The doors open after we’ve entered the breathable part of the atmosphere. A slight risk, but the two R-41s to either side should definitely stop any idiot from firing off a rocket towards us. I place a hand over my officers cap to ensure the damn thing doesn’t fly off at this point.

  “ETA. one minute, sir.” I hear the pilot say.

  “Thank you Seagull.” I reply to the pilot.

  “No problem, sir.” He says back.

  We descend slightly further and I can make out the pastures and crop fields in the dark. Distantly I can also make out the glowing windows of dwellings. The shuttle makes its final descent and lands on the ground. The Clones spread out securing the area and I follow with R4, the Clone medic and the combat surgeon from the medbay on the Little Revenge.

  I pull out my comm and speak: “Little Leader, pull back and begin patrol pattern two. Seagull will call you when we’re ready to head out.”

  “Roger that, Commodore Dericote.” I hear Lieutenant Solo reply and I watch the R-41s move away to begin patrol patterns.

  “Lieutenant Daffy, best leave two men here while we approach.” I say.

  “I was going to leave four, sir. Better to not scare the civies with too many numbers.” The Clone replies.

  “Very well. Follow my lead, please.” I say as the Clones and medical personnel fall in line behind me.

  We approach the homestead at a leisurely pace. My head is on a near constant swivel looking at the crops. It was weird. Fondor doesn’t have any produce except for the rare greenhouse and occasional houseplant. To think staple crops just … grew. Carida didn’t have a large agricultural sector and I never went to the surface of Abregado Rae, where most of Fondors foodstuffs usually originated. I wish I could see the fields in the sunlight. I would bet half a paycheck they would look even more stunning with the light shining upon them.

  We reach the door during my musings and I lift my hand to knock. Instead the door opens and I find myself at the business end of a gun, blaster, at least three generations out of date.

  “Who are you? What do you want” I look up from the blaster pointed at my face to see a pink Twi’lek.

  I clear my throat before speaking and gently pressing the blaster towards my heart instead of my face: “I am Commodore Thraken Dericote of the 97th Outer Rim Squadron. I was instructed by Generals Skywalker and Kenobi of the Open Circle Fleet to gather up Captain Rex of the 501st Legion and to return him to the Negotiator until he can be transferred to his own unit. May we enter?”

  The disgruntled Twi’lek waits a moment before nodding and opening the door further while lowering the blaster. I turn around to the men and give my instructions: “Lieutenant, with me and the medicals, the five of you set up a perimeter around the farmstead. This should not take long. Comm us if anything happens, no excuses.”

  I enter the building with the medicals and Daffy to see Captain Rex sitting at a dinner table with two young Twi’leks, though they could be hybrids, it is difficult to tell. There’s a dejarik game going on and the Captain looks overly relieved.

  “Captain Rex, I do not believe we’ve made official acquaintance. I am Commodore Dericote of the 97th Outer Rim Squadron. I was instructed by Generals Skywalker and Kenobi to pick you up and of course reimburse the family we have inconvenienced for their troubles.” I say.

  “Of course, sir.” The Captain replies.

  I turn towards the Twi’lek: “Do you mind if my medicals use a room of yours to check up on the dear Captain to ensure he can be moved safely?”

  “No, go ahead.” She answers.

  “Thank you ma’am, we’l-” my comm beeps an interruption, “- excuse me. What is it Lieutenant?”

  “Sir, we have a visual on an escape pod, Separatist. We circled it a couple times, but it’s empty.” Comes the voice from Little Leader.

  “How far out? Possible ETAs?” I ask.

  “A couple klicks at least, sir. If it’s just B1s about ten minutes, if any other make they might scout the area out first.” Comes my reply.

  “Set your wingman to scout for any possible routes they may have taken. I want you on course towards the farmstead, you may engage if enemy forces are susceptible and there being no collateral.”

  “Roger that, Little Leader out.”

