Despite their "relative victory," the Imperial troops gave the resistance no respite. Everything was perfectly planned by the enemy commander. The attack on the Gossam refugees, the ambush of the convoy, and the sudden attack on the Village were no coincidence. Something that Li Mu understood perfectly when he saw the Kestrel Nova flying at low altitude, pursued by new TIE fighters.

The state of the allied ship was not the most optimal, and the smoke coming out of one of the thrusters suggested that it had suffered damage to the propulsion system. The three TIE fighters followed close behind, not even giving him time to land to support the allies.

Icarus: - Where are the Vulture units? -

Delta: - They can't support us, Commander. They are engaging other enemy fighters. -

Icarus: - Mirana, Wag Too. Take control of the port and starboard turrets. Delta, to the upper turret. - He said while connecting to the controls of the ship.

Mirana, Wag Too, Delta: - Aware. -

When Icarus took direct control of the ship the tornadoes shifted in his favor. The droid knew there was nothing he could do to support the ground units. So they had to end the dogfight as soon as possible.

Once the crew was secured in their seats, the huge ship began to make turns that seemed impossible for a mass of that size. The spouts, now manually controlled, began to return fire with better precision. TIE fighters now had to evade oncoming blasters as they tried to penetrate the Kestrel Nova's shield.

The ship turned 90 degrees and then turned 180 degrees the other way. The guns continued to fire, until the first TIE fighter fell to fire from Wag Too's turret.

Don't Too: - That's it! -

Mirana: - It's not a competition! - He was speaking on the communicator.

Wag Too: - Yes it is! -

Then, on short notice, the other two TIE fighters exploded from blaster fire, destroying their wings and cockpit. Disabling them and giving them time to come back. Mirana and Wag Too were stunned, as neither of them was responsible.

Delta: - I think I win. -

Mirana: - Yes... It seems so. -

Delta: - And what is the prize? -

Wag Too: - The one that...? -

Delta: - The prize... Every competition has a prize. -

Mirana: - The prize is... our respect. -

The droid remained static for a few seconds, as it did not understand the joke of both organics, much less that it was a game rather than a competition.

Icarus: - Stop the games for later. We are going to land. Prepare everything. - He spoke on the comm.

With the TIE fighters down, the Kestrel Nova descended into an area close to the Village, but far from the conflict north of the haven. As fast as the landing ramp was deployed, Mirana jumped down from the ship and ran into the Village as Icarus Wag Too, and the other gossam fighter made their way to the battlefield. Delta stayed on the ship, taking control of all weapons and piloting systems. A difficult task for a single droid other than Icarus, but not impossible.

Just as they imagined, the Felucians were putting up a stiff resistance against the Imperial forces, which stretched out for miles inside the giant mushroom jungle. The blaster rounds were flying from one side of the battlefield to the other. The heavy guns of the AT-STs wreaked havoc on the resistance defense lines, which responded with powerful fire from rocket launchers, remnants of the separatist reserves.

Icarus hurried to a position not far from the front, where Shaak Ti, Casiss, and several other high ranks were dispersing forces to resist the Imperial onslaught.

Icarus: - General, report. -

Shaak Ti: - Commander. As you can see... we are fighting with the reserve troops. We don't know when we can hold on. -

Casiss: - Those AT-STs are causing too many casualties. Can we count on the Vulture units? -

Icarus: - Unfortunately I have lost all contact with my units. Still, I will position the Kestrel Nova over this position and provide covering fire. The damage it has taken is critical, so I can't expose the ship to the front lines. -

Shaak Ti: - That will be enough for now. -

Icarus: - Very good. For now I will go to the front. I need to see how... - A transmission to Casiss interrupts the droid.

Cassis: - What's going on? - Asked the projection of his subordinate.

Feluciano: - Sir. We have fire support from the southern sector. We can't identify who it is, but they're definitely on our side. -

Casiss: - It could have been one of our straggler forces. Prepare a unit a unit for... - The instruction is interrupted when the present gossam receives another transmission.

Gossan: - Li Mu? Li Mu, is that you? - There is a bit of interference, but after a few seconds the image of the commando gossam is clearly visible.

Li Mu: - Cranel. Do you receive me? - He addressed the other gossam.

Cranel: - Loud and clear, old friend. -

Li Mu: - Very good. We are in the southern sector firing on the enemy positions. we need to... -

Icarus: - Where is Tova!? - He interrupted the conversation.

Li Mu: - She is safe and sound. But we need support to be able to reach a safe position. -

Without thinking twice, the droid turned and headed south, not even listening to the rest's call not to do anything stupid. He was out of it, as if all logical thoughts had vanished from his head. It was rampant, and that was dangerous. Wag Too and Cranel followed as quickly as possible, as Casiss ordered the advance troops to prepare to advance on the enemy positions to the south, the arrival of the super tactical droids being the signal.

