Chapter 4

RVC Training Camp Bravo-4, Carida

The drills had concluded, with no small amount of hurt pride amongst the Clones and volunteer troopers. The overall day of tests went fairly smoothly, no serious fights aside from what the unit was supposed to do. But the Clones themselves had emerged with the majority of the matches ending in their favor in the platoon match-ups.

However as examined by Commander Cody, who'd broken down what had happened and educated the sour RVC platoon, the platoon of Clones was better trained for platoon level tactics in tight quarters whereas the RVC was better geared for squad and fire team level fights in closer quarters. In longer range fights the volunteers had drawn out easily as the better equipped troops. This was conceded by the Clones, who themselves grumbled unhappily about the scopes their opponents used being cheating.

With the tests complete the Jedi and their troops were set to leave and the RVC platoon was released to its parent unit. Now came for the analysis, which Admiral Drexel was honestly dreading. As the three gunships loaded up with their Clone troopers Anakin, Obi Wan, and Master Yoda stood ready to deliver their own conclusions to Admiral Drexel.

"Admiral, your troops have performed well," Obi Wan began, "Pass along my compliments."

"Thank you General," Drexel nodded in appreciation and looked to Anakin for his thoughts on the matter.

"They'll do fine," Anakin shrugged, "Still think having grenade launchers is a bit unfair for our men to face. But if our troops have trouble with them one on one, the droids should be careful engaging your men in open battle."

"That they should General Skywalker," Drexel smiled, much relieved.

"Pleased with what we have seen we are," Yoda surmised, "Ready for service we will leave to you."

"Thank you Master Jedi," Admiral Drexel bowed, "We're honored with your endorsement."

"Thank you for your men and women for their dedication and bravery," Obi Wan stated with another bow, and turned and boarded his gunship alongside Anakin as Yoda himself turned and boarded the ship as well.

"And Admiral," Skywalker suggested, "We would still recommend that they go through a small taste of low-intensity battle. Just in case."

"We've already reserved a target for such a battle. The Cularin System has asked for help, and I have taken upon the Volunteer Corps to break the Thaereian blockade."

"Low key, we'll be heading that way in a short while, Christophsis is in need of Republic aide," Obi Wan declared.

"We'll be available, should you require help Master Jedi."

Drexel watched the Jedi board the gunship and got a respectful nod from them as the doors on the craft shut tight, and they lifted off. It seemed almost anti-climactic, he'd been expecting pomp and circumstance, his forces deserved that. Although he could do that himself, given a bit more time he would formally activate the Republic Volunteer Corp.

Before that, they still had to continue training, refining their tactics, picking out leaders among the forces, and hone their skills in all regards. But publishing the excellent test scores among the force to encourage the progress of their forces' training regimen would be a good indication of the RVC's impending activation. But to get the fullest effect from this he would need publicity, and he knew someone who could help with that.

Holonet News Building in Kuat City, Kuat

"Sir, an Admiral Drexel is requesting to speak with you," the secretary for one of the main talking heads and journalists at Holonet News' Kuat Branch said calmly into at her desk where she was the first to answer any messages for her boss.

Within the spacious office of the reporter known as Erik Syno plants were everywhere. This was no surprise seeing as Erik Syno was a Zelosian, and had an instinctive mastery of horticulture as his main hobby. It drove his co-workers mad, especially the janitors who had to exercise extreme caution when in the immaculate but rather warm office.

The journalist was currently trimming a row of bamboo arranged along the middle of the front of his office while a few small droids took care of his other garden plants. He'd heard the message on the earbud he wore so he could move about and talk and do business as needed. And when he'd heard the name his secretary had mentioned his emerald eyes lit up, he was quite familiar with this man.

"Let him in please," Erik smiled as he continued trimming.

The door hissed open, and the warm air rushed out into Admiral Drexel's face, catching him off-guard, even though he knew what to expect, having been known the man.

