Chapter Thirty Nine: Death and Those Who Remember
Shae had never felt so drained before in her entire life. She didn’t know if the adrenaline from the fight was wearing off or the fact that she had done more than just get in everyone’s way. She was currently on a shuttle heading towards the Resolute with what was left of the boarding party treating Rex’s wound.
“How’s that sir?” she asked, sitting back on her heels. Rex moved his arm flexing his fingers despite the flare of pain. “Better, I’ll make sure to get it treated once we’re back.”
“Good, would hate to have to drag you to the medbay myself.” Shae joked as she got to her feet.
Rex chuckled as he placed his good arm on Shae's shoulder. "At least we completed our mission, more or less."
“Too bad we didn’t get the holocron back.” Shae shook her head as she thought about it. “At least no one is getting their hands on it now.”
"Yeah, those children are safe." Rex said with a sigh of relief. Shae looked around for any more injured troopers. A few of the troopers in the back were celebrating taking out Cad Bane but one of the troopers was hiding an injury without saying a word. Shae tilted her head to the side before walking forward to check on the trooper.
“How are you feeling?” Shae asked, wanting to take a closer look at the wound. The trooper ignored Shae's question and shifted his body onto the ground as if to get some rest. Shae’s eyes narrowed before she said. “I want you to get yourself to the medbay the moment you get off the shuttle.”
She glanced down at the trooper awaiting a response, not leaving until she got one. He lifted up one of his arms and gave a thumbs up and laid it back down. Shae’s eyes narrowed as she turned around and walked away. She took a seat before looking at Ahsoka asking. “Are you alright?”
Ahsoka looked at Shae with a sad look yet still smiled. "Yeah."
Shae gave her a look before slumping in her seat starting to feel a little less useful now. “Want to talk about it?”
"It's...just me. I was careless." Ahsoka said, sighing. Shae raised an eyebrow saying. “Is this about you running off or is there more to that statement?”
"It started with me running off. I was overconfident and let the bounty hunter get the best of me putting Anakin in a bad spot. Also I…" Ahsoka gestured to where she usually wore what represented her being a Jedi Padawan. Shae blinked once not really getting where that was going.
"I lost it. My Padawan Silka Beads. He took it as an insult to me." Ahsoka curled up into a ball as she said that. Shae frowned seeing how much it hurt Ahsoka as she fingered her own hair for a moment. “It means a lot to you, huh?”
"Yeah it does. I could always get a new one but...it just isn't the same you know? It has memories." Ahsoka said looking at Shae with tears forming. Shae nodded her head before looking at her side. She took off the pendant and held it out to Ahsoka. “I know it doesn’t have the same meaning, but you can hold onto my memories until you get yours back.”
"But...it blew up with the ship." Ahsoka said hesitating to take the pendant. Shae patted her on the shoulder saying. “Just a feeling. Besides, wasn’t there an incident where you thought that the astromech you guys bring with you was destroyed? Don’t give up on your memories that easily.”
"Alright Shae, thanks." Ahsoka said, wiping her eyes and grabbing Shae's pendant. She held it against her chest and said. "I will keep it safe."
Shae felt the shuttle land and knew she was going to make sure that trooper got to the medbay. The troopers exited the shuttle first congratulating the quiet trooper from earlier. Ahsoka rushed out to say something to the trooper when Rex grabbed Anakin and Shae's attention. "You both are going to want to see this."
Shae and Anakin moved to see what Rex was showing them. He wiped his finger against the ground as he revealed blood where the clone was sleeping yet it wasn't red. Shae’s hand went towards her blaster as Anakin rushed to confront the trooper. Shae on his heels before she looked back saying. “Thanks Rex, now get to the medical bay!” Rex at first tried to get up and follow her but realized that he wouldn't be much help. He nodded his head as he yelled. "Don't let him get away!"
Shae fired a few shots at Cad Bane her eyes narrowing before aiming her grapple at his arm and fired. Cad Bane grabbed a nearby trooper as he dodged the blaster shots and caused the trooper to get pulled instead. He hopped into one of the nearby ships and prepared to launch. Shae detached the wire as Anakin stopped the trooper from flying into her. Shae’s shoulders sagged hoping that Rainbow Dash was having better luck.
Rainbow Dash couldn’t believe how long it took to get permission to leave the city walls to explore the ruins. ‘Weeks, it took weeks to finally get out here and I’m sitting in an armored vehicle.’ she grumbled internally as she tried to focus on the shard again. The yellow strand she thought was going to be next wasn’t even appearing causing her to grumble. “Why aren’t you working?”
Kit Fisto put a hand on her shoulder as he smiled. "Do not worry. Relax."
