Two complicated situations without a doubt. The little time they previously had had been reduced to just a few minutes. If that large column of stormtroopers cut them off they would never be able to escape in time, and the clock was ticking.

A team took up positions in the buildings that surrounded the square that belonged to the town hall. They were all hiding behind the walls, avoiding detection at all costs. They were spread out along the cordon of low-lying structures, ready to open fire when the first shot was heard.

Bly: - Alpha. What is the situation? - He was speaking on the comm.

Alpha: - Close to the position. Two minutes to go. We will set a timer. -

Bly: - Understood. Over and out. -

Herra's instructions were very accurate. The drainage pipes had led them under the town hall, and as the Twi'lek mentioned, those that were too large would not be able to fit through.

The commando droids had a flexibility far superior to any organic in the group. His joints allowed him to assume a fetal pose, using only his wrists and ankles to move through the narrow passage like turtles. Herra was at least able to crawl leading the group, until finally they reached a chamber that was more spacious.

Herra: - Here. That lock leads to the courtyard of the town hall. Once we are outside we must take the corridor to the elevators. My father must be locked in the governor's room. -

Alpha: - Understood. Ready your weapons. Herra, behind us. We'll be leaving in twelve seconds. -

The electronic device on Bly's wrist began to vibrate. The countdown was over and it was time for the show. The clone was the first to stick its head out, and opened fire on the stormtroopers closest to him, confident that the rest of his group would follow his only order to the letter. "The first shot marks the start of the battle."

With almost perfect timing, the rest of the soldiers in Bly's group joined the attack from all sides. The Imperials didn't even know what was going on, since they hadn't heard from the front since communications went down. The main forces were supposed to be facing the enemy on the eastern plains, and there was complete ignorance of what was happening north and south of the city. The appearance of an unknown group in the middle of the city was unheard of, and the first thing that crossed the minds of the Imperial superiors was that they were a small rebel group, remnants of the devastated rebellion.

The advantage of Bly and his men did not last long. Little more than twenty men were no match for hundreds of Imperials, some of them equipped with ancient weapons. Thank the Force they didn't have tanks. The stormtroopers quickly took up defensive positions, and the balance turned in favor of numbers. But there was no need to expose himself to risk, just shoot and change position. After all, Bly and his group were just a distraction.

The commando droids could sense the commotion from inside the sewers, and when they felt the footsteps of the Imperials inside the City Hall running outside they knew the time was right. When the footsteps ceased, the first Punitive Guard droid opened the hatch and stepped outside.

A quick look around and the area seemed safe. The Punitive Guard droids quickly moved toward cover positions, in case any straggling patrols suddenly appeared while the rest of the droids, Alpha, and Hera poured out of the sewers.

Alpha: - Very good. Where? -

Hera: - This way. follow me -

The plan worked out perfectly. The group of commando droids and the young woman advanced without encountering any resistance through the corridors of the town hall, although that did not allow them not to be vigilant behind any corner.

Finally they reached the elevators, but they were too small to ride all at once. Two groups of seven droids went first, then the group of five droids with Alpha and Hera, and finally the last two groups of seven. Although what the young Twi'lek saw upon reaching her left her quite shocked.

When Herra arrived at the top floor of the town hall, she did not expect to find a real massacre. Dozens of white armored stormtroopers lay lifeless on the ground and in the corners, reliving for a few seconds those terrifying memories of when those same droids that he now had as companions had devastated his city.

Alpha: - Herra. Are you OK? -

The droid's cold, hard hand rested on her shoulder, jolting the young woman from her thoughts. Her eyes expressed deep-seated fear, as she shifted her gaze between Alpha's metallic face and a stormtrooper corpse that was lying on the ground right next to you. A scene capable of scaring any organic, but that a common droid would not be able to understand.

Alpha: - Herra. He is okay? No time to lose. We must find his father. -

"Father." That word snapped Herra back to reality, though her fears didn't completely fade. The Twi'lek stepped back to free herself from the droid's grasp, and she, still with distrust in her eyes, accepted the fact that she, for now, could only trust them if she wanted to rescue her father. .

In the same way, in the northern part of the city an equally disastrous situation was taking place. Howser watched in astonishment as Boil ran after Numa, when the young Twi'lek refused to accept the commander's orders and decided to look for someone she knew on her own.

Now more than eighty combatants and some three hundred civilians depended on the ex-captain's somewhat rusty leadership skills, but it was the best option they had. And fence that they were lucky, because Howser did not hesitate to order the immediate withdrawal. If what the droid reported was true, they already had fifteen minutes before they were trapped by the retreating Imperial forces.

Luck, on the other hand, did not smile the same way for Boil. The clone commander tried with all his might to reach out and stop Numa. But he can't beat someone who plays on her ground, especially when she's more agile, fast, and you're wearing forty-kilo plastoid armor. Fortunately Numa seemed to be waiting for him in one of the alleys after having lost sight of her.

Boil: - Can I know what you're doing? AND...? What do you do with a blaster? -

Numa: - Shhh. Be quiet. Look. -

The DC-17 that numa carried was very well justified. When Boil stuck his head out he could see what seemed to be a small bunker inside the city. He was barely protected by five stormtroopers, and some black-robed officers could be seen inside. But the most striking thing was the enormous antenna that was raised on the structure.

Boil: - Is that...? -

Numa: - Under the bunker there is a small prison, my friends are trapped there. -

Boil: - It's more than that. Those must be the antennas that are interfering with our medium-range communications. If we destroy them we can contact the general. -

Nuna: - But... we must save my friends. -

Boil: - We will do both. -The clone checked his equipment while he spoke. - I have a plan. Listen carefully. This is what we are going to do. -

The stormtroopers were oblivious to what was happening beyond their position. They knew their allies were fighting an invading force, and the massive Munificent looming above the atmosphere alongside the two Arquitens cruisers confirmed it, but they had no idea how things were going. Although tense, they could only wait.

