Current time
Scipio Margrave still couldn't believe he'd been made a Captain of a supercarrier all those years ago. After all he'd formally been in the naval intelligence asymmetric warfare department running a shop wasn't something he'd been experience. Yet ONI wanted him to take charge of an joint hunter killer counter terrorism task force code named TF Dark Sword. So the found it operate to give him command over a warship. That had turned out to be quite a messy affair. He hadn't been inexperienced in ship to ship combat having served on a UNSC battleship before. But he was most definitely not the best candidate to run a super carrier.
He'd since learned from his mistakes and in this new galaxy had joined an organization known as the Galactic republic. That was not long after another affair on the planet Cortex and discovering his crew had indeed been transported into a different galaxy. They knew that having been able to pinpoint known constellations.
In the Republic Navy he was made an officer and worked on a venator class star destroyer. Be was its captain. Responsible for transporting and extracting soldiers.
Today was extraction an offensive on Selecumi had gone bad. The ground forces were falling back in retreat.
"Scramble the star fighters now before the Seps bomb our boys on the beach!" He ordered his crew.
And while had no visuals of thus beech he knew down there on the planet he saw through the viewpoint of the bridge would be beech in a scene similar to dunkirk. Well he had no intention of losing just as many men.
Quickly his orders were followed he watched as the R Wings took flight leading the LAATs in. One of the clone Naval officers came rushing over. Originally the clone was Captain 1582 however Margrave found the notion of yelling 1582 every time he needed something utterly ludicrous. So he gave him a name. He called him Sailor that wasn't a phrase here and it was easier to use as a name. Sailor was very intelligent and despite recommendations Margrave chose him as his second in command.
"Sir!" Sailor shouted, "Three CIS battleships on the horizon."
"Man the guns, and give em hell boys!" Margrave shouted, "Hold all reserve fighters near the ship. I want them keeping the enemy fighters off we aren't here to win the battle."
The turrets of the venator all turned towards the CIS warships emerging on the horizon and boomed as they opened fire. The large bolts streaked across space striking several areas on the CIS warships.
"Pull us back! I want a space between us and them."
He then saw in the corner of his eye the returning LAATs. He needed to act fast otherwise those ships would be dead.
"All power to shields! Move us between the enemy battleships and our men now!"
The technicians moved fast working on their computers cutting power to anything that wouldn't be vital to the maneuver.
The whole craft then turned its side to the CIS battleships and moved forward. The ship shook violently as volley after volley of turbo laser fire pounded the outside shielding.
"Plot a course back to base!"
Sailor looked up from his data pad. His eyes were bright with good news.
"The men are aboard sir."
"Make the fucking jump!"
The Venators shields took more and more hits as the engines charged up. Fear sank into Margrave's heart worried the shields would break and he'd put himself in the same situation. To his relief the ship shot off from the battlefront the black of space fading to blue.
"We're home free sir." Said Sailor.
"Good," Said Margrave, "I wish to speak with the general at once."
Minutes later jedi General Kensi showed up in his brown robes. He was an alien of the wee weequay race. Margrave wasn't a racist but the weequays had chosen to side with the CIS. Of course he was concerned where Kensi's loyalties where. Adding on to that he was disappointed with the jedi immensely for their lack of a tactical and strategic mindset. He'd been flying across the galaxy aimlessly aiding in this Generals errands. Nearly did they ever crush CIS resistance.
Next to him was the man who should've been incharge Commander Stormer. A clone yes but a very sharp man he was. He stood in his phase one plastoid armor. And while it had once been a bright shiny white with bright yellow stripes it was now darken having become tinted by all the action he'd seen on the front.
He'd had conversations with Stormer in the past. The trooper proposed quite a brilliant strategy to beat the CIS. He figured they couldn't win an open battle. But if they instead relied on skirmishes designed to hurt supply lines and employed scorched earth tactics with the strategy of prolonging the war they could wear the CIS down. Then amount the resources to launch a powerful offensive and deliver the killing blow. It reminded Margrave of tactics used by Rome in the punic wars or the Americans during the revolutionary war even Russia v Napoleon. Stormer however had obviously known about none.
