The planet Ryloth was famous in all corners of the galaxy. Located in the Gaulus sector, within the Outer Rim itself and a few clicks away from the Corellian Run, it was the homeworld of the famous Twi'ler. A breathable atmosphere, a surface that presented both thick forests and large plateaus and volcanoes full of resources to exploit, without a doubt it was a strategic point to consider for the Empire. Although Ryloth stood by the Republic after its abrupt transition, many of its citizens disagreed with the new measures imposed by this galactic regime.

Ryloth was a planet that would not back down when its people suffered. Although the Twi'ler were peaceful and enjoyed peace, on more than one occasion they had shown enough courage and valor to face their oppressors. They did it against the Separatist Alliance on more than one occasion, and now it was not much different. The Empire knew that a rebel cell was hiding in the planet's sewers, and they had already experienced several attempts at rebellion, which were put down each time, and not in the most friendly way possible. Even so, the imperial high command had complete confidence in their dominance over the planet, since its proximity to the Corellian Corridor made it very easy to deploy reinforcement troops, so they used to turn a blind eye... As long as they could take advantage of it to attempt a rebellion and find out about the whereabouts of another rebel cell.

This was fully known to Cress, who was appointed to "negotiate" with the "peaceful demonstration" that the residents of Ryloth used to claim their rights to him... Or that's what the imperial press propagated by the world of he. But that was something that did not suit the young prodigy very much.

Cress hoped that by being under the Thrawn's tutelage he would be able to join in his campaigns and earn a good name for himself. Instead, he sent him to a planet that, while it had some conflicts, were not of such importance to designate someone like him. He thought that Thrawn just wanted to put him aside, that he wanted to placate the spark in him and put him into oblivion. But Cress had no such intentions, nor the patience for his stupid little toys.

Aboard his Arquitens ship, he could see Ryloth's surface from the window. His gaze was cold and he showed great contempt. A dark aura surrounded him in such a way that no officer dared to say anything more than necessary, even if the report was unimportant.

Then the door to the command port opened. Crees only turned slightly to see out of the corner of his eye the Twi'ler who entered somewhat nervously accompanied by two stormtroopers. He was a thin, shaky-kneed individual of medium height, a mere puppet who had been imposed after the sudden disappearance of the former gazebo Ore Free Taa. Someone unqualified for the position he held, but easy for the Empire to control. Someone who had earned the reproach of his own people, even the nobles of Ryloth itself. A jester in everyone's eyes. One that responded to the name of Piest Heliot, although no one dignitaries even pronounced his last name.

Feet: - Admiral cress. What a joy that he respects us with his ...-

Watercress: - Leave the formalities and go to the point. Do you have the information you asked for? -

Usually an admiral had to bow his head in the presence of a senator, but everyone in this place knew that his figure was a facade, although they thought Cress was going a little too far. Only the stormtroopers who escorted the twi'ler were impressed by this change of roles, since they did not know what was really going on, although their helmets fortunately hid their surprise at seeing how the senator simply bowed his head in submission. They were mere soldiers after all, they had no way of finding out about that.

Piest: - Yes, sir. Are here. -

The Twi'ler's quavering voice told Cress that he had gone a little too far, but he was so dazed that he was in the mood to even try to remedy it. He just wanted to end all this waste of time and get to a battlefield that was really worth it.

The admiral turned around, only to angrily grab the memory disk the senator held out to him with shaking hands, though seeing Cress turn around he could breathe a sigh of relief. The young man inserted the diskette into the holo-projector table, revealing an image of a mountainous relief with several red dots every certain distance.

Do you think: - Are these the rebel bases? -

Piest: - "Rebels" is a word... exaggerated. We classify them more as... "protesters." -

The use of fancy words on such important topics tested the young man's patience, something he didn't have much of, but he did his best to try to ignore the senator. In fact, I even felt sorry for him... It was nothing more than willless puppet.

Cress: - I don't care what they call them at dinner... I just want to know why they haven't been annihilated yet. -

Piest: - The word "annihilate" is a bit excessive... Don't you think so? -

Cress: "That doesn't answer my question..." She said with a somber look that made the senator's blood run cold.

Piest: - We were simply ordered to see that he did not attempt anything... out of the ordinary. Not that we destroyed their bases. -

Cress: - Who issued said order? -

Piest: - I couldn't tell you who was responsible. It was simply a mandate from superiors. -

Cress thought for a moment about the Twi'ler's words. Thrawn had given him complete freedom to subdue the planet and had not imposed any particular conditions on him. That, combined with her desire to get out of that place made for an extremely volatile mix.

Cress: - Very good. We'll get this over with quickly. Prepare all the batteries and aim at your sectors 10, 7, 19 and 2! -

Cress's order was received and echoed by his officer, who began mobilizing operators and personnel to get the Arquitens batteries headed for the planet's surface.

