I stretched, getting used to the new armor.
The engineers had finally finished installing the equipment and running system tests, so the suit was now fully operational. It was slightly heavier than my previous one, but my body had long since adapted to such loads, and the weight didn't bother me much.
The two lightsabers mounted in the wrist modules functioned perfectly.
The armor itself fit better than the old model, and its internal systems were far more advanced. I'd have to spar with Ahsoka a few times to fully understand its capabilities—and its limits of movement.
Speaking of which, my Padawan had received a new outfit as well.
Although it was far more… reasonable now—certainly better than two strips of fabric—the same theme of straps and segmented pieces remained.
Was it just her personal quirk?
Or was it a Togruta fashion thing?
Then again, she had been raised in the Jedi Temple. Maybe some subconscious habits stuck with her. Still, the entire outfit was made from woven armor fiber, which compensated for its design flaws.
According to Ahsoka, she had also used leftover material to make a small cloak, remembering my warning about Jabiim's endless rain. It would also serve as additional protection.
"Sir!"
A messenger trooper jogged toward us.
"A ship has arrived from Coruscant. It brought three clones. They say they're here for you and are waiting in the main hangar."
"Roger that, Sergeant."
I glanced at Ahsoka.
"Well then, let's go meet these 'specialists.'"
"Do you know who they are?"
"Yes. They're clones from one of the very first batches—technically the second trial batch. They're among the hundred personally trained by
Jango Fett."
Seeing the confusion on Ahsoka's face, I nearly smacked my forehead.
"In short, Jango Fett is the donor whose genetic material all the clones were created from. Just… don't let them see you don't know who he is. They'll be offended."
"Yes, Master," she replied, following me into the turbolift.
---
When we reached the hangar, I immediately spotted them.
The three clones were standing apart from the others.
It was obvious they weren't locals.
As we approached, I studied these so-called "special forces." They wore modified armor with distinctive markings—blue stripes on one, red on another, green on the third. Each one carried himself with a slightly different posture, almost as if their personalities were already diverging despite identical genetics.
"Sir, are you General Dagon?" one of them asked without removing his helmet.
"Yes," I replied. "And this is Commander
Ahsoka Tano."
I gestured toward her.
"Who are you?"
"I am Alpha Seventeen. These are Alpha Thirteen and Alpha Fourteen.
Shaak Ti sent us as reinforcements—and assistants."
"Oh, I see. Well then… welcome to the Thirteenth Legion."
"Sir," Seventeen said cautiously, "it seems you command a corps. Then why call it a legion? Doesn't that sound… strange?"
Ah. Cocky.
Looks like their conversations with Jango Fett did wonders for their humility.
Time to establish the chain of command.
"I don't particularly care what you think about it," I replied calmly. "By the way, do you have proper call signs?"
"I don't think that's important, sir," one of them muttered.
"Well then," I said with a small smile.
"Seventeen, you'll be **Puck**."
He stiffened slightly.
"Fourteen will be **Devil**."
The clone shifted his weight.
"And you," I said, looking at Thirteen, "will be **Lucky**."
I let the silence hang for a moment.
"Now that we're properly introduced… let's get down to business."
---
## Jedi Temple — Coruscant
The
Jedi High Council chamber was unusually busy.
Several masters were currently away on assignments, leaving the remaining members deep in discussion.
Mace Windu spoke quietly with
Yoda, while
Shaak Ti discussed the situation on Allanteen with
Even Piell and
Ki-Adi-Mundi.
At that moment, a transmission arrived from
Lantilles.
The hologram of Jedi Knight Dagon Marek appeared before them.
"Honorable Council," he said with a respectful nod. "I report that the corps is ready for deployment to
Jabiim. We depart in one hour."
"Excellent," Ki-Adi-Mundi replied. "You have prepared in remarkably short time, Knight Dagon."
"We had to work hard," Dagon answered.
"Good luck, Dagon," Shaak Ti said.
"And may the Force be with you."
---
Well.
This was it.
There wasn't much quiet time left.
Best to use it wisely.
After locating our engineering team, I gave them additional instructions regarding the spare **HAVw A6 Juggernaut**.
Once I inspected the vehicle more carefully, I realized it would make an excellent mobile headquarters. The thing was practically a fortress on wheels: thick armor, impressive firepower, strong mobility, and a surprisingly spacious interior.
The engineers were already in the middle of converting it.
The observation tower had been shortened slightly and fitted with communications antennas connected to the command node on the third level, right behind the medical station.
The medbay itself was fairly large: twenty-four bunks, a substantial supply of medicine, and three medical droids—one surgical unit and two general-purpose assistants.
I ordered a small storage room and two compact living cabins installed in the remaining space.
The first was for Mirro and me.
The second was for Ahsoka and Sumeragi.
You can't get too luxurious in a war zone.
So—boys to the left, girls to the right.
Yes, it's a little cheeky… but I'm the general, after all. I'm not about to sleep in the mud if I can help it.
The command center occupied half of the second level.
Technicians were finishing the installation of the tactical systems. Surveillance monitors lined the walls, connected to cameras mounted on the vehicle's roof, while a large holographic tactical table dominated the center of the room.
Operators responsible for communications and battlefield coordination would work from stations along the walls.
Right behind headquarters would be our immediate security force: a platoon of infantry supported by three squads of close-combat specialists.
And, just in case…
A couple of flamethrowers.
The models used here were much safer than anything back on Earth, so I wasn't worried about accidents. Still, the troopers gave them wary looks. Flamethrowers weren't exactly common weapons in the galaxy.
I turned toward Ahsoka.
"So… how about a little training?"
Her eyes lit up instantly.
"I'm all for it."
"Good."
I cracked my neck.
"Four hours should do. After that we'll rest. Once we arrive on Jabiim, things will get busy—and I guarantee there won't be much time for relaxation."
"Yes, Master."
---