We Are Dead Already

Admiral Dao rubbed his eyes and watched as the Separatist fleet approached again. Less than a day had passed since they broke through the Republic blockade, and they were already back. It seemed they were determined to exterminate the 303rd. Then they would give them a good fight.

He looked around to his crew. All of them had swollen eyes and were almost dropping to the ground, but their gazes were determined. Just like Admiral Dao, it had been two and a half days since they last slept, but none of them had the opportunity to.

Every ship in the Republic's side was badly damaged. Almost no starfighters remained, and the cruisers all had holes and broken parts. The Separatist had also suffered severe damage, but they were relentless.

Looking at the Vulture droids coming at them, and the pitifully small amount of Republic starfighters that went to meet the enemy, Admiral Dao smiled savagely, and talked in the open channel of his comlink, meaning that every soldier could hear him.

"Brothers, those pieces of scrap metal are coming after us again. Don't be afraid, and let's show them why we are the best legion in the Republic!"

"Uhaaa!!!"

"Let's go!"

After facing so many battles and knowing that they would all die in Ryloth, all the soldiers considered Admiral Dao one of them, even though he wasn't a clone. This was a fight to the death, and only one side would survive, while the other would be annihilated. Hierarchy didn't matter that much anymore.

Soon, the first explosions happened, and missiles started to impact on The Sincerity's shields. Several minutes later, Admiral Dao saw Separatist frigates surround Ryloth, ignoring the 303rd fleet.

"Admiral! They cut off our path!"

Not that the clone needed to tell him that, since he could see it happening. He sent straight towards the hologram table, and called General Di.

"Admiral Dao. I see the battle restarted over there."

"Bad news, general. They surrounded the planet. Our ships won't be able to get to you without getting shot down."

"Uhmm... Don't worry, admiral. We will do our best here. However, when we get low on supplies..."

"Unfortunately, general, there is nothing I can do. We are..."

Suddenly, Admiral Dao stopped talking as The Sincerity rocked under his feet. He only managed to stand up by holding onto the hologram table.

"What happened?"

He turned around, and asked his crew the same question. Soon, he got an answer.

"A Vulture droid crashed on us, sir. No serious damage reported."

"That is good. Intensify the turret barrage. Destroy as many as you can, don't worry about ammo."

"Yes, admiral."

After dealing with the situation, Admiral Dao turned to General Di and quickly explained. The Nikto sighed in relief. For a moment he thought The Sincerity was gone.

"Try the Jedi Council again. Tell them we are trapped on Ryloth, and that supplies will soon run out. If they don't send help, then we are doomed."

"Yes, general."

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"Master Yoda, we received a transmission from Master Di's fleet."

A tall man looked at the green Jedi. Like ways, Mace Windu was dead serious, even more since the transmission was from the 303rd Attack Legion. For the past days, they received repeated requests for help, but the Republic had no fleet idle. As such, they could only let the 303rd suffer casualties, to the point that the once powerful fleet was reduced to a handful of damaged ships. Accompanying General Windu was General Kenobi.

"Put it through, you do. See how Master Di is faring, we must."

General Windu nodded, and clicked a button in the hologram table. A projection of Admiral Dao appeared. His once well-groomed appearance was now destroyed. He appeared to have aged ten years in a few days, and had dark circles under his eyes.

"Admiral Dao. How is the battle going?"

"Poorly. We have less than a dozen ships in battle conditions, and our blockade was broken through once more."

"Uhmm... Bad things are."

"For how long can you hold on, Admiral Dao?"

The admiral turned to General Kenobi, and was about to speak when a clone muttered something to him. His face grew serious, but his lips had hints of a smile. A madman's smile.

"Permission to speak freely, generals?"

"What is in your mind, you can speak."

"They just destroyed our supply ships. Ha! I regret to inform you that soon our troops on the ground will be out of everything. Food, medical supplies, ammunition."

The Jedis looked at each other, clearly surprised by how lightly the admiral was making of the situation.

"Admiral, unfortunately, we can't send any troops nor supplies now. But as soon as..."

"With all due respect, General Kenobi, but even if a fleet came to our rescue right now, the only ones you would have any chance of saving would be our troops on Ryloth. Our fleet is gone, but we will fight to the end."

Master Yoda frowned, while General Windu and General Kenobi exchanged glances. Knowing what they needed to do but being unable to do it was one of the worst feelings they ever had. Admiral Dao, on the other hand, grinned.

"This might be the last time we talk, General Kenobi, General Windu, General Yoda. We might be dead already, but those on the planet aren't yet. Please, send supplies. They are already fighting the seppies on the ground, so they will soon be in dire need for everything."

"We will do our best, admiral. While we are alive, there is still hope. Hold on for as long as you can."

"Yes, General Windu."

"May the Force be with you."

Admiral Dao disconnected the call, and the three Jedis looked at each other, impotent to do anything. General Kenobi turned to Master Yoda.

"What do you think, Master Yoda?"

"Uhmm... Death I sense. Lying the admiral was not. Survive this ordeal difficult will be. The future of Master Di uncertain is."

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After talking with the Jedi Council once again, Admiral Dao stared at the crew around him. They were all busy dealing with the battle, and didn't see him looking at them with pity in his eyes.

Just like the others, he laughed at the prospect of their deaths, but that was just to hide how deeply afraid of it he was. No one wanted to die, but sometimes destiny didn't give other options. As such, the only choice left for the 303rd was how they wished to go down. And the answer was fighting.

"Inform General Di that we lost our supply ships. And tell him that he is on his own. As for us, let's keep going. I want at least two of their frigates to go down today!"

"Yes, admiral!"

"Understood, admiral!"

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Dageer was sitting on the floor, his eyes closed. At his side was Sergeant Storge, laying on the ground. Both of them were alive, but too tired to say anything. Around them, clones and Twi'leks, alive and dead, were also breathing heavily.

Two hours went by since the droid army attacked the outpost, and they were still holding it, although barely. The initial fifty or so defenders had dropped to around thirty, most wounded. Tri-droids, AATs, and Dwarf-Spider droids had been bombarding the wall they were on, and huge holes had been blown up. However, for some reason, the droids had slowed down their attack, and instead of recklessly throwing troops at the outpost, were concentrating their fire.

"They probably are afraid that it is another ambush."

"Ha! If only they knew we can barely hold on..."

"Shut up, Tech. The longer they take, the better for us. Don't jinx it."

"Hahaha..."