CHAPTER 9
The Resonatorsoared up into the Harbinger, the main capital ship of the Republic Navy. The ship gave a little lurch as it landed in the Harbinger's main docking hangar, and Corran unstrapped himself and exited with the rest of his fellow Knights and they filed out of the freighter and out to the hangar which was mostly empty except a Vanguard team of Republic soldiers in white armor, no helmets on, and a tall human woman dressed in a Republic Navy uniform, with red and yellow hues. She was a middle-aged woman, with some wrinkled skin around her eyes and mouth, and bright blue eyes. Her hair ran down to her shoulders and she had on a cap to complete her uniform.
"Master Vandar," she called to the Jedi Master. "We are so pleased to see you make it here safe." She bent down and shook hands with the diminutive Jedi.
"Thank you, Admiral." Vandar said. He turned to the group of Jedi that stood behind him. "These are some of the survivors of the attack. They have volunteered for service in your fleet."
"By the Force," Admiral Dodonna said. She addressed the group. "Now I know that the attack on Dantooine was a blow to your esteem but now is the time to strike! You are now partnered with the Republic Navy, but I am not your commanding officer!" Her voice carried throughout the whole hangar and every Jedi was hanging on her words. "You answer to Master Vandar Tokare," here she indicated the wrinkled Jedi, "but you are now soldiers, not peace keepers! Malak has set up a secret outpost on the reaches of known space and we have received the coordiantes of this outpost from the Ebon Hawk, and we will strike now!"
Cheers rang out and this time, Corran joined in. The Vanguard standing behind Dodonna also joined in on the cheering and finally Dodonna raised her hands to silence the ruckus. "Master Vandar," she said, "You and I must speak privately."
She turned to one of the soldiers clad in armor and said, "Crass? Can you show these Jedi to their quarters?"
The soldier was the tallest of the group and he had a completely shaved head and brown goatee. "Yes, Admrial." He responded in a raspy voice.
He turned to the Jedi and nodded to them.
Then Corran saw someone he thought was dead: Droc Alglydd.
He was also clad in white armor, standing on the far right of the squad. He had long blond hair that ran down to his shoulders, and he possessed a new feature; a long pink scar on his right jaw. It ran all the way down to his neck and even further into his armor. He stared at Corran in disbelief and smiled at him.
Corran and his brother embraced and Droc said, "How in space did you get here? I thought you were dead!"
"I would ask you the same!" Corran said smiling as wide as an asteroid field. It was as though they had never argued that night back in the Enclave. Corran looked at Droc from head to foot and said, "Where's your lightsaber?"
Droc sighed and said, "I'm not a Jedi anymore, Corran. I seceded just after I left. The Republic let me join their garrisons because I'm handy with this." He indicated the heavy assault rifle he was carrying.
Corran was sad to hear this. His best friend had seceded from the Jedi, but why?
"Why did you leave?"
"Because I knew I couldn't function as a Jedi with all of the hatred I had of the Sith. So I joined the Republic, that way I can combat the Sith without worrying about my emotions."
Corran felt Droc was making up excuses for himself, but nonetheless he was extremely happy that he was alive. But how did he survive?
"I thought you were MIA above Dremro VII."
"I was, but I popped up on Sernpidal and was picked up by the Republic. I lost my lightsaber as I stowed away I numerous ships and I enlisted in the Ground Troops Division. They took me in because I was a former Jedi."
Now it was beginning to make sense. Droc and he walked side by side and into their quarters and Corran was thrilled that he and Droc were allowed to bunk together. He was happy to be reunited with his best friend once again.
