply dated back to those exact points where I fought the Droids. Then came the following fights after that one. But the problem is that not everything we experience we can forget. We all carry a torment within us that, although we may deny that it doesn't affect us, it is the deepest fear of every soldier. I never deny that my greatest fear is of everything that is going on around me. But even though I join missions to protect my brothers, I am still prone to suffer more and more losses.
I look at the rest of the squadron, wondering if General Skywalker could have been arrogant in all of this. Wisdom was something that could have been used to our advantage, but the fact remains that the leader of this mission seemed to have condemned half the pilots to death because he believed in his conviction to stop Grievous as quickly as possible. I have always had faith in the Jedi and what they could do in difficult times. The miracles that were done with the Force is something that broke barriers in many ways. But now, my faith was kind of shaken because of what happened. Had it been Skywalker's recklessness? Or was his belief in ending this war a sign that he would lead more soldiers to their deaths? No soldier was exempt from danger. Not everyone had the chance of survival that some might have. Deep down, although we wanted Grievous to be defeated, we knew how cruel and ruthless he could be. The fear of coming face to face with someone like that is something that seemed to have no meaning in all this. But even with half the Squadron dead, the mission had to continue.
Going head-to-head with the Malevolence, the mission now had more difficulties at our backs. We had to improvise something before more and more ships were lost. I put full force into the control, and it seemed that for a brief moment, I was no longer caring what happened. It was as if my mind had become detached from everything around me, and began to follow only one order: Attack. Attack. My mind no longer seemed to be following the idea that I had. I guided my ship in various evasive maneuvers, while the gunners continued to fire in all directions, trying to avoid the cannons of the Malevolence at all costs. Even with the Vulture Droids on top of us, and the cannons on the other side, everything would be culminating in the success or failure of our mission. The evasive maneuvers continued anyway, and the crossfire continued as well.
(Ratchet) - I have a very bad feeling about this right now! - He maneuvered, trying to dodge the attacks.
(Ahsoka) - We have to keep going! If we die here, all our efforts will have been for nothing!
(Anakin) - So keep firing, Abusada! Shields, double front!
We directed much of the fighters' energy to the shields in an attempt to get close to the Malevolence command bridge. But even so, the odds were stacked against us in the worst possible way.
(Plo) - Stay the course!
-Here comes the heavy fire!
(Ahsoka) - Master! We need another plan!
(Anakin) - We can do it, Ahsoka! Hang in there!
As we continued to drift, I could feel Grievous' presence on that ship freezing my whole body once again, guiding me through my instincts trying not to be hit. But from the bottom of my heart, I was still trying to sense the danger around, as if it was a challenge. But a challenge that I didn't know if I would regret continuing because of the difficulty of the attack against the Malevolence.
(Anakin) - Pay attention to the towers, people!
We came closer and closer to the artillery towers, and we tried to dodge in every direction, but the fear was clear in all of us. All we would be doing now was trying to get ourselves killed in the middle of a suicide mission against Grievous and the Separatists. But I still had to keep my faith in the mission, regardless of anything that happened.
-We're too close! Let's move away!
In just one second, another fighter was destroyed. The Dark Squadron suffered yet another loss. But we had no time to grieve for it. We still needed to accomplish the mission, and try to stop Grievous' plans to destroy the Republic medical base. With each passing minute, I could feel the losses piling up on top of us, almost grabbing us, trying to crush us between the cold, icy claws of those defending Dookan's ideals. The evasive maneuvers were almost no longer having any effect, but the problem was that we were trapped in a small sense: we could hardly run away. And if we tried, we would be screwed. Everything we tried to fight for would be lost, and the Republic would suffer further losses. I could feel the tension in the other fighters, almost trying to suffocate us completely.
(Ahsoka) - Master, you can do it! But the others are all being slaughtered! (Ahsoka) Master!
Ahsoka's voice echoed through the communicator, making me realize that things got even worse. We were really being shot down. But what were we going to do about it? The thought that the worst was going to happen was perceptible to me, and I didn't know what to do about it all.
(Plo) - If the weapon has enough damage, the weapon can overload when Grievous tries to fire.
