Kapitel 75: Right Hand
Commander Keeli and General Di looked quite serious when they saw all the clones lined up and waiting, for a grand total of eleven clones and six researchers.
Both leaders looked at the group, solemn expressions on their faces, but Dageer wasn't getting any bad feelings. He went up to greet them.
"General, commander. It is good to see you. For some time we thought we were all dead."
"Dageer, are those all the survivors?"
"Yes sir. Even the injured are here."
"Keeli."
"Yes, general."
Commander Keeli stepped forward, and took off his helmet. His eyes calm, he took out a datapad. But before he started reading from it, he decided to say something himself.
"Clones. Only you remain before me, of over thirty brothers who were here before. They died doing their duties, but that doesn't make their deaths less important."
Commander Keeli looked at the clones, who were all looking sharp. Most of them had some new scar or hole in their armor to show. Satisfied, Commander Keeli looked at the datapad, and started reading it.
"Sergeant Salv. One step ahead."
Salv walked until he was in front of Commander Keeli and General Di.
"Sir!"
"Sergeant Salv, the Republic, and I, are deeply grateful to you and your men, by defending this medical base, at the cost of your lives. Your lost troopers will be replenished soon."
"Thank you, sir!"
Salv returned to his position, and then it was the turn of the head researcher, Gitu.
"Gitu, many of the researchers lost their lives defending this base, as good as any other clone. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten, and the men you lost will also be replenished."
"Thank you, sir!"
After both men returned to their initial position, Commander Keeli passed the datapad to General Di, who took it, but didn't give it another glance. With his hoarse voice, the jedi asked Dageer to come a little bit forward.
"Dageer, leader of Hell Squad. You lead your squad and the garrison of this medical base to withstand an attack from an enemy many times larger. Your actions also gave the Republic a crucial piece of information, that being that our enemies are not only much better prepared than we thought, but also that they are not only droids."
He stopped talking, something that Dageer was already accustomed. General Di looked at Commander Keeli, who took over.
"Dageer, you did a meritorious service for the Republic, and showed exceptional bravery, attracting the invasion force way and giving your men the chance to regroup and fight back. For that reason, I, in the name of the Grand Army of the Republic, am rewarding you with the second-class Kaminoan Medal."
Commander Kelli took out a small medal, shaped like a rectangle, and with dark blue borders. The medal was magnetized, and when Commander Keeli put it on Dageer chest, it stayed there without falling. Dageer accepted the medal without any complaints, as he already suspected he would receive something like that. What surprised him was the second part of Commander Keeli words.
"That is not all. Now I am not speaking in the name of the Grand Army of the Republic, but in the name of the 303rd Attack Legion. During this battle and many others, you showed outstanding courage, leadership, and a little bit of craziness. However, everything you did was thinking about your brothers, and how to keep most of them alive. Those are the thoughts that a leader should have."
He paused, and one of the clones that came with him advanced, carrying a box bigger than Dageer's head. The clone gave the box to Commander Keeli, who in turn passed it to Dageer, but told him not to open it yet.
"I discussed with the general, and we both agreed that you deserve a promotion. You don't have to say that you don't want it, I know you don't. But we cannot let your talents go to waste. Because of that, we both agreed that you shall be given the rank of sub-commander in name. That means you will still command Hell Squad as a special unit, but when needed you will have to step out and take over. Do you copy that?"
"Yes, sir! Thank you, sir! Thank you, general!"
Commander Keeli and General Di united the best of both options, giving Dageer a place for his talents to shine, but at the same time keeping the best special squad on the 303rd. Nobody would say that aloud, but it was obvious that they were showing a lot more support for Hell Squad and Dageer than for the rest.
General Di put his hands on Dageer's shoulders, and surprisingly made a joke.
"We prepared you a little gift, to congratulate you and at the same time make the heavy duties we are putting on you are a little bit lighter."
It was so different from the general normal self that Dageer took a few moments before he understood that it was not a real commentary, but a half-joke.
Like a kid that got a new present, Dageer opened the box expectantly. On it, a shiny new helmet waited for him.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein