Part 15 (1/2)
work”
Doriana didn't answer On the near edge of the rooftop the clone troopershadback down the air vehicle was growing steadilylarger, and he could see now that it was indeed a Republic assault transport
And as it grew closer, it opened fire
Laytron inhaled sharply ”What are they doing?” he breathed
”They're”
”Aren't they firing on the landing shi+p?” Doriana asked
”They're firing on the plant,” Laytron snapped, pulling his headset voice
pickup closer to hison the plant
Repeat, cease firing on the plant!”
The only response was an intensification of the transport's fire,alternating noeen the plant and the ene moment, the Republic and Separatist forces traded fire as theassault transport continued racing forward
Then, without warning, the vehicle suddenly dipped off its approachDoriana held his breath as the STAR attack was joined by blaster and laserbolts fro the plant The transportdipped even further
And as Laytron reeled off a string of helpless curses, Doriana watched as it plunged straight through the plant's roof
For what see happened Then, with ahorrible series of muffled explosions, whole sections of the roof bleard, scattering frag's walls followed, bulging and cracking and finally shattering intomudslides of rubble Another, louder explosion echoed across the landscape, and through the roiling s into the sky from the western side of the plant
”They've stopped,” Laytron said dully
”What?” Doriana asked
The lieutenant pointed wearily across the lawn ”The droids,” he said
”They've frozen up That last blastshi+p and
control matrix”
”I see,” Doriana said slowly ”Do we count this as a victory?”
Laytron snorted ”The Jedi ht,” he said bitterly ”Who kno they think? But the rest of us certainly won't”
”To save the world,” Doriana , ”we had to destroy it'”
”That's about it” Laytron shook his head tiredly ”Coo find Commander Roshton”
Lord Binalie said very little as the three of the through the re at his father's side, was even quieter”I don't knohat to say,” Tories said softly as they caroup of Cranscoc and human bodies ”Except that I'm very sorry”
”Of course you are,” Binalie said, his voice under rigid control ”You'resorry, Commander Roshton is sorry, Master Doriana is sorry I'm sure theentire Jedi Council would be sorry, too, if they would pause long enough intheir search for someone to blame for their part in this”
He turned dead eyes on Tories ”What good is any of it?”
Tories shook his head ”None,” he conceded ”I don't suppose there's any chance?”
”That we can rebuild? With nearly all the twillers dead?” Binalie shook
his head ”No Not for another generation at least And then only if we can get the Cranscoc to trust us again”
He turned away ”I certainly wouldn't if I were the to do”
Tories winced ”I'm sorry,” was all he could think of to say