Republic Star Destroyer Savior, three hours
after the First Battle of Geonosis
I feel numb. That's the best word to describe what is going on here, right now, The raging, the anger, the grief...
It's all over now. All I can feel now, is numb.
The Jedi Generals go through the ranks, acting as if thousands of troops hadn't just died under their command. I wonder if any of them feel responsible, or if they even now we're living, sentient, human beings, just like half of them are. I doubt it, but some of the others are beginning to take off their helmets. That's good, I suppose. Show them that we aren't just organic droids.
I honestly doubt it'll work, but it's worth a shot.
One Jedi, one called Stass Allie, walks over to me. Her eyes are sympathetic, but unsure. I guess that's what they would be feeling, if the command of three million troopers was just slapped into your lap. I certainly feel that way.
"Commander" the Allie says softly.
That's right. I'm a Clone Commander, CC-3323, of the 5th Armored Legion. I barely even remember that; my troops are all dead, so who or what do I command?
"Commander, I'm General Allie," she said, sitting down on the floor in front of me.
"I'm here to heal you, Commander. What injuries do you have?"
So she was a healer. I could use healing.
"No injuries, ma'am," I reply gruffly. "Just...fatigue."
The General doesn't buy my story.
"Commander, do you have a name?"
The question surprises me. No one has ever asked that. I've been just called Commander, or Two-Three.
"No, ma'am."
She looked slightly troubled, but pressed on.
"You are scared, nervous, and...grieved, Commander. You need rest," she tells me.
"How...do you know?" I ask, disturbed.
"I sensed it."
I don't reply.
"Here," she murmured, pulling a little pile-like shape from a pouch in her belt. "This is a sleeper pill. It will let you rest for as long as you need."
She places the pill in my palm.
It's an order. I have to obey.
But I hesitate, my hand halfway to my mouth, held in the air.
"General...I'm a commander. Who, or what, am I commanding now?"
It's an impulsive question, I know. She can't be expected to know all this, just three or four hours after the battle.
"I don't know, Commander," she sighs, and she stands. "But don't loose hope."
Hope. Such a great word, with such an inspiring definition, but...
Where does it get you? I had hope that my battalion would stay alive through this battle, that we would return victorious.
Look at us now. All dead, but me.
I decide I won't hope. All it can do, is get crushed in the end.
"Sir, yes sir," I reply, taking off my helmet, and popping the pill into my mouth. "I'll try."