A flash was visible in all of this. Master Plo had an idea in mind, but the problem was whether General Skywalker would be willing to accept it. But it might be our only chance. The chance to end all this terror. The worst thing that could happen was our own deaths. I hoped that the best choice would be made at that moment.
(Anakin) - Dark Squadron, new target! Let's concentrate the artillery on the ion cannon!
I breathed a little relieved to realize that Anakin had actually listened to reason at that moment. We had a new target, and we were not going to waste the chance to destroy Grievous' main weapon. But deep in my heart, the chance we had to anticipate the end of the war was something we could not take at the moment. Not after our losses. We began to change our direction, making several evasive maneuvers, willing to avoid the gunfire from the artillery turrets.
The Squadron got closer to the cannon, and we could see up close how dangerous it could be. Almost being fired, time was now miniscule at that point. Would we be able to destroy the cannon in time before the medical base was destroyed? Who would be destroyed first? That was the question that echoed in my head. We got closer, and I had my hands on the stick, about to press the buttons to use our weapons.
(Anakin) - Firing torpedoes!
Obeying Anakin's command, we fired our torpedoes and did enormous damage to the cannon, which was about to be fired. Now we hoped that it would still not work, or else all would be lost. As we walked away, I could feel the ship shaking beside us. I closed my eyes for a brief moment, staring into my thoughts. I stepped back, as the charge from the ion cannon was about to be fired. And so, it was fired. But the thing is, the charge made the ship explode from the inside out, damaging her systems. Although the Malevolence was not destroyed, she could no longer use the ion cannon at that point. I felt a slight relief that I had made it out alive. Underneath the helmet, the mission had been accomplished.
(Plo) - Good job, Dark Squad!
(Anakin) - Well done, Ahsoka!
Processing our victory, three Republic cruisers appeared, willing to finish the job. The communicators were activated again, and General Kenobi's voice began to be heard by all of us once more.
(Kenobi) - Anakin, do you copy?
(Anakin) - Yes, master!
(Kenobi) - Congratulations! It looks like your mission was a success!
(Anakin) - Partly. But Grievous is still alive! The battle was hard on my squadron! We are going to the medical base.
(Kenobi) - We will take it from here! But don't worry, we will call you when we need you!
(Anakin) - I'll wait, Obi-Wan.
(Kenobi) - All right, men. Let's finish what Anakin started! Full power!
The Malevolence began to retreat, but still, nothing lessened the weight of the losses we had suffered because of the mission. The path of war seemed to be somewhat darker than expected. And even though everyone says that losses are part of us, almost no one expects to be killed in the service of duty. And so, we landed at the medical base, and without anyone noticing, I went towards a room for the clones, where there were none other than myself on site. My anger, consumed by my sadness at what I had achieved, but at great cost, caused me to punch the wall of the room, so furious was I at the loss. And so, falling to my knees, leaning against the wall, I stared at the door, completely mad at myself. Taking off my helmet, I looked at it, as a symbol of my duty, while I tried to say something.
(Ratchet) - How far will these horrors go? How much more will we lose in the fight against the Separatists?
Even as a soldier, looking at my helmet, I still felt that there would be worse days than this. Never has a mission been so fearful for many soldiers. Dropping my helmet, I simply sat there, with this lingering through my head. What would I do in all this? I had to hold on to my hope so that having the faith I so desperately needed to stop the Separatists would be a mission to be accomplished from all aspects. My hands were already marked with the blood of those who fought beside me. The blood of all those who died. There was no one in this room, because then those who survived didn't have to see the pain I was feeling from the deaths of those who tried to destroy the Malevolence. But deep inside, I knew that they were feeling the same thing.
"The Dark Squadron mission, although we had numerous losses, was a success, at a high cost. Although the Malevolence was beating a retreat, we had some relief in it all. The price, although it was high, simply allowed the medical base in the Ryndellia system to have been kept safe, and with that, a good number of our soldiers now had a chance to recover. It was to be hoped that this was the end of the conflict with the Malevolence, but apparently, there would be one more problem before we could actually celebrate... "