"Erik," Drexel said, brushing some vines hanging from a slightly overgrown tree pressing on the glass ceiling, "I see your bosses got you a bigger office for your garden."

"No they gave this place for my dedicated service to journalism old friend," Erik replied without turning to address Drexel, but turned after finishing the last plant in the row next to the couches in front of his desk, "And I take it your service has gotten you command of a new fleet."

"You know of the Corp?" Drexel asked, although it wasn't so much a question but a statement.

"I always know what's new in the Core's militaries," Erik said as he walked over to his desk, Drexel following behind in his uniform.

"Then may I state something that you don't know but will want to be there for?" Drexel replied, pouring out a glass of water for him and one for Erik.

"Try me," Erik said, sitting on the edge of his desk.

"The RVC is being formally activated next week," Drexel informed him, "The whole force will be arriving at Anaxes for the ceremony."

"That'll be something," Erik nodded.

"Oh it will, all of our ships, in formation over the city, thousands of troops in blocks on the ground, it'll be a who's who of high society when it happens. Perhaps one of the most heavily covered events in the Core."

"Senators, nobility, the rich and famous," Erik listed out, "You're sure one to bring out all the stops."

"Oh yeah, lots of Senators," Drexel nonchalantly replied, "Plenty of big whigs to interview."

"Alright," Erik smiled.

"Some with connections to other Senators and sources," he continued.

"Okay okay stop drilling you've struck gold. I get it I'll be there and have it broadcast in prime time."

"Well that's one job done," Drexel grinned in victory, taking a sip of the water, "Now for my other favor. We want a combat reporter to be assigned to the RVC, someone who can be trusted to do the job but swing things…in ways that aide the war effort."

"I wonder who that could be Admiral," Erik responded, leaning back crossing his arms and looked out into space, "Someone that knows what to do and what not to do, someone who's got experience like mine, credibility as good I've got, and loyal to the Republic? I'm not sure who can fit that mold…"

"Who indeed," Drexel stated, "Well that's what I'm here for, just wanted to know we'll need a combat reporter."

"Which will be me," Erik declared, emphasizing his point by pointing his thumb at his chest.

"I see my work here is done," the Admiral nodded, sending a quick salute as he stood all the way up, noting how much age was having its constant effect.

"What work?"

"Getting you on board. See ya in a week."

RVC Training Camp Delta-5, Anaxes

"Begin!"

The single Anaxes Knight went to his battle stance, and moved forward into the tight circular unit. The single Knight was surrounded by six sparring droids, each holding an electrostaff. Normally Anaxes Knights would face one or two of these droids for training, which were advanced models of protocol droids with added flexibility and programmed combat skills. However the Anaxes Knight now facing these six droids was not one of the rank and file Knights.

His name was Kayles Titus, the Champion of Anaxes, which effectively meant he was the best out of all of the Anaxes Knights. In the latest Anaxes Champion Tournament he'd fought his way to the top, besting thousands of some of the finest warriors in the galaxy.

He stood there wearing only blue pants, gloves, and boots with his chiseled chest glistening with sweat from the training he and his fellow knights had been going through. In his right hand was his broadsword vibrosword of Songsteel. On his left arm he had his shield with his family coat of arms on it. He had his somewhat long dark hair tied back out of his face. He kept a thin goatee and a thin beard along his jawline, like the other Knights of Anaxes that could grow one. As he looked around with a smirk on his face at the challenge he'd ordered for himself he saw the expectant eyes of his comrades watching his every move.

He waited as the six droids circled, knowing that there would be an attack from two from opposite sides more than likely. Around him a crowd of other Anaxes Knights and other soldiers were watching him in anticipation of what he was going to do.

As predicted he saw a droid to his right and left, just barely in his peripheral vision, charge at him. They came at him at the exact same moment and with the exact same method of attack. So he picked the one on his right and stepped towards the droid and sidestepped the jab the droid attacked him with. The electrostaff passed his head as he stepped into the attack and jabbed his shield against the staff and gave a quick slice at the droid's neck, severing the head.