“It got us this far, I’m sure we’ll be able to locate it with clues.” Crossbones assured her before jerking his thumb to the driver. “As long as Crash gets us there in one piece.”
“So what was Pir’s reasoning for allowing me to actually bring you guys along?” Rainbow Dash asked, crossing her arms. Tank placed a hand on her shoulder as Ash explained. “In case of separation. You see if one of the Jedi is injured or you are separated from both of them it would be better to have a trained medic as well as a larger group so none of you will be alone.”
"We however must take heed of Master Windu's warning." Plo Koon chimed in. "We cannot let anyone get infected by the Rakghouls."
“Don’t worry, I’ve got enough vaccines to keep us good for a month, sir.” Doc replied looking at Plo Koon. Plo Koon gave him a look as he said. "And if even with our group someone is infected and we cannot find them to cure?"
“We do what we need to sir, let’s just hope it doesn’t come to that.” Ash told him and Rainbow Dash felt a surge of panic. She kept herself calm as she just reached out for the shard, a blue strand appearing in front of her.
"What is it miss Dash?" Kit Fisto asked, surprised. Rainbow Dash turned her head as she focused. “I’m seeing what appears to be an old lab. Where a hand that was reached out in friendship was rejected and a life was ended. Whoever died there, it left a bitter taste in one of the spirit’s mouths.”
"We must be extra cautious then incase the spirit loses control. Can we trust you to keep it together young Dash?" Plo Koon asked, a hand to his chin. Rainbow Dash nodded her head with a grin saying. “Of course. I’ve got all of you with me and if I end up alone, I’ll just fly up and find a cloud.”
“Nothing is ever as simple as that.” Ash warned her as the blue strand pointed the way. When they arrived Rainbow Dash looked around. Taris was a beautiful place despite how dangerous it was. She looked around for the entrance of the complex that she had seen in her vision. Kit Fisto and Plo Koon activated their lightsabers as a precaution incase of any sudden attacks. The clones all readied themselves as Rainbow Dash found the entrance covered by brush. “Over here!”
Doc walked over to inspect it with Rampage as Ash mumbled. “I don’t like this.”
Kit Fisto sat down to meditate as he tried to sense what was beyond the door. "I cannot sense anything...like something is preventing me almost."
“It looks all clear.” Doc called back as Crossbones asked. “So what’s the story with these Rakghouls? Where did they come from?”
Plo Koon took a deep breath as he explained the dark history of the Rakghouls creation by the Sith, and why they continue to plague the planet. Crossbones frowned as he thought about it saying. “So something from so long ago is still wrecking havoc today.”
"Indeed. And why we cannot let any of us succumb to the disease." Master Plo added. Ash frowned when a low growling caught his attention. “Ambush!”
The troopers readied themselves as Rakghouls charged at them. One of them stood taller than the others as it walked forward, barely clothed, and a strange blade upon its back.
“What is that?” Tinker asked as it growled sending the Rakghouls charging forward.
"Get into the building! Master Fisto and I will defend you!" Plo Koon ordered as the two of them carefully slashed at the Rakghouls, trying not to get hit. The larger one charged towards the Jedi as the clones retreated towards the building. Crash getting cut off by a Rakghoul and fired at them to prevent the creatures from following the clones. Kit Fisto and Plo Koon were too distracted with defending themselves and the clones that they didn't happen to see Crash getting separated.
"Master Plo is there any end to these Sith abominations?" Kit Fisto asked, though Plo didn't answer. Crash felt the creature bite into him right before he kicked it off. He got to his feet looking around before seeing the vehicle they used to get there. He moved as fast as he could climbing into it saying. “I’ll make sure there is an end.”
Master Plo and Kit kept fending them off but they seemed almost endless when Plo spotted something. "There! They're coming out of that cave!"
"But how do we get to it? We're not making much progress!" Kit Fisto responded, slashing at more Rakghouls. Crash gritted his teeth as he drove the vehicle forward shouting over the radio. “Get out of the way!”
"Crash no!" Kit Fisto yelled as he and Plo jumped out of the way. Crash grinned as he went full power shouting. “I’m going out my way, just make sure to salu….”
The vehicle hit the cave wall as an explosion rocked the area. It caused the entrance to the complex Rainbow Dash was in to crumble and the force was powerful enough to knock back the Rakghouls in the area. After making sure there weren't any more the two Jedi yelled in front of the entrance but their voices couldn't get through.
Rainbow Dash sat in the complex her hand wrapped around the blade shared as blood flowed from her tight grip. She had heard the final transmission, they all did, but nothing had prepared her for the death. Her wings curled around her as the clones bowed their heads to honor Crash.
