Star Wars_ Darth Bane 01_ Path of Destruction - Drew Karpyshyn [145]
There was nothing the patrols could do but shoot the tormented creatures on sight, before they spread their madness among the Jedi. A grim task, but necessary—as so many other things here on Ruusan had been.
Fortunately, the patrols had managed to keep the bouncers at bay, and the mood within the confines of the Jedi camp itself was one of cautious optimism. After the hopeless despair of the past months their subdued enthusiasm almost felt like jubilant revelry to General Hoth.
They were no longer the hunted, cowering in the depths of the forest, surviving only as long as they remained hidden. The Jedi had gained the upper hand: their new camp had been set up on the open plains along the edges of the very battlefield where the war had turned. And now it was the Sith who had gone into hiding.
The general, though still exhausted by the desperate escape from the flames and the fighting that followed, refused to sleep. There were too many details to see to, too many things that needed his attention.
In addition to organizing the patrols to protect against the bouncers, he also had to oversee the distribution of fresh supplies. Farfalla’s ships had delivered desperately needed food, medpacs, and fresh power cells for blasters and personal shields. With most of their other stores lost to the unnatural wildfire that had devastated the forests, the general wanted to make sure all his troops were properly reequipped and tended to before he granted himself the luxury of rest.
He wove his way through dozens of dying campfires and scores of snoring bodies. They were still short on tents for the troops, but those without were more than content to spend the warm nights splayed out on the ground sleeping beneath the open sky.
“General,” a voice called out, surprisingly loud in the otherwise still night. Hoth turned to see Farfalla running toward him, sure-footed despite the darkness as he leapt nimbly over the slumbering soldiers in his way.
Pausing to let him catch up, Hoth returned his now customary—yet still extravagant—bow with a courteous nod. “Do you have news, Master Farfalla?”
The younger man nodded excitedly. “Our scouts have spotted the Sith on the move. Kaan is leading them east, toward the foothills.”
“Probably heading into the caves and tunnel systems,” Hoth guessed. “Trying to take away our advantage in the air.”
Farfalla smiled. “Fortunately, we’ve already done some reconnaissance on the area. We know most of the major access points to and from the surface. Once they go into the tunnels we can surround the exits. They’ll be trapped!”
“Hmmm …” Hoth stroked his heavy beard. “It isn’t like Kaan to make such an obvious tactical mistake,” he muttered. “He’s up to something.”
“I could instruct some of the scouts to follow them into the tunnels and keep an eye on them,” Farfalla suggested.
“No,” Hoth said firmly after only a moment’s consideration. “Kaan will be watching for spies. I won’t deliver any of our people into his hands for interrogation.”
“Maybe we could starve them out,” Farfalla offered. “Force them to surrender without any more bloodshed.”
“That would be the best solution,” the general admitted. “Unfortunately, I don’t think we can afford that kind of time.” He gave a deep sigh and a weary shake of his head. “I don’t know why Kaan’s heading into the caves … I just know we have to do something to stop him.” Resolve hardened his face. “Sound the reveille and assemble the troops. We’ll go in after him.”
“Not to question your orders, General,” Farfalla began, as tactfully as he could, “but is it possible Kaan is luring you into a trap?”
“I’m almost certain of it,” Hoth conceded. “But it’s a trap he’s going to spring sooner or later anyway. I’d rather not give him time to prepare. If we’re lucky we can catch him before he’s ready.”