Ali wrapped her arms around her middle as she walked to the hanger. She knew she was going to see Garen again, but she didn't need either of them to be distracted from the task ahead: Winning this War. The fact that the Republic found out about the Clone Army meant that they had an advantage over the Trade Federation and other systems leaving the Republic. She knew Garen would be fine, as long as he stuck to his starfighter. She was more worried about herself and how her new Troops would take to her lead, but Garen had said that patience was her best quality. She began to think that patience wasn't going to hold its own against soldiers ready for battle, but who was she to question the ways of the Force. She would meditate more on the issue later.
Ali took a detour towards the kitchens to pick up a snack. As she walked into the cafeteria, Nina the head cook saw her.
"Why if it isn't the Angel!"
"Hello, Nina," Ali bowed respectfully.
"Haven't seen you around in a while! You got another assignment?" Nina cleaned her hands off on her apron.
"I'm headed down to the hanger to meet Master Malaru, actually. We just got assigned a Regiment of Clones." Ali stepped up to the serving window.
"Oh wow!" Nina turned and started grabbing some things in the kitchens, "Big responsibility. I couldn't do it."
Ali smiled, "Of course you could, Nina. You're in charge of the cooking staff. What makes you so different than a commander?"
Nina laughed, "I see what you mean, but you Jedi Knights and Masters can take care of that. I'll just cook your food."
"And I know that's harder than it sounds," Ali retorted.
"So respectful." Nina turned around and set a small pack into Ali's arms, "I gave you some extra rujus."
Ali's eyes widened, "Thank you!"
"No problem, Angel," Nina went back to work, "You and Master Malaru be safe!"
Ali talked through her smile, "May the Force be with you, Nina."
She walked out, pulling the pack over her right shoulder. She began to jog towards the hanger knowing she was running late, and if she knew Malaru he would not be happy that she was holding him up.
She used her wings to propel her forward as she took leaps past other Jedi. She almost ran over a group of historians, but managed to flip over them with a shout of, "Sorry! Excuse me!" Ataru had always been her best Form.
Finally getting to the hanger, she leapt the last few meters to skid to a halt behind Malaru.
Without turning around her old Master commented, "Fixed a conflict and got Temple food. I'll excuse your lateness." He had always had a gift for perception. Turning around Ali saw he was wearing a big smile.
"Ali!" He said ruffling her hair, "Or should I call you Master Ali now?"
Ali rolled her eyes and smoothed her long hair.
"Eh, you will always be a clever apprentice in my mind."
"You should probably let go of the past, Master. It has been thirteen years."
"Indeed. And you have raised your own apprentice to Knight. I will not dwell, forgive me." Even with his imposing 2.14 meters, his large mane, and prominent features, the Cathar Master looked very humble as he bowed to Ali. "We are on equal footing now, you and me. And I will forever be proud of the fact that you were my apprentice."
Ali put her hand on her former Master's arm, "Master Malaru, know that you will remain my Master, if only in experience. We still learn from each other daily, but thank you for the kind words."
Malaru stood back up, "Well, since we're running a little behind, do you finally want to go see our new Troops."
Ali half-smiled, "Of course."
"Now, the next question is," Malaru stepped up to a speeder, "do you want to race?"
Ali liked this about Malaru, he was very competitive, but a good sport about it. He was always pushing Ali to be her best and not remain in his shadow. Which was hard sometimes considering she was only 1.68 meters tall.
"I wouldn't mind racing, seeing as I haven't had the chance in a while, but I have no idea where we're going," she answered.
"Bah!" Malaru growled. "Okay okay, follow me and I'll show you where the Senate has placed the Army barracks."
Ali smiled and stretched her wings. Malaru had told her when he chose her as an apprentice that he liked the challenge of teaching a padawan with wings. The Force had brought them together because of their similar dispositions, but they had their personality and species differences to get over as well. She knew Malaru liked the wings, so she agreed to the challenge of keeping up with him.
"After you," he motioned toward the open bay door.
Ali grinned and gathered the Force to help her sprint forward. As her foot hit the end of the hanger dock, she pushed up, beating her wings to gain altitude and speed. She turned to see Malaru leaving the hanger and racing towards her. She kept up with his speeder effortlessly.
He noticed this and shouted, "You're much stronger now!"
Her laugh was lost in the wind, but she shouted back, "Just more agile!"
He led her towards the Senate building and around the main high-rise where many Senators lived while on Coruscant. As they wrapped around the Senate building, Malaru motioned to look up ahead. Three giant starships where grounded and there was a lot of motion down there.
Ali looked at Malaru and he said, "Land at the third ship!"
