The sound of a blaster interrupted further communications.

Boil: - Captain Howser? Captain Howser!? Do you receives me!? -

Icarus: - We have lost contact. Lieutenant Mirana... Do you receive me? -

Mirana: - Loud and clear. -

Icarus: - Direct your squad to the northern part of the city and reconnaissance immediately. -

Mirana: - Understood. -

Icarus: - Commander Boil. You need to return to the rest of the group. We're running out of time. -

Boil: - Immediately, general. -

The call ended and the clone looked at those present carefully. With the exception of Numa, the rest were quite weak, but at least they could fend for themselves. But the elderly Twi'lek wouldn't be able to do such a thing, so she carried her in her arms and took control of her.

Meanwhile, above everyone, Mirana and his squad narrowly dodged ground anti-aircraft fire. Now they had to cross the enemy camp to reach the designated coordinates, but that is far from a simple task.

The explosions shook the hulls of the fighters. Mirana's trident was in front, and although his shield held up, the shaking made it difficult to keep his hands on the controls. Behind him, two Allied fighters succumbed to a surface-to-air missile launched by the Imperial gunners. Mirana narrowly dodged a projectile bearing down on her ship, but the fighter behind her was not so lucky.

At a cost of four fighters lost, the group managed to get out of the enemy positions. Before them was the northern sector of the city, and it was easy to spot enemy positions simply by following the trail of blaster fire. Also... Seeing the imperial white armor from above was really easy.

Boil's group, apparently lacking a commanding officer, maintained the potion with their few troops on the northern walls of the city. Civilians and unarmed rebels waited inside structures to stay safe. The massive horde of almost a thousand units of stormtroopers advanced at a brisk pace, without any fear of defeat. But none of them expected an attack from the air. What the hell were their own fighters doing?

Those who were stationed on the walls watched with joy as the enemies in front were blown up, victims of the fighters' heavy blasters and proton bombs. With just one pass the earth trembled before his feet, the fire rose above his enemies. Hundreds died instantly, whether guilty or innocent. In war there are only allies and enemies.

A second pass annihilated the few enemies who still had the courage to confront the rebels stationed on the city walls. But not even his attempts to reach the surface-to-air missiles had results. It was a total massacre.

Mirana: - General. The field is clear. - Mirana's voice was heard on the command bridge of the Munificent. - The group of rebels is advancing on the open field. -

Icarus: - Noticed. Delta Unit, advance to face 2. -

Delta: - Roger. Roger. -

The clone commando who stood waiting at the Kestrel Nova's controls powered up the ship and rose from a group of mountains where she waited hidden.

Icarus: - Commander Boil. - I contacted him through the communicator. - The albatross is on its way. You have five minutes to get into position. -

Boil: - Copied. We are on our way. - The call ended. - You heard. We have to set the pace. On going! -

The northern mission had been a success, and there were still about ten hours before withdrawal. Boil arrived just in time to coordinate the boarding of the Kestrel Nova and help the wounded. Gratifying was the surprise when he found Howser, alive and well, but with a band on his left hand. Apparently the blast shot hit him in the communicator and that cut off the communication. It was a miracle that he hadn't lost his hand.

Numa wasted no time either. She, along with her friend Lubo, helped coordinate everything with the rescued clones. Apparently the young Twi'lek already had some experience, and many of the rebels recognized her immediately. Boil couldn't wait to hear her stories.

However, in the center of the city, the South mission was hanging by a thread. Bly and his men did everything possible to stop the stormtroopers stationed in the square, but there were too many of them, and more and more came out from inside the town hall. All he could do was shoot, take cover, and curse Alpha and Hera for taking so long.

Inside the town hall the group managed to advance and eliminate the few imperials that remained inside, but at that precise moment they found themselves at a crossroads.

One of the droids was holding Hera down to stop her from doing something crazy. The young Twi'lek woman was screaming and kicking at the scene she was witnessing. Right in front, Alpha and three other commando droids are ban targeting a couple of individuals in a critical situation.

