Chapter 2: Songs and Delicacies of the Ortolans
A little while later in the war, Commander Gree and his 41st Elite found themselves in action again. There was a plea for help from the ice planet Orto, the home of the blubbery Ortolan species. The Confederacy of Independent Systems had invaded the world with the intention of starving the inhabitants into submission to their demands, which included the sedition of Orto and the obligation of helping them fight against the Republic. The Ortolans didn't want to oppose the Republic, though, and previously, K Company, a division of the 327th Star Corps, led by Jedi Knight Nem Bees, himself an Ortolan, and Commander Deviss, had come to the planet to help out.
They were not having much luck, however, because the Ortolans were reluctant to help them fight, resulting in more difficulty claiming a victory for Orto in the war. Now, the 41st was going to step in with an attempt to win the trust of the besieged Ortolans before the Separatists took over their world for good.
"These aliens are certainly interesting to look at," a 41st trooper named Burger remarked to one of his brother clones as they watched the others converse with one of the Ortolan leaders. "From the looks of their floppy ears and long trunks, they could almost be mistaken for blubbery pachyderms."
"From what I hear, Burger, they have an affinity for food more than anything else," said Meteor, said clone standing beside him.
"Yeah, it's no wonder they always look fat," Burger said, "I guess they have to store a lot of fat in order to survive here on Orto, because the planet is an ice planet, and food is scarce compared to a lot of other planets in the galaxy. I'm surprised I've never heard any other species making fun of their appearance, not even humans."
"Hey, there's nothing wrong with that," said another clone named Flipper, "I don't think they should be made fun of. We clones may have to be in good shape all the time, but many other people either can't help being fat, or it's natural for them to be fat. Fat is neither cute nor humorous."
"That's funny," said Burger, "I actually thought they did look kind of cute. They look almost like children with their little black eyes, their short stature, and their cheerful disposition."
"Yeah," said Meteor, "Just give them a little of your food, preferably delicious food, and they'll be your friends any time. At least, that's what the commander says."
"Yes," said Flipper, "I think that's what he intends to do here with these guys to earn their allegiance today."
"Let's see if he succeeds, then," Burger and Meteor agreed.
In the meantime, Commander Gree and Luminara Unduli were about to start negotiating with Meema Snee, an ambassador for the Ortolan people, after getting some catching up on the state of Orto from Nem Bees and Deviss. Captain Panther of the 41st stood by to assist them, too.
"It's good to see that the Republic cares enough about our plight to send some extra help," said Snee, "I heard that the 41st Elite Corps specializes in hearts and minds operations in hostile territory under grueling conditions, am I right?"
"That is true," said Luminara, "We in the 41st are some of the best disciplined soldiers in the Grand Army, and we always seek to build and repair as well as to fight."
"That's very good to hear," Snee said happily, "Now, what do you think you can do for my people?" he asked, turning more serious. "The Separatists have been starving us out for weeks now, and we can't hold out much longer. Some of us are slowly becoming malnourished, and you know what it's like for a malnourished Ortolan, or at least I hope you do. Jedi General Nem Bees of our own kind and his clone commander have done everything they can for us, but it seems that K Company just isn't strong enough a unit to save us."
"Well, we have heard from Knight Bees that he asked your people to help in the fighting if you could, saying that may have helped them win the battle," said Luminara, "but you apparently said that that was not possible. Why is that, if I may be so bold as to ask?"
"Ah, yes," Snee said sadly, "That is an issue. Well, we would like to help if we could, but as I said before, we have been half-starved over the weeks, having only just enough food to get by, and none more, and many of us are not strong enough to fight effectively. We need to regain our strength first before we can fight at all."
It was here that Commander Gree stepped into the conversation. "I think my men and I can help you there, good man Meema Snee," he said. "You see, I am an expert on alien cultures, which evidently made me the ideal choice for the 41st Elite's senior clone commander, and I think that I can provide you with just what you and your people need."
