Icarus: - Captain Rex? What happen? -

Time continued its course relentlessly, and many of Gwori's resources had already been evacuated.

The Kandosii left for a planet near Mon Cala, where the Mon Calamari could have all the resources for the manufacture of new warships. The materials, specialists and manpower was an aid that General Ackbar reluctantly accepted, as he wanted to confront the Empire to secure Gwori. But once again, Icarus had to make him see reason, and ask for more patience on his part.

An unexpected help came from a rather troublesome person. Rebel leader Saw Guerrera helped assist with the evacuation, in exchange for weapons that the Kestrel Nova and Aurora were able to steal from the Kargans' Imperial arsenal. Kurt, Numa, Mirana and Vander did not agree to the request, but the three had to remain under Guerrera's supervision until the Oasis could be completely evacuated.

Now, on the surface of Gwori, the last colonists remained, which were organizing everything inside the ships that Senator Organa arranged for the evacuation. Everything seemed to be going according to Icarus' schedule, but the sudden call from the former captain of the 501st clone Legion took Gwori's higher-ups by surprise.

Rex: - General, I have discouraging news. Many of my contacts have informed me that Imperial forces from various sectors of the galaxy are mobilizing. Howser managed to escape from Kergans and managed to reach Alderaan along with many of his followers, and it seems that the situation is similar in that sector. -

Zeb: - I don't like this... It can only mean one thing. -

Miraj: - They know where we are... And they are on their way. We must hurry. -

Icarus: - I agree. Activate the alarm... We must leave immediately. -

The endless hallways of the Oasis turned a heartbreaking crimson color, while sirens warned everyone of what had happened. The remaining residents, mostly technicians and soldiers who were completing the evacuation, felt terror invade their bodies.

Everyone, absolutely everyone present left whatever they were doing behind, and ran towards the shelter hangars. If someone was just unlucky enough to be left behind, they could be sure that they would not have a very pleasant future.

Miraj and Wag Too rushed to protect their little ones, even though their cries could be heard due to the noise and chaos around them. Helgait and several teams explored the entire shelter, calling everyone within earshot to retreat. They wouldn't have time to search house by house.

Miraj and Wag Too left their little ones inside the ship with several trusted servants, as they had to return to the surface to finish helping those who still remained on the hangar. However, they both encountered a heartbreaking scene.

Toba: - No! Why can't you come with us! -

Icarus: - Toba... Listen... I have to get all the time possible to... -

Toba: - No! It's not fair! Why are you always the one who has to stay behind!? Why can't you ever be with me!? -

The little Nelvaanian cries embittered the hearts of all who heard her. The news that Icarus had to personally pilot the Imperial Destroyer was hard for everyone. The B1 droids did not have the programming to be able to stand on their own, and only a supercomputer like him would be able to carry out all the processes to keep the huge ship operational.

Icarus couldn't do anything. Time was running out and they had no alternatives. Toba clung to his waist, begging him not to leave her behind... Not again. He felt his core cracking from his suffering, and no one present could do anything to change it. But, the droid lowered its body until it was at a height where it could sadly see the little girl's crystalline eyes.

If Icarus's face were capable of changing, he would surely be showing a smile. One of sadness and pride. B1's hand, which Wag Too was barely able to settle on her amputated arms, was raised, and with peculiar delicacy he wiped away the tear that was running down the little girl's cheek.

The droid rummaged in one of its compartments, and grabbed in his hand the lightsaber that had accompanied him so much on this heartbreaking journey. Everyone watched as the droid looked at the powerful weapon for a few seconds, as if it wanted to memorize each slot before letting it go. Then, he offered it to the little girl.

Toba: - What is that? -

Icarus: - It is the most valuable object I have. - He said while stretching out his hand.

Toba: - Why are you giving them to me? -

Icarus: - So that you can take care of it... Until you can return it to me. -

The little girl was very hesitant to take the weapon, but his small hands eventually slowly approached her until she took it, but not even she was prepared for what would happen next.

For the first time since they both saw each other in those icy caverns of Nelvaan, it was the droid who took the little girl and wrapped her in his arms. Toba was shocked for several seconds, trying to understand what was happening. The arms of the one he called father surrounding his body, and his head resting delicately on his shoulder. A genuine display of affection, which did not take long to respond.

Several seconds passed like this. Wag Too was unable to relax the pressure on his fists or teeth in helplessness, while he lowered his head to try to hide the tears that also fell from his eyes. Even the strong-willed Miraj herself could not help but feel sadness at that moment.

