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"Malevolence was in retreat. The victory of the Dark Squadron, led by Anakin Skywalker, made Grievous' plans to destabilize the Republic go wrong. With the ion cannon neutralized, and the damage the ship suffered, victory was imminent. In a matter of time, the name that lay the terror of the Malevolence would very soon be gone. And all efforts to halt the Separatist advance would finally begin to take effect..."
On the command bridge of General Kenobi's ship, he observed the damage the cruisers were causing with the Malevolence. As the ion cannon exploded from the inside out, all the ship's main systems were disabled, including the hyperdrive they needed so badly to escape. In a half-deep thought, I could feel that the worst was over. And that what was about to happen would be the relief they could all have. But still, the loss of the men of the Dark Squad still lingered. I never imagined that the worst of a war would involve us in an even worse way than expected. Looking at the cruisers attacking the Separatist ship, I simply sighed, half relieved that the mission was over. And in between all that had happened, I wondered about the horrors that surrounded us clones. Someday, I used to tell myself that what involves the fighting doesn't affect us. But I know this is not true. General Kenobi seemed to be looking at me with a certain concern that I could feel in my heart. He kept looking out the cruiser window, but still, I hoped that something like this would not happen again.
(Kenobi) - Soldier? - He spoke, but my mind seemed not to be paying attention. - Ratchet?
I came out of what seemed to be a trance, and when I heard General Kenobi's voice, I looked at him, in a sense.
(Kenobi) - Please. For once, let's dispense with the formalities.
(Ratchet) - Yes, sir!
We locked eyes, while he seemed to look at me with great concern on his face, trying to ask himself what had happened to make him look like that.
(Kenobi) - You seem to have had a bit of a rough day.
(Ratchet) - I am a soldier, General Kenobi. Every soldier has a hard day. But this one I feel was a little different. - I look out the window of the ship, trying to understand the losses we suffered, in the battle against Grievous. - I have never felt this imposing. I simply thought that this would be a simple attack mission. The Dark Squadron was known to have no losses, but just thinking about what we suffered trying to attack the Malevolence reminded me that not every soldier is free of losses. That feeling that we have, of failure, even with the success of a mission, never fades from our thoughts. We have faced so much, and yet, we are still bound to confront those Battle Droids in the field, and lose several of our comrades. What would you do if any Jedi or friend of yours was in the same trouble?
(Kenobi) - Many people say that a Jedi cannot have emotional ties with someone. But if it was a friend of mine or someone I loved, I don't know what I would do. The only task of a Jedi is to protect the peace in the galaxy, no matter what happens. But from the bottom of my soul, I don't expect anything bad to happen to those I love.
(Ratchet) - I still think of the first losses I suffered, General Kenobi. They never fade in any sense. Even with the torment and mourning of those who died, things were getting harder and harder for me. My training made me the person I am today. I look at those who are here, wondering what else will happen in the middle of this war. I think that not everyone can come back alive. But I feel that it is my duty to protect them, even if I have to give my own life.
Both turn their attention to the Malevolence. Looking at the Separatist ship, about to be destroyed, apparently the worst seemed to be over.
(Kenobi) - Commander, how bad is the enemy ship?
-Lost primary shields and stabilizers, but that ship is so big it can withstand all our firepower.
(Plo) - We must call for reinforcements!
(Anakin) - That's why I am here, Master Plo.
(Kenobi) - Anakin, did you get in touch with Master Luminara?
(Anakin) - Yes, Master. She is busy with the Separatist reinforcement fleet. She will only be able to help us when she expels them.
(Kenobi) - Then we will have to make do with what we have!
