In Command (#1 Post-Order 66 Series)

In Command - Part 23

Tech maneuvered the Marauder such that it was tucked away under the wing of a massive ship that was so rusted they couldn't even begin to identify it. They hadn't seen any Scrapper Guild patrols on the way in, but now, they had to make the journey to the target Star Destroyer without being spotted. The clones slipped on their armor and geared up while Senna scrolled through the Star Destroyer's schematics one more time on her datapad. Finally, they were all ready to go, stepping carefully down the stairs of the ship onto the Bracca surface.

"Ship's roughly one klick east of here," Hunter said. "Let's get moving." It took them around an hour to weave their way through the debris, being careful to stay out of sight. The sun beat down on the metal jungle that they walked through, heating the ground and blocking any semblance of a breeze. Dust rolled beneath their feet as they trudged onward towards their destination.

Finally, the sharp triangular wing of the Star Destroyer loomed overhead. They walked along the edge of the wing until they found a slope that led to the underside where the main hangar entrance would be located. Sliding down first, Senna felt water pool around her ankles as she reached the bottom of the incline. Right behind her, Tech grabbed her arm and yanked her out of the water onto a piece of sheet metal that rose above the surface. "Had a bad experience with the water here last time. Wrecker could tell you all about it, but for now, I just recommend steering clear of any deeper water." She nodded, keeping clear of the small lake that had formed under the ship as they made their way to the opening.

The main hangar entrance rose about five meters above their head. "Anyone bring any grappling lines?" Senna asked.

"Don't need 'em," Wrecker chuckled behind her, and she heard Rex let out a quiet curse under his breath.

"What's wrong?" she whispered.

"I don't think I'm going to like how we're getting up there."

"Oh come on, Rex. You should be used to it by now!" Wrecker boomed.

"No! NO! Wrecker, NO!" Rex swatted at him as Wrecker grabbed him by the back of the belt and his pauldron strap, chucking him unceremoniously into the hangar opening like a sack of flour. Senna heard him land with a dull thud and a skid followed by a louder curse. She bit back a giggle as Wrecker went to scoop up Echo next, who was only mildly more excited at the prospect than Rex. Gathering her legs underneath her, she leapt, landing lightly in a crouch as Echo flew by her, flailing in the air. She reached out to catch him with the Force, softening his landing.

"Where was that for me?" Rex grumbled, emerging from the darkness rubbing his backside.

"Sorry, love. I didn't realize what Wrecker's plan was, but it was pretty funny watching you flail through the air like a newborn Toydarian."

Rex muttered something else that she couldn't hear as Tech came flying in, and Senna caught him with the Force as well. After Hunter had also joined them, Senna reached out, pulling Wrecker up. It took more concentration than she had anticipated, but she did eventually manage to pull the massive man up into the hangar, letting him land with a little harder of a thud than his brothers.

Carefully, the group began making their way through the decks of the massive starship. It was deathly quiet inside, the silence only broken by the sound of the clones' breathing in their helmets and the occasional sound of metal shifting as the giant ship settled into the ground underneath it. Senna held her lightsaber aloft as a light source while Tech and Rex carried small flashlights to read the different deck numbers. As she walked out in front, Senna still couldn't help but feel the unease that had been haunting her since Alderaan. She didn't want to worry Rex, so she said nothing. The look he'd given her when she had described her dream the night before had been enough. You're just being paranoid. That dream was frightening. We'll just get in and out here. It'll be quick and easy.