25/03/2011 06:06:36
Title: Last of The Few
Author: TheCozmicOne
Timeframe: Clone Wars (Year Three)
Characters: OC's
Genre: Action
Summary: As the Clone Wars draws to a close, for two soldiers of the Republic, the real horrors of the war finally confront them.
Disclaimer: This is Lucas's sandbox; I'm just playing in it.
Part 1:
Tellanroaeg, an almost hidden gem in the Outer Rim, similar to Tatooine in many ways, it had the luxury of majestic oases doted around the planets surface as well as a large sea. This is what brought the rich and the famous to this rough and ready part of the galaxy. Even in the early days of the Republic many would flock there to sample the alleged healing waters of Tellanroaeg.
Though the myths of the water's power had died down, it did not stop the tourists from descending on the numerous resorts that still offered healing and sanctuary to those who could afford it.
Of late, the beauty and the tranquillity had gone, healing replaced with war and death, resorts and hotels burnt in the sunset. Twisted metal that was once battle droids of the Confederacy and the blood-spattered remains of the Republic's finest now littered the lifeless crater-filled deserts.
Having been forced out of the Core after a series of key victories for the Republic, General Grievous retreated out to the Outer Rim. Encourage by the Separatists' seemingly rapid retreat, Chancellor Palpatine mobilized nearly the entire GAR to the Rim with orders to lay siege to the CIS bases in the hope that a steady siege would collapse the Separatist strongholds and force the Confederacy to surrender. And so Tellanroaeg, being one of the worlds in the hands of the CIS, was now part of the Outer Rim Sieges.
Both sides had dug in deep, since the start of the Sieges. The planet lacked any real strategic advantage to either, but what brought the Clones out here was a Republic medical facility on the Anglini Plateau and one that the CIS was not going to let go of easily.
Seth Farwell could see the facility quite clearly from his trench, or what was left of it. For weeks now his unit had been bombarding the oasis complex that housed it. Most, if not all the buildings and foliage of the oasis was nothing more than burnt rubble, it frighten the young Jedi how much the enemy was taking from his battery of AT-AP's. To have such thoughts was against his beliefs.
"At this rate," Farwell said to no one in particular, "there will be nothing left to liberate."
The Clone Lieutenant under his command nodded in agreement.
"Do you ever get the feeling that we're wasting our time out here, do we really need this forsaken med centre?" the Jedi frowned as he spoke.
"An order is an order, Sir," answered the Lieutenant.
"Do you ever question your orders," Seth stopped and rolled his eyes, "never mind stupid question."
CL-1983 remained silent.
Seth sat back down and returned to his rations.
There wasn't much to do out here apart from eating, sleeping, maintaining the Attack Pods and guarding the post. For weeks now, nothing had happened; nothing had moved in no man's land, everything was silent and eerie. For most Jedi, this would be a good time to reflect and meditate, to hone their skills with the saber, and truly use the time to connect with the Force. This Jedi Knight could not be bothered with any of that.
He just wanted to get this job done and go home, as of right now Seth did not care about the ways of the Jedi. He stopped being one once the war had started.
"This is no place for a Jedi" he thought.
This war had changed him, almost jaded him. From an idealistic child, Farwell was turning into a bitter young man.
CL-1983 looked upon his commanding officer mutely, his helmet concealing his expression of concern and curiosity. The lieutenant could almost sense the Jedi's feelings as they almost matched his own. He frowned, deep down he knew what he was here for, why he existed, but he could never shake the feeling of being different. In a way, he wished he could answer Seth's question.
Yes, he did question his orders.
Straightening himself up, the clone moved on to patrol the encampment. Slowly watching his men, he muttered to himself, "Mindless drones". As he continued his walk, CL-1983's attention was caught by a few of his soldiers working without helmets. He hated that his face was not his own and seeing it on all of his colleagues was unnerving. Sharing it with Fett was bad enough, how it must be for non-clones and the Jedi was not worth thinking about.
"You're alright? CL-1983?" a voice called over his shoulder, "you look like you're deep in thought."
"Hmmm?" He shook his head as if to wake from a deep sleep. The clone turned to see his commanding officer approach him.
"If you stood there any longer," smirked Farwell, "you'd been hit by a sniper droid by now."
In a flash, the trooper stood to attention "Sorry, Sir!"
"CL-1983, you can quit the formalities," replied the Jedi, still smiling. "How long have we been together?"
"Five standard months, sir."
"I think we've known each other long enough not to need to call me 'sir'," Farwell rubbed his chin in thought, "just call me Seth, though I can't say I know your name?"
"Other than my serial number, I have no other name."
Seth raised an eyebrow. "No?"
"My men and I have always used the last two digits of our serial number when addressing each other," the soldier tilted his head as if saddened. "General Rivas had never bothered to initiate the use of personal names in his regiment, other than Commander Dex, Major Tyrone and Captain Lea."
"Well, what would you like to be called then?"
CL-1983 paused for a moment to think, "Solus."
"Nice," Seth's smirk returned, "I like."
"Thank you, General,"the clone paused before correcting himself "I mean Seth."
"Solus I've got file to reports, so I'll leave you to your duties."
"Aye, Sir."