Chapter 162: Missing in Action
A soldier's most powerful weapon is courage.
Recap: Stranded! On a secret mission for the Republic, Colonel Gascon and his intrepid droid squad successfully steal an encryption module from a Separatist ship. During their escape, our heroes crash on the Outer Rim planet of Abafar and find themselves stranded in the strange wasteland called The Void. Now, after surviving against all odds, our heroes must find a way home and deliver the encryption module to crack the Separatist code and stop an enemy attack.
The droids and colonel were now exploring the town they stumbled upon, hoping to find a way off the planet. R2 was making notes of how sandy their environment was. The town wasn't as deserted as they thought, as there were a few people about, some sitting on crates and leaning against the buildings.
"Tatooine? Isn't that the home of Master Skywalker?" asked TS-01, as the name Tatooine sounded familiar from what Twilight mentioned. Her assumptions were confirmed as R2 gave a response to which she began to access her memory banks and star maps Twilight inputted into her. "Tatooine is located in the Outer Rim system. It's part of a binary star system, orbiting two scorching suns, resulting in the world lacking the necessary surface water to sustain large populations."
"I have never been to Tatooine, but if this place reminds you of it, R2, remind me never to go there," said WAC, as he was terrified to ever visit a planet like that.
"Don't be absurd, QT. These people aren't dangerous. Most of these people are probably hiding from someone or something. That's the way it is on these Outer Rim armpits. Nobody's here by choice, which goes double for me." stated Gascon.
"I hope you have a plan to get us off this armpit, Colonel."
"Of course, I do, Corporal. All we need is a communications uplink and some fuel."
C4 gave a response to the colonel.
"Thank you for the reminder, C4, but I'm well aware our shuttle's lost in The Void. I'm talking about fuel for me. You droids can putter along on battery power, but I need food to survive." stated the small military officer.
"My power cells are running low, too, and an oil bath would be nice. All this dust is wreaking havoc on my joints," stated WAC.
"My current power cell level is 75%," said TS-01 as the other droids were surprised to see that the small droid had that much power left after all this time. "My creator designed me to run on solar energy, along with massive power storage of backup energy. My body is also resistant to dust."
R2 stopped before its robot friend and made some noises while slightly tapping TS-01's top of her head.
"I am composed of several materials. The core one is Equism. A rare metal only found on my creator's home planet. A metal so tough that it's stronger than steel but a third of its weight. In addition, it absorbs sound waves, along with other means of kinetic energy. A demonstration would be if a blaster bolt was fired at Equism, the energy from the blaster shot would transfer to the metal, the blaster would disintegrate, and the metal would be unharmed." explained Twilight's droid as that fact intrigued R2, and the others.
The blue astromech gave another beep and whirred.
"Equism is nearly indestructible to brute force attacks. Should it be hit with force strong enough to destroy it, the stored energy releases, causing a devastating explosion," said the small droid as it got R2 nervous about what could cause it. "Equism isn't just used in warfare. The metal is also used for my creator's home planet regarding technology, medicine, science, machinery, and even magic."
BZ responded to the droid.
"That's enough! Forget it, BZ. We're not on vacation here." said the colonel. "R2, is the encryption module safe?"
The blue astromech responded as he pulled out the device to show the colonel.
"Nothing short of death or dismemberment will stop Colonel Meebur Gascon from delivering that module to Coruscant."
The group continued to march forward as they passed more people doing their things. They soon spotted something.
"Well, I'll be. A diner. A place of eating. I'm saved." stated Gascon. "R2, you and the other 'mechs' scout the perimeter. Find out if there are any unfriendlies around."
R2 gave a response as he and the other astromechs left.
"Corporal, you and I will refuel in this fine establishment."
Gascon and WAC began to head toward the dinner.
"I guess I'm going as well," said TS-01 as she wasn't given direct orders and decided to follow the pair.
The two droids and the colonel entered the establishment as some patrons looked at him. The diner's owner saw him from behind the counter as he exited the kitchen and approached the front counter.
"Good day. I am Colonel Gascon of the Grand Army of the Republic. And I am here on very important business. I don't have much time, so if you'll be so kind as to fix me your daily special and let my droid recharge."
"No droids," said the owner of the diner.
"Fine. Wait for me outside, Corporal," stated Gascon.
"We don't serve your type either."
"What type are you referring to?"
"Conduit worms."
"I beg your pardon. I am a Zilkan."
