The end of an era

Years have passed since the war, now known as the 'clone war', started on Geonosis. Years of fighting, killing, destruction and suffering, spreading all across the galaxy as the war progress. Peace had become a distant memory. This war wasn't about to end soon, no, despite staggering losses neither side appeared to be running out of recources. This was truly a war of attrition.

I am 75 human and 25 Kaleesh, and my name is Borgward Waácht, born on the planet of Katva II in the outer rim territories. I am 1,86 meters tall, and my haircolour is brown. The only thing that gives away my Kaleesh heritage are my golden reptilian eyes. I am a general of the Confederacy of Independent System's droid armies. This is my story.

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My family on Katva II where relatively poor when I was young, but as I grew older, all of my relatives helped me to fund my education at the Katva military academy. My teachers considered me to be an exceptional strategist, especially in defense, counterattacks and to make the enemy pay a heavy price in battles when I was hopelessly outnumbered. Although I have tried wielding a lightsaber, the weapon of a jedi, I never managed to be good at it. Instead, I developed my skills as a good marksman.

Then came the years of economical depression. Our neighboring planets fought in the Huk-wars, and while Katva II remained officially neutral in the conflict, the embargo imposed on Kalee by the Republic greatly affected Katva's economy, since Kalee was our greatest trading partner.

This was the first time I ever heard about the Kalee general, later known as Grievous, and he was to influence my tactical thinking, as I spent many nights studying his flawless tactics from the news reports.

This economical depression greatly hampered my education, as I could no longer afford it, despite the efforts of my family. So in the moment of greatest desperation, I was contacted by representatives of the Trade federation, two neimoidians. They made me an offer to sponsor my entire education, if I where willing to work for them when I finished, as a "debt collector".

I wondered how ever I could be of use to them, as my speciality was of defensive nature, but I didn't bother to ask, fearing they might withdraw the offer. What I had heard about the Trade federation wasn't all good, but I took their offer, and finished my education.

For a few years, I commanded the Trade federation's droid armies in their wars against pirates and non-paying planets. I got the news that Grievous had died in a shuttle craft crash, and thought it was a real pity for such a great warrior to suffer an un-honourable death like that. Too bad I never got a chance to meet him, I thought.

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I let out a deep sigh as I sat down in my chair in my chamber aboard the Belugaross, a Lucrehulk class battleship. Another day of fighting off persistent pirate-attacks...

Just as I was about to doze off, a flashing lamp notified me that I was being hailed from the ship's communications central. I pressed the comlink button.

"What now?!" I demanded.

A neimoidian voice said they had received a message for all of the Trade federation's commanders.

"Okay, on screen.", I said as I released the button and turned my attention to the video-screen at the end of my chamber.

Sure as hell, there he was in all of his "glory", viceroy Nute Gunray, looking ugly as ever before.

"This is a recording I'm sending to all commanders of the armies of the Trade federation. Just recently, we formed an alliance with other business corporations and systems not pleased with the galactic Republic and the Jedi, an alliance now known as the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Moments after this alliance was forged, the Republic revealed a secretly built army of clone troopers, who, along with the Jedi, treacherously attacked our bases on Geonosis. Conseqently, we are now at war with the Republic."

Wow! I didn't see that coming!

"But know this: Our combined droid armies are far greater than anything the Republic and the Jedi might come up with, and our newly appointed commander in chief is no less than the former Jedi Count Dooku. With this in mind, I can sincerely assure you, that victory will be ours."

The screen went black.

My entire body felt stiff. It took some time for this information to sink in. We're at war, at war with the Republic, and the Jedi...real war. I knew this was going to be alot different from fighting pirates. As I finished these thoughts, the lamp started flashing again.

"Yes?" I inquired.

"All ships are ordered to return to the nearest Trade federation base, general." the neimoidian answered.

"Thank you.", I replied,

"Over and out".

I activated the ship's speaker system and notified the entire crew of neimoidians and droids alike "Attention all personnel, the Trade federation is now at war with the Republic. All Republican forces are hereby enemies, and will be fired upon without warning. This excludes unarmed vessels and personnel who will be offered a chance to surrender. Over and out.". I could hear some battle droids in the corridor outside repeating "Roger, roger" to the, now silent, speaker systems. This act of apparent stupidity from the droids made me wonder if our strenght in numbers would be enough against the clone soldiers. Time will tell.