Blaster fire slammed into a stormtrooper, and another next to him fell likewise before he could reach cover.

Stormtroopers: - They're attacking us! -

The Imperials immediately took defensive positions and began to open fire towards where the shots came from. Boil had to duck to avoid being hit, but Numa was nowhere near him. Where had he gone?

Stormtroopers 1: - Keep shooting! Don't let...! Arg! -

Stormtroopers 2: - He flanks us...! Arg! -

The Imperials didn't see it coming. Numa came up from their rear and took them down with a single shot. The DC-17s were small, but their firepower was enormous. The last Imperial panicked and tried to turn to fire at the Twi'lek, but Boil's blaster tore through his helmet before he even tried.

Boil: - You've become good... brat. -

Numa: - I learned from the best. -

A reference to himself and his brother Waxer of course, which brought a smile to the clone's face. Too bad the helmet didn't allow him to show it.

The imperial officers were terrified. They were only able to hear the shots over the comlink and now none of the stormtroopers were responding. Seized with fear, they took up position near the entrance to the bunker, blasters ready to fire as soon as the doors opened. Boil and Numa moved closer and took cover on either side of the door.

Boil: - Ready? -

Numa: - I'm ready. -

Boil: - As I explained. In three... two... one... -

Boil fired at the controls and the bunker door was flung open. The officers immediately opened fire, and discharges of red lightning began to pour out of the interior uncontrollably, hoping to hit an enemy in a desperate attempt to survive.

Boil: - Now! Throw it! -

Poking her head out, the Twi'lek launched a thermal detonator that rolled across the ground until it was positioned under the Imperials. They kept shooting without control, and only one noticed when the detonator collided with her foot.

Officer: - Grana...! -

KABOOM. The explosion shook the structure and remains debris was thrown out of the bunker door. When everything calmed down, Boil and Numa entered, and all they saw were the mutilated bodies of the officers scattered everywhere. Numa was about to vomit at such a scene, but her Boil grabbed her arm and took her out of the place immediately.

Bill: - Hey. Hey! Are you OK? -

Numa: - Yes... it's just... uff. -

Bill: - Good. Listen. Take these detonators. Do you know how to use them? Noma nodded in agreement. - Good. You are more agile. Get on the roof and place the charges at the base of the antenna tower. One on each leg. I will go down and rescue your friends. Do you agree? -

The Twi'lek had no choice but to accept. The thought that she would have to go through that place, covered in blood and with pieces of meat scattered in every corner made her stomach turn. For Boil it was also unpleasant, but after many years of seeing similar things, his stomach had acquired a greater resistance to those views. Killing people would never be the same as shooting droids.

As Numa told him, there were stairs that led to an underground level. It wasn't even a pressure, it was a simple warehouse in which some prisoners were chained. Safe because the city jail was overcrowded after several days of martial law.

Boil freed all the Twi'lek present and to his delight he took with Numa's two friends who matched his description. Both Twi'lek. A young man contemporary with Numa, green-skinned and small-eyed, and an old white-skinned woman with eyes affected by blindness.

????: - Who are you? - Asked the young man.

[I'm sorry. I couldn't find a better picture of him]

Boil: - A friend of Numa. She sent me for you. -

????: - So that brat did it. She is quite a naughty. - Said the old white woman.

Boil: - We have to get out and flee north immediately. No time to lose. I will carry it to our destination. -

The prisoners escaped with the help of the clone, who was carrying the old Twi'lek on her back. Going through the carnage left behind by the explosion was difficult for some, and even with her blindness, the old woman could smell the unpleasant iron odor of blood. And once outside:

Numa: - Lubo! Tronda! -

Lubo: - Numa! -

Tronda: - What a relief to hear your voice again, little one. -

The two young men embraced for a few seconds of emotion, and then Numa took the old woman's hand to indicate that she was fine.

Boil: - Numa. Are the loads already listed? -

Numa: - Yes. All ready. -

Bill: - Very good. Here. Do the honors. -

The clone was going to give the detonator to activate the explosions to the young woman, but a more impetuous voice came forward.

Lubo: - Can I do it? -

Boil: - Eh... yes... I think. I dont see why not. If Numa agrees. -

Numa: - Leave it. She is a lover of explosions. -

Boil handed the wireless detonator to the excited young man and he did not hesitate to press the red button. The charges detonated at the base of the structure and everyone looked surprised as the huge metal tower fell to one side.

Lubo: - Wow. Ha ha ha. That was incredible! -

Boil: - Let's see if it worked. -

The clone touched some buttons on his communicator and a stable communication signal was established with the Munificient command room.

Bill: - Hello. Hello? Does anyone listen to me? -

Icarus: - Commander Boil? -

Boil: - General. It's good to hear it. -

Icarus: - What happened? -

Boil: - We found and destroyed the radio signal that was blocking our communications. -

Icarus: - Well done commander. But I detect that it is very far from its designated area. What has happened? -

Boil: - It's a long story. For the moment... - A third signal interrupted the communication.

Howser: - Hello! Hello! Is anyone listening to me!? -

Boil: - Captain Howser. I hear it. What happen? -

Icarus: - Who is that? -

Howser: - Commander Boil, we are in trouble. The Imperials arrived much faster than expected. We are surrounded and we will not be able to keep the civilians safe any longer. We need help!