And so it happened. Icarus arrived on the battlefield within seconds, firing the E-5 blaster in all directions, taking down several stormtroopers despite the long range. Wag Too sought high ground and positioned himself with his sniper rifle as Cranel followed close behind the droid. His arrival was the expected sign. The commanding Felucian gave the order, and a riotous mass of the resistance advanced to the front, fighting courageously against the Imperial forces, who were trying to protect themselves from the crossfire. The Felucians did not know why they were advancing, but they did not question themselves.

The stormtroopers fell one by one, not expecting a sudden assault of such magnitude. The Felucians advanced rapidly through the mushroom jungle, until the enemy positions in that sector were decimated. Many had died, and they didn't even know why. Then, some bushes shook, alarming those present, who raised their blasters in the face of danger, but who appeared was none other than Li Mu, accompanied by Tova and the clone in white armor with golden patterns.

Icarus: - Tova! - He exclaimed when he saw her.

The little girl couldn't contain herself, and she rushed towards the droid, giving him a big hug, which was reciprocated. Her emotions, oppressed by the danger of the situation, came to the surface, in a deep-rooted cry that could well have broken anyone's heart, although it was a cry of happiness rather than sadness. Li Mu met up with his friend Cranel, sharing a strange greeting that was quite showy. On the other hand, the Felucians viewed the Bly with intrigue, calling him "The Ghost" although they were calmer now that they knew the true nature of such a legend.

Then the sound of blasters shook the vicinity, and bolts of energy flew overhead. They were the stormtroopers from the flanks, who had regained ground and were approaching the position in which they were. They could not stay there, and could do no more than start a disorganized retreat, rushing with all their might to the safety of their own lines while hiding behind the dense vegetation. Unfortunately, many Felucians fell in the fray.

Once safely away from the fight, the group took time to catch their breath as blasters flew over their cover. Within seconds, Shaak Ti and Casiss arrived at the scene, accompanied by a group of fighters who came forward and joined the fray.

Shaak Ti: - We can't hold the position! We must fall back! -

Icarus: - We have to push back the defense lines... -

Bly: - NOOOO! - He yelled suddenly drawing everyone's attention.

The clone was staring at the Jedi. He remembered the togruta perfectly. He remembered her from Kamino, and all the time she was there. After all, it was Shaak Ti who was in charge of the cloning program for the Jedi Council. The clone's mind gave him a severe headache again, the chip installed inside his skull began to send painful electrical signals, signals so strong that they could drive anyone crazy. He tried to contain his pain with his hands, but his own helmet prevented him from breathing properly. A second of silence was only interrupted by the sound of the blasters, while those present watched in fright as the clone slowly raised its head.

Bly: - A good soldier follows orders. -

The clone charged at the Jedi, not with his weapon, but with his bare hands. He headed for her neck, thinking of strangling her in a frenzied act he couldn't control. If he wasn't wearing his helmet, the face could have seen the paranoia and hatred branded on his face, even if it wasn't his own will. Fortunately, Shaak Ti didn't have to exert herself too much to forcefully levitate the clone, as she watched as it tried its best to catch up with her. And almost immediately, Icarus struck him hard in the neck with the butt of his rifle, knocking him unconscious.

Cranel: - What was all that? -

Shaak Ti: - It must be the inhibitor ship. Apparently he still has it implanted even though it's failing him. -

Icarus: - We don't have time for this right now. We have to go back. -

Wag Too: - What is happening here?... Whoa! - He said as he descended from the top of the giant mushrooms.

Tova: - ¡Wag Too! -

Like a meeting between brothers, the two beings embraced with emotion. The lurmen apologized heartily for not having been able to do anything to save him, but the little girl understood. It wasn't his fault, it wasn't anyone's fault. It was an accident, a test of fate, or a whim of the force. Even so, the moving scene was interrupted when the moans were heard from the knocked down clone, who seemed to recover a bit.

Icarus: - It seems that I didn't hit him so hard. -

Wag Too: - Wait... I know those brands. -

The lurmen approached and slowly removed the helmet, getting a great surprise. Wag Too didn't know how, but among the billions of clones that existed, all the same in body and face, he could instantly recognize him regardless of his long beard or untidy hair. It was as if he had seen through her eyes, like a look into the past.

Wag Too: -Bly? - The clone raised his head and among his confusion, he could have had a moment of lucidity.

Bly: - Wag... Too? - Then he fell unconscious again.

Wag Too: - We have to take him to the infirmary. Now. -

The lurmen turned to Icarus, a look rarely seen on the little being's face. His words were not a request or a suggestion, it was an order. An order the droid didn't want to refute or discuss.

