Chapter 6: The Five and the Blonde one
Hyperspace made my mind wonder. Its workings more specifically, however I have heard some horror stories about those who dove too deep into its wonders. And I cherish my life too much to try to uncover those mysteries with my own fleet.
I left the command station and started walking around the ship. It has become a routine for me to burn calories. When there was nothing to do, a walk around the Maelstrom would consume an hour or so of my time and help me to keep my body in shape. It would also help me get to know the ship like the back of my hand. Which would be useful in case the ship was raided and I had to flee.
At my side was the Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker who accompanied me practically everywhere I went. Despite his infuriating tendency to pat my head whenever he felt like it, I was not opposed to his company, it also helped that he didn't ask too many questions…. Or made a nuisance of himself.
Receiving a holo-call, I stopped as Skywalker continued to walk. I accepted the call, and a hooded figure appeared.
"Execute order 66."
As if losing control of my body I closed the holo-call. I opened communications with all the
High rank officers of the Grand Army of the Republic.
"Execute order 66"
Anakin, who finally realized I had stopped, turned to look at me.
"Is everything all right ------?" The last part of his sentence pierced my mind, like a bolt of agony, as if censored by my own brain. I quickly pulled myself together and raised my gun.
"Good soldiers follow orders."
And everything went black.
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I woke up sweating, I quickly looked around, it had been asleep for a few hours. There were still hours to go until we reached Kamino.
"What a strange nightmare…"
I slowly sat up from my bed, I adjusted the room lighting from the nearby control panel allowing me to take in my surroundings. This felt like reality... With a sudden clap, I gave myself a slap that left my cheek stinging. Making it quite clear to me that I truly was awake.
Though I still don't understand the source of the nightmare. The stress must be getting to me.
Yes, that must be it.
If I remembered correctly, order 66 was a sort of contingency that would be used to hunt down traitorous Jedi.
I got up and started making my morning caf. I was going to need it today, the lack of sleep would reduce my efficiency and focus, which was unacceptable.
A quick look into the mirror revealed that I indeed had bags under my eyes, to my chagrin.
There was a knock on my door. I wasn't expecting a visitor? Was it Weiss?
"Come in."
The door opened. And though I was preoccupied with my caf, I turned to see who would be invading the privacy of my domicile this time..
It was Anakin.
Surely this wasn't still a nightmare?
I gave a suspicious look to the communicator on my desk. However, the expected call never came, instead the invader started to pat my head.
"Did you sleep alright? I heard some shouting while I was guarding the entrance."
Embarrassment filled me. Was I talking in my sleep? I would have to soundproof my room! However, the continuous caressing of my head quickly began to frustrate me.
"Could you stop that?"
"It just felt like the right thing to do."
I rolled my eyes, I finished making my coffee and started to drink it. I opened a map of the galaxy as I enjoyed my drink. Mygeeto's offensive seemed to be working. We had 50% of the planet occupied theoretically. Perfect! I'm Proud of you brothers! Destroy those clankers!
It seems the situation on the Galaxy was beginning to stabilize. After winning the battle of Kamino I will have to report to the Chancellor and the Senate.
I noticed how Anakin left me alone and sat on the bed. Even though he was my personal guard, he kept taking too many liberties. However, there was no reason to complain…. Too much, after all I have a magic monk with a laser sword protecting me.
Why did it keep sounding worse the more I thought about it?
Well, not important. I noticed how little coffee was left and in one sip I finished it. Coffee is definitely the best thing in the universe. I needed this.
Well, the overall situation doesn't seem to have changed much and I would have been woken up by now if there was a crisis. I think I will take the time to visit my brothers.
" Anakin."
Anakin looked at me, literally smiling. "Yes? What do you need?"
I think he was on duty while I slept. I should give him time to rest. Even though he was doing it voluntarily, it was a superior's duty to take care of the people under his command... Besides, he was good to me and has done more than I expected of anyone.
"I am going to visit my brothers, sleep or rest. I need you to be at 100% by the time we go into battle against the separatists. You don't want to die from being distracted and tired"
He laughed and laid down on my bed. Wait. He had his own room!
"You have your own room!"
Anakin began to snore loudly, obnoxious snores that sounded more like a psychological attack that tried to force me go outside of my own room.
"I'll tell the cooks not to give you your dessert ration for the next month!"