This was opposed to Kensi who'd through them in just about every front the CIS appeared. Thousands of men died and countless warships were lost during these offensives. But he apparently out ranked all.
"General I feel I must ask this so excuse me if this comes off as rude, but what is our objective." Scipio Questioned in a tone that suggested he had the utmost respect. Despite the fact he didn't.
"Defeat the CIS restore unity to the galaxy Captain. Do you take issue with that." The General said.
"No sir, but I must ask more specifically what is the strategy. Are we targeting their supply lines or trying to seize their means of production?"
"I trust in the force to guide my descion and I am being guided to hit wherever the CIS brings suffering."
"Sir once again with respect, it's a galactic war where isn't there suffering. I suggest if you wish to end it then we need to work together to plot out a strategy and develop effective tactics. I can't just keep diving head first into a CIS fleet fingers crossed we've losses quite a few Acclamators with no shortage of personnel good personnel at that with it."
"I hear you Captain and while I commend their loss I trust that the force will guide us in the right direction."
"Of course sir."
The ship arrived back at coruscant for everyone to take their leave. Scipio arrived in the officers lounge as it was called. He chose to sat a table all on his own. He didn't associate with the other non clone officers. They were much to aristocratic for his taste.
Scipio sat on his own most of the time and reviewed military texts of this galaxy as well as his own. He looked up to see Stormer enter this time in his red republic military fatigues opposed to his armor. Clones weren't usually allowed in but when invited by an officer that was different. The invitation was also extended towards Sailor but he was more hesitant to accept. Stormer was the bold type.
"So what are you reading today Captain?" Asked Stormer.
"A book written by Cassius Fett on war. It's fascinating how little in this galaxy has changed in ways of fighting since then. It actually seems we've taken a step back tactically," Said Scipio who then lowered his data pad, "Also I'm considering sending in my resignation."
Stormer was silent at first. They'd only known each other for a solid year. But that was long enough to form a friendship.
"They'll replace you with some snob that's half as competent."
"What's it matter as long as Kensi's calling the shots it's not like we'll actually accomplish something."
Stormer some agreed, he'd described what ground combat had looked like. Essentially Kensi shouted directed with his light saber then everyone charged in a mad dash towards a point of interest. Rockets and heavy blaster fire pounded the field. Bodies were just everywhere to the point where Stormer and whoever was left had trouble maneuvering. Artillery cannons would thunder and the shells would rain down upon them as they then fell back in retreat. Tanks would emerge over the field making things so much worse. By the time they reached cover of the ATTEs there weren't enough troops to launch another attack.
To which Scipio would reply, "You're essentially charging machine gunfire with bayonets." An allusion to the Captain's own planetary history he occasionally brought up. Either way it was evident if the pace kept up their wouldn't be an 8th assault corp for very much longer. They already lost 4 out of five commando squadrons do to bad orders. Resulting in bad drops.
"There's gotta to be something you could do, you never struck me as the type to roll over and die."
"I am the type to know when an effort is pointless and one is better off doing something useful with his time. All I'm able to do is sit there until Kensi inevitably fucks up, then I got to use one to three warships to cover him and fly out of there. How long until I end up dead from these mad errands."
"You once told me about men who could hundreds of enemy soldiers on their own. Do you still know these men."
"I do and while I could certainly contact them I refuse to put them under the command of an imbecile. That would be a total of their skills. So I hate to say it but I feel as if I ought to be done with this whole mess."
"If that's truly what you want you will be missed. By everyone after all despite you're resentment for it you got really good at extractions in hot zones that often had suicidal scenarios."
"O please I'm a naval captain you guys need Pararescue."