Icarus: - Delta, go to the designated coordinates. - He spoke on the fear-communicator. -

Delta: - Roger. Roger. -

The droid approached the clone's body and lifted it onto its shoulders, then turned around, and said sad words to the Jedi.

Icarus: - It's time. -

Cassis: - Time? Time for what? -

Shaak Ti took a deep breath and knelt before the Felucian. She looked him directly in the eyes, as if imploring him to listen carefully to her words.

Shaak Ti: - Cassis. I have thought about it for a long time. I have tried to think of the best strategies, but none have a final victory. And Icaro confirmed it to me a while ago. The war on Felucia cannot be won. We have to withdraw. Flee to another planet. I already spoke with Icarus and they will help us. -

The Felucian was shocked upon hearing those words. And not only him, the surrounding Felucians stopped firing and looked sadly up at them, worry and pain clear on their faces. Casiss turned around, only to see the dozens of faces of her fellow humans watching in pain as she left her homeworld. Abandon her story, and all the sacrifice she had wasted with so much effort, tears, and blood. But instead of drowning in a deep rim, the Felucian leader took a deep breath, and headed for the Jedi.

Casiss: - We have fought vicious creatures, ruthless pirates and hungry looters. We fight against the hordes of the droid army and the forces of the Republic. The Empire is just another enemy to be defeated, and we will not leave our lands for such a thing. -

The Jedi wanted to rebuke them, make him understand that it was suicide. Icarus wanted to say that his decision lacked all logic, and everyone wanted to make them see reason, but seeing the determination on his face, and on the faces of all those who fought by his side, they were not able to say such things. Icarus approached the Felucian, and as an act of honor squared in a military pose and saluted him with his hand pointing to his temple.

Icarus: - It's been an honor, commander. -

Casiss: - Same here, Commander. - He said while responding with the military salute.

Shaak Ti, on the other hand, was less strict and did no such thing. He took a deep breath and grabbed the Felucian's hands, and looked at them with a joy drawn on his face, one that hid a great sadness behind his eyes.

Shaak Ti: - May the force be with you. -

Casiss: - May the force be with you, teacher. Thanks for everything. -

After the brief farewell, the group withdrew towards the Village, to an area where Delta was arranging to board the surviving gossam inside the Kestrel Nova.

Mirana: - Commander. I got them. - He spoke on the comm.

Icarus: - Understood. Head to sector fifteen and support the Vulture units. We will meet before we leave the orbit of the planet. -

Mirana:-Roger. Roger. - He said mockingly, and turned off the communication after a brief laugh.

Everyone entered to leave as soon as possible. The gossams helped Wag Too take Bly to the infirmary and place his body next to Boil's, who was still not recovering from the incident in the ambush. Tova accompanied them, until finally only Icarus and Shaak Ti remained. Still, the Jedi stared blankly at the battlefield behind her.

Icarus: - Shaak Ti. not coming? - The Jedi turned around slowly, and answered after a sigh.

Shaak Ti: - I feel that my role here is not finished yet. I'm sorry commander, but it seems that it is not written that I go with you today. -

Icarus looked at her carefully, but knew that there was more than just words to the Jedi's comment. And if that was her determination, there was nothing she could do about it.

Icarus: - May the force be with you, teacher. - The togruta was shocked to hear such an answer, because it did not expect something mechanical to understand its meaning. Sure, if Icarus really knew what it meant.

Shaak Ti: - May the force be with you, Commander. -

And so the Kestrel Nova lifted off the surface, heading as far south as possible to escape the range of the Arquitens. They must feel lucky, because if they had been an imperial destroyer they would not have been so lucky. The Vulture units boarded the cargo hold once Mirana's Trident joined the battle and defeated the remaining TIE fighters. And without wasting a second, both ships jumped into hyperspace.

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

Meanwhile, inside the command post of the Arquitens.

Officer 1: - Commander, it is confirmed that the enemy has lost 80% of its strength. It's only a matter of hours before the last bastion of the resistance falls. -

You think: - Excellent news. That will show those dogs not to challenge the might of the Empire. -

Officer 2: - Sir, it is confirmed that two ships have jumped into hyperspace. -

You think: - It must be them. Were we able to trace his escape route? -

Official 2: - Apparently they are heading to the core worlds. -

You think: - It's a decoy. Surely a maneuver to mislead us. There is no way a ship this large could go unnoticed by the core worlds. Surely they are just trying to trick us into taking a second leap. - And he was right.

Officer 3: - Sir, we already decoded the images of the battlefield. -

You think: - Very good. Play them on the holo-projector. -

Crees was able to see how an image gradually became pixelated as it showed a singular view of a sector of the battlefield on the outskirts of the Village. The image showed a large group of Felucians advancing towards the enemy positions, a move the commander found too strange, but his response was clear, seeing the image of Icarus leading the attack.

You think: - Contact Grand Moff Tarkin. This is something you must see in person. -