The man didn't even move, I sighed and slowly donned my armor.
"OK, no dessert ration for you then."
I didn't really mind if he slept in my bed, it was after all just a bed and it didn't cause any harm to have someone else use it. I've slept in trenches where the water was up to my navel with over 30 men and women around me crammed in like sardines in a can. Yet I felt that if I just took it lying down it would erode some of my authority somehow. However I couldn't push back too hard on someone who had helped me when they didn't need to and called a favor to the closest thing to a leader that the Jedi have to ensure the safety and rights of my people.
It felt wrong to be hard on him. Plain and simple. It's strange how in my life as Tanya von Degurechaff I would have just kicked his ass out and been done with it.
War changes everyone who participates in it, but war, war never changes.
I left my room and began to walk through the corridors of the Maelstrom. Feeling in one of my pockets how the device that allowed long distance holo-calls was moving. The nightmare had affected me too much. I could not allow a mere dream to affect me so.
I donned my helmet and continued walking. It was a bit lonely to walk the corridors of the Maelstrom. But there was little else to do. Without realizing it I found my way to Weiss's room.
I knocked slowly on the door.
"Come in."
I opened the door and stepped through, seeing Weiss in his body glove, painting on a canvas.
"I see that the recreation budget I spent hours debating with the Kaminoans is being put to good use.
Weiss nodded slowly, not taking his eyes off the canvas, painting slowly. Respecting his concentration, I closed the door and positioned myself behind him, watching what he was painting.
"You know, the Kaminoans believe that we do not have the ability to create, however I am glad that you show that we are more than capable of creating art".
In front of me was a scene where a clone was staring at his destroyed helmet, the clones around him have taken off their helmets in a scenario similar to Geonosis, however it was the expression on the lead clone's face that caught my attention. As opposed to a look of pride or satisfaction, the clone was looking forlornly at the helmet.
"You taught us back in the day that art is not just what you draw, but the feelings you express".
He let me see the canvas. Until now I hadn't noticed quite how large it was.
"I was thinking about how to express our people discovering their identity".
With renewed enthusiasm he pointed to parts of the canvas.
"We learned that we are slaves long before, but knowing something and truly understanding it are different things. I wanted to put the battle of Geonosis as the point at which we clones understood that we are slaves. The helmet represents our servitude, to fight in other peoples war is our purpose. What we were created for. If you notice the helmet is damaged. This is meant to convey that Geonosis is the point where we will start to make our own choices".
For a while he gushed about his art with great enthusiasm. Like a child showing his parents what he had created in arts and crafts class. Too bad he never had a father or mother to show this side of himself to.
I clapped my hands slowly. "That's wonderful Weiss, how long have you been working on this piece?"
He looked to the side sheepishly. "I started a month ago, I asked the inventory for canvases and paints to start this little project of mine."
The Kaminoans would kill him if they found out. But between brothers there are no traitors. What happens between clones stays between clones.
"I'm glad you started this project. I love what you have done. However, remember that there is art and there is political art. Political art can cause problems."
His face saddened, looking slowly towards my work and then back at me.
"Should I destroy it?"
Oh, it's true, sometimes clones don't take hints.
"No, you should hide it, and the day that we are free this will be a part of our history."
He nodded satisfied, and set the canvas and more on a table. Slowly sitting up from his spot and cracking the bones in his neck.
"Why don't we just kill them Big Sister? And I don't want the excuse that they would call us a danger to the galaxy. Why can't we start a revolution to free ourselves?"
Weiss, though always timid, was an extremist. In the time of the debates and teaching I had with all the clone leaders he had always secretly supported a clone revolution. And if it weren't for interference from me and other commanders he would have launched it on his own.
"Weiss, you underestimate what it is to be a galactic crisis. If during the Separatist crisis 5 million elite soldiers revolted on Kamino, the Republic and the Separatists would have called a temporary truce to destroy us. A galactic crisis is a threat to the entire galaxy, and we would be if we rebelled."
He seemed frustrated but spoke no more, simply gazing at the painting gloomily.
"Big Sister, I can't believe that, but as the sole leader of our people and as my older sister, I will respect your decision."
He said the same thing when I talked him out of the clone revolution. It implied that though he disagreed with what I said, he would accept it. It was something that worried me, that if we became independent all the power would turn around a kind of strange clone monarchy around me. However, I will solve that problem when we get to that point.
