Published: 2024-11-25
It was a trap. The relative emptiness of the previous decks had lulled them into a false sense of security, and now they had been ambushed. They were surrounded by several companies of clone troopers. It was far more than Zeer and his single company of clones could take on alone.
"Surrender, traitors!" One clone yelled.
"Do as they say, men." Zeer ordered while slowly lowering his dual DC-17 blaster pistols to the floor and raised his hands into the air. His troopers followed suit.
Lieutenant Jesse stepped up to the front. "Captain Seesee-Five-Two-Seven-Three. The traitor. Captain Seesee-Five-Nine-Oh-Eight would like to speak with you. He would have come personally, but your terrorists have taken control of the aftmost lifts. A hologram will have to do.
Jesse placed a holodisk on the floor. A life-sized hologram of Vert appeared. "Captain Seesee-Five-Two-Seven-Three. I thought you understood that good soldiers follow orders."
"I do understand that. But not when those orders are illegal! Republic law doesn't allow summary executions based on mere accusations," Zeer retorted.
"Have you not heard? The Republic is no more. Their laws no longer apply." Vert's hologram turned to face Jesse. "Execute them."
—
CT-5597 followed his captain's orders, though something still didn't feel right about executing a surrendering enemy. "Sir. It's been twelve hours and there is still no sign of Tano or Seetee-Seven-Five-Six-Seven. I believe Captain Seesee-Five-Two-Seven-Three was the new leader. However, after only twelve hours, Tano and Seetee-Seven-Five-Six-Seven could have survived and could just be in sickbay. I suggest we wait at least two more standard days before assuming them dead."
"I agree. Return to the main hangar and hold out there," CC-5908 ordered.
—
Ahsoka opened here eyes abruptly. There was a disturbance in the Force. Many clones just died.
Ahsoka groaned, trying to wake herself up fully. One of her arms was in a cast, but she used the other to rub her eyes.
Commander Tano! You're awake!" a medical officer said, seeming surprised. "You were in a coma. We weren't sure you would wake up at all, and you weren't showing any signs of waking up soon."
How long was I out?" Ahsoka inquired.
Three days. Commander Rex was also shot, but he woke up within a few hours. He appointed Captain Zeer acting commander until one of you could return to duty."
"Any progress?"
"Zeer has taken the aftmost lift access points on Deck Seven and below. They've also taken all barracks on Decks Two through Six, and they're moving into Deck One right now."
A clone trooper rushed into the room. "Commander Rex! It's Commander Zeer. Him and the Two-Seventeenth were ambushed. The entire company was captured and executed, including Zeer himself."
"What? Why? Why wouldn't they take them in for questioning?" Ahsoka asked.
"Commander Tano!" The trooper turned to Ahsoka. "I was not informed you were awake."
"That's because I just woke up."
"Oh. Apologies, Commander."
"You were saying?"
"...Right. It is likely that they were summarily executed because Order 66 dictates that any clone who does not comply will be executed for treason. It is also likely that they wanted to make an example of the Two-Seventeenth."
"How many enemy forces participated in the ambush?" Rex asked.
"Security recordings recovered after the fact show at least five companies. However, these recordings were heavily corrupted, so it's likely there were at least eight companies of troopers and possibly as much as a whole regiment."
"Inform Captain Helot that he has been promoted to acting commander, and order him to take a regiment of troopers down to Deck One," Rex ordered.
"Yes, sir."
"I'll go with," Ahsoka said, trying to get out of bed. A sharp pain filled her chest and upper back, making her groan.
"Woah, woah, woah," the medical officer warned, raising his hands to block her from standing. "You aren't healthy enough to fight yet. You were shot in the back and just woke up from a coma five minutes ago."
Ahsoka sighed. "I suppose you're right." She laid back down on the bed. The pain in her upper body was relieved.
—
An entire regiment proved to be overkill. The five companies shown in the security holovid proved to be the entire force. The rebellion used their usual tactics, and the Deck 1 barracks were taken in under two hours. Lieutenant Jesse was shown on the holovid to be leading the ambush force, but he was no longer present when Helot's forces arrived.
Commander Helot left a company of soldiers behind on Deck 1 and took the rest of the 3rd Regiment up to Deck 6 to take waht was left in enemy possession. Now that the most important sections of each deck were taken, the plan was to take the rest of each deck, starting at Deck 6 and moving down. Once they had done that, they would have control of the entire ship, barring the hangars, the bridge, and most of the maintenance deck.