Chapter 8: Good Soldiers…
Every operation required planning and preparation. That meant that much of the period leading up to the operation involved little activity. But on the morning of the operation that wasn't the case.
The traffic between the Ghost and the Nonnah was constant. There was a path between the two ships in the forest clearing where the turf had been worn down. Hera smiled as she watched the two crews from the top of the Ghost's ramp. The excitement was building. It reminded her of the excitement before their planned attack on Lothal. That attack never happened as Grand Admiral Thrawn found their base and attacked them first. Hopefully, they wouldn't be found out this time.
Hera could see Rex directing the Gungans as they moved the explosive charges. Ever since Sabine left, Hera was without an explosives expert. However, Rex with his vast Clone Wars experience was filling in. He had been working with the Gungans, teaching them how to use the charges and where on the docks to position them.
Kat could be seen working with Chanla Neeyutnee and Sel Pamma from the Nonnah as well as Kallus, Zeb, and Cara Dune. Rex would lead the attack, but he had insisted on Kat being his second in command.
Dr. Rolanga was double checking the medical supplies. There were no plans for the doctor to go into combat, but he was ready if anyone on either strike team was wounded. Rike Kleiner and Katrina were on the Nonnah finishing its preflight. Hera had Chopper doing the same on the Ghost.
It was all coming together.
Hera saw the Quilow Pom and his Gungan team returning to the Nonnah. Rex approached Hera. "Do you feel they're up to the task?" asked Hera.
"They're eager," said Rex. "And I think they have the skills and knowledge to pull it off. They will be on their own once the Nonnah drops them off."
"Then we will have to trust them," said Hera.
Rex boarded the Ghost just as the next group of people approached. In the front was Kat and Chanla. "Are you ready?" asked Hera.
"We are," said Kat. And she looked ready. The old Clone Wars veteran was wearing a tough combat suit with leather armor over her chest, shoulders, elbows, and knees. This was further augmented by thick leather gloves that left her fingers exposed. Like Rex, she had two old Republic issued blaster pistols hung on her belt, along with a few detonators.
Cara Dune dressed even more for combat. She flexed her armored gloves which she had worn in the previous operation. But now she also wore a piece of torso armor that covered her chest and shoulders. It even had a metal collar around the back and sides of her neck. The armor was additionally augmented by pieces of bluish-black plate armor on her chest and back as well as shoulder plates. Her combat boots were armored to the knees. And strapped to her belt was a blaster pistol.
Chanla and Sel were right behind the Alderaanian woman. Chanla stopped to speak with Hera, Sel standing next to her. The two women were dressed in tough fabric tunics. Hera had been told the material in them was energy dispersing. They wouldn't stop a blaster bolt, but they would limit the damage such a bolt would do.
"Well, General. I guess we're going," said Chanla. "I hope you don't mind if Sel and I tag along."
"Not at all," said Hera. "Strap in."
Last was Kallus and Zeb. As they passed Hera on the ramp, she double checked that everyone and everything was on board. She entered the Ghost but stopped at her quarters first. There she found Jacen asleep. She knew leaving him in her quarters during a battle was a mistake. As soon as they were moving, he would wake up and cry unceasingly until someone brought him to the cockpit.
Hera, still cradling the sleeping Jacen, entered the cockpit. "Chopper, did you get everything ready?" The droid made a few negative noises. "Get working on it. You've had all morning." The droid groaned and returned to his work. Hera sat in her pilot's seat and one-handedly made the final preparations, holding Jacen in her other arm.
"Wouldn't that be easier without the child?" asked Cara Dune climbing up the ladder from the cargo hold below.
"Yes, it would," replied Hera. "Chopper's laziness has us a few minutes behind schedule. I'm trying to make up for lost time." Chopper made more angry noises. Hera turned her head to Cara. "Could you help me put Jacen in his seat?"
"What? No!" said Cara as if afraid. "I don't do the baby thing."
"I'll do it," said Chanla. The former queen seemed to enjoy spending time with Jacen. She took Jacen, who stirred awake, yet he didn't cry out in the hands of a stranger. Perhaps he could sense the difference between friend and foe. As Chanla had strapped him in his seat, Jacen became fully awake and made delighted noises, excited for the presumed flight.
Hera finished her preflight as did Chopper. "Ghost to Nonnah. We are ready to depart. What is your status?"
"Ghost, this is the Nonnah, we are loaded and ready," said Rike Kleiner, the Nonnah's owner and pilot.
"Alright, let's show the Empire what we can do."
Captain Pache, the commanding officer of the Palimina supply post, looked over Agent Aargant's theory of an incoming Rebel attack. He had his doubts about the probability of such an attack. The Rebels wouldn't strike this far into the Inner Rim. They were all out in the Outer Rim. And even if they did, they couldn't possibly steal supplies from Palimina.
Nevertheless, Pache would dance to the ISB's tune. It was probably just a drill, but maybe a good response would earn him points and get him off this dead-end assignment.
He reviewed his defenses. Anti-aircraft weapons were running at peak levels. The docks were currently submerged and thus inaccessible to any landing craft. And his ground personnel were augmented by Navy stormtroopers on loan from the Imperial Gozanti light cruiser in orbit.
He looked at the agent's communiqué. The agent suggested that the attack would come by water. The supply compound was indeed surrounded by swamps. In fact, the whole planet was covered in swamps. Palimina hadn't had any tectonic activity in billions of years. There were no mountains and no ocean basins. The small planet's abundant water had no place to gather. Instead, it spread itself over the whole globe, getting only seventy-five meters deep at its greatest depths. However, a unique form of plant life had formed on the planet's surface. Rooted in the swamp bed, but growing out of the water were various trees, forming a sort of swamp forest. The forest canopy had plenty of animal life, and the swamp waters had an abundance of fish.
Again, Captain Pache was skeptical of the ISB agent's assessment. He positioned stormtroopers at the docks' entry, many of whom were the Navy troopers, but he didn't think he would need them. Any realistic attack would come from the shuttle platform.
But there was no realistic attack. If the Rebels were foolish enough to attack, Pache would have no problem fighting them off. Maybe an Imperial victory at Palimina was just what Pache's career needed.
