Daily Entry 02: Clone Battalion Commander CC-4242: (153 Days ABG)
I've been getting some complaints about Splinter's logs. Apparently, some of my troopers find his oral recordings irritating, to say the least. I've rarely received complaints in general, much less when the subject was an officer. Apparently, Splinter "can't find a way to talk about his doubts without disrupting our equilibrium." Thank you for that quote, Six-Twelve. I'm preserving it in this log forever.
I've decided to write these down, instead of recording them vocally. I don't relish the thought of speaking to someone who isn't there.
Regardless, we're on course for Doan. Kali'sto's master mediated a dispute between the nobility and the lower class two years ago, and the treaty they signed is breaking down as a result of the war. He has been trying to discuss a negotiation plan with me, he's clearly irritated at his orders. He thinks that it would be best if he went alone, instead of dragging us along. He's worried that we'll come off as a show of force, rather than an "assurance of security." [What is it with Coruscanti accents...]
Kali'sto hasn't really gone against my point. He actually admitted that he's no general. He gave me a set of directives: let him be at the forefront. Be sincere, and project security, rather than fear. To that end, he suggested that I leave my helmet behind or something.
I was baffled, to the point where I didn't even know how to respond. Even throwing out the fact that I rarely remove my helmet when on duty, that decision makes no sense from a tactical perspective. Clearly, Kali'sto doesn't approach situations in that way.
He quickly explained that this would project humanity, show that I'm not a faceless drone. I'm not an expert at public relations, so I suppose this might make sense.
He actually asked for me to remove my helmet. When I pointed out that he already knew what my face looked like, he said, "No, I've seen Jango's face. What's yours, Commander?"
Still confused, I asked if it was an order. He responded, "A request…that you are free to refuse."
If Nal gave me that order, or Mace Windu, I'd probably refuse. But with this one…I decided to oblige him.
He pointed out that I had a small scar in my lower jaw, and asked where it came from. It was a brawling injury. Jango gave it to me.
After I explained this, Kali'sto responded–and I suspect he was quoting someone, "Sometimes the smallest detail can radically change an observer's perception."
We went back to the discussion. Maybe I can risk removing my helmet.
Maybe Kali'sto can add something to the 525th, something more than an obligatory lightsaber and pretentious superiority.