Finally, they both ended the hug and stared at each other. Toba trying to hold back his last tears, Icarus wanting to have the ability to cry. The droid's head raised, and he saw above the little girl the Lurmen and the Zygerrian who was behind him, and with all the pain in his soul he said to them:

Icarus: - Take care of her... For me. -

Wag Too wanted to respond right away. Of course he would... But sadness was filling his mind and he was unable to speak. Miraj could only nod her head, as she took the little Nelvaanian's hand and took her with her. Then, he took the data packet that Icarus offered him.

Icarus: - Go to these coordinates... They will be safe there. -

Miraj: - We... We will... Thank you... For everything. -

Icarus nodded his head, and felt time slow down, as he watched his friends and his little girl walk away into the Nebulon-B corvette. Although nothing hurt him more than seeing little Toba, without taking her eyes off him even when the adults pulled at her. Icarus saw her crystalline eyes for the last time, before the ship's compound closed in front of his eyes. What I would have wished to go with them.

Droid B1: - General. The preparations are ready. - The call of a droid from inside the battleship brought him out of his state.

Icarus: - I'm on my way. Prepare everything. -

The droid clenched his fists, and with the pain that grew in his core, he turned around and walked away from the corvette, while the sound of the engines warming up could be heard. The droid rushed towards the Star Dreadnought and soon arrived at the command post, where the commander's chair filled with makeshift modifications waited for him.

Icarus: - Activate the thrusters. Maximum power. Pack the stabilizers and prepare for takeoff. -

The super tactical droid's orders echoed through the room, as the B1 droids tried to understand cutting-edge Imperial technology. Icarus immediately sat down in his seat, and two B1 droids rushed to help him.

Icarus lowered his head, and a port appeared on the back of his neck. The two droids took a five-inch thick cable, which culminated in a metal tip, which they buried over the droid's neck to connect it directly to the ship. 

Icarus's body shook at the force, and the pain his core was experiencing. The amount of data that suddenly entered his memory was overwhelming, as his systems synchronized with every corner of the ship. An Imperial destroyer was a powerful metal monster, and the power it wielded overwhelmed the droid's small body.

The coupling system they had created did not have time to be calibrated, and it lacked modulators, resistance among many other things, which gave Icarus the sensation of having been struck by lightning.

After several seconds, his body was barely able to regain consciousness. So much energy exploded inside him, and the discharge was rushed out of his body by one of his optical sensors, which exploded into a thousand pieces instantly. Now, Icarus and the battleship were but one. 

Miraj: - Icarus, we are ready to ascend into the atmosphere. -

Icarus: - Understood... Get ready to make... the jump as... soon as possible... We don't have much time. -

Officer: - MULTIPLE SHIPS LEAVING OUT OF HYPERSPACE! -

The voice of an operator within the Nebulon shook all communication channels. Terror took over everyone when they saw a colossal imperial fleet emerge from hyperspace, made up of sixteen battleships and dozens of smaller ships. Icarus was right to doubt his own calculations.

Miraj: - General... -

Icarus: - Make the jump! Now! I'll distract them long enough! I'll run away as soon as you do! -

The Imperial fleet soon opened fire, while thousands of TIE fighters took off like a swarm from their ports. Icarus had merged with the ship, and felt the impacts on his shield like blows on his own skin, but he did not hesitate to put himself between the imperial fleet and the ships carrying his loved ones.

The shields were at maximum, but the firepower against them was overwhelming. Luckily, Miraj soon broke the news that the hyperdrive was ready, and it didn't take long for them to make the jump... But the tragedy had barely begun.

As soon as the ships entered hyperspace, they were catapulted back. Icarus watched in terror as the Nebulon and the other frigates were pulled out of hyperspace, as they tilted erratically before the abrupt jolt.

Icarus: - Miral! What happened!? -

Miraj: - I don't know. We felt disturbances as soon as we took the leap. Something took us out of hyperspace. -

Icarus was not even capable of conceiving this. How had something like this happened? Impossible... The strength required to do something like that is beyond anything I would have ever known.

His gaze rose to the front, where the hundreds and TIE fighters were approaching. Sixteen battleships in front of him, of which fifteen did not let their guns rest. However, it was this ship that did not open fire that caught his attention the most.

A ship similar to an Imperial destroyer was positioned right in the middle, but it was clearly different. Similar in size and shape, but it had four enormous spheres on its helmet that protruded both below and above.

There was no doubt... That thing was responsible for this.