Chapter 37

Three days later, the strike team was enroute to Chugiak 3. The team was dressed in head to toe black clothing. I had also recommended some camouflage face paint for the mission. Gabrielle and I were applying each other's paints in the high shine areas that all humans have: forehead, nose, cheekbones and chin.

Page's team was just finishing their paints as the interior lighting on the shuttle switched over to red light to help adjust our nightvision quicker. The shuttle had been retrofit with a hatch in the deck under our feet for cargo loading at some point in the past. Tonight though, it would be used to unload only instead of load.

The fighters and bombers were just a microjump away awaiting our signal to start their run. The transport would follow last. Page and I had been reviewing last minute details as he called the team together and said: "Okay gropos, (a contraction of ground pounder that Page told me about) you know the drill. Do I have any heroes?" "NO SIR!" was the enthusiastic reply. Page said: "Now, let's kick butt and take initials because we aren't going to slow down enough for names!"

The intercom sounded: "Prepare for drop zone. Prepare for drop in 5 . . . 4 . . . 3 . . . 2. . . 1. . . Go, go, and go." The hatch opened up as we took turns one by one and dropped through to fall five feet, tuck and roll to both sides and take up a defensive perimeter as the shuttle moved off into the night.

We had come in the middle of local night and had to cross fifteen meters, about fifty feet, from our drop point to the main building with starlight our only guide. In sixty seconds we were at the door and our computer slicer opened it in five seconds. As we neared our split point, a three-way junction, the team broke up and reformed into two, seven person teams as Gabrielle took her half to the right and I took mine straight ahead.

We reached the first security station, an elevated platform with four stormtroopers at its base and one duty officer at the elevated station. In a blur of highly trained motion, the team was across the open space and pouncing on the stormtroopers. As the duty officer went for his sidearm with one hand and the alarm button with his other, I held out my hand and Force pushed him out of the opposite ladderwell and off the platform. In time with the duty officer's impact with the deck was the sound of four snapping necks as the stormtroopers were dispatched.

Again, our slicer went to work. This time he was inputting a pack of computer viruses that would cause system failures all over the station, especially the shields and auto-targeting. These system failures would appear to be random but would actually be in time with our progress through the station.

Almost immediately the viruses went to work. Lights started flickering, doors opening and closing, cameras going on and off. At the same time as the slicer nodded to me that the viruses were input, I pressed a small button attached to my shirt which sent out a signal to our fighters to start the attack.

We then broke into a defensive double time moving up a piece at a time until we arrived at the energy generator room for the station. As we neared it, my Force senses went wild. I made the hand signal to stop as I focused and counted twelve minds, an entire squad, of imperial troops.

Page came up to me and whispered: "What's up?" I said: "An entire squad of imperials is around the corner from us and they're fully alert because of the system failures going on, any ideas?" As he reached for a proton grenade he said: "Yeah, frell it!" He pulled the pin and let the safety handle fly as he counted out: "1-2-3, fire in the hole!"

He threw the grenade around the corner and just as the imperials noticed it, it exploded. As if in agreement with the grenade, we heard the first bomb impacts in the distance. BOOM . . . BOOM . . . KA-BOOM . . . KADA-BOOM.

As we rounded the corner, the scene left behind by the grenade was grisly and macabre. Bodies and parts of bodies were scattered everywhere and the walls around the blast-point were splattered with blood and organic particles. Seeing that the security keypad to the energy center was useless, I ignited my lightsaber to make my own door when Page said: "Don't do it sir. There's probably an ambush set up on the other side. You'd be cut down before you free your saber. Let the demolition man do it." Like the expert he was I trusted Page's assessment as the demolition man had the door wired and ready to go in just a few minutes.

Ears plugged and mouths open to disperse the blast noise, the demolition man triggered his handiwork. Even with the expert placement of charges on the door, it was still loud. We all started coughing due to the smoke as fire suppression sprinklers activated. As the team entered the generator room proper, I was glad I had listened to Page. He had been right; an ambush had been set up by the generator crew. The shrapnel had taken care of it though. Posting a guard at the gaping hole that had been a door just moments before, our slicer looked over the control panels and turning to me said: "Commander, just as I thought, the actual power core is five kilometers underground. I can start the overload sequence but unless team two takes the command center, it can be overridden."

