Miraj, Mirana and Boil: - What!? - They asked in unison in shock.

Miraj: - I thought you would command our forces in the fight against the Empire. -

Boil: - Did he change his mind? - He asked defiantly.

Icarus: - Don't get me wrong. Eventually I'll command such a large force that I won't have time to deal with the Oasis's problems, so I can't waste my time running a city. Besides, I don't think it's a good idea to put a newcomer in power, no matter who it is. And if the citizens support Miraj, I see no reason for such a change. - He looked at the Zygerrian while they both nodded their heads.

Mirana: - So what are we going to do? -

Icarus: - You three will continue in your work as you have done until today. On the other hand, clone Boil, I'm going to need your help as much as I hate to admit it. -

Boil: - What do you mean? -

Icarus: - My combat strategies are based on the use of combat droids. Instead, I'm still not sure I'll be able to control and harness organic troops to their full potential. Instead, you've lived through the war alongside millions of organics, and it seems you've already commanded a number of troops with decent efficiency. -

Boil: - It may be... But... I only reached the rank of captain. I don't know if I'm capable of commanding a large group of fighters. On the other hand, the clones were created specifically for battle, I don't know if I can command a group of regular guerrillas with the same efficiency. -

Icarus: - Experience. That's what you need. And that will only be won by commanding troops. Do we have your support? -

Icarus's question puzzled him. Boil had never seen himself in the position of leading hundreds of thousands of troops under his command. He had many doubts, so he sought support from the people at his side. both Miraj and Mirana also had their doubts, but they knew that he had the conviction for such a task. So after calming down a bit, he accepted the task with some reserve.

Icarus: - Good. It seems we already have an acceptable command distribution. Mayor Miraj, do you think we can bring together all the mechanics and engineers in the Oasis. We need to know if we can count on your help. -

Mirana: - I don't think we should ask. I'm sure we'll count on them no matter what they say. -

Icarus: - Negative. I don't want to force anyone to do something they don't want to. That could create weakness in our ranks. -

Boil: - Icarus is right. - He told Mirana as he lowered his head with a somber look. - I know what it's like to be forced to do something you didn't ask for. Believe me. I know it very well. -

Mira: Very good. In a couple of hours we can gather them all in the main square. - He answered while nodding his head, knowing what Boil meant since the clones had to fight a war they didn't ask to have.

Icarus: - Good. I also need all the inhabitants who lived in Gwori. One of them must know about some old facility that the Separatist Alliance used to manufacture war materiel. Any information deserves to be corroborated. -

Miraj: - That won't be a problem. -

Icarus: - Very good. I think that's all for now. I'll go to the medical post. -

Icarus left the town hall and went to see Wag Too, who must have been awake after all this time. At the hospital he was received by one of the medical doctors, who informed him of the success of the operation. Wag Too was recovering at a good pace, but he recommended letting the lurmen rest after surgery to avoid any unexpected complications. The droid led Icarus to a different room than the one they received the lurmen, one more secluded and away from all the commotion. They went through a long corridor until they reached a metal door that led to a white room where there were several empty beds, and to the surprise of the two droids, the lurmen was standing... Well... Not standing... It was lying down under the bed repairing the height adjustable system.

Medical Droid: - Can you tell what he's doing!? - He yelled when he saw him face up under the bed.

Wag Too: - Ah, doctor. At last it arrives. I already repaired several of the beds in the place. - He said showing only his feet under the bed.

Medical Droid: - That's not the problem! You're supposed to be resting "on" the bed, not under it! -

Wag Too: - I already rested enough. I need some activity. - He said as he got out of the bed. - Hey, Icarus. Good to see you again. -

Icarus: - I'm saying the same thing. But I agree with the doctor. What you're doing seems very reckless. -

Wag Too: - I already rested enough. - He said as he stood up with the help of the droid. -

Icarus: - How do you feel? -

Wag Too: - I don't feel any different. Just a little sore throat. But nothing serious. -

Medical Droid: - The operation is performed with minimal access. The recovery process is very short as long as the rules are met. -

Wag Too: - Changing the subject. How are the others? And where are we? -

Icarus: - Get dressed and come with me. We have a lot to talk about. -

Once Wag Too put on his usual leather vest, the droid gave him a little tour of the facility and told him everything that had happened since he suffered the accident. On their route they met Tova playing with Stela and several local children.

Tova: -Wag Too. wag too. How are you? They did not allow me to visit you. -

Wag Too: - It's very small. You shouldn't worry about anything. I'm fine now. -

Tova: - Is it true that they changed your throat? -

Wag Too: - "Change the throat." Ha ha. It's a funny way of saying it, but yes. - He said while showing a small scar above the sternum.

Tova: - Wow. It looks ugly. It's like yours Stela. - He said to the young woman behind her back.

