Organa: - General. Holdo has informed me of the terrible news. I have contacted you as soon as possible. -

Inside the Phantom, Icarus was holding an emergency meeting with the senator, who clearly showed great concern about everything that had happened.

Icarus: - How is she? -

Organa: - A few hours ago, she informed me that she and most of her group managed to escape. They are now taking refuge in the cities outside, and are waiting for things to calm down a bit before leaving Kergans. -

Icarus: - I guess after everything that happened. The Empire will strengthen its surveillance on Kergans and nearby worlds. We were not counting on a civil rebellion at the same time. -

Organa: - Captain Howser has carried out several reconnaissance missions. Apparently, things in the capital city of Kergans are not looking good at all. I talked to Senator Mothman, but she didn't know this was going to happen either. -

Icarus: - It was not surprising... This was too... Inopportune. -

The droid preferred not to make any comments regarding the senator's contact. It was more than clear that he had a great influence on what happened, but it was something that would happen sooner or later. But after this setback, it would be best not to implant distrust between the different cells, or everything would become more chaotic. And against an enemy as powerful as the Empire, it would be best to remain united. Although he would never forget everything that happened.

Icarus: - Senator... What do you know about a dark Jedi in the empire? -

Organa: - A dark Jedi? I thought the Jedi had been exterminated. If it weren't for you, we would never have known about the existence of the Inquisitors. -

Icarus: - Yes but... This one is different... I saw it with my own eyes... It was terrifying... A cyborg in black with immeasurable power. -

Organa: - I have never heard anything about it... But from what he says, it seems extremely dangerous. -

Icarus: - And it is... Senator, this Empire still has many tricks up its sleeve that we don't know about. The presence of Grand Admiral Thrawn was something unpredictable... I did not think I would run into him so soon... I had not calculated it... This was a fatal mistake on my part. -

Organa: - Don't take all the blame. No one could ever even imagine this would happen. -

Icarus: - Senator... I need to ask you a favor. -

A favor? That was something new, but the way the droid said it seemed really serious.

Organa: - What's happening? -

Icarus: - A few hours ago I spoke with the Gwori staff. Apparently, some of the fighters that managed to escape have already returned. -

Organa: - And what's wrong with that? -

Icarus: - The only way they managed to return so soon is that they made a direct jump between Kergans and Gwori. If that's the case, it's possible that they have been able to track them... No... I'm sure Thrawn already knows where we're hiding... I don't know how to explain it... It's what you organics call a hunch... We need evacuate Gwori as soon as possible. -

Organa: - Are you going to mobilize an entire planet on a hunch? -

Icarus: - After what I have seen, senator... I know that what happened was not a mere coincidence... We are in the sights of the great admiral and I do not want anything more unforeseen... This was the last time that I ignore one of these hunches I have. -

Organa: - Well... I guess it's better to be safe than sorry. Very good overall. I have some ships that will be able to go unnoticed... But they won't be able to transport the entire population of Gwori at once. -

Icarus: - Don't worry... Any help is welcome. -

Organa: - Very good. I will do what i can. And general... -

Icarus: - What's happening? -

Organa: - Thank you... For everything... Holdo told me about the sacrifice that her people made to save them... That will be something we will never forget. -

Icarus: - My droids... only did what I had programmed them to do. - Saying that, although true, was somewhat painful.

Organa: - And many are alive thanks to that... Really... Thank you very much. -

Icarus did not respond with words. A nod of his head was all that was needed, and thus the communication with the senator concluded.

Zeb: - This doesn't look good. - I mentioned the lasat, who was present throughout the meeting.

Icarus: - I agree... But we can't wait... We must take action. -

Zeb: - Hey... Icarus... In the hypothetical case that the Empire already knows about Gwori... How much time do you think we have? -

That was a very good question. Icarus stared at the lasat, which made him a little nervous, although the droid's computer was immersed in a sea of ​​calculations to give the most accurate answer. Although in the end, after everything that had happened, he preferred to opt for the most unfavorable answer.

Icarus: - Three days... At most. -

The lasat sighed in defeat. That time frame was very small. However, at that very moment, there was not much they could do about it. So the best option would be to return to the cabin. where Hera kept a firm grip on the controls.

Hera: - What did he say? -

Zeb: - He's going to help us... But we don't have much time. -

Hera: - I see... -

Icarus: - How long do we have to get to Gwori? -

Hera: - A couple of hours. -

Icarus: - Good. I... I'll go check some things... Make sure... that there isn't anything unforeseen. -

The droid finally retreated, leaving the two organics alone. I didn't even know what to do. Usually he would start making calculations and making plans... But with everything that had happened, even that wasn't enough anymore.

Despite his logical reasoning, Icarus was not even able to trust his own plans. He had been created to be the supreme strategist. Manipulate the enemy with tactics and ensure victory. But this war was simply beyond him.