"You'll be begging for your life if you don't beat it," said the owner as he showed the knife he was holding as the colonel stuttered and bumped into WAC's leg. "Beat it."
The droid and colonel began to run as the owner gave a small chase. He turned to see Twilight's droid; the small thing merely turned its head. It scanned the owner, identifying him as a male Sullustan named Borkus. The chef was angry as he brought the knife down on TS-01 as the cooking utensil bent and shattered upon impact.
The owner was stunned to see the knife break as he looked at Twilight's droid. The small thing was unfazed by the sudden attack the Sullustan tried to do as she dusted her shoulder. The Equism metal the princess made her droid from lived up to all its hype, as it was tough. The small droid still looked curious as she headed out the door.
"Observation: Approached a diner, and the owner made some remarks. Remarks were very... direct. Prejudice, discrimination, antagonist. Not fully sure of a word to describe it. Further explanation is required."
The small robot recorded her observation as she would need Twilight to explain this to her. She spotted WAC and Gascon speaking.
"This is an outrage. That monstrosity will rue the day he denied me a meal."
"I would not push it, Colonel. That monstrosity might make a meal out of you," said the pit droid.
"I don't care. I'm famished," said Gascon.
"I think I can help," said WAC, noticing several insects heading into the alley.
The insects were all collecting near a dumpster where garbage was gathered.
"Your meal awaits you, sir," said WAC.
"You short-circuiting hydrospanner, that's no meal. That is garbage," shouted Gascon at what the droid showed him.
"What is the difference?" asked the pit droid. "It is edible, is it not?"
Gascon groaned at how idiotic the droid was. Meanwhile, R2 and the others were patrolling the perimeter. He quickly saw some B1 battle droids as he told the others to hide and hug the wall. The battle droids walked by as R2 was now worried.
Back with the others, Gascon was about to take a bite when the door behind him opened. It was the backdoor to the diner as out came someone who dumped a bucket of garbage; it accidentally spilled onto the small military officer.
"Oh, uh, I'm sorry. I didn't see you there. Look, I could get you some food, but normally people come in the front door. But there's no problem." said the person as the colonel looked at the human with a close eye. "You do know that you're eating garbage, right?"
"You're a clone," said Gascon as he looked at the human.
"Excuse me? Uh, I... I wouldn't know about that. My... my name's Gregor. Uh, wait, what's a clone?"
"You are a clone. Are you working undercover?" asked Gascon as he hopped onto the dumpster to get eye level with Gregor.
"I don't know what you're talking about," responded the man.
"Listen to me, soldier, whatever your assignment is, it can't be more important than mine.
"It is his first real mission. He is just a map reader," commented WAC.
"Don't listen to that ignoramus. You are a clone and a soldier in the Republic Army, and I order you to take me to your ship. We need to get back to Coruscant immediately." said Gascon.
"Uh, look, friend, I was just trying to help. I'm sorry if you took it the wrong way," responded Gregor.
"I do not think that soldier believes you are a colonel, uh, Colonel," said TS-01.
"Gregor! Get back to work!" shouted Borkus from inside the diner.
"Uh, excuse me. I got to go. I don't wanna lose my job," said Gregor as he entered the diner.
"But I'm still hungry," stated Gascon.
The group began to turn the corner as R2 stopped. The others bumped into him as the blue, dusty astromech turned to the group.
"Well, what's the scouting report?" asked Gascon as R2 responded. "Separatist droids? Hmm, well, that complicates matters."
The diner began to close as Gregor and Borkus exited the diner, with the latter turning to shut the door.
"So, uh, boss, you know, I was just wondering..."
"No, you can't have a raise, Gregor."
"Oh, no, no, no, no. I don't want a raise, sir. I-I just wanted to know, what's a clone? Someone told me I was a clone today. They insisted." said Gregor.
"Heh. A clone?" chuckled Borkus, "Clones fight battles across the galaxy. They are brave soldiers. Does that sound like you? You're a dishwasher, Gregor. Forget about clones or anything like that. You have a good life here, a simple life. More than you had when Borkus found you."
"I know, sir. And I appreciate everything that you've done. Believe me. But I thought maybe you could... could you tell me, how did I get here? Where did you find me?" asked Gregor.
"Enough questions. Go home. Sleep. Come back tomorrow. Do your job. And I don't ever want to hear that word "clone" again, understand?" said Borkus as he walked away while Gregor looked upward.
With the droids, the group was rolling through the town streets.
