A blue lightsaber pierced through the door of the transport, and General Kenobi started cutting a circle through which they could enter.

After cleaning up the battlefield, and making sure there weren't any surviving clanckers, the clones stood behind the Jedis, looking at the vehicle. They too were curious about who the important person inside was. Of course, that didn't mean they didn't take the necessary precautions, such as setting up a perimeter around the convoy.

The next few minutes went by quietly as the Jedi cut through the metal slowly. When he was close to finishing, Hell Squad stepped forward, and took position near it. They were always first through the door.

Kicking the circle of metal that General Kenobi had cut, Dageer waited for a few seconds, but no response came from inside. Lifting two fingers to his men, he pointed forward, and Brain threw a droid popper, after which Dageer and Cell immediately dove inside, weapons ready.

Two commando droids were twitching on the floor, thanks to the electromagnetic pulse grenade. After making sure there were no other threats, Dageer stepped forward, and executed the clanckers with a point-blank laser to the head. One could never be too careful when dealing with commando droids.

"Clear! You can come in, generals!"

The inside of the vehicle was empty, apart from the two droids. There was definitely something weird about the whole thing, however. Why hadn't the clanckers joined the fight? And why were they traveling in a fancy transport, with mats, sculptures, and paintings?

"Just two droids?"

"It looks like that is it, Commander Tano."

"Maybe it was a decoy? To distract us while the real target escaped?"

"Uhmm... Maybe. But I can feel something... Do you feel it too, Anakin?"

"Yes, master. I don't know what it is."

The two Jedis kept their conversation going, but, at the same time, walked softly towards one of the sofa's. With a quick sweep from a lightsaber, the piece of furniture was cutting in half, revealing a Nemodian hiding.

"You could have chosen a better spot, my friend. Get him out of there."

Three-four and Metal walked forward, and pulled up the green-skinned being, who squealed in fear. They dragged him outside, where the Separatist showed to be even more of a coward. When he saw all the clones, he crumbled to the floor, hiding behind Cell, who was not at all gentle with him, and threw him forward, dragging him in the sand. If the decision was up to the clones, they would execute the Separatist without a second thought.

"Cell, that's enough. Kicks, Notch, Gard, see if there is anything useful inside the transport."

"Yes, general."

While the three clones entered the vehicle, the Jedis walked forward to talk with the Nemodian. Hell Squad stepped back, to give them room.

"Who are you, and where were you going?"

"I-I... I will never tell you anything, Je-Jedi!"

With a sigh, General Kenobi waved his hand in front of the Separatist, and repeated the question. This time, with his eyes blurred because of the Force, he answered.

"My name is Cato Talong. I'm going to the capital."

"To do what?"

"Deliver important information to our forces there."

The Jedis exchanged a surprised glance, while Dageer frowned. For a moment, he thought he saw a glint of a cunning light flash on the Separatist's eyes. But then, he was back to having his mind controlled by the Force.

"Why did you travel with just a small escort?"

"To deceive the Republic."

"What is the information you had to deliver?"

"I... I don't know... Wait... What are you doing to me?!"

Ignoring Cato, the Jedis moved a little away to talk. They already got what they wanted. Without the need for an order, Dageer and Tech entered the vehicle again, searching for the intel the Separatist talked about.

"What?! Stop! Don't shoot!"

They had barely stepped inside when yells and screams came from outside, General Skywalker's voice was louder than the others. Dageer turned around to find the Separatist holding what looked like a switch, or a trigger, his finger already pressing it. The clones all had their blasters aimed at Cato, but couldn't fire. If they did, whatever was connected to the trigger would blow up the moment Cato's finger lifted.

"What are you doing?! You are going to kill yourself!"

"Sc.u.m... Republic dogs. You think you are better than us just because you can use those tricks of yours. For years the Republic suppressed us, just because we didn't bend our knees to you. Not anymore, Jedis. Hahaha!"

"Get down!"

The moment the Separatist started laughing maniacally, they all knew he was suicidal. If he wasn't bluffing, then the convoy was rigged with explosives, and no one was willing to take chances.

Unfortunately, they didn't have much time to get away. The explosion killed the three 212th clones who were inside the transport immediately, and threw Dageer and Tech meters away. The two were lucky they weren't inside yet, and had time to run a few meters, before everything was blown to kingdom come.

Still, Dageer felt pain in his left leg, and knew it was broken. Around him, clones and Jedis were all on the ground, their ears still ringing. But it wasn't over yet.

Out of nowhere, a giant crack appeared on the ground, sucking the sand and two unlucky troopers around it. Before anyone could even get up, the rift expanded, leading to a dark abyss.

The Separatist was one of the first to disappear inside it, followed by Ahsoka, Commander Cody, Metal, Cell, and dozens of other clones. Dageer tried to get up as he saw the crack approaching him, but he fell again when he tried to put weight on his leg. Behind him, Tech was swallowed by the abyss, and Dageer soon joined him.

The light disappeared and came back time and time again, as he spun in the air. His instincts prompted him to try and grab the wall near to him, but all he did was slow his fall a little. At some point, something hit his head, and he fell unconscious.

-------------------------

When he woke up again, he realized he couldn't see anything. There was something heavy covering him, and, as he struggled to get it off, he noticed it was sand.

After uncovering the top half of his body, he turned on the lights on his helmet, ignoring the pain in his leg. The explosion had broken it, and the fall made it worse, but Dageer had long become immune to pain.

The first thing he saw when the flashlight was turned on was Cato Talong. The Separatist was a few centimeters above Dageer, blood trickling down his mouth, and falling into the sand. Two-thirds of his body werecrushed by a giant boulder.

Groaning, Dageer looked to the sides, and saw the body of one of his brothers half-buried in the sand. With a quick glance, he was able to confirm there was nothing to do for him.

Rocks, pieces of droids, and a lot of sand covered the bottom of the rift that he had fallen into. The walls were a dozen meters apart from each other at the bottom, but they got closer the higher one went. Still, he couldn't see an exit, and everywhere he looked was darkness.