The Nonnah flew fast and low over the planet Palimina. The Ghost had entered the system first. It was the stealthier of the two ships, which Quilow Pom imagined was the origin of its name. Once they reported the location of the Gozanti cruiser in orbit, the Nonnah entered the system on the far side of the planet. Quilow had seen such cruisers during his time on the Nonnah. While not as big or as well armed as an Imperial light cruiser, the Gozanti class cruiser could hold up to four TIE fighters on its ventral docking ports. The Nonnah stayed clear of the cruiser and dropped down to the planet. Soon they were moving over the swamps of the planet, a much more comfortable environment for Quilow and his Gungan warriors.
"We're almost at the drop zone," said Rike Kleiner, the pilot. "You and your team better be ready."
"Wesa ready," said Quilow. He left the cockpit of the Nonnah and proceeded to the front ramp. Quilow's team of Gungan warriors were also there, and they were ready.
"Approaching the drop zone," said Kleiner.
"Wesa dropping the ramp." With a nod Quilow signaled one of his warriors, who in turn hit the switch. The ramp opened like the bottom jaw of the Nonnah's mouth. Quilow looked out. The swamps reminded him of Naboo. Except these swamps were endless, and they lacked any depth. The swamps on Naboo were connected to lakes, and those lakes were connected to the great abyss of the planet's watery core. But Palimina had no such core and no such abyss.
"Arriving at the drop zone," said Kleiner. The Nonnah slowed to a stop and hovered over the waters. There was a gap in the swamp forest that would allow Quilow and his warriors to access the water.
"Gungans! Wesa warriors! Wesa win a victory for our queenie and our Rebellion." Lacking their traditional horns and trumpets, the Gungans instead issued a great trilling, song-like battle cry. Then, following Quilow's lead, they jumped into the water, and began their underwater march.
Hera watched her chronometer. If all was going to plan the Gungans would be swimming their way to the supply base and the Nonnah would be sitting in a convenient hiding place. Both the ship and the Gungans were radio silent, so there was no way to know if everyone was on schedule. All Hera could do was make sure she kept up her part of the plan.
"Listen up everyone. We are going hot." Hera powered up all the systems on the Ghost. At the same time, she dropped the ship out of orbit and began her fall into the atmosphere. Eventually either the supply base or the cruiser in orbit would notice. By then they would already be on the attack.
The Ghost dropped towards the surface of the planet. Just as the forest growing out of the swamp grew larger out the viewport, Hera put power into the main engines and leveled out the Ghost's flight, only a few meters above the tops of the strange water trees. A few of the taller ones scraped the bottom of the hull. Hera was mildly upset. She hated scratching her ship. Jacen, of course, was screaming in delight over the fancy flying.
"We're coming in low. Everyone, get ready!"
Kat checked her weapons. They were flying fast and low. It reminded Kat of riding in a Republic gunship. She reached above her head, trying to find the gunship's handrail, only to realize the Ghost had no such rail. Rex laughed at her expense. "Just like old times. Right, Kat?" Apparently, this felt familiar to him as well.
"I hated gunship drops," replied Kat. "I can't wait until my feet are on the ground."
"Really? I think I'm goin' like this," said Cara. "The adrenaline of jumping off a moving vehicle and dropping into enemy fire. Really gets the blood pumping."
"That it does," said Rex. "Remind me to tell you about Kat's first combat drop. That was a fine piece of soldiering."
"Arriving at shuttle pad in twenty seconds," came Hera's voice from above. Kat looked back at the team. She and Cara were going to be the first to jump out, followed by Rex and Zeb. Chanla and Sel were going to stay on the ramp until they had secured the LZ. Kallus was operating the Ghost's chin turret to give them heavy fire support. Kat counted down the seconds.
Just like in the old gunships, Kat could feel the change in Ghost's movements. Kat found herself leaning forward as the ship slowed. Then Kat could feel her stomach rise as the ship dropped. The ship came to a sudden halt, and the cargo door opened.
And just like in the Clone Wars, Kat was under fire. And just like then, Kat's programming took over. She jumped off the ramp, even though it was still three meters above the landing pad. She cushioned her landing by bending her knees. She started firing both her blaster pistols even before she hit the ground. The impact of her landing probably hurt, but she didn't notice it. It didn't even disrupt her blaster fire. Kat was in combat mode.
Cara dropped next to her, having to catch her landing with her hand, but she got up quickly and started shooting. The stormtroopers on the landing pad were not as caught off guard as Kat had hoped, but they were still not ready for their sudden arrival. Kat picked off two troopers who were in the open. Cara got one as well. Some more dropped to blaster fire from Rex and Zeb or possibly Chanla and Sel who were still on the ramp.
Those stormtroopers who were smart enough to get behind cover were hit by the Ghost's forward cannons, and in a minute or two the landing pad was clear. Kat ordered everyone to the base's shield doors. They took up positions on either side of the three-meter-wide door. "Where's that droid?"
General Syndulla's droid Chopper flew in on his rocket thruster. He landed on Rex's side of the door which had the controls. Kat was getting antsy. "Hurry up, clanker. I don't want to give them time to ready their defenses." The droid issued an angry sound. "Don't make me shoot you," replied Kat.
"Don't mess with the General's droid," said Rex. "She doesn't take kindly to it."
"Noted," said Kat. "Now hurry up!" The droid issued another sound, but the heavy door opened. "Not bad, you bucket of bolts, not bad."
"We old timers still have something in us," said Rex as he padded the droid on the head. "Let's move out." The droid returned to the ship, but the squad moved forward.
Rex took the lead. He was the leader of this attack, but Kat had authority as well. Kat, Cara, and Sel were on the left; while Rex, Zeb, and Chanla were on the right.
They met no resistance down the first corridor, which Kat found odd. They had come in hot, but there should still be someone here. The first corridor opened into a lobby designed to greet visitors. Some battle instinct told Kat that there would be the ambush.
She was right. As soon as Rex reached the lobby, stormtroopers fired upon them. But Rex was too smart not to see it coming. He dropped to the floor to minimize his profile. He had Zeb hug the right side of the doorway. Similarly, Kat had Sel hug the left. Kat dropped to her stomach and lay prone on the floor next to Rex, firing her blasters. Cara and Chanla dropped to one knee and fired their blasters.
The blaster fire sizzled over Kat's head. She shouted, "Keep firing!"
"I can't hit any of them!" replied Cara.