  I turn to the Lieutenant: “Tighten the perimeter and bring the LAAT in closer, preferably in front of the door. Tell Seagull to notify Skywalker and Yularen of our current situation. Ma’am, I would move the children somewhere safe if I were you. Is there anyone else in this household? They should be accounted for.”

  The Twi’lek tightens her posture at that then give Captain Rex an accusatory glance. There is a long moment of silence.

  “My husband is in the barn.” She replies stoically.

  “Lieutenant, could you go and inform her husband about the situation and ask him if he is willing to support us in the defense of his hearth and home?” I ask.

  The Lieutenant gives a quick salute and leaves the house to shout out the orders and grab the husband. The medics move Captain Rex to a different room while the Twi’lek moves her children to another different room within the house. She returns shortly after, the blaster held in front of her and her thumbing the trigger, setting me on edge. I un-clip my holster and tap R4 to help outside.

  A shout and the woman levels her blaster at my head and I level my slugthrower at her stomach. The Lieutenant enters the house shortly after with another clone with his hands behind his head.

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  “Found the husband, sir.” Daffy says in an upbeat fashion and I sigh in exasperation.

  “I am terribly sorry, sir.” I start, while keeping my voice upbeat and polite, “My Lieutenant is slightly on edge he will ask the good Captain of his knowledge of the situation and return outside afterwards to better coordinate with his men, because I trust the man to better coordinate the ground forces on this level. Ma’am would you please lower your blaster?”

  “You will not take my husband away.” She snarls not lowering her blaster as I had asked.

  My mind is racing, obviously the husband is a deserter. Obviously he wouldn’t desert alone, without any other Clones, without a reason. Captain Rex kept quiet which means he at least sympathizes with the Clone. The Lieutenant has left the room, though he could be doing it to gather the medicals as reinforcements. Improvise damn it: “Why would I? I see a farmer with an uncanny resemblance. Clearly my Lieutenant made a terrible mistake and feels very foolish right about now. Would you please lower your blaster away from my head ma’am? I hate to threaten someone, but my slugthrower is a tad quicker and makes more of a mess and I have nine men outside, three men inside, plus two fighters looking for some Separatists right about now, not to mention a very unhappy R4 unit that would per the quite outdated law of vengeance, instituted five years after the colonization of Fondor and still actively supported on the books, burn down your homestead with the help of any willing family and friends.”

  “Suu, maybe we should listen to the Commodore.” The Clone says and he is definitely booth a Clone and a deserter. Though his request finally makes the Twi’lek lower her blaster.

  “Thank you ma’am.” I say and return my slugthrower to my holster, just then my comm beeps again and I hold up a finger as I pick the thing up.

  “What is it?” I ask.

  “Sir, we’re picking up multiple, I repeat multiple droid signatures heading your way, requesting permission to fire.” I hear Lieutenant Solo ask.

  “One moment, Mrs… I’m sorry I don’t think I ever got your last name.”

  “Lawquaine, Suu Lawquaine and my husband Cut.” The Twi’lek answers.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Lawquaine would you mind us shooting some light laser cannons and light ion cannons into your fields? I am aware that this would be a disservice to the crops, but I feel-”

  “Will we be re-compensated?” Cut asks.

  “For your hospitality and any damages done to your property. I will personally sign any request for compensation.” That was probably a stretch of my authority, but at this point I did not want an angry civilian to shoot me in the back.

  “Fine.” Mrs. Lawquaine says.

  “Lieutenant Solo you are cleared to open fire.” I say into the comm.

  “Roger that, Commodore, you’re cutting it close.” Comes my reply.

  Not even a second later I hear the signature sound of fighter weapons discharging repeatedly and the Fighter soaring overhead. Lieutenant Daffy returns with Captain Rex on a stretcher, booth medicals attending to the wounded man. I wait a bit longer before picking up the comm again: “Lieutenant Solo, status.”

