Chapter 234 - The Last Salute

All in all, the reunion in the Judgement Room was concluded quite fast. Hell Squad entered the Senate building as members of the 303rd Attack Legion, and left as an independent unit. Still, in their hearts, they would always be part of the 303rd.

"Shield, meet us at the infirmary in the headquarters, and bring everyone. I have to announce something."

"Understood, commander."

Dageer wanted to be the one to tell his legion what their future was, and he wanted every trooper, including the wounded, to hear. Clones were used to being moved around, so becoming part of the 212th wouldn't bother them. However, Dageer knew this would be the last time he saw many of them. He had grown up, trained, and fought with those brothers of his, and he wanted to see them one more time.

...

The troopers received the news quietly. It was what they were expecting, so there was no reaction of surprise. Ragout had also appeared in the infirmary, and that surprised them.

The padawan still had dark circles under his eyes, but he seemed better now. He talked to each of the clones, and just shook Dageer's hand before leaving. Now, their paths would part, since they weren't in the same legion anymore. In fact, they weren't in any legion.

After his brief talk with Ragout, Dageer brought Hell Squad out of the infirmary. Lieutenant Shield ordered the fifty or so clones who weren't wounded - or had already recovered - to follow them. Together, the group took a transport to the Revontre.

Until the troopers were moved to the 212th Legion, and the dissolution of the 303rd was officially sanctioned, they were still members of the same legion. And, for now, they were away from the battlefield.

When Dageer pushed the doors open, he was greeted by loud music and laughter. Countless clones walked around, some drunk, some just talking.

Although the clones of the 303rd were in a large group, only the troopers closer to the door paid attention to them. It was, after all, quite normal to see so many clones together.

However, once they recognized the pattern of the clothes Dageer and the others were wearing, those troopers stopped talking, and looked at them. Slowly, all noise died away, as more and more clones looked for the reason of the sudden silence, and saw the 303rd. Eventually, even the music stopped.

As Dageer walked forward, and the others followed, the clones got up, and stared at them in silence.

Dageer didn't know who started it, but all the hundreds of troopers brought their right hand to their foreheads, and kept their left hand behind their bodies, their back straight. It was a standard salute, one that every clone knew. However, it wasn't directed at Dageer or any of the clones. No. They were saluting not those who were alive, but those who were gone.

Dageer took a deep breath, and returned the salute. His men mimicked him. Seeing that, the other clones lowered their hands in unison, and returned to what they were doing before. From time to time, furtive glances were thrown in their direction.

"Shield, be at ease. We aren't serving right now. Let the men have a good night. For Commander Keeli. For General Di. For the 303rd."

"For the 303rd."

The clones scattered themselves amidst the others. The Revontre wasn't a place to grieve, but to drown your sorrows. They had stories to share, and moments to remember.

Dageer walked straight to the officer rooms on the second floor, and Hell Squad followed him. None of them had any less authority than a captain of the Clone Army.

Entering the room, Dageer saw many familiar faces. Commander Cody, Captain Rex, Commander Fox, Sergent Hound, Lieutenant Thorn, Commander Bly, and Captain Lock were all there.

None of them said anything about the 303rd, and just shook Hell Squad's hands, or hugged their brothers. Soon, they found themselves with a drink in their hands.

"Now that you are a true special unit, do you already have your next mission, brother?"

Dageer shook his head. He couldn't take the image of Chancellor Palpatine out of his head, when the man smiled at him while saying Hell Squad would become an independent unit. The chancellor made him remember his nightmares, for some reason.

Realizing he was daydreaming, and that Captain Lock was still waiting for an answer, Dageer pushed his thoughts to the back of his mind.

"No. To tell the truth, I have no idea what exactly Hell Squad is supposed to do. Although we have been a special unit for a long time, we were always with our legion. The battles we fought were their battles too."

"Sometimes I wonder when this war will be over..."

"Now, come on, Bly. You know it is far from the end."

"Yeah. Just... So many have died already..."

Dageer nodded. Commander Bly was telling the truth. Sometimes, he also wondered when the Clone Wars would be over, and he and his brothers would be able to have a life that wasn't filled with war and death. But such a life needed sacrifices. The 303rd was the first legion to be annihilated, but it wouldn't be the last.

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It was only two weeks later that Hell Squad received a mission. By now, most of their wounds were healed, and all that was left were some bruises.

Frowning, Dageer read the datapad he was given. Looking at Commander Fox, of the Coruscant Guard, Dageer closed it.

"What is this, Fox?"

"Don't ask me, Dageer. This came from the higher-ups, maybe even the chancellor himself. He seems to think very highly of Hell Squad's abilities, and he isn't wrong."

Commander Fox shrugged awkwardly, to show he didn't mean to downgrade Hell Squad.

"Uff... It is an escorting mission, Hell Squad can do that easily. The problem is the next part. A trade? Since when did we start negotiating with the seppies?"

"Since we received orders to do so. Look, Dageer, I know Tambor feels kind of personal to you since Ryloth, but General Plo Koon is a member of the Jedi Council. That is why General Secura is leading the negotiations."

Dageer looked at the data again, and sighed. Commander Fox was right. He was only complaining because he didn't like being near Wat Tambor. He had only seen the Separatist once, but he was one of the people responsible for the 303rd's annihilation. However, orders were orders, and he would follow them until the end.

"Yeah, you are right. Still, Fox, I think there is something going on."

"Like what?"

"I don't know. But something about this mission isn't right. I can feel it."

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"Master."

"Darth Tyranus, my apprentice. One of the leaders of your little Separatist alliance was captured recently."

"Yes, my lord. Wat Tambor. He will be punished accordingly."

"For that, you have to get him back first. This small negotiations of yours will be a good opportunity to get rid of some of those filthy Jedis. Leave none alive."

"As you wish, my lord."

Count Dooku caught a glimpse of an old face beneath the hood as the hologram disappeared, but a dark mist covered it. He couldn't tell who his master was, but his fear of him was immeasurable. The consequences of when he tried to defy him were...

In the darkness of his room, the cold and murderous leader of the CIS shivered. He would never dare to go against his master. Not again.

Turning on his hologram projector, he faced Asajj Ventress. The woman bowed to him, a creepy smile on her lips. Behind her, several clones laid, dismembered.

"What can I do for you, master?"

"I have a new mission for you."