"Colonel, I cannot help noticing that we are already on our third plan," said WAC.
"Smart battle strategy requires flexibility and improvisation, something droids are not known for," said Gascon as R2 beeped to give his response.
"R2 is right. Droids are not known for being flexible because we are programmed to be right the first time," translated WAC.
"Well, answer me this, Corporal, if the Jedi Council thought one of you droids were better prepared to lead this mission, then why did they put me in charge?" demanded Gascon.
"'Cause you were the only one who could fit inside BZ," said TS-01.
"No, it is because my power of deduction told me that if there are Separatist droids on Abafar, then there must be a landing zone nearby where there will be no doubt a shuttle to take us home. That Corporal is why I am in charge," stated Gascon as they turned the corner and spotted a shuttle just a few meters away. "Now, we are going to waltz down there undetected, just like we did on the dreadnought, and commandeer that shuttle without incident."
The droids all began to make noise.
"The mechs have a point, Colonel. After what we did on the dreadnought, those battle droids probably have our identities scanned. We will have to fight our way onto the shuttle this time." stated TS-01.
"Hmm, you droids may have a point. But there's no way in Malachor that I'm going to lead this pitiful squad on an assault of that landing zone," said Gascon.
"What is the plan now, Colonel?" asked WAC.
"We're going to wait until our clone gets off work, then enlist his help, whether he wants to or not."
Gregor was shown heading home. The droids spotted the man entering his home as they spotted a nearby window. Inside, Gregor turned on the lights as the roaches responded to it and scattered. He approached a mini fridge and grabbed a cold one. At that moment, R2 projected a hologram through the small window.
"Captain Rex reporting for duty!" said a hologram of the clone captain.
"Agh! What?" responded Gregor as he heard and saw the hologram and put his hands up. Gregor began to approach the hologram as he ran his hand through it. "I... I don't understand. That's me?"
"No, that's Captain Rex. He's a clone in the Republic Army, just like you, Gregor," stated Gascon as he was shown entering the man's home.
"I can't believe it," said Gregor, stunned by this discovery.
Soon, the droids all gathered inside the home as Gascon explained his clone heritage to Gregor.
"Okay, slow down. Slow down. So you're telling me that there are more of these clones?"
"Millions. A whole army's worth," said TS-01.
"Uh-huh. And they all look exactly like me?"
"No, those clones are warriors, professional soldiers created by the Republic, trained to fight and die, if necessary, in our war against the Separatists. They're not dishwashers living in some vermin-infested hovel," said Gascon.
"Look, I'm lucky to live in this place. Mr. Borkus says my salary doesn't even cover the rent, so he pays the difference for me."
"Don't you get it, Gregor? You're his slave. We need to figure out who you really are, how you got here. Are you sure you don't remember anything?" asked Gascon to the clone.
"Well, all I remember is waking up on a transport. Somehow we crashed on Abafar. And, well, Mr. Borkus says I have amnesia." responded Gregor as he rubbed his head.
"Hmm," stated Gascon at hearing the tale. " Every clone has an identifying code on their wrist. Your military records will be in the database. Scan him, R2."
The blue astromech approached the man as he sat. He began to scan his arm as his ID and profile image appeared.
"Impressive. Gregor, your designation is CC-5576-39. You were a captain and part of an elite squad. A clone commando. Your file says you were reported missing in action during the Battle of Sarrish." said Gascon.
"Sarrish? Sarrish. Wait. What was the Battle of Sarrish?" asked Gregor.
"It was one of the Republic's most devastating losses," answered the military officer.
"Sarrish. Yes. Yes, I remember now. So many soldiers were dying."
"Do... do you remember how you escaped Sarrish?" asked Gascon.
"No. I just remember seeing all those bodies. Bodies everywhere. I knew I had to get help. But that's where the memory stops."
"Well, soldier, there's nothing you can do about that battle now, but you can help us. Our mission depends on it."
The droids and Gascon were now outside of Gregor's home. The small officer was pacing back and forth as he was rather anxious.
"Uh, Colonel, Gregor said to give him five minutes, but it has been six. What if he does not accept your offer to join us?" asked WAC.
"Then I'll go back in there and personally knock some sense into him," stated Gascon.
"That won't be necessary."
"Whoa!" said WAC.
All the droids looked as they were stunned by what they saw. Gregor emerged as he had given himself a fresh shave of his beard and a haircut as he now looked like any other clone.