He had failed so many times that he really doubted if he was as good as he thought he was. There were victories, of course, but also great losses. The core of his chest... That same core that allowed him to study his enemies and hit them where it hurt the most, seemed to be working against him.

A droid is not supposed to suffer the loss of others... A droid is not supposed to make plans where flesh allies are involved. The droids were expendable and numerical supremacy was their best weapon. But Felucia understood that this war could not be won this way.

Even the loss of those droid units affected him. They were simple droids... What made them so special? That they had a name? That he had personally reprogrammed them? Because? It was a question that he could not find an answer to, no matter how many analyzes he did on his own database. Names that...he just couldn't get rid of from his memory.

And there was no better proof than the fact that he was now in front of the cryogenic container that kept Foxley's body alive... Longing that none of this had happened.

Zeb: - Do you think it's okay? -

Hera: - Are you talking about the general? -

Zeb: - He's acting... something strange. -

Hera: - You know it's not a common droid. -

Zeb: - I know... It's just... I've never seen it that way before. -

Hera: - He has lost a lot... We all have. -

The lasat had no way to refute that. Even with his tough attitude he could feel the loss of a friend. But not as much as Hera, who seemed downcast despite not letting go of the ship's controls.

Zeb: - You have become very good at being a pilot... Where did you learn to fly? -

Hera: - I... I didn't know... Foxley taught me during the time we had in Kergans. -

Zeb: - Okay... It seems like you have a talent for this. -

Hera: - Maybe... Although I think he simply had a good teacher. -

Zeb: - Yes... You had it. -

Hours passed, and finally the ghost emerged from hyperspace above Gwori's orbit. Without wasting a second, the ship descended to the surface, where the entrance to the shelter was waiting for them with the doors open. Hera managed to pilot the ship with just a couple of mishaps, but for her first time it didn't go too bad.

As soon as the Phantom was able to take care of itself, the landing ramp opened, allowing the three members to finally descend, although there was a peculiar welcome commission waiting for them.

Toba: - Dad! -

Little Neelvana threw herself at the droid without it being able to even react. His arms wrapped around her metal waist, while he could feel the mixture of joy and sadness that the little girl was unable to hide from seeing him again.

I was scared, and it was no wonder. News of what happened in Kergans soon spread through the shelter, and the city was in chaos as they prepared everything for the retreat. As soon as Miraj received the news from the droid he got to work, and the preparations were almost 50% complete.

Icarus soon lowered his head, fixing his optical sensors on the little girl's scalp. And without knowing why, he did something that would leave everyone quite amazed.

The droid always stayed still when Toba showed affection, but always waited for Toba to finish the hug on her own. In some cases he would rest his hand on her head, which she seemed to like for some reason. However, this time, Icarus crouched in front of her, and reciprocated the hug like any father would. And they were like that, for at least a minute.

Toba: - What happened to you? - He asked as he looked sadly at the droid's severed arms.

Icarus: - I... I had an accident. -

Toba: - Did... Did it hurt you a lot? -

Pain? That was something no droid could experience. At least not physical pain. However:

Icarus: - A little... But I'm fine now. -

The little girl could be many things, but she wasn't stupid. His gaze rose over the droid's shoulder, as if he were searching for something or someone. However, the only ones who were after him were Zeb and that young woman who looked like Numa, but had a lighter skin color.

Then he understood... Neither Alpha, nor Delta, nor Doom, nor TR-1, nor Spear, nor Typhoon... Nor Foxley was going to come back.

The only thing Icarus could do was try to comfort her... And carry her on what was left of his arm. The time they had left... He had not planned to separate from her.

Wag Too: - It's good to see you, friend. -

Icarus: - I say the same. To all. - He told Miraj, Helgait and other members of the shelter who were present.

Miraj: - A relief to see you, general. We have already evacuated more than half of the shelter. -

Icarus: - Understood. How much time do they need? -

Helgait: - About three rotations. Maybe less if the ships the senator mentioned arrive sooner. -

Icarus: - It's a very small margin... Speed ​​up the processes as much as possible. No time to lose. -

And they do it like that. Time was a resource they didn't have, and trying to fit most of Gwori's resources inside the Kandosii battleship was quite a feat. But such a colossal ship had enough space for everything.

Eventually, Senator Organa's reinforcements arrived sooner than expected. Several Corellian CR90 corvettes, and a huge EF76 Nebulon-B Escort Frigate. Large enough to carry most civilians. 

On the other hand, Icarus preferred to leave the captured Imperial Destroyer ready for combat and without a civilian presence inside. If his calculations failed once again, he preferred to have a beam reserved.

Now all that remains is to contact your allies and wait... And pray to the Force that it coincides with them as long as possible.