"Communications have been restored, sir." "Finally! Patch me through directly to our forces." Tyrix's fingers flew over his console and he quickly signaled his success with a nod to the General. Xarran reached for his comlink. "Xarran to Alpha and Delta Groups. All units are to report status immediately." There was silence.
Rivo gave his brother a meaningful glance, but Xarran ignored him and tried again. "I repeat, this is General Xarran ordering all units to account current status. Alpha Group... report." Nothing. A bead of sweat trickled down the General's forehead. He leaned, closer to the mike. "Delta Group...report." Again, there was not a sound. Xarran stared accusingly at Tyrix. "You must have been in error Commander. The comm system is still down." the Commander replied "I regret to inform you, sir. It is functioning within normal parameters. Our forces should be responding."
"Yet that is not the case." Xarran's voice had lost a bit of its hard edge. "Why?" Rivo answered with a plaintive wail. "Because they're all dead!" Xarran spun around, viciously backhanding his brother across the face. "Will you shut up!" The unexpected blow sent Rivo crumpling to the deck where he cringed, holding up his hands in supplication. Xarran's face softened with regret immediately. He helped Rivo up and said in a low whisper, "Forgive me, brother..." "Wait a minute!" Tyrix nearly jumped from his console. "General, sensors are picking up one of our walkers at the outer perimeter."
Xarran beamed. "Put it on the viewscreen." Tyrix complied and the image of a battle-scarred AT-AT filled the viewer. "Returning in victory?" the Commander said.