Snee's black eyes widened. "I never expected a clone commander to offer something to us so generously," he said. "But tell me, what do you have for us?"
"To begin with, I know that your culture has a great affinity for music as well as food," Gree said, "And General Unduli and Commander Offee are experts in singing beautiful songs. Commander Offee actually charmed me with one of her serenades a little while back, and she and her master have very good singing voices. Secondly, we have plenty of foodstuffs to provide for your starving people, and we made sure that they are among the more delicious delicacies in the galaxy."
Snee's eyes widened more, if that was possible. "You have food for us, and music? That's the best possible treat my people could ask for in a time like this! Come, now! With your permission, let's have the two Mirialan Jedi sing a song or two, and then show us the food you brought. Then we shall consider your request to join your side in this war."
Luminara and Barriss, who stood just beside her, smiled. "We would be delighted to provide you with a song," said Luminara. "In fact, I have a clarinet with me, Commander Gree recommended that I bring it along when he learned that the Jedi Temple houses some musical instruments. That might make for even more beautiful music. I will play the clarinet, and Barriss here will sing you a song about the history of the Mirialan race. Is that all right with you, Barriss?" she asked, turning to her Padawan.
"It absolutely is all right, Master," Barriss said, bowing her head.
"I would be glad to hear it, too," said Gree, "Because Mirialans are among the best near-human singers I know of."
"Then I suppose we'll all enjoy ourselves, then," said Snee smiling under his trunk.
"Whoa," said Burger sarcastically, "This should be interesting."
"Please don't be sarcastic, Burger," Flipper quietly admonished him, "I want to hear this song as much as Commander Gree does."
"Oh, all right, then," submitted Burger.
"Don't worry, Burger," said Meteor, "I'm sure we'll enjoy this. Just keep an open mind."
"If you say so," said Burger.
Luminara played a quaint little tune on the clarinet, which very much reminded Ambassador Snee of the subsonic music many of his own musicians played in his court. As Luminara played, Barriss sang a dramatic song about Mirial and its inhabitants that told about the long history they had had with the Old Republic, how they had participated in the wars against the mighty Sith Empire from a few thousand years ago, and up to the point where the late Mirialan freedom fighter, Arwen Cohl, had helped his people win a war against a neighboring world which had opposed Mirial, and subsequently became a mercenary, vowing not to make his old mistakes and never let anyone get near enough to kill him, though he was ultimately killed, anyway.
Snee found the song just as captivating as the clarinet, and found himself dreaming of numerous dramatic concerts that some of his best musicians had played for him and other leaders of Orto. Gree, more than any of the other clone troopers, was impressed by the sound of Barriss' voice, and liked hearing about the history of another race. He, and some of his men, were especially interested in the fact that many Mirialans of the Old Republic had once served it as brave and tough Republic troopers in the Sith wars dressed in armor that looked so much like clone trooper armor, it may have been the basis for the clones' armor.
When the song was finished, Barriss and Luminara bowed their heads again in humility, and they received a smattering of applause from Gree, his men, and Meema Snee.
"Very, very good!" Snee complimented them, "You must be some of the best singers in the Jedi Order. Where did you learn to sing like that, Commander Offee?"
"I didn't exactly learn it," said Barriss, "I suppose I just happen to have a good singing voice, though as a Jedi, I like to believe that the Force helps my singing a little bit, not that I sing very often, though."
"Well, it was very good, nonetheless," said Snee. "I think that if your other offer pleases us as much as your music pleased me, then as soon as enough Ortolans are strong enough, we'll be willing to help you drive these Separatists off our world."
"Of course, ambassador," said Gree, bowing and then gesturing to two troopers nearby to bring out samples of the foodstuffs for Snee to judge. The troopers obeyed, and soon, several crates of food were brought over from their shuttle and laid down in front of Meema Snee. One of the boxes was opened to show him what was inside.