The attacks on the Malevolence continued, and even with the Separatists trying to escape, things were in our favor. I looked at the ship, hoping that it would be destroyed before it could escape. Our mission had really provided a huge result in our favor. Even with the losses, we still had some hope for the whole thing. They had not yet jumped into hyperspace, which gave us a certain chance of being able to destroy the ship before the worst happened. The others were looking outside, seeing the shots the ship was taking, and I still knew that I could count on everything succeeding in the best possible way. There would still be more battles in the middle after this mission. And I hoped that the Separatists would not be able to escape in the midst of it all. Bringing my hand to my chest, I thought about the losses that had come since Geonosis, while I felt a tightening in my heart in the midst of it all. I wonder what Dookan was planning in addition to this? And what was he planning for the future of this whole war? These questions were something that echoed unimaginably in many ways. But looking at what I consider to be the success of our considerable crucial attack against the Separatists demonstrated that the Republic really does have the potential to fight a fight against any enemy that dares to go against the ideas that they have prized to defend and fight for. But the problem is, how far would the seeds of all this conflict go? The seeds of corruption lay in the politicians, with Separatist infiltrators on both sides, but who swore to be neutral and to have no alliance with Dookan's minions. The Malevolence was on the imminent brink of destruction, and it seemed that nothing could stop it.
(Anakin) - Are you all right, soldier? - General Skywalker spoke, as if he was looking at me, and I turned to him, looking at him as if I had a certain regret about the whole thing.
(Ratchet) - I am still trying to process everything that happened. It's not every day that you succeed in a mission like this. But at such a great cost, it's something one has a hard time dealing with. - I put my hands behind my back, close together. - The problem with all this is that the price is something a little fearful and heavy. So many soldiers are sent into combat, but still, General Skywalker, I can feel that some of them are a bit unprepared. When I stop and think, many say that this is the price for acquiring victory against the enemy, however, I know better. Are we sending our own men to their deaths? My brothers?
(Anakin) - I don't like everything that is happening either. This war is taking a huge toll on the Republic and those we are sworn to protect. People no longer feel safe with conflicts taking place on other planets, even many of them are afraid that the war will reach Coruscant or any other planet allied to the Republic. - He sighs, with a huge tone of concern on his face. - When I became a Jedi, I had to give up my life, and try to adapt to the ideals of the Order. There comes a time when I always ask myself if everything is worth it. Looking back, I think about my mother. How she did everything to try to protect me, and how she tried to take care of me even in difficult times.
General Skywalker's words seemed to echo a deep thought that left him conflicted, even though he had sworn to uphold the ideals of the Jedi. But still, what I could feel in all this was not just the pain of loss. It was the pain of a thought of what we were made for. To be soldiers, and to fight a war for the ideals of the Republic. Being a human being, regardless of being a clone is something that we all are. We protect people, wherever we are, and we will do whatever it takes to stop the Separatists. My fearful thought was at that moment when we would return to combat again. And when that happened, how many more would die in battle?
The crossfire on the Malevolence continued, and even though we offered no resistance, we gave our enemies no chance to escape. Looking out the window once more, I already felt that we needed to destroy that ship as soon as possible. Time was already our ally, and we could finally have some peace in all this. The other soldiers, Anakin, Ahsoka, Admiral Yularen and Obi-Wan were watching everything, and felt confident that the Republic would win. Suddenly, our scanners began to beep in the midst of such crazy combat, which made me a little nervous about the whole thing. I wondered what was being picked up on the scanner? Enemies? Our allies? One thing was still a little strange to me: underestimating the Separatists is something that could not be done, even at the most ultimate moment, because it was likely that someone like Grievous might have a card up his sleeve to play, but if so, I was even afraid to find out what it would be.
(Ahsoka) - Master, I'm picking up a signal close to the enemy ship! Something just came out of hyperspace!
(Anakin) - Reinforcements from the enemy?
(Ahsoka) - No! It looks like a Naboo ship!
(Kenobi) - Gunners, cease fire! But what could they have come to do here?
(Anakin) - Ahsoka! Make contact with the ship!
And that already answered what could be Grievous' card to get away with the Malevolence. Whoever is on the ship has been lured into some kind of trap. Apparently, Grievous must be after a hostage to be able to escape into Separatist space. But that would mean that we would be at risk of letting our greatest victory slip out of our hands because of this. And now what?
(Ahsoka) - Naboo Cruiser! Identify yourself!
-This is Senator Amidala!
