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Oh for Rampart’s sake!
“This, plan of yours… it’s… it’s crazy!”
The words exclaimed by Captain Howzer, the sentiment shared by many if asked. The agreeing murmurs in the room clear indication of the same.
“Howzer’s not wrong.”
Crosshair taking Howzer’s side was a first. But then again, they had both worked with the Admiral and knew how devious and self serving the ex imperial really could be. He could be conniving ruthless if let loose without any control that much the two clones knew to be true. Not even the higher up of the Empire having managed to keep him in check some of the times.
Howzer gave Crosshair a surprised glance, nodding to the sniper a small thanks. The two having managed to hash things up to some extent after them both reuniting within Rex’s Cause, both having been working together on several missions ever since. And they did work well together truth being told.
“He would sell his own grandmother, his pet tooka even if it served his purpose.”
Howzer was trying to emphasise how dangerous of a man they were dealing with. Not that the infamous Doctor Hemlock wasn’t right there at the top list of devilish imperials to be avoided at all costs. But Rampart was right there, a close second or perhaps third?
There were a several chuckles in the meeting room, the loss of a pet took certainly not amusing but a grandmother surely warranted a few laughs.
“I admit, that there are far better choices than him. But the intel we got just now is that the imps are moving him to a secure facility as his trials are finally over. The Admiral having been sentenced and become an enemy of the state. And we all know what that means.”
Rex did not need to explain any further as there were so many of the clones who had been on that path themselves. The torture, the experimentation… the modifications made to some of the clones… Something far worse than death for them. Crosshair and Howzer having been among them.
“So, we’re just gonna nab him then, no questions asked?”
Wrecker was all for a nab and grab. But this Rampart fellow… well, he was loathed by plenty of the clones for sure. And there was always the fear that there would be retaliation if he was brought in to aid the Clone Cause. Then again, guess it was true for most high ranking ex imperials.
“That’s the plan.”
Rex had laid out the plan on the holo-imager for all to see present in the meeting. He himself alongside Cody and Wolffe had devised it with the aid of Tech and Echo. A full proof plan it was not. So many variables these days to be able to counter. But it was worth the risks just the same.
Hunter and Gregor whistled almost in unison then, seeing it presented for the first time.
“So, when do we go?”
“Tomorrow. We go in with the smallest team possible. Two stealth shuttles only. This is as covert as it gets lads.”
“It’s agreed then. We’ll go and get Rampart.”
They all shared glances, but there were no objections among the several clones there. After all, Rex was right, this was a good opportunity for them. Well worth the risk.
*
Rampart looked up from the heap of stormtroopers lying at his feet. It had all happened quite suddenly. The shuttlecraft hauling Rampart to his new destination being boarded and then the shooting started. There was nothing but smoke in the air as Rampart stood there, handcuffed and confused as to what was going on.
It did not take too long, when the familiarly clad troopers were surrounding him. Clones, several of them with blasters aimed at him. And that made Rampart shiver for sure. They weren’t moving only staring right at him through their visors.
Swallowing audibly, he tried to maintain a sliver of control over the situation. Calming himself or at least his voice before speaking to them.
“What are you waiting for? Just get it over with!”
Rampart was sure they were there to kill him. And why not, revenge had its sweet taste for sure. Having had a sample of it a few times himself. But it had been a while for the Admiral and if he was honest, he could not really blame the clones for wanting it either.
What he had not expected was to be grabbed and moved out from the imperial shuttle. Hauled more likely to the other vessel docked to the imperial ship. As Rampart stepped into the clones vessel, someone he had yet to meet stood there in waiting. Someone Rampart knew only by reputation. The proverbial thorn in the Empire’s shebs the clone had been for too long.
“Captain Rex, I presume.”
“Rampart.” Rex leered not using the rank of the Admiral as Rampart no longer possessed one, having been stripped of the title after his arrest.
“So, you’re going to make an example of me then? A public execution to cheer the troops and all?”
Yup Rampart knew all about the not so small clone rebellion having grown to larger numbers by now.
“No such luck I’m afraid!”
The clones around Rex all laughed, sending further chills down Rampart’s spine.
“Your fate is going to be far more dreadful than that.” Rex turned to have a glance at the others around him before addressing Rampart again. "You, my dear Rampart, are going to help us for a change.”
The surprise written on Rampart’s face was priceless. But, thinking about it a mere spell, Rampart was sure he could live with this kind of a fate!