It must be mentioned here that Snee was afraid that there would just be flavorless rations or some kind of slop for food in the boxes. His species did not care for flavorless or sloppy food. But when he peered into the box, he was pleasantly surprised to find a full weeks supply of such diverse foods as sliders, sausages, eggs, fruit, cakes, pies, sandwiches, spring water in bottles, blue milk, and even ice cream and several kinds of cheese. One might wonder how these normally perishable items could be brought as foodstuffs to a starving people, but these were all in refrigerated or frozen boxes to preserve them.
It gladdened Snee's heart to see that there was so much different and delicious food to sustain the appetites of his folk, for Ortolans valued food highly, and that was because their high metabolism required that they eat more in order to preserve their muscle and their blubber for survival in the icy conditions of their home world, and food was scarce on Orto. Delighted, he turned back to Luminara and Gree.
"How many of these crates of food were you able to bring?" he asked them.
"Oh, quite a few," said Luminara, "I believe they number about five to ten thousand, don't they, Commander?"
"Absolutely, General," Gree said amiably, "We brought them all aboard our Venator-class Star Destroyers, and if you need more, which you probably will, there's always more on the way."
"In that case, we have an agreement," said Snee, offering his fat little hand to shake theirs. "You give us the food, we'll recover as quickly as we can while you help K Company hold off the Separatists, and if the Confederacy still isn't gone then, you have my word that my people will mobilize and bear arms to help you save our world."
"Excellent," said Luminara. "You will not regret this, Ambassador Meema Snee."
"Indeed," said Gree, "The 41st always keeps its side of a bargain, and I'm sure you will, too."
"Thank you, good sir and ma'am," Snee stated.
And so, over the next few days, while the starving Ortolans fattened themselves up, the 41st Elite and K Company held off the droid army to the best of their ability. Scout troopers, AT-RT's and BARC speeders prevented surprise attacks from the droids on Ortolan camps and cities, while ISP speeders and AT-AP's did the more dangerous work of holding off the bigger droids and droid armies on the planet. Occasionally a few recovering Ortolans would become casualties, but finally, they were mostly ready to join the Republic in the war.
For such blubbery creatures, the Ortolans made pretty good fighters. Jedi Nem Bees was impressive enough, him being a Jedi and all, but the other, non-Force sensitive ones proved surprisingly adept with blasters, thermal detonators they borrowed from the Grand Army, and even melee weapons. They fought under the grueling conditions of the ice and snowstorms for days before the droids were, at last, destroyed and driven from Orto.
After it was all over, the planet's government gave their thanks to the 41st Elite and to K Company for their valiant defense of their planet, and Orto rejoined the Republic. As they left, the three clone troopers above had a few things to say to each other.
"Well, Burger," said Flipper, "Don't you think that was well worth it, now? We won another world to our side without having to use violence to convince them to join us, and we learned some interesting things about two alien species, also."
"Well," said Burger as they settled down in their barracks, "At any rate, after we won the big elephants' trust, the First Battle of Orto was definitely a winnable battle, I'll give them that."
"Oh, come on, brother," said Meteor, "Don't call them derogatory names. They're living people like us, not animals."
"Sorry, Meteor," apologized Burger, "I just meant it as a friendly nickname for what they look like. But you must admit, many in the clone army are not as open-minded about aliens as we in the 41st are, what with there being so many aliens in the Confederacy and all."
"Well, I, at least, will sleep better tonight, knowing that we helped another world and its species," said Flipper, "Won't you guys?"
"I will," said Meteor, "Won't you, Burger? I hope so."
"Probably," said Burger, "Unless we're suddenly called to duty again before we get a good enough night's sleep."
"Well, as soldiers bred to follow orders, we are used to living a life like that," said Flipper.
"Good thing, too," said Burger. "Well, good night, boys. I hope the next campaign takes us to folks even more charming than the Ortolans."
"Good night, brothers," said Meteor and Flipper.