"It doesn't matter! I want fire superiority! Keeping firing until you're out of ammo or dead!"
The stormtroopers were spread out in the lobby and behind cover. Not the flimsy furniture that should have been there, but heavy equipment lockers that have deliberately placed there. No way that had that set up in the last couple minutes. There was only one explanation.
"Kat to Ghost! They were expecting us!"
Captain Pache was surprised. There actually was an attack! This wasn't just some ISB drill! Nevertheless, Pache was ready for them. He issued his orders casually. "Send the distress signal. Secure the lobby. Request TIE fighter support from the Gozanti cruiser. And send in the assault team."
"I read you, ground team," replied Hera.
"What does that mean?" asked Dr. Rolanga.
"It means that Agent Aargant has predicted us once again," said Kallus from below.
Hera hated to agree with Kallus, but it was looking that way. "Kallus you better switch to the top turret. We could have company real soon."
"Contact!" shouted Rolanga. "Signals incoming. Looks like four of them."
"The cruiser's TIEs!" said Hera. "That was fast. Kallus get moving. I'm taking the Ghost out to meet them." Hera pulled up on her pilot's yoke and pointed the Ghost's nose to the skies. She then put some power into the thrusters. She wasn't ready to reveal her ship's full capabilities yet. Sometimes it paid to lure the enemy into a false sense of security.
Dr. Rolanga squinted out the forward viewport. Hera instead trusted her sensors. She switched control of the nose gun to her flight yoke. The four TIEs were coming in a wide formation, making it difficult for Hera to hit them in one shot. She picked one TIE for her target. The Ghost charged in. Kallus was firing from the top turret. The four fighters broke their formation. But Hera changed direction and veered right at her target. She centered it in her sights and pushed down on the thumb triggers. The TIE exploded in front of her eyes.
"One down, four to go."
"This is not good!" growled Zeb, and Cara agreed. "Time for a miracle." Cara didn't understand what the Lasat meant until she saw him grab a detonator.
"If that is what you mean by a miracle, I agree," said Kat. Kat grabbed an explosive and tossed it to Cara. She took another herself. "Activate the detonator and throw on my command." Kat activated her explosive, and Cara did the same.
Cara got nervous as the denotator's countdown ticked by. "Now?"
Kat stopped her with an upheld hand, but Cara could see her counting. Then she dropped her hand from the upright position and pointed forward. "Now!"
Cara threw her detonator. It landed behind the stormtroopers' cover, as did the Kat's. Zeb and Rex also threw one detonator each. The explosions killed some of the stormtroopers while others were forced out from their cover. They were shot by the others. Notably Chanla hit several of them. It hadn't taken Cara long to notice that the former queen was a crack shot.
"Move forward. We need to take the next corridor." But as Kat was speaking, the door across from the lobby opened. Cara heard Kat shout, "Karabast!"
Cara saw why. Stormtroopers were coming down the opposition hallway and into the lobby. But not just any stormtroopers. These ones had heavy metal personal shields. Whatever they were made up they held up against blaster fire. With them the stormtroopers didn't need to find cover, they could bring their cover with them. Once they were inside the lobby, there would be nothing the Rebels could do.
Cara heard a scream behind her. She looked back. Chanla was holding Sel Pamma in her arms. "Sel's hit!" she shouted.
Rex raised his commlink, "Ground team to Ghost, we need a medical evac. One team member wounded."
"Negative, ground team," said Hera. "We're dodging TIEs up here. We will return as soon as we can."
Kat shouted to Rex. "We can't stay here! We need to expand the flanks!"
Cara didn't understand, but Rex apparently did. Cara hated when the two of them fell into their Clone Wars jargon. Rex shouted orders, "Double flank crossfire! Chanla, stay with Sel! Zeb with me!"
"Cara, stay on my rear!" shouted Kat. She climbed to her feet and ran into the lobby along the left wall. Cara followed her, firing all the while. Rex and Zeb mirrored the motion on the right. Why would Kat and Rex lead them out of cover and into the stormtroopers' blaster fire?
Then Cara saw it. The stormtroopers responded to that maneuver by turning their shields towards their opponents. But their shields could only protect them from one angle. By facing one group of Rebels they had exposed themselves to the other group. Cara already understood when Kat gave the order. "Target the troopers on the opposite side while they're exposed."
Cara obeyed firing on the troopers facing Rex and Zeb. Rex and Zeb did the same. In the crossfire they took down the troopers. It was just as Kat kept telling Cara, work with favorable angles of fire.
"Forward teams, converge on the doorway!" shouted Kat. Cara, Kat, Rex, and Zeb moved in to stop the flow of stormtroopers. Chanla and Sel remained behind.
"Nice call, Sis," said Rex. "Dangerous, but it worked."
Sis? Why did Rex call Kat Sis? Cara wasn't sure. They couldn't be related. Rex was a clone. Was it some sort of Clone Wars camaraderie?
"We're not done yet," said Kat.
"In that case, I say the best defense is a good offense," said Rex.
"I hope you've got an idea of how to deal with them." Kat pointed down the hallway where more shield bearing stormtroopers were approaching them.
"Did your general ever teach you the 'sword and shield' maneuver?" asked Rex.
"Yeah," answered Kat. "But we don't have a general here." Cara was confused again. Why would they need a general? And how could someone like Hera Syndulla help in this situation?
"We might not have a general," said Rex. "But you have shields." Rex pointed to one of the discarded shields. "And I have a sword." Rex tossed a detonator in his hand, and Kat laughed.
"Commander, we are receiving a transmission from Palimina Base."
"Put it through," order Commander Bowmen, and Agent Aargant joined the Star Destroyer's captain at the comm. The image of the base's commander appeared, Captain Pache.
"Commander, we are under attack by Rebel forces, just as the ISB predicted."
"We received your distress signal. The Assailant will be there to assist you in ten minutes."
"The battle might be done by then," said Pache calmly. "The Rebel forces are no match for my men, especially when we knew they were coming. My congratulations to Agent Aargant. His prediction was spot on with only one exception."
"What do you mean?" asked Aargant. "What exception?"
"Your water attack theory. They didn't come by water. They landed on the shuttle pad, as I predicted." As Pache was speaking Aargant began to panic.
"You fool! It's a diversion!"