"Keep on creating Weiss, and the future generations will appreciate your work for our people".
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I continued walking through the Maelstrom, this time looking for Rex who should be in his room. Or so I thought, when I passed by the hangar I saw in the corner a makeshift gym, where dozens of clones of the 501st were training and among them I saw Rex.
I approached slowly, here the clones were not even wearing their body gloves. Just a pair of shorts, showing off their toned bodies. What had they become? Bodybuilders? I created clubs and hobbies with the excuse that it would increase their effectiveness in battle, however it was for the clones to gain more individuality and develop socially. The last thing I wanted was for them to get weird about their hobby.
"48, 49, 50!" shouted one, I noticed how Rex and... a clone trooper I didn't know his name were competing on a bar, seeing who could keep up the pace it seemed.
The seconds ticked by and they quickly began to feel more tired.
"97, 98..." At last the clone trooper relented, Rex continued until he reached 100, collapsing on the ground afterwards, breathing heavily.
"Well done brother" said Rex stood up and offered his hand to the other clone, he took the offered hand and stood up. "You too, well done."
The moment of camaraderie seemed to end when Rex seemed to notice me at last.
"Officer on deck!" He said, quickly going into a military salute, the rest of the brothers stood up and followed his example, however I raised a hand to stop them.
"You are off duty at the moment, you don't have to be formal with me right now brothers."
Quickly they all relaxed, several of them went back to doing what they were doing while Rex began to wipe away the sweat.
"What's the reason for your visit, Big Sister?"
To say I was doing public relations work with my brothers would surely cause him to short circuit, so it was best to keep things nice and simple.
"As the older sister, don't I have a responsibility to worry about my brothers and see how you're doing?"
Rex raised both eyebrows and then laughed, "Okay, okay, I get it, you want to check that we're not breaking anything, don't worry that's just the General."
I laughed lightly at the joke, however that made me remember.
"Where are the two Togrutas?"
Rex seemed to look around, "I could have sworn General Tano was with us a few minutes ago, competing in the race with us, though she was the first one out, though about General Shaak Ti. No idea."
I nodded, the girl was acting like a child. It was normal, she was probably frustrated at losing first. Children tended to act irrationally, unlike my brothers. Even though they were children they were mature, or as mature as they could be, I could tell that many of them suffered and I helped them as much as I could. The hobbies allowed them to keep their inner child happy through all the war.
"I dare you" Rex said out of nowhere, pointing his head at the bars. "The loser gives the winner their dessert rations for a week," he said with a chuckle. Clearly this competition would be rather one sided, given Rex's… physique.
"I'll only if you agree to join the art club with Weiss if you lose."
The disgusted look on Rex's face amused me, I tried to hide my laughter. All the clones were just big kids…. And the Republic was forcing them to die for a corrupt cause.
From time to time Weiss's dream of a clone revolution made me think. Will there be a future for my people? I had told my fellow clones that someday we would be free, yet it's not like there's an easy way to go about it.
Maybe leaning completely on the Jedi isn't such a bad idea.
"Well, I'll leave you to it, I have to see Lion and Joker."
He nodded. "Bye Big Sister."
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I saw Commander Lion painting the side of a LAAT with other soldiers.
The art consisted of a cartoonish depiction of my face flanked on each side by helmets colored in the black and red armor of the 44th legion.
Lion stood up and turned around, although I hadn't made a sound he still noticed my presence. I seem to recall that the Kaminoans gave him the rank of Commander because of how outstanding he was.
"What's up Lion? Painting the new equipment? I thought the art club was for wimps."
He looked at me and then at the painting.
"It's not the same thing, art makes you soft, painting equipment boosts morale, one is for war, the other is not".
Lion was a character, a strong character let's say. He was quite similar to Patton I had known of in my first life. Although unlike Patton he cared about the lives of his men and was a good tactician and strategist.
"Excuses, excuses. I'm not here to judge your personal decisions though. How's it going?"
He seemed to take offense at the excuses, excuses part. However he quickly turned his attention to my question.
"Well, I hate the Jedi."
I almost spat in my helmet after hearing that said in such a casual manner. I quickly pulled myself together and began to think. His Legion was the one charged with surrounding the city. Though they suffered little casualties it is also likely that he had been put under a lot of stress given the situation. A 180-degree change of plan in the middle of a battle for not a real reason must have really upset him. He was also one of the clone commanders who was close to Wolffe back on Geonosis.