With the same motion he continued the swing and came back around and swatted the other electrostaff away and smashed into the droid's shoulder with his shield's sharpened edge, gashing and disabling that arm as the other droids attacked. He swung around and blocked an overhead swing without stopping his motion, kicking at the droid's midsection as the vibrosword forced the resistant metal to bounce away. As another droid swung at his legs from the right, he lifted his right leg up, stomped down on the staff, knocking it from the droid's grasp and crushed its head with his shield with same movement that he used to swung back to block a swipe at his core with his sword.

The other droids continued to press him and with a fiery spurt of forceful and surgical attacks Titus swiped at the three different droids in turn, being blocked, dodged and counter-attacked as quickly as he could. The droids had difficulty trying to figure out what to hit him with, as his own attacks kept coming, overriding the droids' programming to attack whenever he was not attacking them. But his assaults struck home when a droid swiped at him, missed and his blade sunk into the core of the droid and it collapse as he ripped it in half with his next move.

The other two were now better able to coordinate, and tried splitting apart from one another to come at him from a wider angle. With a silent mechanical attack the droids assailed Titus once more, and he took the attack in stride, as befitting his status. With the first blow came a sideways swipe at his right side which his shield slammed into from above and his sword came up from below and cut the droid's head in half and spun to meet the other droid. The final opponent came at him with a spinning staff came at him with a flurry of rapid strikes that bounced harmlessly against his shield and ricocheted off his sword.

With the last attack the droid made Titus waited to dodge the strike, and cut sideways at the arms, slicing one off, and then the other while the droid tried recovering. His shield came up and smashed into the droid's chin and sent it flying into the ground. Before it could try rising to its feet his sword was stabbed through its forehead.

Cheers erupted from the gathered Knights and soldiers. Titus reveled in the praise with raising his sword and shield into the air, knowing that he was one of very few that could put up such a performance. In his experience only Anaxes Knight Grandmasters or Jedi could accomplish such a feat.

"Well done sir," the senior master in charge of their exercises for the day stated evenly, tossing him his scabbard, "Get this cleaned up," he then ordered some cleaning droids as he stepped into the ring.

"Someone has a propensity for the flashy," his brother, Abel Titus, stated to him from where he was standing.

"I have a reputation to uphold don't I?" the younger of the two chuckled as he slid his sword into his scabbard and slung his shield over his back with a leather strap, "I'm Champion aren't I?"

Abel was Kayle's older brother by seven years, already a husband and father at twenty-nine while Kayle himself was still twenty-two, and very much a bachelor. And while his older brother was more restrained and humble the younger and arguably more skilled of the two was living like a celebrity, keeping himself at the front of all the action and public exposure. But such was the tendency for all Champions of Anaxes, especially the handsome ones like Kayle who knew it.

"Father always did say you were reckless," Abel chuckled, grabbing his younger brother around the neck and led them out, "Come on, let's get something to eat."

The two walked out in hearty chuckles while other Anaxes Knights gave Titus his just congratulations on a job well-done, the older ones giving nods of approval, and the younger more boisterous Knights more outspoken. They left the instructor building of what was now the RVC's chief training facility for the Anaxes Knights.

But it was still known by its ancestral name, The Heroes' Fortress, the lone castle on the planet to survive the Great Galactic War. Here a thousand Anaxes Knights and five thousand of their fellow soldiers had held and defended the ancient granite, durasteel, and shielded castle that stood upon a mountain overlooking the city of Pols Anaxes from an invading army of sixty thousand, including Sith warriors among their legions of soldiers and battle droids. They had fought this battle without the help of the Jedi, who'd been unable to send help, but the Knights had faced the enemy anyway, slaughtering hundreds of Sith and thousands of their soldiers. In the end, the old fortress had buried all but fifty of the Knights and three hundred of the soldiers who'd defended it.