Kat and Cara charged down the hall a few meters then stopped behind their shields and waited for the stormtroopers. The shields were old Republic issued, probably kept on this base since its days as a Clone Wars storage facility. Kat had seen clone troopers use them on Ringo Vinda, but she herself had never used one. Nevertheless, the strategy was not hard to grasp.
Kat turned to the young woman next to her. "Hold your shield steady. Don't let the blaster bolts rattle you. And remember, in close quarters combat, these shields are as much a weapon as a defense."
Cara smiled wickedly. "I like the sound of that."
Kat felt the blaster bolts hitting her shield. Each impact did jar it from side to side. Kat knew that the shields wouldn't last forever, but they didn't need forever. "Rex, you ready?"
"Give the signal," replied the old clone.
Kat waited for the stormtroopers to get a little closer. "Now!" She and Cara ducked down and lowered their shields. At the same time Rex threw a detonator. The explosion rocked the hallway, and Kat and Cara stood up again behind their shields.
Rex and Zeb repeated the process four more times. Then Kat could feel Rex's hand grab a detonator from her belt. That must have meant that he run out of his own explosives, and Kat only had one more. They were almost out of options. The Gungans better hurry.
Another TIE blew up. This time it was Kallus in the top turret. Hera swung the Ghost around and put it into a dive. The remaining two TIEs followed. Hera pulled up at the last second, just barely over the swamp forest. One of the TIEs had pulled up early, scared of crashing, but the other was still behind the Ghost.
Hera flew the Ghost towards a faint sensor ping that Dr. Rolanga had pointed out. As they neared the source of the ping, Hera gunned the engines full throttle, increasing the distance between the Ghost and the TIE. The TIE exploded as it was hit by cannon fire from within the swamp forest.
"We cleared your tail Ghost, but there is still one more TIE to deal with," said Rike Kleiner over the comm. A quick turn to starboard and Hera could see the Nonnah raising out its hiding place.
"Thanks, Nonnah," replied Hera. "We'll take care of the last TIE. You're needed at your rendezvous point." The Nonnah flew off. "Now where's that TIE?"
"Coming down on top of us," said Rolanga as he pointed to the sensor panel.
The last of the explosives was planted around the submerged docks. There was only one more job for Quilow and his Gungans to do. Six of them went to the side of the docks closest to their meeting place with the Nonnah, while Quilow and Neku remained on the far side.
The six jumped out of the water and on to the part of the platform which always remained above water. They began to fire on the stormtroopers. It seemed like Queenie Neeyutnee's diversion was working, since there were only a few stormtroopers at the docks. And all of those few turned to fight the six warriors. But Quilow and Neku slipped on to the platform. Quilow guarded Neku while he accessed the Imperial controls. Of all the Gungans Neku had been the one to adapt to Imperial technology the best.
One of the stormtroopers noticed. "Hey you! Stop!" But it was too late. Neku had activated the mechanism that raised the docks. Quilow shot the stormtrooper and a few others that turned to face them. Nevertheless he and Neku had jumped back into the swamps.
As he was swimming away to join the rest of his warriors, Quilow hit the button on his remote detonator which began the countdown. The docks were fully out of the water, and Quilow and his team were far enough away when the countdown hit zero.
"Sir, there's an attack near the docks," said one of Pache's lieutenants. "Some sort of amphibious aliens. They've sabotaged the controls and lifted the docks."
Pache became angry. That smug ISB agent was right! Pache issued orders, "Send the rest of those navy troopers down there. And tell the gunners to be on alert for ships or freighters. They are not to allow a single ship to land on the docks."
The lieutenant was suddenly panicky. "Sir! They're not landing any ships. They're…"
The whole complex shook violently, and Pache hit his head as he fell to the ground.
The Nonnah hovered really low on the side of the facility. Katrina stood at the bottom of the ramp, less than a meter above the water. Soon the Gungans came up one by one, with Quilow Pom last. Katrina helped them up the ramp.
"Mission accomplished, mistress Katrina," said Quilow.
Katrina pointed to the column of smoke. "Accomplished indeed," she said. Then she smiled at the Gungan leader. "Yousa bombad."
The detonator exploded, but the stormtroopers kept coming. "Was that our last one?" asked Kat.
"I have one more sword left," said Rex. "Let them come close." Kat held her ground as more blaster bolts hit her shield. The metal was beginning to buckle. It couldn't take much more. As the stormtroopers with their own shields were upon them, Kat wondered where Rex's last sword was.
Her answer came in the form of a loud growl and a big body jumping over her. Zeb, the big Lasat, with his bo-rifle fully extended and electrified charged the Imperials. Shield or no shield the stormtroopers were no match for the mighty warrior. He battered and electrified them with his bo-rifle and even tore away their shields with his surprisingly dexterous feet.
Kat turned to Cara. "Remember when I said these shields were weapons?"
"Yes, I do." Both women charged forward to join the Lasat. Cara came face to face with a stormtrooper and his shield. She put both arms behind her shield and collided with her opponent, extending her arms for added force. The blow knocked the stormtrooper flat on his back. Kat lacked such strength, but she used her shield to batter away her opponent's shield, then she shot him in the chest with her blaster pistol.
The whole hallway shook. Kat lost her balance and fell over but was on her feet in seconds. The Gungans' bombs had gone off. "That's our exit cue!"
"Everyone, fall back!" ordered Rex.
"Zeb get back with Rex!" ordered Kat. "Cara, shields up. We walk backwards. Watch your step and don't trip." Zeb did run back, while Kat and Cara slowly withdrew. When Rex shouted at her, Kat ordered their retreat. "Cara, drop your shield and run."
Cara did as she was ordered. At the hallway's lobby entrance was Rex and Zeb firing their weapons. Kat and Cara ran past them. Kat stopped Cara at the other end of the lobby. "We hold here." She shouted behind her. "Chanla, we're pulling out. Get Sel and fall back!" Rex and Zeb ran past Kat and Cara as they fired at the pursuing Imperials. After a mental count to twenty, Kat ordered Cara to return to the landing pad. Rex and Zeb were just outside the door, waiting for them.
To Kat's great fear, the Ghost wasn't there! However, her fear was only temporary. She saw a TIE fighter spinning out of control crash into the swamp forest. Then the Ghost approached low, landed on the platform, and lowered its ramp.