This was something that was not going to happen. Padmé was one of our main allies, and now, the Separatists were about to have in their hands a hostage vital and crucial to the progress of their escape. But the thing about all this is that now my thought was that I believed the worst was over, but I was wrong. Things were about to get even worse with this turn of events.
(Anakin) - Padmé? What are you doing here?
(Padmé) - I have been sent on a special mission! The Senate told me that the Banking Clan wanted to negotiate a treaty!
(Anakin) - Get out of there as fast as you can!
My heart already started pounding, because I was feeling that all our efforts to destroy Grievous' ship would end up being wasted because of what the Separatists were having the courage to do. Never on something of this level, I could imagine that this mission was not over. The Malevolence was already broken, and the problem is that this was supposed to be the end, but they always have a last chance. Always. What to do now? Before they could leave, I could suddenly see the transmission starting to shake, almost strangely.
(Anakin) - Padmé, what happened?
(Padme) - I'm being pulled into the droid ship by a tractor beam! I will not be bargained with these Separatists! Continue their attack! You have to destroy this monster ship!
The weight of a huge decision was in the hands of our leaders. We had the chance to end it all, but at what cost? Would we end the life of an innocent to achieve our goal of destroying the Separatist ship, or would we cease fire? One life or one chance we had? That is the kind of weight next to a decision that a leader never expects to make. Looking back, I wondered about the right thing in all of this. Right and wrong, in some parts, tended to be a double-edged sword, both beneficial and harmful in some ways.
(Anakin) - Admiral, order your ships to stop firing!
I could tell at that moment that the Jedi would not risk Senator Amidala's life at such a crucial time as this. We were talking about one of the most influential senators in the Republic, and her life was something we did not intend to gamble with, even more so at that moment. Something crucial like this, it was a matter of a mission for us to be able to save the Senator's life, if we succeeded. Suddenly, Anakin began to leave the command bridge, while Obi-Wan wondered why his apprentice had left.
(Kenobi) - Where do you think you are going?
(Anakin) - Someone has to go there to save her neck!
(Kenobi) - That's what I was afraid you would say.
(Ratchet) - You will need help with that. We can gather some of the men to accompany them on their little rescue mission.
(Anakin) - We can't risk losing anyone else after our attack. I need you to stay here. I will go on my own.
That was a bit risky. I knew that General Skywalker needed reinforcements for this mission, but he was willing to go on his own so as not to lose anyone else. I simply had a huge sorrow in my body already, while Master Plo and Ahsoka looked at the duo, a little worried.
(Plo) - There he goes again, chasing adventure and excitement.
(Ahsoka) - You get used to it with time!
Difficult. Almost impossible. Trying to do this mission without any reinforcements was a bit too complicated, but the problem was that even so, Anakin was willing to do the impossible on this rescue mission. At this, I started to walk off the bridge, with an even greater sorrow in my heart that seemed to be half visible in all these events.
(Ahsoka) - Ratchet? Where are you going?
(Ratchet) - To my quarters. I need some rest after all this.
I didn't want to admit it, but I was still a little shaken up about the Dark Squadron's mission, and I guess this was not going unnoticed by Commander Tano. Even with my willingness to help, I realize that not everyone can really be saved. So, I started to walk, until I reached my quarters. Thoughtful, and a bit worried about things.
Sitting down on the bed in the barracks, I looked again at my helmet, as a symbol of what I had as service for the Republic. The one I wore seemed to hide my emotions about the fighting and the losses, but not everything was true. That helmet could hide my feelings, but not the will and strength of the soldier. What the soldier feels, is full of ups and downs. Losses are part of life, but never forgotten. My thoughts went back to Kamino, to the period of my training. I strived to demonstrate my full potential, from combat training, to the time I spent in the flight simulators, waiting for the exact moment to enter combat. For a long time, all I did was train and train, hanging out with my brothers, waiting for the exact moment to enter combat, and honoring everything I had done so far. But this path was something that was currently proving to be the most difficult. Full of losses and failures, although we were managing to make the Separatists suffer numerous defeats, our brothers were being slaughtered as if they were nothing. As if they were nobody. The price of war at that exact point seemed inhumane in many ways, and not even trying to hide my emotions, I seemed like I would be fine once I got back into combat. I was using that moment as one of reflection. Taking advantage of the fact that since I was not in combat this time, I could take the opportunity to reflect on those who were lost between and after Geonosis. There were so many names that I got lost at some point. This was a feeling that would not go away in any sense. But thinking about those who were gone allowed me to carry the memory of them with me.