I shook my head in understanding as I said: "Very well. Start programming the core for meltdown but don't implement the program until I give the word." He said: "Yessir." Leaving him to his work, I looked for and found a comlink unit. Turning it on, I keyed in the number for the command center. A few seconds later, an Imperial Commander came onscreen. I could see his fear in the harried expression I saw in his eyes.

I said: "Surrender this facility to me and I can give you quarter." My words surprised him at first then his command face fell in place as he demanded: "Who is this? What's your operating number?" I overlaid my voice with the Force as I said: "You don't need my number. You want to surrender to me." His eyes glazed over as he said: "I don't need your number. I want to surrender to you."

The officer shook his head and said: "What are you saying? It is you who will surrender to me!" His attention was diverted to the side as I heard a door being blasted in. His face ducked under the console as the door flew past the visual pick-up. He came back into the image pointing his sidearm as two blaster bolts knocked him out of the picture.

Gabrielle's painted face came into the picture as she said: "Command Center is secure sir. Your orders?" I said: "Well done Commander. Have your slicer grab a complete datadump from the computer and then lockout all of the generator failsafe controls from your end. After that, proceed to the prisoner barracks and make ready for the arrival of the transport." She answered: "As ordered Lead," and turned off the monitor.

The slicer called out to me: "Commander, I'm reading a total lockout on generator failsafes, ready to start the meltdown sequence on your order." I said: "Execute." He touched a few more controls and then nodded at me to signal the sequence was started. I said: "Stand back." When he did, I activated my lightsaber and slashed the control consoles to make it that much harder to stop what we started in the reactor.

We left the generator room after first rigging some traps at the hole in the wall in case anyone tried to enter the room and were able to proceed practically unchallenged to the prisoner barracks. As we closed in on the final corridor, we heard a pitched battle ahead of us. I heard the hum of a lightsaber and a few scattered blaster shots as it changed from a ranged fight to melee.

Drawing my lightsaber once again, I stepped around the corner and added my own brand of confusion as the rest of the team caught up to me and we quickly put down the rest of the stormtroopers and officers. Our two teams became one again as we entered the prisoner barracks.

The door opened and some of the team ran in to secure the door. What followed were the sounds of startled men, women and non-humans alike having had the wits scared out of them by the sudden appearance of armed people dressed in black.

When the all clear was sounded, I stepped in to examine the area we were in. Many of the prisoners stood in huddled masses away from the team. At a guess, I would have said the building had been converted into open-bay barracks that measured perhaps 40 X 100 feet with strictly utilitarian bunks in stacks of three that were themselves perhaps 3 X 6 feet big.

Looking over the prisoner population, I saw as many non-humans as I did humans. Again, overlaying my voice with the Force to calm them all, I said: "Please do not be afraid. We are from the Rebel Alliance and we've come to get you out of here. Please help us to help you and tell me who is in charge here."

A cheer broke out among the prisoners as they dared to feel hope again. They started hugging each other and us, some cried in relief until a voice called out from the rear over the clamor: "Belay this dianoga swill! They can't help us with you clinging to them like mynocks on a power generator!"

The loudest cheering subsided as an older man came forward. He was about six feet tall, lean and lanky from hard labor. His hair was mostly gray above eyes that wore the hard light of giving commands. The skin of his face was taunt over his skull and was a light chocolate brown.

Standing in front of me I felt him taking my measure as I took his. I saw his eyes rest on my lightsaber for a moment then back to my eyes. Snapping to attention, he saluted me and said: "Clone Trooper Alpha 1138 reporting for duty General. If you're here sir then Order 66 must have been revoked." I heard a sharp intake of breath from my team as I flowed with the moment, returned his salute and said: "Trooper Alpha, my proper rank at this time is Commander. I have no knowledge of Order 66 so I am forced to assume that it has been. Status report please."

Without skipping a beat, he lowered his salute as I did mine and said: "Commander, there are exactly one hundred and seven sentient beings of all genders in this room. We are the only prisoner population on the station." I said: "Trooper Alpha, thank you for your report. The Wars you knew have been over for a long time. What's your name?"