Cara started towards the Ghost, but Kat stopped her at the base of the ramp. "We cover here." They took positions on each side of the ramp. Chanla helped Sel up the ramp. Rex and Zeb came next with a few stormtroopers behind them. Kat and Cara fired at the troopers, but as soon as Rex and Zeb were on board, they followed them up the ramp. Rex hit the ramp's controls, and the Ghost took off before the ramp was even closed.
"Everyone's on board," said Rex over the intercom.
"Copy that. We're out of here," said Hera. As she pulled away from the landing pad, Hera had a good view of the fire and the smoke from the docks. "Ah, Sabine gonna be sorry she missed this."
Hera turned to Dr. Rolanga. "Check on the wounded. And send Chanla or Kat up here to help me. And tell Rex to get in the chin gun."
"I'm on it," said the Alderaanian doctor.
"Ghost, this is Nonnah. We have our team and are ready to go."
"Copy that, Nonnah. We have picked up our team as well. Let's get out of here," said Hera. The two ships began climb out of Palimina's atmosphere.
A warning light appeared on her forward sensor display, and Hera's heart jumped. She looked out the forward viewport just in time to see an Imperial Star Destroyer drop out of hyperspace right in their path.
"Alert!" came Kleiner's voice over the cockpit speaker. "Imperial Star Destroyer in our hyperspace route. We can't get away."
"Not that way," agreed Hera. "Time for the backup hyperspace route."
"We have a backup route?" asked the other pilot.
"Just follow the Ghost."
"Commander, Palimina base reports that their docks have been destroyed, and the Rebels are fleeing," reported the communications officer to Bowmen.
"Without those docks all the supplies on Palimina are useless to the Empire," commented Agent Aargant. "Pache was a fool."
"Sir," said another bridge officer. "Two light freighters are rising out of the atmosphere."
"Magnify the image," ordered Bowmen. He pointed to the monitor which displayed the two ships. "Agent Aargant, are these the ships you are looking for?"
"Yes, Commander. That is the Ghost. General Syndulla will almost certainly be on board. We should capture that ship."
"And the other ship?" asked Bowmen. He didn't necessarily like the ISB wielding so much authority on his ship, but he could deal with it.
"Low priority. I suggest destroying it."
Bowmen issued orders. "Tractor beams, target the freighter designated as the Ghost. Turbo lasers, target the other ship."
"Sir, both ships are turning around. It looks like their trying to hide behind Palimina's moon."
"They can't hide from a Star Destroyer," said Aargant in disbelief.
Bowmen laughed inside himself. So, the vaulted ISB agent didn't know everything. "They are not hiding. They are escaping. Using the moon as an obstacle they hope to stall us, until they can escape the planet's gravity well on the far side. Helm, move us forward on a course around the moon. Launch Squadron One. Their orders are to disable or damage the Ghost. The other ship they can disable or destroy at their discretion."
The Assailant moved forward in pursuit of the fleeing freighters. Twelve TIE fighters jumped out ahead of the Star Destroyer. "TIE Fighters?" asked Aargant. "Wouldn't your TIE Interceptors be more useful?"
"Against light freighters? Hardly," answered Bowmen. "Sure, they are a little slower, but TIE Fighters will do the job nicely. It's not like they are going up against Rebel fighters." There were limits to what Bowmen would do for the ISB agent. Losing one or two of his best TIE Interceptors in a situation when standard TIEs would do was something Bowmen wasn't willing to risk.
"TIEs incoming!" came Kleiner's panicky voice. "It looks like a whole squadron. We cannot possibly fight them off in time to escape the gravity well and calculate the jump to hyperspace."
"Trust me, Nonnah," said Hera. "We have already calculated our jump. Sending the coordinates now." Hera turned to Chopper. "Send them the backup coordinate, Chop." The droid agreed.
Chanla joined Hera in the cockpit. "We do trust you, General. But this is a tight spot."
"Not as tight as you think," said Hera. "I have a trick or two up my sleeve." Hera continued to pilot the Ghost. The Nonnah was right behind her. The TIEs just a bit further back. By Hera's quick math, the TIEs would overtake them just before they reached the moon.
Kallus joined the cockpit crew and sat behind Hera. Jacen was still sitting in the fourth seat behind Chanla. Kallus reported. "Dr. Rolanga is with Sel Pamma. She's not good, but the doctor says he has her stabilized. I let Zeb took the top turret. He's better than I. Rex is in the chin turret, and I believe Kat and Cara are with him."
"We're going to need them," said Chanla. "I hope our gunners on the Nonnah are ready. Fighting an entire squadron with just two ships is a tall order."
"Trust me," repeated Hera.
The TIEs had caught up with the Nonnah. Hera slowed the Ghost down to slip behind the other ship. She could hear the topside turret firing, but she knew that Rex below her in the chin would have no shot at the pursuing TIEs. "Nonnah, get to the other side of the moon. We'll cover your tail."
"We're not going to leave you behind," said Kleiner.
"Glad to hear it," replied Hera. "But don't count us out yet. Just get to the other side."
The Nonnah kept driving onward. Its belly gun was able to fire at the TIEs, but so far the tiny fighters had evaded the cannons of both ships.
"Even if we survive these TIEs, in the time it will take to clear them that Star Destroyer will be right on top of us," said Chanla. "If you truly have a trick up your sleeve, now's the time."
They came around the moon, and Hera smiled. "Yes, now is the time." A TIE fighter slipped past the Ghost to attack the Nonnah. But it was hit from cannon fire originating on the moon's surface.
Two fighters jumped out from the moon's shadow and blasted away another TIE fighter with red cannon fire from their four wingtip mounted guns. They rolled over and flew past the Ghost to engage the other TIEs. Four more fighters joined the first two.
"That's not a bad trick at all," said Chanla.
One the friendly fighters flew close to Rex's turret. Cara tried to follow it with her eyes. "What was that?"
"It looked like a Republic Z-95 Headhunter or maybe an ARC-170," said Kat.
"Those," answered Rex. "Are X-wings. Some of the most advance starfighters in the Rebel Alliance. One of those fighters destroyed the Death Star."
"One of these six?" asked Cara. She wanted to know the person who had avenged her home world.