"I understand, I'm not one to try to justify his behavior. That's not what I wanted to ask, though. Are you into any hobbies?"
He nodded, quickly approaching the LAAT pulling a box out of it.
"Me and the guys have created a music club, we're trying to create real songs. Not the shit that's on the holonet. I'll seriously kill myself before I play another republican song. Even the separatists have better material!"
I laughed internally. The man who literally said that painting is for "wimps" is in a music club? Was this competition between children or adults?
"And what kind of music are you creating?"
He pulled out of his box an instrument that I knew, but for this galaxy it was quite out of place. It was a violin of all things.
"I'm trying it out at the moment, but I've got something to work with."
He took off his helmet and placed the violin in the correct position. He began to slowly play the violin. The clones of 44 all took a seat as Lion started to play.
He quickly increased the tempo creating a sense of energy and danger. It vaguely reminded me of something I heard in my second life. But I couldn't quite remember what.
At some point he stopped, my brothers and I applauded.
"You're very good, I believe you'll achieve your goal of giving us something decent to listen to."
He nodded, putting the violin back in its box and returning to the LAAT.
"Come on brothers, let's finish painting the LAATs before we get to Kamino."
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I found Commander Joker reading on the holonet while leaning against his bed, he had the room open, so I simply walked in.
"How are you?"
The fact that he was reading in his spare time was reassuring. He was one of the few who hadn't picked up any particular interest at all as far as I knew. And although reading was a hobby, I considered it insufficient. I would like him to have more than just that.
"Well, I was reading a bit about animals."
Animals? I don't know much about animals. Maybe I should do some research?
"Do you enjoy reading about animals, Joker?"
Joker moved his head towards the wall. Turning off the pad and looking embarrassed. Strange how he could tell how the clones felt by their body behavior. More specifically how they moved their helmet.
"Would you want me to get you one?"
Silence filled Joker's room.
"You know I'm insistent that everyone has a hobby, if you want an animal just tell me and I'll get you one. It's not that hard. Just tell me what you want."
He seemed to hesitate for a second, however he went back into the pad, showing me a hologram of a creature that looked sort of like a cat like my previous lives, with black fur and a vivid golden eye color.
"You want a Spukamas?"
He nodded. Taking care of an animal was a very good hobby. Besides, if he was interested in animal life, he would surely develop his personality little by little, which is my goal.
"I'll try to get one for you."
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I was about to go into my room when I was startled by a loud shout.
"What do you mean keep it professional!"
Anakin's voice rang loud and clear, which worried me. I really needed to soundproof my room. But that's besides the point right now. I moved closer to hear better. A woman's voice rang out. Probably on a holographic call.
"This relationship was a mistake, Anakin, and continuing it will only compound that mistake. But there is no way I can ever repay you. This relationship was an affair and we must maintain our professionalism above all else."
You could tell she was a politician, the nasty way she spoke. I would know a politician by the way they spoke even if they tried changing up their manner of speech. All politicians are monstrously self-centered.
"But what about everything we did on Naboo? Doesn't that mean anything to you?"
Obviously not Anakin, it's a policy. How much you still have to learn, Anakin. I thought as I shook my head in disappointment. Anakin was too young to understand such cold truths.
"It was an adventure, Anakin. One that must end now."
I listened as the holo-call went dead, for a moment I thought about leaving. But it was best not to leave a person with a weapon capable of cutting through plasteel like butter alone after being abandoned by his lover.
"Excuse me."
The sound of something breaking caught my attention, "Go ahead."
I entered my room and saw how on the floor near the wall was a communicator. The device was crushed and destroyed.
"I'm sorry about that." said Anakin, who finally abandoned his compassionate and mature attitude and returned to his real nature, a teenager with self-control issues. How could this really be the person who had been so important in getting the help we needed?
Anakin sat on my bed with his back against the wall. I sat next to him, and copied his position
"I know you Jedi are forbidden to have relationships, that said,none of that matters to me," I said. For the Jedi, having emotional connections as partners was forbidden for some reason. However, that was not my problem.
Anakin, who at one time seemed like a good connection to have, was currently stressed about being dumped. I didn't have to stir the hornet's nest, I just had to help him through the breakup and move on. Plus I owed him for talking to the Jedi council on my behalf.