Soon to be former Captain Scipio Margrave returned to his small apartment he rented since it was quite often they had to return to Coruscant. Once he entered he through off his cap and took a seat in front of the holoscreen to check on the news.
He heard his communicator began to ring with three chirps. He swiped from the table next to him and clicked down on the receiver.
"Hello." He said into the mic.
"Sir its Sailor, are you watching the news?"
"Just about to why?"
It was a dumb question as he saw in big letters. BREAKING NEWS CIS SPONSORED TERRORIST ATTACK. His eyes widened seeing General Kensi name appeared as killed. He would've shouted for joy in that very second if did fear someone hearing him and reporting him to republic intelligence for possible association with the terrorists.
Then a frown hit his face as he saw CC2404 AKA Stormer reported missing. His heart sank if they couldn't find the body he'd been taken alive. They were terroists they would torture him in a quest to get information. Then use that information to kill more people.
"They took Stormer?" He said back into the communicator as a question.
"I'm afraid so sir and they got the General's apprentice."
The last bit was hardly a loss. But Scipio was concern as a friend about Stormer and concerned as a military strategist about Commander Stormer and the Intel swirling around in his head.
"I take it command wants my immediate attention."
"The General over the whole sector army wants your attention sir."
"On my way now just tell me where."
He'd left his apartment in such a manner his badges were a bit crooked when he arrived at GAR headquarters. He entered the briefing room where the sector army General a human jedi with grey hair and grey eyes as were his eyes. The rest of his body was well toned from active combat. He stood there in his republic battle armor apparently waiting.
"General Stanux, you asked for me." Said Margrave.
"Yes, it seems your Corp is with out a leader same as your fleet," Said Stanux, "I'm assigning you as General over both until Master Kensi's padawan and commander are found. Then you will retain command until the padawan becomes a knight."
Margrave was silent. He was being given total command. He knew he could do a lot of damage to CIS forces in only a week of command. It would take months if not hopefully years for the padawan to become a knight. This was all good news except for the loss of Stormer.
"I will exercise my duties with efficiency Master jedi." Margrave replied, "My fleet and Corp are significantly weakened-"
"Fresh troops and ships are on their way Admiral Margrave they'll arrive late day tomorrow. Now I suggest you get whatever rest you may need before then."
Now an Admiral, Scipio Margrave went off to catch an air taxi. He entered told the driver his address then got on his communicator.
"Sailor, are you up?"
"Yes, sir do you require something?"
"I have a job for, meet me at my apartment and we'll go over the details. I would prefer to keep this discussion discreet "
Minutes later back at his apartment, Scipio prepared two cups of cafe. It was like coffee but didn't have the exact same dark flavor.
He heard three knocks at the door and walked over to answer it. Sailor had arrived in no time at all. Clones never wasted time that was part of the reason they were effective.
Sailor entered the apartment which he noted was kept in a very strict order. Everything was organized and placed in a very specific manner. The bookshelf of paper books, something alien, to Sailor was kept in the living room. Which itself was more of a library. Everything was placed in perfect alphabetical order. The kitchen had very little in it except for a brewer and microwave. Even there on the table was a data pad. The news was displayed on the holo screen it seemed Margrave never ceased to work.
Both men sat down at the table. Hot fresh cups of cafe in front of them. Margrave took a sip.
"Sailor, I suggest you drink your cafe you'll need the energy," He started, "I've been promoted not just to Admiral but commander of the whole damn Corp."
At first Sailor was silent. He knew that it was in regards to the death of the former General. Which he also knew Margrave despised. Yet it was still bitter sweat since Stormer was also captured but regardless of Stormer's situation the promotion still would've happened. No clone could obtain such a position.
"Congratulations sir," Said Sailor.
"It's a temporary position until the padawan becomes a knight. Meaning I have anywhere from 6 months to two years to turn this war around."
"I see, you wanted my insight on what our next move should be."
"You're very good at analyzing information presented and using it to act. Infact I'd have you made into an Intel officer," Margrave started, "But that's not why I've called you here. I am concerned about Stormer both as his comrade and his CO."