She knew she would have to land before Malaru did. Speeders were quick, but their maneuverability was nothing compared to her own. She dove into a decent, turning to land with precision where she had previously seen a few people waiting. She touched down with knees bent and straightened as her wings folded back behind her. A man in a dark grey uniform began to approach her as Malaru landed his speeder and swung off of it.
"Master Malaru, Master Kora, welcome to the Grand Army of the Republic's barracks."
The two Masters bowed.
He stretched out his hand for them to shake, "I am Admiral Percival Marik, here to captain our starship and council when needed."
They both shook his hand.
He waved behind him, "Might I introduce the Commander of your Regiment, CC-281."
A Clone in yellow marked armor marched forward and saluted them both, "CC-281 reporting for duty."
"We understand at the moment," Admiral Marik continued, "that the Jedi don't want to get too involved, as you are peacekeepers. But we hope that all of you will end up with your own Regiment at least, if not Legion. You all have been named Generals, so it only makes sense that you lead the Republic to its victory."
Malaru stepped forward, "Thank you, Admiral Marik. But we obey the requests of the Jedi Council. For now, Master Kora and I will work together to see how the Troops operate as a Regiment before we jump into service in the Army. The other two Regiments headed to Geonosis are acting the same?"
The Admiral nodded, "Two Jedi Generals per starship."
"We will see where it goes from there," Malaru concluded.
"Very well." Admiral Marik motioned for CC-281, "Would you show our Generals the Battalions."
"Yes sir," the Commander nodded, "Follow me, General Malaru, General Kora."
The four of them walked over to the lines of their new Troops.
"Generals, there are four Battalions in our Regiment," the Commander noted, "we are compromised of the 305th, 306th, 307th, and 308th Battalions."
They walked up to a Clone in red-striped armor with his helmet off. He saluted immediately.
The Commander introduced him, "CT-564, Captain of the 306th and 307th Battalions. These two are the Regiment's Attack Battalions."
It was an unspoken decision the two Jedi made as Malaru stepped up and looked down at the Captain, "I will be the acting General for the 306th and 307th, Attack Battalions sound like Troops I can have beside me in the thick of battle."
"Without a doubt, General Malaru, we are the best Troops to push forward through enemy lines," CT-564 said.
"I would be glad to serve among you," Malaru clapped the Clone's shoulder making his knees buckle ever so slightly.
The Commander turned and spoke to Ali, "General Kora, if you would like to meet the Captain of the 305th and 308th Reconnaissance Battalions…" He proceeded to walk towards the other line formation.
This Captain was decorated the same as CT-564 and was standing with his helmet off as well. Ali noticed that he had kept his hair relatively long and pulled it back into a tight bun high on his head. She felt waves of frustration emitting from him through the Force and looked directly at him, ears and tail erect.
"General Kora," the Commander said, "this is Alpha-53, stand-in Captain for the 305th and 308th."
"Stand in?" Ali directed the question at the Commander without turning away from the frowning Captain.
"Yes sir. The previous Clone Captain, CT-099, experienced a defect in the aging process and is unfit for battle," the Commander stated, "Alpha-53 is acting Captain in his place until the Army can send another Captain fit for battle."
"Alpha?" Ali questioned once more.
"One of the first Clones to be created after the failed Null-Class," CC-281 answered her.
Ali stood tall, even though all of the Clones were much taller than her. "Alpha-53," she disliked the taste of using the Clones' designation numbers; "I understand that these two Battalions are Recon groups, but I look forward to fighting along-side you and our Troops as General and Captain."
Alpha-53 looked down at Ali and his nose turned up slightly in a scowl, "Try to keep up."
Ali's face went neutral, "I plan to be two steps ahead." She turned with the final word and followed CC-281 back to where Malaru and the Admiral were standing.
"We best be on our way, it takes two days in hyperspace to get to Geonosis," Admiral Marik said. He turned to CC-281, "Commander, get your Troops on board."
"Yes sir," the Commander saluted.
Malaru and Ali stepped to either side of the Admiral as they made their way to the starship. "Hopefully we will be able to hold Geonosis with only a few thousand Clones and six Jedi Generals."
"We count on that, Admiral," Ali stated, "It is no longer a high-risk war zone, but the Geonosians still hold firmly in three of their cities. Taking those cities will ensure our victory."
"Indeed," Malaru continued for her, "I'm not positive if a blockade is needed, but we have three starships for that. The six of us will go to separate cities to take them in teams of two. I know Ali and I feel confident around each other enough to trust the other's strategies, but I'm worried that the Clones will not understand our plans so effortlessly."
"They were raised as soldiers, Master. I do not think you give them credit," Ali grinned, "I feel certain that the Clones will cooperate and take the cities efficiently. At least, my Recon Battalions will."
Malaru looked at her over Admiral Marik as they walked up to the bridge of the starship, "My dear Ali, is that a challenge?"
"We shall see, Master. We shall see," she smiled.