Alpha looked at me, blinked a few times and said: "Jex Torrel sir. Most just call me Alpha but Jex Torrel is the name I took for myself after my court martial and subsequent discharge from service. It seems I was built too well and was able to exercise too much individual initiative." "Why were you court martialed?" I asked. He said: "I refused to obey Order 66 after it was given sir." Ordinarily I would have been very uncertain of a soldier, current or former who admitted to refusing a direct order but the Force said I could trust him and I said: "You can tell me about it later." His name registered in my mind but I kept my face neutral as I turned to Sergeant Page and said: "Sergeant, seal the door we just came in and then send the demolition men to that loading door on the far end. I want it out of my way as of yesterday." He said: "Yes sir." He detailed two men to each task and then came over to me and said: "A moment of your time sir?"

I walked over to where he stood as he whispered: "With all due respect sir, do you really think you should trust a clone? I did several book reports during my schooling and they're practically mindless killing machines when you let them loose on an objective, some even had a kind of mental breakdown specific to clones after the Wars ended."

I said: "I'm aware of some of the historical information on the subject and I remember reading about the Alpha units. They were designed with the ability to exercise more initiative on the battlefield than the standard units. This man is one of those Alpha units. Add to that, all the clones were designed to respect orders from the Jedi. Even Padawan Learners could issue orders to them. For now, treat him for what he is; a veteran of more battles than everyone on the entire team put together and listen to him if he has anything to say. Clear?" Page said: "As crystal sir. I'll see to those doors now."

I went back over to Jex as he said: "Thank you for that Commander. It has taken more years than I want to count to be treated like any other person." Seeing the slight surprise on my face he said with a smile: "It wasn't just my mental processes that were improved over the standard clone unit. Anyway sir, those doors will take a lot more than nergon-14 charges to 'remove' as you put it."

He continued with: "Those doors are one meter thick and welded shut on all four sides and down the middle. Even if you break the welds, the motors were removed a long time ago. Those doors are nothing more than multi-ton walls now. Before you ask, I was also designed to anticipate my commanding officer's needs."

I smiled and said: "Fine workmanship then I must say Jex, and I mean that as a compliment." He smiled back and said: "Then I'll take it as it was intended sir. What do you want us to do?" Looking around I said: "As soon as my wife and I cut some of these bunks loose of the floor, have your people make a barricade of them and take cover. We'll try our nergon-14 first and then go from there."

His eyes widened and said: "Did you say wife sir? Jedi aren't allowed them or so I was instructed." I said: "Times change Trooper Alpha, times change." He said: "Point made sir." He turned from me and bellowed in a clear, strong voice: "As soon as the Commander is done, we're going to move these bunks and make a barricade. Get ready to move people!"

As Gabrielle and I made our rounds and cut bunks loose from their moorings on the floor, the soon-to-be-free prisoners started moving them into a serviceable barricade with efficient actions, while others stripped sheets and blankets off of other bunks to serve as debris shields.

Five minutes later, the barricade finished, Page came up to me and said: "All done sir. The clone . . . err uh I mean man was right when he said those doors are pretty solid. I don't know if we have enough nergon-14 left to do it." I said: "Understood Sergeant. Take cover and let's go." He nodded acknowledgement of his orders and took cover with the rest of the team. Gabrielle and I joined hands and linked our abilities together to create a sonic barrier against the worst of the explosion as a moment later he yelled: "Fire in the hole!" and pressed the detonator switch.

The sonic shockwave from the explosion, contained as it was inside of the building, was still loud, even with the sonic barrier that we had erected. When Gabrielle and I lowered it, the smoke was already starting to dissipate. We looked to see a noticeable dent in the door and most of the visible welds broken, but other than that, the door was unmoved. A collective groan sounded through the room as an idea came to me. Gabrielle picking up on my train of thought came over to me and said: "Are you thinking what I think you're thinking Ronin?"

I turned to her and said: "Can you think of anything else?" She said: "Not really but it could burn you out or even kill you. Master Yoda was very circumspect on it but quite specific on the possible consequences." I said: "I know that Gabrielle but right now, the kinitite may be our only chance." She said: "Just don't get yourself killed my Knight." I smiled and said: "I won't."

I walked forward until I was perhaps ten feet from the door. As I did so, the image of my warrior idol from my past life on Earth came to mind and I knew what form the Kinitite Force Bomb would take. Drawing in as much Force energy as I possibly could, I stood in front of the doors and began to deep breath as my arms made slow circles in front of me. I could feel the tingle as more and more energy seemed drawn to my arms and hands like metal filings to a magnet.