"No, not likely. But a fighter of that model." An X-wing appeared from behind the Ghost and flew right in front of Rex's turret. Rex guessed that a TIE fighter would be right behind him. He was correct. Rex barely had to aim as the pursuing TIE flew right in his sights. Rex blew it apart.
His scope registered only a few TIE fighters left. The X-wings had taken out several on their first surprise attack, and they were mopping up the rest efficiently. Soon all the enemy fighters were gone.
"Ghost and Nonnah, this is Rogue Leader. You're clear. It's time to get out of here before that Star Destroyer comes around."
"Thanks, Rogue Leader," said Hera. "This is Ghost, ready to jump."
"Nonnah, ready to jump."
Rex could hear Hera say the countdown both over internal comm and from above him in the cockpit. "Hyperspace in three, two, one."
The stars streaked past Rex, and the two freighters and six X-wings jumped to hyperspace.
Agent Aargant watched as the Rebels got away. He glared at Commander Bowmen. "If you would have used your Interceptors, they might not have gotten away."
"Perhaps," said Bowmen. His voice was level, but Aargant knew he was angry too. Maybe more over the loss of his fighters and pilots than the escaped Rebels. "But I wasn't expecting the Rebels to have X-wings." The ship captain turned to Aargant. "Were you expecting X-wings? Were you holding back information from me?"
"No," said Aargant bitterly. "I wasn't expecting any starfighter support." However, Aargant silently berated himself. He should have anticipated the starfighters!
"Then it looks like we both were bested today," said Bowmen. Aargant knew that Bowmen was right. He clenched his fists and spoke softly to himself.
"Next time, Kallus. Next time, Syndulla."
It took three different hyperspace jumps to for them to return to a major hyperspace lane. During the third jump, Rex came into the cockpit. "General Syndulla, Chanla Neeyutnee and Dr. Rolanga are requesting you."
"About Sel?" asked Hera.
"Yeah," said Rex.
"Can you take over here?" asked Hera.
"Sure thing," said Rex.
Hera yielded the pilot's chair to clone. Kat sat wordlessly in the copilot's chair, presumably avoiding her nephew Carter Rolanga. Hera checked on Jacen, who was sleeping in his specially designed cockpit chair behind Kat. Hyperspace was always soothing for him.
Hera walked back to Rex's quarters which he shared with Dr. Rolanga. It had once been Kanan's room. It was almost as sparce after Rex had moved in. The only significate addition was Rex's old clone helmet, which he didn't wear as often as he used to.
Laying on the bottom bunk was Sel Pamma. She was sedated. Hera could see that her right side was bandaged. Chanla and Dr. Rolanga were attending her. The doctor rose to face Hera. "I have her stabilized, but she's not good. The blaster bolt missed her vital areas but did significant damaged to several other organs. She needs extensive medical attention, a bacta tank would be ideal."
"I think I can arrange that," said Hera.
"How?" asked Chanla.
"The Rebel Alliance has resources."
"I haven't seen a bacta tank," said Dr. Rolanga.
"You remember that project I mentioned to you?" asked Hera.
Dr. Rolanga's eyes widen with recognition. He turned to Chanla. "Lady Neeyutnee, unless you have another source of medical equipment, my professional opinion is that we get Sel to the Rebellion."
"Who am I to reject a professional medical opinion," said Chanla. "General Syndulla, if your Rebellion is able and willing to help Sel, then I will gratefully accept it."
"We look out for those in need," said Hera. "It's what we do."
"You know," said Rex to Kat. "Your battlefield experience could have helped Dr. Rolanga care for Sel."
"You were there," said Kat.
"Sure, but Sel is a woman. I think she would have preferred another woman instead of an old geezer like me."
"I don't think Dr. Rolanga would have appreciated it," said Kat.
"Rex," came Hera's voice over the internal comm. "Set course for Rendezvous Five."
"Copy that, General. Setting course for Rendezvous Five," replied Rex. Rex looked back at Kat. "Where were we?"
"We were at the point when I was about to tell you I didn't want to talk about it," replied Kat, and she fell silent.
"Do you ever take a break?" asked Cara Dune.
Carter took his eyes off Sel Pamma and looked at the fellow Alderaan survivor who was standing in the doorway. "As the only medical professional on this ship, it is my responsibility. Unless you have a medical degree that you aren't sharing."
"No," said Cara emphatically. "My only degree is in knocking the lights out of the other person." A slight sadness came over Cara, and she leaned against the wall. "My father wanted me to pursue higher education on Alderaan. I refused."
Carter nodded his head. "When I heard that someone was wounded, I thought it was Kat."
"What made you think that?" asked Cara.
"Because if half the stories I've heard are true, she is the type to throw herself into battle, taking any risk to accomplish the mission and protect her squad. She was shot once and stabbed another time during the Clone Wars. Both times because she jumped into dangerous situations."
"Well, that much I can vouch for," said Cara. "She took risks today. I got the impression that she did it not just to complete the mission, but to protect us. I can see why you are concerned about her."
"Or maybe it's about what you said earlier. Maybe I was afraid that she wouldn't make it and I would miss my chance with my aunt." Carter looked at Cara. "I think I need to put the past aside and talk to Auntie Kat."
"Glad to hear it," said Cara. "I'm tired of hanging around you two sad saps."
Hera welcomed Chanla into the cockpit. Kat yielded the copilot's chair and stood in the back. "General Syndulla, I thought you were taking us to a medical facility. But there are no inhabitable planets in this system," said Chanla.
"We're not headed to a planet." Hera's console beeped and she pulled back on the hyperspace lever, and the Ghost reverted into real space. Alongside it was the Nonnah and the six X-wings.
But in front of it was a large ship. It had two main modules connected by a long horizontal shaft. The front module was an oblong pod. It housed the hanger bay, and it was the support for several smaller pods extending below it. The rear module was triangular in shape and housed its massive engines. The whole ship resembled a key for an old fashion mechanical door lock.
"That's a Nebulon-B frigate," said Chanla.
"That's the Redemption," said Hera. "And our medical frigate. In the absence of a ground base, we needed a medical center. The Redemption fills that role."
Hera spoke into her comm. "This the Ghost. We request immediate docking. We have a medical emergency on board. Transmitting clearance codes now."
"Ghost, this is the Redemption. Your codes are clear, as are the codes for Rogue Squadron. But we do not recognize the other light freighter."