"If you want my honest opinion. It was probably for the best that she broke off the relationship. You're a jedi knight charged with protecting me, you're probably going to be everywhere but wherever this woman is. Can you keep a secret relationship when half the galaxy separates you? No matter how much love there is, time and distance will break it. At least that's my opinion."
Anakin massaged his forehead, probably to help with the headache he was likely suffering from.
"My love would never fade" he said in frustration. All the teenagers said the same thing, which was funny because in the end it always did.
"Maybe not yours, but hers? It's a policy, Anakin. Even if her love was sincere, imagine being separated from her for a year. She would eventually be lonely and distraught just like you. But unlike you she would be surrounded by rich, handsome men who would surely be more than willing to help her with her loneliness."
Many soldiers went to war and suffered for years in the hope of returning home to have their partner there. What they often found were empty houses, unfaithful wives and destroyed families. At least the politician had the decency to break off the relationship with Anakin.
Anakin looked at me with piercing eyes. He moved his hand to my helmet and removed it. Had I angered him?
He put his hand back on my head and began to caress it.
"I appreciate you trying to rationalize it. But I don't need your help, I'll get over it... eventually... I appreciate the thought though."
Mission accomplished? Well I didn't really care but not having a secret long distance relationship would help his mental stability. I had returned the favor, I think?
I felt like I was floating, a similar but strange sensation to when in my second life I was flying through the skies. I started to panic but remembered that this was the power of a Jedi. I looked at Anakin who was pointing strangely with his hands, putting me on his lap.
"Hey!"
However he just stroked my head after making that weird move. I think he was using me as some kind of weird emotional prop like a cat or something. Fucking teenagers, I watched my partner bleed out and didn't force anyone to be the shoulder for me to cry on.
Visha....
I shook my head, it didn't matter anymore....
"Thank you" Anakin said, I could tell from his voice that he was about to cry.
"You're welcome"
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POV Weiss
I was on the bridge with Big Sister who was looking open faced towards the enemy fleet, at parade rest, her proud figure in the face of imminent danger inspired me. A pity I couldn't paint this scene. Though I might try once I have finished my latest piece.
I followed her gaze toward the enemy fleet, they numbered over 30 separatist ships that were slowly approaching us with clear intentions of invading Kamino. We were significantly outnumbered, with just 15 Venators, 3 of which were from the local garrison.
A high-pitched, repetitive sound rang out. The admiral approached and then looked towards Big Sister.
"A call from the enemy."
Big Sister didn't even hesitate and approached, manually accepting the call.
In front of us stood a bald, pale-coloured woman. Ugly as a rancor, and a sour look on her face.
"I have called to negotiate the terms of surrender."
The arrogance, Insinuating that we should surrender. We may be outnumbered but we will fight to the last man. Millions of our brothers would die if Kamino fell.
Big Sister fell silent for a few seconds, I moved closer to see how she would react to that humiliation. However, I saw a smile that frightened me.
"I regret to inform you that I cannot accept your surrender. We do not have sufficient capabilities to hold the droid army under your command. I will however be willing to accept your personal surrender and the withdrawal of the rest of the fleet."
The white woman's face twisted in confusion, then fury and closed the call. I looked around and absolutely everyone's mouths dropped open at Big Sister's response. However, I was more concerned about her smile. A smile I had never seen before.
The intercom came on, I had barely even noticed that she had activated it.
"Brothers. Kamino is where all of us were born, where millions more of our brothers will be born. The separatists know that and are coming to kill our younger brothers. Those who have not yet come out of their pods. Those who have yet to grow into even boys. Those who are just beginning their training.
Those cowardly beings, who would try to destroy us and the republic. Those cowardly beings that lead the enemy. Those cowardly beings that control the separatists. I only have one thing to say. We will kill you all with the power of our blood, sweat, and tears, and most of all our blasters!
That is why I dare to give you this order. Forward! To Victory! KAMINO WILL BE THE GRAVE OF THE SEPARATISTS!"
The communication was cut off and a chuckle was heard throughout the command bridge.
"They only out number us two to one. This will be easy."
I looked on in awe at Big Sister, I had never seen her in such a way before. And I could only think of one thing.
She is the only one who can save the clones.
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Thanks to Grape Fanta for editing the whole chapter!
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