I drew in more energy than I ever had before as I cupped my hands by my hip and in my minds' eye saw a blue orb begin to form between my palms. As if my mind could see from any direction, I saw a deep blue corona around my entire body and energy arcing down my arms into the ball. From deep within my soul, the words came to my lips unbidden: "Shinku . . . . . ." I felt my arms and hands tremble as I held the orb and concentrated it still more. Stepping forward into a zenkutsudachi, pushing my arms forward the heels of both palms still touching, the fingers of both hands bent at the middle knuckle, I released the concentrated energy: "Hadouken!"

My mind was back in my body as I watched the kinitite fly at the doors. Upon contact with the metal, it punched through the doors with a mighty shriek of overstressed metal. The doors parted in the middle and bent outward to allow the remaining energy to escape and shatter a TIE fighter that was in the way as the leftover beam expended itself into the sky.

Still locked forward in my zenkutsudachi, I stayed there a moment longer and then fell forward onto the deck stretched out as if I were taking a nap. Gabrielle was at my side first as Page and Jex followed closely behind. She rolled me over and pulled me up to a sitting position saying: "Ronin? Ronin, don't you dare leave me now mister. Don't you dare." I opened my eyes to see her face etched with concern. I tried to speak but it came out as: "Uuunnnnnhhh."

With Page's help she got me to my feet and started us walking out the door. I could feel sunlight and a slight breeze as well as the leftover sounds of explosions and the smell of smoke. I managed to say: "Where's the transport?" Page said: "It's on the way Commander and so help me; I will welcome any Jedi to my team if they want to. I've seen enough today to never doubt Jedi abilities again." I smiled tiredly: "Glad to hear it Sergeant."

Someone pointed out the transport at it approached the platform we found ourselves on. The facility's external speakers crackled to life as I heard a male voice wracked with pain say: "Rebel scum. I can still take you all with me to hell." I recognized the voice as that of the facility commander's. The saturation cannon nearest the command tower suddenly quivered into life. Jerkily it moved and started firing on the transport. Several of the shots missed, a few hit and were deflected by the enhanced shields. Page's comlink chirped for attention. When he thumbed it on I heard Commander Bree's voice say: "Transport go evasive. I'm on the way back. I'll take care of that turret. ETA is one minute."

The transport pilot said: "No can do Gold Leader, we're on final approach." The transport landed hard as its hatches opened up. By this time I had enough strength back to stand on my own as I said: "Sergeant, get these people and your team on the transport. As soon as I know everyone is aboard, I'll come up the ramp." Page said to me: "Sir, you're in no condition to play rear guard right now. I'll go last."

Tired from the kinitite and the combat stress, my temper flared as I said: "Don't argue with me Sergeant. Do as you're told and get on that ship. That's an order and I expect you to obey it!" Gabrielle said: "Ronin, he's only trying to keep you alive!" I turned to her and said: "That order goes double for you XO!"

Gabrielle looked from me to Page and then to me again as she said: "Sergeant, take the Commander inside the transport and sit on him if you have to!" Page gave an all too quick: "Yes sir!", as Gabrielle walked off to help oversee the loading of the former prisoners. As I have pointed out before, I am Jedi but I am also human and my temper finally snapped as I threw his support off and said: "Dammit Sergeant! This is your last chance, get everyone aboard that transport or I'll have you up on charges when we get back to base! Do you understand!"

Teeyara's voice came back over the comlink that Page had left on. I guess it had transmitted my orders and she had heard. I saw a Y-wing coming, smoke billowing from both engines. She said: "Don't worry about it Ronin. I'll take care of that tower; you take care of Gabrielle for me. Gabrielle, look after Dieter for me. It's been an honor serving with you both. It's time for you to go Cori."

I heard a hooting over the channel that the Force translated for me as it did for Warbler. Cori said: "Mistress Bree, don't send me away! Mistress Bree?" As Teeyara's ship passed overhead I saw an explosive charge go off and Cori flew free of the ship. The channel shut off as I heard Gabrielle scream out Teeyara's name uselessly.