"That is the Nonnah," said Hera. "I vouch for them."
"You are clear for docking at the forward airlock. A medical team is standing by," said the operator. "The Nonnah should remain where it is for now. You can fill us in after we've attended to the medical emergency."
"Understood, Redemption. Ghost out." It wasn't the welcome that Hera would have wished, but it was understandable. As the Rebellion's best medical center, the Redemption was also one of the Rebellion's most protected secrets.
Hera brough the Ghost around to the side of the Redemption. She pulled up alongside the long shaft that connected the main module and the engine module. This shaft also had different airlocks available both for top hatches and side hatches. Hera docked the Ghost along its side airlock, and Hera received confirmation of a well-sealed airlock.
Hera activated internal comms. "Dr. Rolanga, airlock is achieved with the medical frigate. A medical team is on its way. Prepare your patient for transfer."
The medical team arrived at the room which Carter and the clone trooper Rex shared. On the bottom bunk was Sel Pamma, the wounded Chandrilan woman. A blue-skinned Pantoran man led the team. He was older, with his clean white hair providing a striking contrast to his blue skin. He had golden tattoos over the top of his bushy white eyebrows. With a rich voice filled with authority he asked, "What is the patient's status?"
Carter answered. "Human female, approximate age: 42 standard years. Blaster wound to the abdomen. Critical organs undamaged, and the patient has been stabilized, for now. Severe damage to the gastrointestinal system and to the liver. One kidney is almost completely gone, the other damaged. Without further medical attention I predict entire system failure in less than a day. I recommend surgery to recover what organs we can, followed by full immersion in a bacta tank."
The Pantoran stepped back in surprised. "Are you medically trained?"
"I have my medical degree from the Chandrilan Central School of Medicine. I am Dr. Carter Rolanga."
"Dr. Matonui, Chief Medical Officer of the Redemption. Dr. Rolanga, let's get started," said the elder doctor, and the team moved Sel Pamma out on a hover gurney. They carried her out of the bunk room, into the hallway, and out the airlock. The airlock door opened, and they continued onto the medical frigate.
A short ride in a lift took them to the emergence medical ward. Soon they had Pamma in a hospital room, and a medical droid approached. Dr. Matonui ordered the droid. "2-1B, do a full scan, noting damage to internal organs. Report the damage and give your recommendations."
"Right away, Sir," said the droid in a polite voice. He must have real good bedside manner programming or by the look of his aging metal finish had plenty of experience. Carter watched the medical droid, looking any signs of inadequacy, but to Carter's eyes he was a perfectly functioning droid.
"Dr. Rolanga, how much experience do you have?" asked the senior doctor.
"Given that my residency was interrupted halfway through, not much."
"That's more than many here," said Dr. Matonui. "Have you ever done abdominal surgery?"
"No, Doctor. But I am unwilling to leave my patient."
"Then get yourself prepped. I will have you assist me."
Carter left the room and found a prep room. It wasn't as nice as the Chandrilan hospital, but it had all the essentials. Once Carter had disinfected his hands and gowned himself in the appropriate attire, he reentered the room. The 2-1B droid had drawn the same conclusion as he did only in more detail. Then Carter and Dr. Matonui began the surgery with 2-1B preforming the most delicate procedures.
After hours of waiting, Chanla watched as Dr. Rolanga and several nurses lowered Sel Pamma into the bacta tank. She watched as her friend, stripped of clothing as fair as decency allowed, floated in the strange liquid. A breathing apparatus was connected to her mouth. Chanla could see the terrible wound on Sel's side, covered by a permeable bandage that allowed the bacta to enter in. The miracle liquid would accelerate Sel's healing both inside and out. A medical droid monitored her status.
Dr. Rolanga and the chief medical officer of the ship, a white-haired Pantoran male, approached. The elder doctor reported. "Surgery went well. Much of her internal organs should recover during the bacta bath. She will be less one kidney, and we may have to replace some of her minor organs with bio-implants. But her systems should be restored after twenty-four to thirty-six hours. It will take an additional eight hours to restore her skin, then I recommend at least three days of bed rest and monitoring."
"Dr. Rolanga?" Chanla asked for her second opinion.
"I concur with Dr. Matonui," said Dr. Rolanga. "We will know more after she's been in the bacta for a while."
"If you will excuse us," said the older doctor. "This room is not meant for so many observers." Chanla looked around. The entire Nonnah crew was with her, including Rike Kleiner, Katrina, and the eight Gungans. None of them would want to leave.
"It's okay," said Dr. Rolanga. "I will personally monitor Sel Pamma's health. If anything changes, I will let you know."
"I'll stay," said Katrina. "You all go ahead." Everyone was hesitant, but they slowly left. All except Chanla. "Go," insisted Katrina. "I think General Hera Syndulla wants to speak with you. She's just being respectful. Dr. Rolanga and I got this."
"Alright, Katrina. Keep me posted."
"Yes, my Lady."
Chanla, Rike, and the Gungans left the room. Outside the Intensive Care Unit stood Hera. "General Syndulla, Katrina told me to expect you."
Hera gave Chanla a serious and concerned look. "How is your crewmate?"
Chanla answered, "Dr. Rolanga and one of the doctors here said her surgery went well. Now she is in the bacta tank. We will have to wait and see."
"I am sorry." Sympathy rang in the Twi'lek's voice. "She was wounded on a mission for the Rebellion. I will see to it that the Rebellion uses its resources to help her heal."
"Showing us the Rebellion's resources was the point in the mission, wasn't it?" Chanla inquired.
"I never intended anyone to get hurt," said Hera. "Nor did I think that we would have to escape a Star Destroyer or battle a squadron of TIE fighters. But, yes, I was trying to show off our resources. The explosives, the combat expertise of Rex and Kat, and the X-wings were all part of the plan."
"If you didn't expect the Star Destroyer and its TIEs, what was the point in the X-wings?"
"I was going to have them hit the Gozanti cruiser," said Hera. "I also planned on bringing you to the see a part of the Rebel fleet. Not the Redemption, but Sel Pamma's injuries changed that plan."
"Well, if you wish to show off your fleet, then by all means." Chanla extended her hand indicating that Hera should lead her through the ship.
Hera smiled. "Follow me."