Piest, the current senator of Ryloth, had Hera's father, Chem Syndulla, by the throat with a gun pointed at his head. A few seconds had passed since the droids arrived, and the situation was quite tense. Piest constantly threatened to shoot the rebel leader in the head if the droids did not retreat. Chem Cyndulla did everything possible to calm him down, but with four blasters aimed at his head that was difficult to achieve. How weird. Wasn't Senator Piest supposed to be an ally of the rebellion? What was happening here?

Alpha: - Senator Piest. Final warning. Release Chem Syndula or we'll open fire. -

Hera: - No! You will kill my father! -

Chen: - Calm... Calm down darling. Everything will be fine... Piest please. Think about the situation.

Piest: - Never! You traitors deserve nothing but death! -

Chen: - Piest! No! -

Hera: - Dad! -

The sound of a blast dropped the voices of the room. White smoke came out of Alfa's weapon as a result of the energy released, at the same time that Piest fell backwards to the ground. Chen fell forward, terrified and unable to react at seeing death so close. The droid that was holding Hera decided to release her when the situation no longer represented any danger.

The young green Twi'lek threw herself face-to-face with her father in a warm hug, snapping the rebel leader out of the state of shock she was in. Tears began to flow from her eyes, from the fear they felt and the happiness of finally being together once again. But things got a little tense when Alfa approached the pair of natives.

Alpha: - Chan Sydulla. - The rebel leader raised his head and saw him with some fear. He even remembered the war of the past. - A message for you. -

The droid pulled out a holo-projector from one of its compartments, shocking the resistance leader when he saw the image of Icarus in front of him.

Icarus: - Rebel leader Chem Cyndulla. Correct? -

Chem: - Who are you? -

Icarus: - A friend. That's all you need to know. His fellow rebels have been released and are heading to safety. You and your daughter are the last. I ask you to follow my droids and escape to a safe location for extraction. -

Chen: - Escape...? Do you mean... abandoning Ryloth? -His face did not show much approval.

Icarus: - I'm afraid so. -

The Twi'lek did not take the news very well. It was not for less. So much struggle... so many sacrifices. For what? To run away like a coward? But... Was there another option?

Chem looked for a moment at Priet's body lying on the ground. It was impossible to see his face because of the way he fell, but maybe it was better not to. He was barely able to get up, helped by Hera with great effort. Weak from his time in captivity, he took short, clumsy steps, and using his daughter as support he managed to approach the window of the building. With a long sigh he looked out upon his homeland, now a lifeless desert. In the distance, explosions and blaster rounds could be seen resulting from the clash between armies taking place to the east of the city. Despite his efforts and large numbers, TR-1's droid troops were not able to break through the stormtrooper formations and were now organizing a retreat. There wasn't much time left.

Icarus: - Rebel leader Cyndulla. We need you to make a decision. And soon. -

Chem: - I'll stay. -I don't doubt his voice for a moment.

Icarus: - Are you sure? I may not get another chance like this. -

Chem: - Yes. I am. - The Twi'lek sighed deeply. - I don't expect you to understand, but I can't just run away from this. I can't leave those who trust me aside. Can't... -

Icarus: - Lose hope. -

Cham was surprised at the way the droid interrupted him and the words he used. He himself did not trust the droids that once attacked his home, no matter how they were now his liberators. But maybe... Just maybe... Things are a little different.

Icarus: - I understand. He believed my words more than his doubts. Hope itself... is what also keeps me going. I won't question his decision. If it is his will...so be it. My droids will be in charge of escorting you to the southern entrance of the city. From there on... The path forward will be yours. Alpha Unit. -

Alpha: - General. -

Icarus: - You already have your orders. You have one hour to reach the meeting point. -

Alpha: - Roger. Roger. -

Icarus: - Chem Syndulla. This may be the only and last time we see each other. I wish you luck. And may the Force be with you. -

Chem: - I say the same, general. Thanks for everything. -

The call ended, leaving the two Twi'leks somewhat thoughtful about the strange conversation with the super tactical droid. He was...too emotional to be a droid and. And it was the commando droid's words that brought them out of their thoughts.