  “Probably got most of them. May be a couple stragglers.” She replies.

  “Go for another round on their last location.” I turn to Daffy, “Lieutenant Daffy, take the medicals and Captain Rex to the LAAT, have them extracted to the Negotiator. We’ll remain to assist the civilians.”

  “Sir, I don’t think that is appropriate.” Daffy starts.

  “We will be assisting the civilians Lieutenant, there are no objections, there will be no objections and any complaints are to be leveled at me after the mission, soldier.” I say, unhappy about my voice becoming chilled as I speak.

  “Yes, sir.” Daffy says.

  “Get to it then.” I say and I watch as the Lieutenant brings the medicals and Captain on board the LAAT before returning to the farmhouse. I see the LAAT taking off towards orbit and un-holster my slugthrower.

  “Ma’am … civilian, I would recommend protecting your children, unless you wish to join us.” I say, unable to return my voice to its usual tone.

  I hear some blasterfire already, kark it. “Come on Lieutenant, best not leave all the fighting to the men.” I say before walking out the door at a quick pace and unloading my sixth slug for a buckshot and my eighth for a bolo.

  “STATUS!” I bark watching blasterfire coming towards the farmhouse and with most of the clones taking cover behind barrels or the barn.

  The closest Clone responds: “They nailed Tack and he’s unresponsive, they’re moving through the crops and we can’t see em clearly!”

  I see Daffy and Lawquaine push past me to enter the fray. I pull out my comm while moving the cylinder to the buckshot: “Lieutenant, either you or your wingman have a concussion missile still on you?”

  “My wingman does sir. We can strafe the area close to the homestead in less than a minute.” comes my reply.

  “Go for it, hold the missile in reserve.” I say as a blasterbolt whizzes past my face and impacts into the wall besides me. I simply stare down where the shot originated and return fire with a crack and a flash. The Buckshot spreads out in a wild cloud of durasteel scattering into the beautiful field of crops. I hear the distinct sound of metal piercing metal alongside the blasterfire and the sounds of trampling crops.

  The Clones are doing quite well with Lieutenant Daffy having pushed dangerously close to the field leaving his left open. A commando droid emerges from the field with a vibro blade, I don’t need to adjust the cylinder simply aim and fire. The shot pierces the droid center mass and it crumples to the ground, Daffy looking to his side and putting a shot into the downed droid's head for safety’s sake.

  The whir of engines and the two R-41s fire an almost constant stream of laser and ion cannon fire along the edge of the crop line and a good ten meters behind. Red and blue steaks through the sky and impact again and again into the field. The blasterfire stops for a moment as we wait. The Clones remain in cover as I approach the smoldering field of destroyed crops and droid pieces.

  “Lieutenant Daffy, gather half the men for a sweep, I will deal with the deserter now.” I say as the Lieutenant approaches from behind.

  “Sir?” The Clone asks.

  “Desertion is treason, and I have the authority for a martial court on this level. You will lead the prosecution after you’ve searched the fields, The Lawquaines can be their own defense.” I say.

  The Lieutenant snaps a salute and I grab two clones not busy applying first aid or searching for droids in the field to assist me in the arrest. Lawquaine is hovering close to the unresponsive Clone. I frown, a shot to the helmet was not a good outlook, best case scenario he was out cold, worst case he snapped his neck after putting the damn thing on too tight.

  “What’s his status?” I ask.

  “He’s gone, sir.” The Clone’s squad-mate says.

  “He will be rewarded a spacer’s funeral, if he would have wanted that. His ashes will pollinate the stars.” I say placing a hand on the soldier's shoulder.

  “Yes, sir. Tack would have liked that.” The Clone trooper, who I recognize as the fallen Clone’s batchmate Tick, replies.

  “Move him out of the way until evac.” I turn towards the deserter, “Mr. Lawquaine I am sorry to inform you of your arrest on accusation of treason, desertion and multiple counts of failure to inform a superior officer of your crimes. Will you resist?”