Piest: - Wait... What are you going to...? -

Cress: - I don't have time to waste here. -He said with a cold voice overshadowing the senator's question.

Officer: - Batteries ready! -

Piest: - W... W... Wait... I can't... -

Cress: - FIRE! -

The twi'ler's stuttering voice was appeased once more by Cress's command, who didn't hesitate for a second to follow through with the order to attack. The senator didn't even have time to ask him to reconsider when he saw the discharge of the blasters and turbo-lasers that devastated an area of the planet's surface. The explosions were so large and violent that they could be seen from orbit.

Piest could not believe their stunned eyes, and his mouth was not capable of expressing a word. He wasn't the fairest being in the universe, but such brutality was off limits to him. Only force was capable of knowing how many thousands of lives were being taken at that precise moment.

The barrage of gunfire seemed endless, and Cress showed no sign of showing leniency and ordering a ceasefire. The gazebo could do nothing but watch in horror as death spread across his homeland. And it was only when the batteries died that he was able to see the true horror.

A huge gray spot could be seen from orbit, indicating that there was no trace of life left despite the surrounding forests, which lost their green hue to yellow and red, the harbinger of a rampant fire that devoured everything in its path. passed. Piest's legs could not bear the load on his shoulders and he collapsed to his knees, staring fearfully at the misshapen map that was projected onto the holo-map table, and all the red dots had disappeared. The rebel bases had been annihilated. But his sorrow couldn't last long, as Cress's words shook his mind again. The nightmare had only just begun.

Cress: - Prepare all troops to land! Comb the area and finish off the survivors! I want a guard post at every entrance to every city or town! Any suspect will be detained and questioned! If he resists, he will be killed on the spot! From this moment Ryloth is under Imperial Martial Law! -

Piest's heart shattered. He now had to see how his people would be violently oppressed once again. He was barely a child when the Separatist alliance and the Republic clashed on his planet, but he well remembered the pain of war and the loss of his loved ones. He had worked so hard so that this would not happen again, he had become everyone's hasmereir so that Ryloth would not have such a fate, but not even fate was capable of feeling sorry for him. He only wondered what use he had all been while doing his best not to collapse against the metal floor of the ship. He was only able to snap out of the state he was in when he felt a cold, dead hand touch his shoulder, a hand that made every fiber of his body squirm in fear.

He looked up only to see Cress standing next to him, her hand on his shoulder but her gaze straight ahead, as if ignoring his presence.

Cress: - This is not the time to show weakness, Senator. -

Then he simply kept walking until he left the room, leaving all the officers with a faint taste in their mouths, and a visible discomfort when seeing the senator that he was unable to get up due to the shock he suffered.

-------------------------o----------------------

On the other hand, it was a day like any other in the peaceful Oasis. Fifteen days had passed since the adventures on Felucia and already the spirits had risen a lot among the group. Mirana and Boil were in charge of bringing Bly up to speed, who he was finally able to leave after his recovery. He even joined in the training of the recruits, though he refused Boil's request to take command, for while he had a much greater tango in the clone wars, that was in the past and he wasn't quite sure if himself, but at least he became a great adviser and the right hand of the 212th clone. The former quarterback's experience was an invaluable resource in these turbulent times. Even Mirana used to attend her strategy classes and digital mock battles, arousing great interest in the ex-merxenarian.

Tova spent hours playing with Titán, and even took him to play with the rest of the children. At first the mothers didn't feel very safe with a battle droid so close to their offspring, but the B2 droid turned out to be an exemplary caretaker and even the children enjoyed playing with it all the time, despite its twin cannons mounted on its back. his right forearm.

On the other hand, Wag Too took a well-deserved rest from his mechanical work and retired to help his wife Miraj, whose belly was beginning to show in the middle stages of pregnancy. She already had a hard time doing some chores, but at least she could continue to serve as mayor from the comfort of her home. Although she had to find several assistants to organize the paperwork, because now she had to read more reports and make fewer visits to places and meetings.

What still remained unchanged was Icarus' habit of locking himself up for hours in his room next to the central computer, analyzing dozens of data. Whereas previously those droid software upgrade processes were something a Luckrehulk's powerful core could do in a couple of hours, but Icarus's processor took a couple of days, even a whole week. Although now he was more relaxed and used to spend the afternoons with Tova and the rest of his "companions". He wasn't very clear about the meaning of "friend" that's why he didn't use that word very often, but at least he cared to listen to what was worrying them and tried to solve their problems, although sometimes it was too rational.

On this particular day he is not doing anything of vital importance, he was just reviewing the few files recovered from the Invisible Hand before losing contact after entering Coruscant's atmosphere, when the door to his silent place was suddenly opened.

The blow provoked aroused the droid's concern, that wasn't something that happened regularly, but when he turned around and saw Mirana's terrified face.

Icarus: - What happens? -

Mirana: - Something terrible has happened. -