Page, Gabrielle and I watched as Teeyara's Y-wing smashed into the tower causing the manually controlled cannon to fall silent. I vaguely remembered hearing Page say: "Yes sir. I do, and I hope you understand what I'm about to do." I turned to him and snarled: "Understand what!" "This," he said.

His fist rushing at me and then a brief white-hot flash of pain was the last thing I remembered, then nothing but sweet, peaceful darkness.

Chapter 38

Time was a blur. When I finally opened my eyes, I found myself looking up at a ceiling. My senses came back to me then. I felt the thrum of a hyperdrive through the deck, heard the sound of atmosphere recirculators, smelled the tangy sterility of the air and tasted blood. I sat up and looked at my surroundings. I had been deposited on the bed in one of the crew quarters.

I touched the Force momentarily to clear my head and thought to myself: "Damn. Page sure has one hell of a punch. No doubt of that." I was still tired from my kinitite experience but not as exhausted as before, more like the tired of not enough sleep. I stood up and went to the sink in the corner of the room and cleaned the face paint off. When I was done, I stepped into the corridor to find that Jex Torrel had taken up a guard position at the door holding a blaster rifle in a carry position that would allow instant aim and fire.

Jex saw me and said: "Good to see you up and about again sir. I nearly killed that man Page for striking you. I'll stand for any disciplinary action you wish to initiate." I said: "At ease Jex. You're not a soldier anymore. I don't have the authority to do that. You didn't kill him though, did you?" He said: "No sir, but he'll have a black eye for a few days and a scar to remind him not to disrespect you or any other Jedi ever again."

I said: "I appreciate the show of loyalty, misplaced though it is. Are you my shadow now?" He said: "Lt. Cdr. Shase-Jayks said to make myself useful until you release me sir." I said: "Consider yourself released. You may have been created as a Clone Trooper Alpha unit, but now you're Jex Torrel. When we get back to base though, I need to discuss something with you. That will be all for now."

He went to attention and saluted me as he said: "As ordered Lead." I returned his salute and watched him walk away. From there, it wasn't hard to find Page. I just followed the yelling.

As I neared one of the cargo areas that had been configured for passengers, I heard his voice saying: "Clean that weapon! Stitch those holes! You're all a mess! This is the last time I'll get to yell at you!" I heard the voice belonging to Creel say: "Is that a promise Sarge?" There was some snickering at the comment. Before Page could tear into him, I stepped in. One of them saw me and bellowed out: "Attention on deck!"

I walked in and said: "At ease everyone. Sergeant Page, walk with me." I turned on my heel and walked back out the door I had just come through. He caught up with me in the passageway but kept silent until we made our way to one of the emergency airlocks. I wanted the privacy it would allow.

As Page walked in I used my best command voice and said: "Attention!" Like the good soldier he was, he went to attention when told to do so. I let him stand there for a minute, then two. I wanted him to sweat a little. I said in a no-nonsense tone: "What should I do with you Sergeant?" He said: "Sir?" I turned to him again and said: "Don't play dumb with me Mister! I ask you again, what should I do with you?"

Page got the idea though I believe he had one the first time I asked. He said: "Your duty is clear in this matter sir. I deliberately disobeyed your orders. Obeyed the orders of your second in command even though you were senior officer and still capable of command and then struck you. Sir." All I said was: "And . . ." He finished for me: "And I expect to be brought up on charges of disobeying orders, circumventing the chain of command and of striking an officer."

I let the silence hang a moment before I spoke again: "Succinct as usual. One of the things I like about you Mr. Page. There will be no formal charges brought up against you Sergeant. Not by me at least. Despite what happened at the end, you executed a flawless mission. While I agree that you did disobey an order I'll let it go because while it's my job to see that all those under my command come back in one piece, it is also your job to make sure the mission commander comes back in one piece. You did that Sergeant. Albeit in an unorthodox manner, but you did it just the same, besides, I think those marks from Jex will remind you even after they've been healed."

Page let a relieved breath out as he said: "Thank you sir." As we walked back towards the main hold I said: "Status report please." Page pulled out a datapad from his thigh pocket and scrolled through the report he had been composing until he got to the summary. He said: "The mission itself was a complete success. We rescued the entire prison population and were able to trigger the reactor meltdown. Chugiak 3 is no longer a functional Imperial munitions factory. In fact, several of the former prisoners want to join the Rebellion as a way of repaying us for helping them in the first place. On a personal note sir, do you think you might persuade the Alpha unit to join us? He's a hellion. After I hit you, he was on me like a jawa to a junk pile. We had to stun him at low power to get him off of me; otherwise I think he would have killed me."