Stela: - Most of us had to. A year ago we had a leak and polluted air entered the Oasis. There were many affected. -

Tova: - That seems dangerous. -

Stela: - Yes it is. So never leave the shelter without company. Understood? -

Tova: - Yes. - He said with shame before going back to play with the other children, leaving the droid and the lurmen alone.

Wag Too: - It's beautiful. Do not you believe it? - He said something melancholic. - They remind me of the children from my village. So happy. So full of illusions. - The lurmen was about to cry because of the pain that all those memories caused him, when he felt the metallic hand of Icarus on his shoulder. And for some reason, she felt warm.

Icarus: - Let's fight so that what happened doesn't happen again. Let's fight to protect this. - He said as he looked once more towards the laughter of the youngest.

The lurmen wiped away the tear that was just beginning to fall from his right eye and took a deep breath. Although he had followed Icarus here, he was now more convinced than ever. The memories he once tried to push aside came upon him once more. And now, stronger than ever, she accepted that this fight against the Empire was as much hers as anyone else's.

The sight of the place was very pleasing to the lurmen, who had also never been to such a large city before. He only knew the simplicity in which his people lived, and was only able to see the ruins of the city of Mygeeto once he had to escape from his home planet. The hundreds of structures that surrounded him seemed to give him a bit of a headache.

The droid and the lurmen continued to advance until they reached the town hall, where Boil and Mirana awaited their arrival.

Boil: - A lurmen? -

Wag Too: - A clone? - They asked at the same time.

Mirana: - It seems that they already know each other. - He said nonchalantly.

Icarus: - Do you know your species? -

Boil: - One of my brothers fought alongside them a long time ago. Do you know Rex? - asked the lurmen.

Wag Too: - What if I know him? - He said while raising an eyebrow. - I fought alongside him to defend my village years ago. -

Boil: - Really? What is your name? -

Wag Too: - Wag Too. -

Boil: - The son of the village chief. I remind you of the story of the captain. He commented that you were a brave soldier. A pleasure. I am Boil. Rex's friend. -

Wag Too: - My pleasure. And how is him? And Commander Bly? - He did not ask about Anakin, Ashoka or Aayla Secura, because he imagined what had happened, and surely Boil was haunted by those dark memories.

Miraj: - Go. I see everyone is here. - He said as he entered the place before the clone could give him an answer.

Boil: - We'll talk about that later. - He told Wag Too, but he didn't even flinch.

Miraj: - And who is the guest? - She asked as she looked at the lurmen, who had a lost look on her.

Wag Too: - Mu... mu... mu... thank you very much. Who... I mean. A pleasure. My... my name is Wag. wag too. A pleasure... miss. -

The lurmen's reaction was rather strange. Mirana and Boil looked at each other strangely, while they tried to hide a mischievous smile when they saw that the lurmen had their heads bowed towards Miraj as a sign of respect. On the other hand, the Zygerrian could not do more than contain her laughter while she covered it in a strange gesture to scratch her nose. On the other hand, the lurmen did not take his eyes off the ground, trying to hide his shame. And how the one who did not ask for things:

Icarus: - Wag Too. Are you okay? Your throat hurts? - He asked without understanding the situation in the slightest. - Your face is red. You have a fever? -

Wag Too: - Shut up! - He yelled even more embarrassed, making those present couldn't contain their laughter anymore.

After several seconds of laughter that was very uncomfortable for the lurmen, those present were able to catch up.

Miraj: - Commander Icarus. The citizens of the Oasis wait for his words. -

Icarus: - Very good. I'll head over to them right away. Not waste time. -

Miraj: - Wait. Are you really planning to introduce yourself like this? - He said while looking at the metallic body of the bruised droid and full of dirt.

Icarus: - I don't understand what you mean. -

Miraj: - You are going to present yourself as a leader. And you must be according to the situation. -

Mirana: - Wait. You're not talking about...? -

Miraj: - Yes, dear. I'm talking about exactly that. -

Neither the lurmen, nor the clone, nor the droid had any idea what they were saying, and they could only see the two females looking at each other as if they were plotting a Machiavellian plan.

-------------------------------------------------- --O----------------------------------------------- ---------

Minutes later, the entire population of the Oasis eagerly awaited the announcement from their leaders. The more than 130,000 inhabitants conglomerated in the main square of the refuge and in the surrounding buildings. The balconies, the rooftops, the windows that allowed views of the square were completely full.

Then, powerful drum sounds announced the entrance of those for whom they had waited so long. A small group of six emerged from inside the town halls, but those furthest from the pilaster could not clearly define them. They could only see the silhouette of one of them approaching the center, towards a curious white metal pedestal, when two huge screens reflected the image of the one who was going to speak to them.