Hera took Chanla and her team on a tour of the medical frigate, but the Gungans soon became bored and returned to the Nonnah. Chanla and Rike continued to follow. Kat, Cara, and Rex also joined them.
Hera knew the general layout of a Nebulon frigate, but she had never actually been on the Redemption. So much of the ship had been modified to change its role from escort to medical. Hera decided not to hide anything. She showed Chanla both the areas that were well equipped and where they still needed more supplies.
"You mentioned that this ship is being used in place of a ground base," said Chanla. "Are you seeking to establish a new base, and if so, will this ship be converted back into an attack vessel?"
"I cannot answer those questions," said Hera. "Both because they would be classified and because I really don't know. But if you want my opinion, I would keep this ship the way it is. I've already evacuated too many Rebel bases. We need to keep the mobile option." Hera turned another corner. "We could continue to walk through the various medical sections of the ship, or we could go to the hanger."
"The hanger," requested Rike Kleiner. "I want to see those X-wings close up and whatever other fighting vessels you have."
Chanla gave Hera a nod. "To the hanger it is." As they entered the hanger, Hera spoke, "This is a much smaller hanger than normal for a ship of this size. Like the rest of the ship, much of the space is used for medical proposes."
"Those are not X-wings," said Rike pointing upward. There on the ceiling hanging from docking brackets were five fighters.
"Those are RZ-1 A-wings," said Hera. "They're interceptors. Fast and well-armed but lacking in defensive systems. The X-wings are a more balanced fighter. Here they are right now."
Hera pointed out the hanger's bay doors as two X-wings maneuvered their way into the hanger. They had the same red paint scheme as Yavin's Red Squadron. The X-wings landed, and Hera walked forward to greet the pilots. Rex and Chanla joined them, while Cara and Kat remained behind. Rike Kleiner went off to inspect other vehicles in the hanger.
The canopies opened on the X-wings, and Hera delighted to recognize one of the pilots. "Wedge Antilles."
Wedge, the pilot that Hera and her crew had recruited a few years ago, saw Hera and climbed down his ladder quickly. "General Syndulla! I am glad to see you again. And also, glad to fly alongside of you."
"It's good to see you too, Wedge. So, you're calling yourselves Rogue Squadron now?"
"We took inspiration from the team that stole the Death Star plans on Scarif. This squadron is meant to honor both them and Red Squadron from the Battle of Yavin."
"I see that," said Hera.
Another pilot walked up to them with his helmet still on. "General, I didn't get a chance to introduce you to our leader," said Wedge. "He flew alongside me at the Battle of Yavin." Hera turned towards the pilot with great curiosity. Wedge knew it was dangerous to speak such things aloud, but Hera knew that Wedge's wingman was the one who had taken the kill shot against the Death Star.
The man approaching Hera was barely older than a kid. Hera estimated that he was about the same age as Ezra. Wedge made the introductions. "General Syndulla, this is Luke Skywalker. Luke, this is General Hera Syndulla."
Hera was about to greet the young man when she heard a gasp behind her. "Did you say Skywalker?"
Hera turned around. It was Rex who spoke. A practiced soldier, it was not like Rex to speak out of line, even in the Rebellion's more relaxed setting.
"Yes, my name is Luke Skywalker," said the young pilot.
"Your family name is Skywalker?" asked Rex. "Any relation to Anakin Skywalker?" Now where had Hera heard that name before?
"Anakin Skywalker was my father." Skywalker was undoing the chin strap of his helmet.
"Your father?!" Rex's eyes widen in surprise. "You're General Skywalker's son! How is that even possible?" asked Rex. "Wait, maybe that does make sense."
"General Skywalker?" asked Hera to herself. Yes, now she remembered. During the Ryloth campaign of the Clone Wars, there was a Jedi General named Skywalker who flew a starfighter against the Separatist bombers, while Hera's father and Jedi General Mace Windu fought on the ground. Hera took another look at the pilot. This boy was the son of a Jedi?!
"Did you know my father?" asked Skywalker of Rex. He seemed to have abandoned the task of removing his helmet, so interested was he in Rex's answer.
"Did I know him?! I fought alongside him from near the beginning of the Clone Wars. He was…" Rex seemed to spot something. "Is that?" Rex pointed to something hanging from the pilot's belt. "It is! I would recognize that anywhere. That's General Skywalker's lightsaber!"
"Yes, this belonged to my father." Skywalker took the lightsaber in his hand.
"How did you get it?"
"Ben gave it to me. He said my father would have wanted me to have it."
"I don't know a Ben," said Rex.
"You might have known him as Obi-wan Kenobi."
"General Kenobi's alive!" said Rex.
"No, not anymore." Luke Skywalker looked sad. "He was killed by Darth Vader."
Hera was listening, but in her mind the thoughts flew a parsec per minute. Skywalker! Jedi! Lightsabers! Kanan! Ezra! Vader! Inquisitors! But most of all, Jacen!
"Stop!" shouted Hera. "Stop, stop, stop!" Wedge and Chanla looked confused, but Rex and Skywalker were surprised. "And put that thing away!" continued Hera, pointing at the lightsaber. "Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?"
"Ben taught me how to use it. But he had only begun to train me."
"I'm not talking about the weapon," said Hera. "Just holding that thing is dangerous. If someone saw you with that, or heard you talking about Jedi heritage…If the Empire ever found out, you cannot imagine the danger you would bring upon yourself." Hera spoke her next words one at a time. "They…will…hunt…you…down!"
There was a moment of silence. Finally, Rex spoke. "She's right. I've seen it before. We should not be having this conversation in a public place. We don't want the wrong person hearing this."
"Are you referring to me?" asked Chanla with a bit of anger.
"We're not referring to anyone," said Hera. "But the Empire has ears everywhere."
"We are on a Rebel frigate," said Wedge. "I hardly think…"
Wedge was cut off by the shout of a woman's voice. "Look out!"
A blue blaster bolt hissed by Hera's head.
Kat's first shot missed. But that was to be expected given the nature of her target. She drew her second blaster pistol in her left hand. This target might take multiple shots before he would go down.
Why was Kat firing on a presumed ally? Because she had orders. And good soldiers follow orders.
As Kat took aim for her second volley of shots, she whispered to herself the words. The words she had heard twenty years ago. The words she could never unhear.
"Execute Order 66."