I said: "I don't know anyone named alpha unit. If you mean Jex Torrel, you'll have to take it up with him. He's a free man and can choose his own path." Page winced at my intended rebuke and said: "I think I'll let Mr. Torrel cool off for awhile yet sir." I said: "Wise choice Sergeant. What else is there to report?" Page scrolled some more and said: "The strike team only took some minor cuts and bruises as I'm sure you're aware of. The air support only took one loss sir; Commander Bree sir. You saw as well as I did. She flew her ship right into that command tower and got the cannon to stop firing. It was almost in position to slag the transport and us along with it."

Page continued with: "I spoke with the XO of Gold Group, Lt. Cdr. Ardra Dreel. Commander Bree's ship was damaged and it would have had to be abandoned because its hyperdrive was gone but she flew it anyway. Judging from the transmissions just prior to her sacrifice, she must have been hit by some shrapnel. She took down two more TIE fighters not that very many got off the ground to begin with, and then the tower itself."

I said: "I'm a little hazy as to the last moment before you decked me, does my wife know?" Page said: "Yes sir. She does. Especially because Commander Bree ejected her R2 unit before the crash. TheXO used the Force to catch the droid and recover it." I said: "How long until planetfall?" He checked his chronometer and said: "Several hours yet. These transports aren't that fast."

I said: "Very well Sergeant, carry on then. If I'm needed, I'll be with my wife. Page checked his ear as if something was wrong and said: "I didn't catch that last part sir. You said you'd be unavailable. Is that correct sir?" I said: "Correct. Thank you Sergeant." "You're welcome sir," he answered.

Focusing on the bond I shared with my wife, I found she was very sad. Tracing the bond, I found Gabrielle sitting in a cushioned bay window looking out at the hyperspace tunnel. One hand rested on Cori's dome. Cori moaned softly as her dome rotated to face me. I saw Gabrielle had cleaned off most of her face paint.

I said quietly: "Room for two?" She pulled up her legs to allow me to sit across from her as she then slid across the alcove and into my arms with her head on my shoulder. As I slowly stroked the back of her head with my hand I asked: "Want to talk about it?" She answered: "I wasn't sure you would wake up so soon. You went directly into the Healing Trance as soon as you hit the ground." She leaned into my embrace a little more as she spoke again: "She was my best friend Ronin. She was the kind of person that five minutes after you met her it felt like you had known her forever. Teeyara and I first met after Dolan Bree had convinced me to join the Rebellion."

She continued with: "After I finished my officer's and pilot's training, going off of gut instinct alone, she chose me to head third element of Gold Group over more experienced people. I introduced Dolan to her and in turn was the Maid of Honor at their wedding and finally Dieter's godmother. After Dolan died on the mission that saw you join us, Teeyara nearly died of grief but I kept telling her that she still had Dieter and her love of freedom for all beings to live for."

I said: "I understand Gabrielle. But remember, she lives still. She lives in your heart and mind and in Dieter too. You will always have those memories to help sustain you. Cherish those memories, and she will live forever." Gabrielle's reserve started to crumble as she said: "I loved her like a sister and now she's gone, she's gone." The last of her resolve broke and she cried out her pain there on my shoulder. In between sobs she said: "I miss her so much already, I miss her . . ." Nothing more needed to be said so I held her.

Hours later, I awoke to a gentle tap on my shoulder. Gabrielle had fallen into an exhausted sleep as I held her. I opened my eyes to see Jex standing there. He said in a low voice: "We've just landed Commander. Sergeant Page asked me to come find you." I said: "Thank you Jex. I'll catch up with you later." He saluted and left the area as Gabrielle woke up.

I said: "We're home now Milady. I need to get the mission debrief prepared then we can go get Dieter together if you want." Gabrielle stood up and shook her head as she stretched and said: "Thank you my Knight but I need to do this myself. Cori whistled as Gabrielle amended her statement: "Correction, Cori and I need to do this ourselves. Dieter and I will meet you at home later." I said: "If you're sure Gabrielle." She said: "I am but thank you for the offer anyway."