These fifty Knights went on to form the bloodlines for which all Anaxes Knights could trace their lineage. When the castle was rebuilt and expanded as time went on, life-size statues were erected in the likeness of each Knight who had fought over those weeks of battle. The names of each soldier who stood and fought alongside them were carved into stone tombstones over each of their graves shaped to mimic the helmets placed on their blasters and stuck into the ground, as they didn't have time for proper tombstones.

All of these places were within the historical core of the castle, which was guarded by a ceremonial guard of fifty Knights and three hundred Anaxes troops, a tribute to those who'd survived. But the old citadel was no longer the command center, that was a modern section of the castle, which was in a modern durasteel wall where the training facilities and barracks of the garrison was present, built into the mountainside with the looming towers of the old castle over them. They walked on a skywalk above the street below where other Knights and personnel moved back and forth going about their business.

"I can't believe that we're doing all this," Kayle said as they looked out over the base, which stretched down into the valley where a large expanse of newly erected buildings housed an entire Volunteer Legion.

"We've been looking forward to this, yet, it's still rather surreal," Abel nodded as a flight of F6 Combat Dropships flew overhead in two columns.

"Don't have to tell me," he nodded, "Can't wait for the first action though."

"We all can't wait, but we have to. Although we'll be activating in a few days, I can imagine we'll be seeing action quite soon."

"Yeah I know, a girl I've been seeing in the control center said the fleet is starting to arrive," Kayle informed his older brother.

"You know that info is classified, what is she doing telling you that?" Abel snapped, keeping his voice down.

"Oh come on Abel, it's over a hundred ships, not that big a secret."

"Not my point!"

"Alright, classified info is not pillow talk," Kayle surrendered, holding up his hands.

"Make sure that's not just words, actually listen to me for once," the older of the Titus brothers growled as they walked down a flight of stairs at a small circular veranda where a line of young Knights were doing shield drills with circular metal training shields a foot across.

"That's worked well," Kayle said as they walked around the drill in progress, "Remember when you tried hooking me up with your wife's friend? Thanks for that misery."

"Oh come on that was your fault!"

"How do you figure? She was clingy and needy. I'm a Knight, not…whatever she needed."

"Yes you're a Knight, you're supposed to act like one."

"Oh here we go," Kayle muttered, knowing the lecture he was about to receive.

"You're supposed to be a model, something people aspire to. Father's told you how many times to stop acting like some prima dona?"

"Father's not here!"

"No he's with another unit, keeping an eye on others! I'm here to keep an eye on you," his brother said pointing an accusing finger at Kayle.

"I'm Champion of Anaxes, I don't anyone keeping an eye on me."

As he said that a massive shadow fell over them. They both looked up and saw four Acclamator Assault Ships descending below the clouds along with three Venators. All seven ships were painted entirely in red, and moved downwards towards the great Anaxes Naval Dockyards tucked into a neighboring pass with terraced open-air docks where ships as large as the KDY warships of the RVC could land. The docks were large enough so that the whole fleet of Venators and Acclamators could land and be serviced with anything from fuel to ammunition to replacing pieces of hull plating damaged in battle.

The two Knights could see the Taim and Bak turbolaser towers on the mountain tops in a state of relaxed calm. The defenses surrounding the base and the docks were well-protected, and all was well.

"Well," Abel grunted, "We'll see soon enough, I've got a feeling battle is coming, an important one."

"I hope so," Kayle grinned, "Then I can earn the title of Knight in battle, like father did."

"And his father, and all of our ancestors."

"I just hope we don't let them down."

Another chapter for this story done, and another coming up ASAP. I've had a lot of fun with this story and as I was writing this I was starting to visualize the characters as actors, like I was casting it for a movie. That got me wondering, if I were to cast actors to these characters who would I cast? I'll let you know next chapter.

Next Chapter Preview: Activation, and offensive operations begin.