  “No, Commodore.” The Clone says, holding his blaster pistols out for one of the men to grab.

  “Would you like to do this outside or inside?” I ask.

  “Outside, sir.”

  “Very well. Would someone bring out a couple chairs, I would hate to do this while standing.” I say and one of the Clones jumps to do something, rushing inside to get two chairs, one for me and one for the possible witnesses. Meanwhile I tap R4 for a datapad which she hands me promptly and I begin to start writing my after action report while talking absentmindedly: “R4 will take the position as court scribe, her recording of the proceedings will be submitted with the final report. Lieutenant Daffy will lead the prosecution to the best of his ability. The result of the trial will not affect his standing negatively. He will be granted the position on the merit of being the highest available officer who is not overseeing the case, The defendant may submit any request for witnesses, though he himself may be called. This is a rush job, but it could be worse, I suppose. Character witnesses will be permitted, there will be no jury, there may be no appeal. Yes that about does it. Have all that R4?”

  An affirmative whistle is my answer. The chairs have arrived by now and I take a seat, R4 stopping beside me. Lieutenant Daffy has returned and reports no droids in the area.

  “Alright then. Mr. Cut Lawquaine you are accused of desertion, treason and multiple counts of failure to report your crimes to a superior officer, how do you plead?”

  “Guilty.” Comes the reply. I glance up at that.

  “Really?” I ask.

  “Yes, sir.”

  I sigh at that, something I’ve been doing a lot these last couple weeks. I tap R4 to take the datapad from me as I stand up from my chair and begin to speak: “Then I sentence you to death by firing squad. I appoint to the firing squad myself and no other. As witnesses to the firing squad I call upon your wife Mrs. Suu Lawquaine and myself. Any questions?”

  “Will my family be safe?”

  “Of course, there was no sign of them knowing during the proceedings.” I reply. “Someone please inform Mrs. Lawquaine of her civic duty and bring her out behind the barn.”

  I lead the Clone behind the barn myself. A few moments later a very angry looking Mrs. Lawquaine was rushing up to me, followed by a jogging Clone. Before I could say anything I felt the pressure and sting of a slap and my head snapping to my right.

  “YOU SAID YOU WOULDN’T TAKE HIM!” She bellows. I raise my hand to my cheek.

  She had slapped me: “You slapped me?”

  “You said you wouldn’t take him.” She seethes, her face contorted in anger while the deserter looks resigned to his fate. The Clone who had gotten her standing there awkwardly.

  “You’re dismissed trooper.” I say and the clone dips and runs away like a mudpuppy with its tail between its legs.

  “Suu, he has the right. He will not punish you for hiding me, he says you and the kids will be safe.” The Clone says.

  “But we would be without you.” She counters.

  “Ma’am, would you please stand aside. Would you like a blindfold? I’m pretty sure Daffy has a stash of tobacco sticks on him if you’d like.” I offer.

  “No thank you.” The Clone replies.

  “I will not let you take him.” The Twi’lek says.

  “Suu please.” The Clone says.

  I sigh again as I take half a dozen paces away from the barn. I chamber one of the Fondorian slugs. Best to be proper with this.

  “I will not let him take you from me.” Mrs. Lawquaine says.

  “You will. For the children.” He says and she finally relents and takes a couple steps to the side.

  “I hope it was worth it.” I say as I chamber the slug.

  “For the moment of joy I had here. I would think it was.” Cut Lawquaine says, a smile on his face and a tear trailing down his cheek.

  I feel the residual sting of the slap. I re-adjust my officers cap. I take aim. I inhale the smoke of the burning crops and blaster damaged steel. I hear my men mumbling softly to one another. I can distantly hear the sounds of a LAAT coming from ahead of me, behind the barn. I hear the engines of the R-41s near it. I exhale and pull the trigger.

  CRACK