Not knowing how much time had passed, I stared at the helmet as I kept my eyes closed, with the memories of everything I had done so far running through my mind. The door opened, out of nowhere, but I hadn't heard, and when I opened my eyes, I could see Commander Tano standing in front of me, looking at me with an enormous concern that made me somewhat puzzled.
(Ahsoka) - What are you doing, Ratchet?
(Ratchet) - Thinking a little bit. Thinking a little bit about what I have faced so far.
Ahsoka looked very worried, and looking at me, I could tell she was wondering how much a soldier might be suffering in all this. She then walked over to me and sat down beside me.
(Ahsoka) - I know that the feeling of loss is something you can't handle very well. Sometimes it is a feeling that destroys us completely when we lose someone we love.
(Ratchet) - The problem is that I feel I've lost more than I can count. I'm remembering everything I've faced since I first set foot on Geonosis. That planet really was the beginning of everything for me. But what I can't get out of my mind are the bodies that I have seen during this short period. It is a rather endless torment in my opinion. There isn't a moment that I think about those who died in combat. Some I feel are unprepared to face this war. But still, they are sent to fill the platoon with reinforcements. Reinforcements that are being slaughtered on the other planets during this period.
(Ahsoka) - Look, I know how it all is.
(Ratchet) - Do you really know? - I stand up, as I take my helmet in my hands. - I went through lots and lots of training to get into combat, but you never expect someone to die like that. Do you know what I think? I think that at some point, I will be killed in combat, failing to honor those I have sworn to protect. And what is left for those who remember me? The regret? The pain of loss? No! All that remains for those who believe in us is the will to move on! - I begin to get angry, while Ahsoka listened, completely worried about me. - The will they have to defeat the Separatists, that's what matters in war! And those who die, apparently, nobody remembers them! And when that happens, who will avenge us? With my death, will anyone notice? Some of those who look at us think we are disposable, and I try to defend my beliefs about clones! But the problem is what is the point if faith in us is almost non-existent? What's the point? - I throw the helmet on the ground, upset, with immeasurable anger in my body, sighing.
That was enough for me to fall to my knees once more, my thoughts taking over again, facing even more the imminent reality of this conflict. Suddenly, tears came to my eyes, which made Commander Tano look at me with a certain sorrow that was in her heart.
(Ratchet) - I can't take it anymore. - The tears keep falling, showing all the pain I am feeling right now. - I keep my faith that hope endures in this war. But even I am finding it difficult to demonstrate this. My faith in our progress is something I am losing confidence in. I seem to be losing confidence in myself, and in what I can do. - Tears and tears continue to fall, which causes Ahsoka to sit by my side once again. - This war motivates several of us to do the right thing. And yet, they are so young. Dying brutally at the hands of the enemy. What do I do if something like this happens again? - A little crestfallen, I simply stared at the ground, completely nervous with myself. - We all have a life. But what really matters is what we will do after all this. That is, if the war ever ends.
I could feel Commander Tano placing one of her hands on my shoulder, while I thought even more about the losses I felt.
(Ahsoka) - I don't know if I can say this. But as a commander, I feel the weight of protecting all these men at every moment. And I guess you can say that their suffering is great. I am a Padawan, and yet I try everything I can to protect the men under my command. But this suffering is something I wish for no one. Not even those who are on my side, I would wish for something of this level. Suffering may define us, but that's not why you shouldn't keep the memory of those you've lost so far alive. You can't save everyone, but what we can do is try to lose fewer men when we go into combat. Suffering is something somewhat difficult, but it is what gives us the strength to go on. - He gets up, heading for the door. - I'm going back to the bridge. Are you coming?