“We have to get out of here, see if you can unbury the entrance Rampage.” Ash ordered, Rampage nodded his head. “Doc, was anyone…”
“No one here has a scratch on them. I can’t say much about the Jedi until we get out of here.” answered Doc glancing at Rainbow Dash as he lowered his voice. “If Crash did what I think he did, we only have whatever supplies in our bags and that’s it. Once those run out, that’s it, we’re either getting a rescue or we get out of here. The third option is to perish in this hole. Right now we’re safe.”
“Not if we try to dig ourselves out.” Rampage revealed walking back to them. “I can manage a few rocks, but I think the explosion caused a few cracks. Someone will need to hold up the foundation. If we had one of the Jedi with us it would be a little easier.”
“We just have to hope that someone will get us out of here.” Ash said looking around for anything to become a source of light for Rainbow Dash other than the small lights on their helmets. “So far, this place has no Rakghouls… yet.”
Rainbow Dash was barely listening as her eyes stared at the wall. She didn’t know how to process she was feeling. She had never experienced something like this before. The voices of the other clones were becoming muffled as the haze began to seep in. It felt like days or even weeks before the old man appeared watching her once again. Etaitiv walked forward, his eyes watching her as if intrigued though the lack of emotion was a comfort to her. There was no pity, there was nothing. She wanted that, she didn’t want to feel anything. The shard in her hand began to glow dimly as she reached out with her other hand.
“You do not wish to feel.” Etaitiv stated as he stood over her. “This pain, this loss, it is beginning to overwhelm you. You seek a way to numb your pain.”
Rainbow Dash barely nodded her head, Etaitiv reached down to place his hand on her head. She was pulled out of his reach. A ringing sound filled her head as reality came back to focus. The building was crumpling around them. Large rocks flew from the blocked exit as the clones filed out. When the light hit her eyes she was blinded for a moment. She heard the blasters charge as Ash asked. “What is the meaning of this sir?”
“We did not have time to request for more Jedi and Count Dooku offered his help.” Rainbow Dash blinked rapidly as figures came into view. Kit Fisto and Plo Koon were there, as was Count Dooku and a woman Rainbow Dash had never seen before, then there were hundreds of battle droids surrounding them.
“I have a proposition to make.” Dooku spoke with his eyes fixated on Rainbow Dash. “If you are willing to hear me out.”
“Why should we listen to anything he says?” Crossbones growled, Dooku did not even look at him. The Jedi glanced at each other before Kit Fisto spoke up. “What is this proposition?”
“I am willing to trade Jelu Seer for Rainbow Dash and her clone unit, Master Fisto.” Dooku explained, causing most of the troopers to ready themselves for attack.
“Calm yourselves.” Master Fisto ordered them, Rainbow Dash feeling a numbness was through her as her emotions dulled. Her eyes flickered next to her seeing Etaitiv resting a hand on her shoulder.
“Of course we would expect another trade for the Clones.” Dooku continued, Kit Fisto decided to point out. “You only have young Jelu captive.”
“On the contrary Jedi, it would be a shame if something happened to the wall protecting the city from the Rakghouls.” the woman spoke the threat lingering in the air like a foul stench. “A city for a squad.”
The words made sense to Rainbow Dash, normally her anger would rise and she would shout. With her emotions numbed she found the logic. ‘They can make their own choices.’ Rainbow’s own voice told her. ‘You know the right choice to make. You can never abandon your friend, however make sure that Jelu is safe.’
“Where is Jelu?” Rainbow asked quietly as she looked at Dooku. His head turned as he waved his hand. Two battle droids brought forward a cuffed Jelu who stared at Dooku with a frown. “If you didn’t want me on Nar Shaddaa talking to my parents. You could have just said so.”
Rainbow’s eyes scanned him for serious injuries. He had a few faded bruises on his face but she couldn’t tell if they were from mistreatment or just a fight.
“I will go.” Rainbow Dash said and Jelu was about to say something but she shook her head. “This is my choice and mine alone.”
“Miss Dash…” Klo Ploon spoke but Ash told him. “Don’t worry General, we will make sure she’s going to be alright. Worry about the city.”
“You will not keep them forever Count.” Kit Fisto warned him as the clones and Rainbow Dash walked over to Dooku. The woman shoved Jelu forward who ignored her and moved to the Jedi hissing. “They have bombs on the wall. If you don’t let them leave they will blow them up.”
Kit Fisto glanced at Plo Koon, they couldn’t do anything at the moment watching Dooku walk away with their soldiers. They moved back to the city as fast as they could. They had to find those explosives and fast. Rainbow Dash watched them go before she was led to the ship. Her magenta eyes going pure white as a black energy began to cover her skin.