"I figured at least looking like a soldier might bring back some more memories until we recover my equipment anyway," stated Gregor. "I overheard you guys talking. I think I know where my armor is. Let's go check out the diner."
The group then began to head out. They were unaware that listening from behind the corner was Borkus. The chef crossed his arms with a look. The group soon arrived at the diner as they were looking all over the place for Gregor's equipment.
"Step it up, soldiers. This isn't a party. We do not have all night." stated Gascon.
Soon they all heard a loud noise as if something was being dragged behind him along the ground. The droids, Gascon, and Gregor all turned to the door and saw Borkus walking in as he had a container behind him.
"Looking for this?" said the chef as he tossed the thing in front of him and pulled back the top to reveal what was inside.
"My uniform. My equipment. All this time, you knew who I was and didn't tell me." Gregor told his boss. "Why?"
"I don't care who you were. You are dishwasher now. And you owe me for saving you from your crash. Your life is mine, Gregor." stated Borkus.
"You didn't save me. You turned me into a slave. I've worked in this dump taking orders from you when I could have been fighting for the Republic. I want my life back." stated Gregor.
"You want your freedom, Gregor? Take your gun from me. Show me you are a soldier." said Borkus as he grabbed the blaster from inside the crate and pointed at the clone.
Gregor attempted to swipe the blaster from his boss; Borkus, however, managed to evade the clone and smacked him in the back of the head as he slumped over the crate.
"You see? You are no soldier. You are a dishwasher." laughed Borkus.
R2 and the other astromechs began to leap into action. They all began to attempt to help Gregor.
"Why, you no-good droids. Let go of me!" stated Borkus as the droids all spun around him and tied him up using their cables. They soon managed to make the chef fall to the floor.
"Take your things, Gregor. We're getting out of here," stated Gascon to the clone.
"Don't leave, Gregor. It's a big galaxy out there, bigger than you know. Stay here, where your life is simple." Borkus pleaded with the clone.
"Simple isn't good enough anymore. Not for this clone."
"Ha! You will never get off Abafar, you and your little Republic friends, not after your Jedi cruiser blows up."
"What are you talking about?" asked Gascon as he looked at the owner, tied up on the floor.
"Why do you think the Separatists bother coming here? They are mining our Rhydonium to load on the shuttle and destroy your ride home," answered Borkus.
"You will see. You will all be stuck here begging Borkus for a job in his diner," cackled the owner as the droids all left him alone inside.
The group headed to the landing zone once Gregor changed into his equipment and armor.
"Okay, let's see what we're up against. Gregor," stated Gascon to the clone.
Gregor put on his helmet as he hopped onto a crate. The clone was looking through his vizor when he noticed something above.
"Wait. There. There's a cruiser up there. And that shuttle, I think... Yes, it's being loaded up with Rhydonium canisters," the clone looked down at the landing zone as he saw droids loading the substance before hopping down. "Huh. I guess Mr. Borkus was actually telling the truth... for once.
"What exactly is Rhydonium?" asked WAC, as he had no clue what it was.
"It's a fuel. Mostly been mined out on Abafar. It's volatile and dangerous." explained Gregor.
"It can be used as starship fuel. Highly explosive. Dangerous to salvage, and its fumes are harmful to humans." said TS-01 as her data banks added more information on the substance.
R2 gave a whirring sound after learning about these developing details.
"Yes, we do have a new mission: Stop the Separatists from blowing up that cruiser," stated Gascon.
"I'll cover you and clear the way, Colonel. You all head straight to the shuttle. I'll take care of those clankers." suggested Gregor.
"Hmm, sounds like a good plan. You soldiers ready to get dangerous?" asked Gascon to the droids as they all responded.
"I'll meet you at the shuttle, sir," stated Gregor as he put his helmet on.
"Let's roll!" stated Gascon as he put BZ's top back on and hid inside.
The droids were now all marching together toward the shuttle. They were coming up on the group of B1 droids who stood guard.
"Hey!" said one of the guards as he noticed the group approaching. "You need authorization to enter this area. Agh!"
Just then, Gregor fired from his post as he took out the guard and the one next to him. He then began to move toward the shuttle.
"Get them! Agh!" instructed another droid before he was shot down.
The droids continued their path toward the shuttle while Gregor provided support and coverfire from above. The clone wasn't showing any signs of rust as he shot the droids down precisely like before.
"Good job, Gregor!" exclaimed WAC as he cheered the clone on before being dragged by TS-01 to avoid being left behind.