I stand up, as I look at Ahsoka, somewhat relieved that I had said everything I felt, but I felt that this anger and fear that I had was something that she didn't need to have heard. What I would have done was something that felt more like an emotional venting on my part, which was trying to understand what to do with all this fighting that went on.
(Ratchet) - I'm coming. And I'm sorry, by the way.
(Ahsoka) - It's okay. Anyone would say the same thing as you if they had the chance.
We returned to the command bridge, and I put my gaze back on the Malevolence, rooting for the rescue mission to succeed. Anakin and Obi-Wan were racing against time, in an attempt to rescue Senator Amidala by any means necessary, and even though time was against them, the hope that the two of them would be able to save her from the clutches of Grievous was something that I hoped would happen. Looking out the window, I wonder how long it will take for them to accomplish this mission. If it takes too long, it could be that the Separatists would end up escaping. Suddenly, Master Plo and Ahsoka's focus turned to the communicator, where Jedi Master Luminara Unduli was about to attempt contact with our fleet.
(Luminara) - Master Plo. Padawan Tano.
(Ahsoka) - Master Luminara.
(Luminara) - I have been informed that the ships have stopped opening fire on the Malevolence. What happened?
(Plo) - Well, let's say that the Separatists got a hostage that we didn't expect to show up.
(Ahsoka) - Senator Amidala has been kidnapped by Grievous, but my master is already taking care of it.
(Luminara) - Another daring plan by Skywalker, I suppose!
(Ahsoka) - That's my master!
(Plo) - As soon as they leave the ship, we will need reinforcements to finish off the enemy.
(Luminara) - I am on my way, Master Plo.
(Yularen) - We are receiving a transmission from inside the Malevolence. I believe it's the Senator!
As I looked outside, I wondered what was going on, and I just wished I could help the Jedis in this mission. But now, they were the ones who needed to be careful in all of this.
(Anakin) - Yes?
(Ahsoka) - Master, we have found the Senator. I will transfer her.
(Anakin) - Padmé?
(Padmé) - Anakin!
(Anakin) - Is everything okay? Where are you?
(Padmé) - On the lower level. I'm fine, but I don't know for how long! There are Droids everywhere!
(Anakin) - Me and Obi-Wan are on board too!
(Padmé) - What? What are you doing here?
(Anakin) - We've come to get you out of here, Senator! Ahsoka, please locate her.
(Ahsoka) - Our scanners show that there is a large open area in the center of the ship! It's right in the middle of the path between you two!
(Anakin) - We're coming! Did you hear that, Padmé?
(Padmé) - I'll be there!
The worry increased in a way I hadn't expected. The Malevolence was almost getting away with this, while I wondered what I would do in this situation. If I were there, there would probably be too many Droids trying to kill us. The time we were losing was crucial, and the rescue mission was slowly starting to run into trouble in every way. But still, all we could do was wait until they successfully escaped from the ship. But would anyone die in all this?
The minutes passed unbelievably fast, and our concern only grew. These audacious plans were usually trouble in many ways. General Skywalker was also known for risky and audacious plans, but that he is always willing to take various risks for the name of the Republic. Communications were cut off, and I continued to stare at the ship. But what will happen when they manage to escape? I am sure that we will be pursued, but I was confident that we would be able to escape. A silence was half clear as we all waited for Skywalker and Kenobi to escape from the Malevolence before the inevitable happened. Looking toward the ship, the deepest thought was of the worst that could come of all this. But what we could do was wait and wait until they could escape. Ahsoka, Plo and I looked around, while I wondered if this happened all the time. A single sigh was enough to make me worry even more.
Time continued to pass, and no Skywalker and Kenobi escaping the Malevolence. Ahsoka could sense my concern in all of this, and even though I was looking at the ship, hoping for the Jedi escape, it still wasn't hiding what I was feeling. Without being able to communicate, I was already wondering how much longer this mission would take. If we let the Malevolence escape, that would be a sign that the Separatists would be able to recover from the hit they had taken, but what could we do?
(Ratchet) - How much longer is this going to take? I'm already getting really nervous here.