I sat in my office with Warbler as I composed the final report for presentation the next day. After finishing, I called down to billeting and inquired of Jex Torrel. I was told that he had been assigned guest quarters but was too uncomfortable there so went to an unused barracks room instead. After getting the location, I opened my closet and took out the last box inside. The widows of Soaron Black and Xavier Barroy had long since gotten their husbands things leaving only Joustine Torrel's articles.

I got to his door, took a breath and knocked. He opened the door himself and seeing me took a step back and went to parade rest as if awaiting an inspection. As I entered, I saw that his room was in spotless condition already and his bed made in a military style with sharp creases and exact measurements. I probably could have bounced a credit chip off of it.

I said: "Jex please stand easy." He did so and said: "Sorry Commander, but the respect of Jedi is still in me. You can take the man out of the clone trooper but not the clone trooper out of the man. What can I do for you?" I said: "I wish I were here on a social call but unfortunately, I'm not. Jex sat down at the desk unit built into the wall with confusion evident on his face.

I said: "Would you fill me in on Order 66 please?" Jex's eyes took on a far away look as he remembered and said: "Order 66 was the directive from Supreme Chancellor Palpatine to eliminate all Jedi as enemies of the Republic. Even a Jedi can be outnumbered and as a standing army, we had nothing but numbers on our side. I had served with several different Jedi during my active duty and I couldn't believe that they would try to overthrow the Republic. I felt that the directive was some kind of mistake and so I refused. Ordinarily, if an order is refused in time of war, the penalty is death but since I was the first clone unit to, as they said, "malfunction", I was put in the stockade until a medical evaluation could determine the cause. I was never told the final diagnosis but I figure it was blamed on the programming that made me an Alpha unit instead of a standard clone one. For all I know, my incident was the cause of the suspension of cloning operations in general and the open enlistment process put in its place."

I said: "Do you have any family?" He said: "After I was discharged for refusing to obey Order 66, I was medically treated, in short, reprogrammed to forget what I was. The reprogramming was quite effective. I wandered around for a time, did a little mercenary and bounty work but had lost the taste for battle after the Wars. When I had a chance encounter with some of my clone brothers everything came back to me. I remembered who and what I was. Some had gone on to have families of their own. With the knowledge that I could indeed sire children, I settled down and raised a family of my own. I had two sons and a daughter."

My wife died of one of the few illnesses that we don't have a cure for but not before she met her first grandchild. A few years after that, one of my sons and his family died in a hovercar accident. My other son joined the Imperial forces as soon as he was old enough and I lost touch with him. My daughter went on to have a son and daughter of her own. Last I knew she and my grandson were still doing well in the Corporate Sector. My granddaughter Joustine was enrolled in a university somewhere. I never found out where though. I last saw her when she was ten standard years old then I was thrown into the Chugiak 3 facility and I've been there ever since. That was fifteen years ago now that I have the luxury to think on it. I was never charged with any crime or even given a trial. I think the Empire did it because I was an Alpha unit and they feared I might fall in with the Rebellion and share my extensive knowledge of the art of war. Why do you ask?"

I took a breath and said: "Do you remember an attempted rescue a couple of years back?" He said: "Remember it? For months they used that as an emotional bludgeon on us to keep us in order. Why?" I said: "There's no easy way to say this Jex so I'll just get to the point if you don't mind." He said: "Please do."

Taking another breath I held out the box to him and said: "During that rescue attempt, Joustine was under my direct command. I lost her because I depended too heavily on faulty intelligence. It's my fault she's gone and I offer my sincerest apologies for my lack of vision." Jex took the box from me and opened it. His breath caught in his throat as he saw some of the pictures that Joustine had kept. There were pictures of Jex and his wife, her mother and father, her uncles.

A tear glistened in his eye as he looked over to me and said: "Thank you for telling me yourself Commander but since you didn't pull the trigger that killed her; I hold no anger for you. If the Empire was afraid I would help the Rebellion before, now they have a reason to. Tell your Sergeant Page, I'll teach him everything I know. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to be alone for awhile."

It was my turn to show respect so I saluted him and left his room. On my way out, I activated the mourning lock and went home for the night. When I got home no one else was there yet. I had dinner and a shower and went to bed exhausted once again.