The clone jumped onto another post, hugged it, and looked over the edge.
"Look, he's up there!" said one of the B1 droids as they spotted the clone. They all aimed at him before he took them down.
Soon Superbattle droids began to fire at him as he moved along the beam while continuing to fire and taking them down. A large group was shown approaching and shooting at him from the support beam he stood on; Gregor shot a barrel, which exploded.
"Just keep moving. It is all under control," said WAC as they hurried to get in.
Now, Destroyer droids were shown rolling toward the clone. They joined the others as they propped up and began to fire. Gregor aimed his blaster at them; the shots were absorbed and bounced off the shields of the droids, resulting in him having to take cover to avoid being hit.
"I'm beginning to remember how much I hate these guys," commented Gregor. He then looked to the left of the group of droids firing at him as he saw a Rhydonium canister.
The clone stood up and took aim as he shot at the canister. It caused a massive explosion to occur that took out the droids.
"Hey, I don't recognize those astromechs. Blast them!" said another B1 droid as they spotted R2 and the others making a break for the shuttle.
"They are on to us!" said WAC as he put his hands above his head for protection from the shooting.
The Separatist droids fired a canister near BZ and WAC as it exploded and sent both to the ground.
"Colonel, can you hear me?" asked the pit droid to the downed astromech, who whirred.
"Save yourselves!" shouted Gascon from inside the droid.
"Okay. Whoa!" said the pit droid as he complied with that rather quickly.
The pit droid was dancing on his feet as he avoided being shot before running with his hands in the air. Gregor was now beginning to move as he shot a few more droids down before leaping from beam to beam and landing in front of the pit droid after shooting down the ones aiming at him.
"Did everybody make it?" asked Gregor.
"No, BZ and the colonel are still out there," responded WAC to the clone.
"Get the shuttle ready to roll," stated Gregor as he left.
The clone was heading to where the downed astromech was as he was rolling and dodging the shots. He took down the droids with ease before setting up the astromech upright.
"Colonel, you all right?" asked the clone as he took the top of the droid off and peered inside.
"I'll never make it back alive," said Gascon as his head popped out, ready to accept his fate.
"Yes, you will, sir. This is what I was born to do. Now, go before it's too late." Gregor said as he got the astromech to roll forward as it left the area.
As the astromech was heading for the ship, Gregoe was providing coverfire. He leaped over some treadmills and took out any droids aiming at him. He kept using the canisters of Rhydonium to his advantage as he fired at them to cause an explosion to take out big groups of droids.
In the shuttle's cockpit, WAC and TS-01 were trying to get the engines up and running. They began to push some buttons as the ship rose, as the ramp inadvertently bumped a Superbattle droid in the face as he tried to get on and knocked him to the ground. Gregor looked back as he saw the shuttle rising into the air.
"It's been an honor serving with you, Colonel," stated the clone.
R2 gave a beep as they all watched from the ramp.
"R2's right. We can swing back around and pick you up," stated Gascon as he sat back inside BZ.
"Don't worry about me. You made me remember who I am. I'll make my way home. I promise." said Gregor as he told the group to get out of there and leave him behind to buy them time to escape. "Now go!"
A massive group of droids was starting to close in on the clone who was behind some boxes.
"Where is Gregor? Where is Gregor?" asked WAC as the hangar camera came on.
"He's doing what a soldier does: Sacrificing himself for the lives of others," stated Gascon.
Down below, the droids were starting to surround Gregor from all sides. The clone kept changing directions as each side was fast approaching. The clone had nowhere left to go as he noticed some canisters. He began to fire at them as they created some explosions. The shuttle was rising into the air as down below, there was a massive explosion that occurred.
"You will be remembered, Captain Gregor. We'll take your heroic story back to the Republic, and we will watch for your return," stated Gascon.
R2 and the other astromechs all whirred as they showed signs of respect for the clone's sacrifice. The shuttle was now beginning to leave Abafar as it was looking to head toward the Republic cruiser in the distance.
Author's Note: We continue on with George Lucas' favorite arc of the show and it seems our group of droids have run into someone. A clone suffering from amnesiaand having to not only regain his memories, but having to help the party of droids. And Twilight's droid explains even more how powerful Equism is as not only a piece of metal, but how it's used in everyday life on Twilight's homeplanet. And now, it seems our droids are finally going home, but not without the sacrifice and help from a soldier.