(Plo) - Patience. We have to have faith that young Skywalker will be able to rescue Senator Amidala, safe and sound.
(Ratchet) - What if they can't?
(Plo) - Never close the mission before you find other possibilities.
There were so many possibilities that I just couldn't take it anymore. Waiting for a spark that would allow us to fix Grievous' ship was agonizing in many ways. But what to do about it all was an unprecedented mystery.
A few more minutes passed, and before this, I thought: Have they been captured? Executed? Or simply killed? Jedi don't fall so easily, but still, looking at all this was something I couldn't stand anymore. I sighed, and we continued to wait, hoping for a miracle in all of this.
Time continued to pass, and the admirals and soldiers, along with the other Jedi continued to stare at the Malevolence, still cheering for the success of the mission. I, on the other hand, looked at Ahsoka, trying to understand how this would all happen.
(Ratchet) - What's going on?
(Ahsoka) - I don't know. But knowing that this is Grievous, you can tell that things are going from bad to worse inside. But I have faith in my Master.
Time continued to pass, and suddenly we began to see something coming out of the Malevolence. I was already wondering if it was some Droid trying to attack us, until when we looked closer, it was Twilight coming out of the ship. But I still couldn't get a sense of whether they had succeeded or not. Then out of nowhere, we started to see Vulture Droids approaching, starting to fire in the direction of us and Skywalker's ship, making it very clear that they seemed to have one last trick up their sleeve.
(Plo) - All batteries, open fire!
The cruisers started firing, which caused the Malevolence to take more damage, but the problem was that the Vultures started firing again at our ships, willing to try to do the impossible to be able to salvage what was left of the ship. And yet, we could feel things getting even worse in an indescribable way. If they managed to escape with the Malevolence, we will have failed in our mission to destroy the Separatists' flagship.
The crossfire continued, and the Vultures fell in numbers, but still, the Malevolence was about to flee, until I was completely stumped to see what was happening: The ship, out of nowhere, changed course, heading toward a nearby moon, which kind of weirded me out. I'm sure this was General Skywalker's plan, because in some things, he likes to accomplish what he wants in a big way, yet it's a good idea. And what was simply left of the Malevolence, in just a few seconds, ended up exploding, until there was nothing left of the Separatist terror, and thus, ending the terror that the Republic was feeling in its veins about the whole thing. The worst was over, but there would be more to come.
A few minutes later, Twilight landed, and at that, we all stood in a sense position for the Jedis and Senator Amidala. I think this is the first time I have come face to face with one of the most influential Senators in the Republic, and I felt that she really had the willingness to do what was necessary for the good of all.
(Padmé) - Master Plo. Padawan Tano.
(Ahsoka) - At your service, Senator.
(Padmé) - I'm glad this is all over. With the Malevolence destroyed, the Republic will be able to have a little peace in the war. And I owe it all to you, for the courage and the strength of will that each of you has within your hearts. - Look at all of us, soldiers and admirals, continuing to make sense. - And the same can be said of those who accompany the Jedi. The clones really do have the noblest heart anyone could have for people. - She moves closer to me, and to the other soldiers. - The success of this mission is due to all those who have fought to succeed in protecting the Republic.
(Anakin) - Well, Senator Amidala, this is Ratchet. He has the greatest disposition among the soldiers, and he doesn't think twice about doing right by all of us.
I hold out my hand to her, who does the same, squeezing it, with a smile on her face.
It's a great pleasure to finally meet you, Senator Amidala.
(Padme) - The same can be said for you, Ratchet. I believe you are destined for great things.
Looking out the window of the ship, we all stared out into space with a relief that the mission was finally over. And with the end of the Malevolence threat, we could now have some relief from it all.
"With the destruction of Malevolence, the Separatists paid the initial price, losing their greatest weapon so far. But still, I felt somewhat affected about the battle against Grievous and his plans. I may not know what the future holds, but until then, duty continues. The war still needs men to fight its enemies. And no matter what the future holds for the Republic, we clones will be there to fight the Separatist threat, no matter what."