Alpha: - Leader Cyndulla. He already heard the general. We have to go. -

The Twi'lek looked at him with some concern, but a certain confidence began to emerge within him. He looked at his somewhat scared daughter, who was still looking at the senator's body on the ground with fear, but she knew what she had to do.

Chem: - Very good. We follow them. -

The group began to advance through the halls of the town hall with Alfa at the head. They had to hurry to get to the meeting point, and time was already against them.

Alpha: - Commander Bly. We have the target. Prepare to retire. -

Bly: - Just in time. We are against a rock and a hard place. We need support to... -

Mirana: - I'll cover you captain. -His voice suddenly interrupted the communications.

Bly: - Everyone! Withdrawal! -

The sound of fighters breaking the sound barrier soon caught everyone's attention. The Imperials stationed in the square did not have the opportunity to run for their lives before the heavy blaster burst from the fighters devastated the area. Bly and the survivors of his group ran without looking back, just before the explosions shook the area.

The two groups met once the dust cleared. Hera jumped for joy on little Chopper, and he made a series of happy beeps while he turned around with excitement at seeing her again.

The route to the southern gate of the city was very calm compared to the entire previous raid, and just as planned, Cham and Hera Syndulla and the C1 unit were preparing to leave the city, heading southwest, where a large mountain peak could provide shelter and reunite the rebellion on Ryloth. But not everyone was very happy about that decision.

Bly: - How come he stays!? We risked many to get them out of there! -

Chem: - And I appreciate it, Captain. But we cannot abandon our people. We have to stay and fight. -

Bly: - Lightning strike me! I hope he's okay, because believe me, I won't save his ass again if he gets in trouble again. -

Chem: - I'll keep that in mind. -She laughed as the clone retreated snorting. -Alpha Unit, I really appreciate what he did. I will thank your General on behalf of myself and the entire Ryloth Rebellion. -

The commando droid looked confused as the Twi'lek extended his arm in front of him. Was he thinking of shaking hands? He hadn't expected that, but he wouldn't leave him waiting. Alfa accepted the greeting, although he still didn't quite understand how all that worked.

Alpha: - I'll let you know. Good luck, sir. -

Chem: - I say the same. -

The remaining units boarded the ferry to return to Munifecent. It was strange even for Bly to see Alpha wave goodbye to the two Twi'leks as the ship took off, but of course it was normal considering all the program of emotions that Icarus had installed in him. Although that didn't make it any less strange to see that attitude in a droid.

The main battalion forces had withdrawn. The transport ships returned successfully to the Munificente as it turned around to prepare for the jump. The two Arquitens cruisers behind them were badly damaged, and one of them had fires all over it. It would probably be irreparable, but with so much damage, he couldn't even return fire anymore. Finally, the Munificent left Ryloth's airspace and entered the confines of hyperspace.

Watching everything from the other side of the battlefield was Commander Crees, who remained silent sitting in the chair of his ship, even though there were sparks flying everywhere and the engineers and officers did not stop shouting and fixing everything. that disaster.

But no one spoke to him. It was not necessary. The last time the deck officer told him something obvious, he gave him such an aggressive look that he thought he was going to blow his head off with a blater shot. He knew he had lost, and he was extremely upset about it.

From his chair he could see all the screens that showed him the situation on the ground. The City was very affected, the troops that fought in the east were withdrawing, and the prisons were empty. At least the camera that showed him the main room of the town hall showed him a dying Priet, complaining about a wound he had in his neck, but it seems that he was going to survive. How he was alive was a mystery. Maybe the droid missed the shot. Either way, it was one less report he had to deliver.