Chapter 293 - Mercy Mission To Aleen

Three weeks after their mission in Orto Plutonia, Hell Squad was once again on a cruiser, this time leaving Mon Cala. The old king, Yos Kolina - whom Hell Squad knew from the start of the war - had been assassinated by the Separatist, resulting in a major battle, which Hell Squad took part in.

The Republic had won, after a costly and drawn-out battle, which would guarantee them the control of the planet for now. However, as it happened twice before, the Separatist would soon organize another attack. The truth was that this war would only end when Count Dooku and the other Separatist leaders were captured or killed. Dageer preferred the second option.

"What does the seat-warmers have for us, sir?"

Dageer raised an eyebrow when he heard Metal's question, but he didn't complain. They might be clones, but they could still think whatever they wanted of their superiors. They just couldn't say it in front of them. Since Hell Squad was alone, Dageer didn't care about how Metal called the higher-ups.

"Relief mission to Aleen. I will tell more when we get to the others."

Together, the two clones went to a room, where they found the rest of Hell Squad, and, to their surprise, Ragout. The Jedi and the clones were chatting freely, like old friends who met again after a long time. There were none of the formalities that usually existed between superiors and subordinates.

"Dageer! Metal! How are you?"

The young Togruta greeted them happily. It had been a few months since he last fought with Hell Squad, and he was quite happy to meet them again. His connection with this unit was no less than the one he had with his master. If it wasn't for them, he would have died countless times already, and he had learned a lot with the clones. And the clones had learned a lot from him. In their minds, Ragout was the last mission that General Di had left them. They would die for him without a second thought.

"General. I didn't know you would be coming with us."

"I also didn't, until a few hours ago. However, I was meditating when the ship came to pick Hell Squad up, so I only got the chance to talk to you now."

Dageer nodded. It made sense that Ragout was the Jedi general sent to accompany them, considering that they had experience in fighting together. And a relief mission was, by no means, a tranquil one, so a Jedi could make quite a difference.

"Since you are all here, let me debrief you on our mission."

Ragout picked up a hologram projector, and showed a small being - which barely reached a clone's waist - and with two bulging eyes.

"This is an Aleena. Their home planet, Aleen, on Bright Jewel System, is under a Separatist blockade, much like the one Ryloth was after our fleet was gone. We are tasked with delivering essential supplies for them."

He received several nods of acknowledgment. It was a pretty standard mission.

"Just us?"

"Do we have troops on the ground?"

"No, and no. The Aleenas are putting up a resistance by themselves. Us delivering help is simply a humanitarian act. And, it will, of course, bring them closer to the Republic. And we will have the support of six more CR90 Corvettes, as well as a new stealth ship."

"Stealth ship?"

"Yeah. It was designed by our scientist, and Master Skywalker tested it in battle. It can become invisible, and evade most of the conventional detection mechanisms the seppies have."

Dageer raised an eyebrow, while Hell Squad looked at each other surprised. A ship like that was most certainly expensive to make, but it could change the course of a battle if used correctly.

"Captain Flare will command the stealth ship to distract the blockade, while we rush in, and deliver our cargo before escaping through the other side of the planet."

Hell Squad exchanged glances. The plan was good, but they didn't see their part in it. Tech was the one to say what was on their minds.

"With all due respect, general, but this isn't exactly the kind of mission we specialize in. Hell Squad would do more good by staying in Mon Cala, and chasing off the remaining clanckers."

Contrarily to their expectations, Ragout wasn't surprised, angry, or disappointed by what Tach said. Instead, he was grinning.

"I know that. But we got reliable information that Count Dooku is on Aleen. We are going to drop with the supplies, and end this war right now."

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"So, that's how it is... Commander!"

"Yes, my lord?"

"Some Republic blockade runners will come in a few days. Let them through, without them noticing."

"My lord? This will set back our efforts to convince the natives by weeks!"

"It doesn't matter. Do as I say."

"Yes, my lord."

"And prepare a shuttle. I will be descending to the planet."

The servant nodded hurriedly, and bowed before leaving the room. Count Dooku looked out of the window, to the Lucrehulk-class Battlesh.i.p.s forming the blockade, and grinned.

"Come on, my little Jedi. I am ready to receive you."

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When the corvettes dropped their cargo, in capsules very similar to escape pods, they also dropped Hell Squad and Ragout. The group stepped out of the pod, and on the swamp that made up most of Aleen.

Water and black mud stained their armors, but the clones didn't care. In fact, they scooped up mud, and splashed it in their body. Not only would it confuse the heat sensors of the droids, but it would also act as camouflage.

"Where to now, General Ragout?"

The other capsules, which carried supplies, had been delivered to spots near the Aleenas' resistance groups. However, the Aleenas had refused to take the Republic's side, so, if the group was found, that would cause problems. Ragout might still get away, because he was a Jedi, and his kind roamed the galaxy, but Hell Squad, being clones, would certainly be attacked, be it by the droids or the natives.

"Our spies said Dooku came down to Aleen today. He should be at Red Stone, the capital city. It's built on one of the few areas of the planet that aren't a marsh."

Dageer nodded. Considering they were trying to be sneaky, going it the capital city wasn't the best course of action, but they didn't have other options. It would be even worse if Count Dooku left Aleen. They would deal with any complications that may appears, when they appeared.

"Well, you heard the general, lads. Get moving."