Chapter 215 - Farewells, And May The Force Be With You

"I want you to take Ragout with you."

There was a stunned silence following General Di's order. Dageer and Commander Keeli already knew the old Jedi would try to convince his apprentice to leave before the battle started, but Ragout didn't.

For several seconds, the padawan said nothing. Then, he snapped out of his confusion, apparently outraged by his master's words.

"No! No, no, no! I'm not leaving you, master!"

General Di looked at Commander Keeli, and the clone patted Dageer on the shoulder. Both clones walked away, leaving master and apprentice alone.

When they were a certain distance away, Dageer looked back. He could see Ragout sobbing slightly, and General Di comforting him. The Nikto had a warm, almost paternal, smile on his face.

"Dageer."

"Yes, commander?"

Dageer looked at Commander Keeli. The clone had put on his helmet now, and was playing with his DC-17s.

"I know what the general ordered is difficult... However, orders are orders, right?"

"Yes. Yeah..."

"But it was I who requested him to do that."

Dageer looked up, shocked. He expected his commander to say anything, but that. After all, Commander Keeli was a clone, so he understood better than anyone how Dageer felt about leaving him and General Di to die.

"Why?"

"Hahaha... Everything General Di said is true, Dageer. You and your men can barely walk. I didn't even ask for a report on your condition, but I can see at least five places where you were shot, your leg is wrapped in a bloody bandage, and you are holding his chest as if you broke a few ribs."

"Yeah. Damn AAT. General Ragout saved us."

"See? I have no doubt that if you stayed behind, Hell Squad would kill a few hundred more droids. However, what difference would it make? The seppies have almost half a million troops on the planet."

"It might not make much of a difference, sir, but it would be a pleasure to kill a few hundred droids, even if it means dying here. Especially if it means dying here."

"I know how you feel. However, I don't need you to die here. I need you to avenge us."

"I'm not sure I can, commander. You said yourself how bad I am."

"The Republic won't let the clanckers have Ryloth forever. Not only it is an important planet, but the loss we suffered here is more than enough to convince several neutral planets that the Separatist are stronger than us."

"We didn't stand a chance from the start, commander. They outnumbered us one to ten, and that was before they got reinforcements."

"That doesn't matter for those who are watching. All they care about is that we lost. There will be retaliation by the Republic. Winning Ryloth back or not, that will be your chance to get out of here with the wounded. Meanwhile, I want you to piss off the seppies. Hit and run tactics, that kind of thing."

"That is what Hell Squad does the best. We won't disappoint you, sir."

"I know you won't. Now, come on, and let's check how the Twi'leks are faring. We need to make them move faster."

"Yes, sir."

...

General Di watched his dejected padawan use the Force to move some wounded troopers into the Blurrgs. He had spent a long time talking with him, and, although he convinced Ragout that the padawan had to leave, it was still very difficult to see him so... lifeless.

While he was lost in his thoughts, Commander Keeli approached him, followed by Syndulla, Gobi and Dageer. Ragout soon joined them.

"It is time, sir."

General Di nodded at Commander Keeli, and looked one last time to the others. This was the last time he would see any of them.

"Syndulla, Gobi. I am really sorry that the Republic wasn't able to provide you with the help Ryloth needed. However, I assure you that more help will come as soon as it is possible. Please, believe in the Republic. We won't abandon Ryloth."

"Humph!"

Syndulla ignored what General Di was saying, and left. Gobi shot an apologetic glance at the Jedi, but General Di had already turned to Commander Keeli.

"How is it going?"

"We are loading the rest of the explosives in the gunship."

"Very good, commander. Ready the men."

Commander Keeli saluted General Di, and before leaving, he turned to Ragout and Dageer.

"General Ragout. It was an honor fighting side by side with you. I may not undeserved the Jedi's ways, but I know that you will be a great one."

"The honor was mine Keeli. I-I... Uff... Thank you, Keeli. For everything."

"Just doing my job, sir."

The commander looked at Dageer, and stretched his hand. Dageer grabbed it, but none said anything. They knew exactly what was going through the mind of the other. After releasing Commander Keeli's hand, Dageer saluted him, his back straight, and Commander Keeli returned the salute. Dageer would remember this moment for the rest of his life. It was the last time he saw Commander Keeli alive.

The commander then put his helmet on, and walked towards the waiting clones. They were all in the standard attention position, helmets under their arms, and blasters aimed up. Three hundred and twenty-four clones were staying behind, conscious of the destiny that awaited them, and ready to face it.

Commander Keeli stood in front of them, waiting for General Di to finish his talk with the others.

The Jedi knew that it was time, so he turned to Dageer and Ragout. There were indescribable sadness and pain in his eyes, but the Nikto stood strong, and didn't let it show on his face, although he was sure Ragout and Dageer could feel it.

"Dageer. When this war started, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to lead troops. After all, I'm a peacekeeper, not a soldier. However, you and Keeli helped me through all of this, and I couldn't be more grateful. Remember what you learned from us, and don't let hatred cloud your judgment."

"Yes, general. And... May the Force be with you."

General Di smiled, and watched Dageer walk towards the line of Twi'leks and injured clones that were leaving.

"Master..."

"Listen carefully, my padawan. I still have much to teach you, and you still have much to learn. Unfortunately, we don't have time. Don't forget what you learned, and, above all else, don't look for revenge. It was revenge that started this war, and it is what it keeps it going."

He put his hands on the padawan's shoulders. He was proud of Ragout. He loved his padawan, and he was glad that Ragout followed his decision quietly, and was escaping. He didn't want the young Togruta to die.

"You have to go now. And remember, Ragout. I will always be with you. You just have to feel the Force."

Ragout sobbed hard, but didn't cry. He knew there was nothing he could do, but follow his master's orders, and go.

"Goodbye, master. May the Force be with you."

"It always is. May the Force be with you too, my young apprentice."

Ragout turned around, and joined Dageer and Hell Squad. Now, the only one remaining next to General Di was Gobi.

"Cham is still angry... He feels betrayed."

"He counted on Republic assistance, and it didn't come. War turns promises into hopes. I wish it wasn't so... Tell him."

General Di shook Gobi's hand, and left.

"I will."

Soon, only General Di and the clones were left. They could hear the droids coming. They were prepared.