"Sir, Stormer won't talk he's as tough as they come."
"You may be right but I would still like to have him rescued."
"The Special operations brigade is on it sir."
While Margrave had a great degree of respect for the republic commandos he did not have the same respect for their leaders. The commandos were to restrained it would take who knows how long to track a few terroists.
"Sailor, I don't have confidence in their General to do what needs to be done. I do believe in my boys."
"You mean Nova Storm one of your hunter killer squads."
As he took another sip Margrave smiled. He was a very perceptive lad indeed. He listened and memorized everything valuable his CO talked about. In truth Nova Storm came up in conversations twice in the past. Once when they failed to deal with insurgents and another time when he wished to board a CIS warship and sabotage it.
"Yes, I wish to utilize Nova Storm I need to mobilize and deploy them."
"Sir is this really a hostage rescue op?" Sailor said stopping him, "Nova Storm's over kill for this based on the capabilities you described. It's a bit aggressive."
"Aggressive is exactly what I'm going for," Margrave said with a proud smile, "Not only do I want to rescue our compatriots, but I want to discourage terrorist behavior all together. I think you know what I want done."
"I do and what is my part in this?"
Margrave took another sip of cafe. He predicted Sailor would feel uneasy about this. After all he felt uneasy when he went from an enlisted sailor to an Intel officer right out of the Academy to an Agent with in the Asymmetric warfare group in ONI and then to a Commander of a ship. He needed Sailor to be better than he was and learn to adjust faster.
"I can not command Nova Storm, one because the terrorists can not know that the republic is coming for them. An Admiral actively chasing them is too overt. Two I have to conduct a war," Said Margrave who then paused, "You will assemble Nova Storm and direct them in my place and keep me up to date on their activities."
Sailor froze, his eyes grew wide. Panic ensued in his mind. He'd never fired his blaster at anything moving before. How could he be expected to do this.
"Sir I'm a naval officer, you want an experienced black ops agent," Expressed Sailor, "I can't do this."
"Sailor, Nova Storm are black ops veterans I need you acting as my eyes,ears, and mouth and I trust you can do that and do it very effectively. I am giving you a direct order will you defy that."
Sailor went silent. He really didn't want to do this. This was against the very thing he'd been raised to do. On kamino he was told he'd never see ground combat. So they never taught him to fire a rifle nor did they give much instruction in blaster combat all together. Infact his worst fear was they'd be boarded and forced into a CQC engagement with droid marines. Never has he contemplated ground combat let alone black ops. But an order was an order.
"Where can I find Nova Storm." He Questioned choosing to accept his assignment.
Margrave was pleased to know Sailor was beginning to move past panic. The sooner one got past that part the sooner one began to find solutions to the problem at hand.
"I've lost contact over the years since the event on Cortex, but go there and ask for Micheal Zero One Six and he'll know where to find the others."
"When should I depart?" Questioned Sailor.
"After we're in orbit I'll remove one of the shuttle's from the ship's inventory log. You'll depart then."
Sailor nodded then finished his cafe. He savored the bitter sweet flavor of it. For it may be the last he ever enjoys the taste on coruscant. There was still one more thing of concern.
"Sir do you intend to orchestrate the war effort all on your own."
It was an understandable concern. When it came to conventional warfare on the ground Margrave was Ill experienced. Not to mention running absolutely everything was a momentous task.
"I know others, some I haven't even brought up with Stormer. But rest assured I have it covered."
Sailor nodded. In truth Scipio Margrave was an Admiral with a Corp of troops that was about 36,000 men give or take. Three venators and maybe a few Acclamators at most. How he was going to use that to turn the tide of a galactic war was up in the air. Still Sailor had confidence that the now Admiral had already a strategy in mind. He'd have a better chance then Kensi anyways.
"I think our business here is concluded, get some rest Sailor you'll need it for tomorrow."