Disclaimer- most of what happens in this particular episode was used from the comic book "Kanan:the last padawan issue 1 and 2" I don't own the rights to that story, I only used it for inspirational purposes.
The battle of Kaller was definitely nothing to sneeze at. So many droids firing and blasters going off, I was surprised we were surviving like we are even with being ambushed. I've never encountered a battle like this but that's because this is my first battle out of the academy.
But what was even more mesmerizing than looking at battles while being trained on Kamino, was watching an actual Jedi master in action. Focusing on the battle, looking after my fellow troopers, all while watching the Jedi fight using the force. It was definitely intriguing and a bit distracting at times but it was awesome to watch in person.
How Billaba and Caleb would jump around with their lightsabers and chop those droids in half or when they deflected the droid's blaster shots back at them with ease. I wanted to think that it takes years and years of training but Caleb was holding his own also next to his Master. Even as a padawan you can see the skill, determination, concentration and focus that this young boy has. But also you can tell that he has some anger towards the separatist with the expression on his face each time he would toss a droid or slice them with his lightsaber. His master was always there to make sure he never got out of control on the battlefield.
Make no mistake, us clone troopers were holding our own also. Seeing commander Grey handle those droids and protect those in his squadron was spectacular. Superb placement of grenades, near pinpoint accuracy with his blaster and his amazing skill at strategizing on the fly was something to look up to. Him and Captain Styles were like a dynamic duo on the battlefield and definitely kept the morale high for me and the other clone troopers.
We were making progress towards the big tower. It felt like we were fighting for days. With the multiple suns and moons on this planet, time worked a bit differently than usual. But we never lost focus on our goal and mission. Take down Kleeve and his scum buckets and help the Kallerans on Kaller at all cost.
"Remember the basics Caleb Dume, assume a defensive pose form three." Billaba says.
"Yes Master," Caleb responds.
Their coordination with each other makes it seem like they've done plenty of battles together. But Caleb told me that this was his first battle with his Master. Could've fooled me with how great they are against these droids.
"Captain Styles, have your men take the left flank!"
"Yes general," Styles responds to Billaba as his squad moves into position.
"Commander Grey, the right!"
"Roger that" Grey says to which I follow orders and prepare for our planned assault to finish this battle.
"Time to end this. ALL FORCES ATTACK!"
With Billaba's battle cry, we all yell with determination to end this battle and gain a win for the republic.
As we overwhelm the droids, a shuttle can be seen leaving the command tower we were fighting towards.
"That's a separatist command shuttle" Caleb says after he finished off a droid.
"Indeed. General Kleeve has surrendered this world to the republic... It is Over"
With the battle finally over, the remaining droids retreat. Their leader abandoned them so they have no more reason to fight. We send a few squads to clear out the command tower while the Jedi, commander Grey, captain Styles and I head over to plateau city to speak to the locals.
We arrived to a village near plateau city. Even with the reign of Kleeve and his separatists, their village didn't look too damaged or destroyed at all. Which was a bit odd to me, almost as if they welcomed the rule of the separatist. Maybe I'm just overthinking the situation.
We were introduced to Gamut Key and Janus Kashmir, two Kallerans that worked closely to Kleeve while he was here on Kaller. After the introductions, Depa had a conversation about the removal of separatist leadership.
"In defeat, the separatist have abandoned Kaller and will no longer impose upon your village for supplies and labor. Nor will separatist General Kleeve and his staff billet here at your expense."
Gamut responds very sarcastically "and where will you and YOUR staff billet, GENERAL Billaba?"
"The point gamut key is trying to make is, we Kallerans don't see much difference between one GENERAL and another." Janus intervened with a smirk on his face, knowing it might get under us troopers skin.
Caleb pushed up in anger to respond, "do you know who your addressing?"
"General what's-her-name?"
"Master Depa Billaba, a member of the Jedi high council!"
Janus' response definitely wasn't welcomed, especially for us troopers. I could see the look on Grey and Styles' face. They both were ready to fight for the republic.
"Maybe you'd like Kleeve back?" Grey said to Janus.
"Oh you mean general what's-his-name?"
I had to hold Styles back from introducing his fist to Janus' face.
"Listen, you ungrateful tuft-sucker..."
Before Styles could finish, Depa took control of the situation before things got out of control.
"Enough," Depa continues in a very calm and unphased manner
"I am told Kaller's climate is mild this time of year. We will spend the evening in the field under the stars."
"As you wish, general." Gamut says
As we head out to the field to setup camp and relax, Caleb rushes to his Master's side with a very confused, yet angry look on his face.
"But master, how can you allow him to speak to you that way?"
"I will talk to you about it later young padawan. For now, we relax and celebrate our victory"
Her words definitely calmed me down quite a bit. It helped me focus on what mattered, we won. Even though Kleeve got away, we were able to remove the separatist presence in this world.
But one thought had me a bit confused. What did Gamut Key and Janus really mean when they said 'there's no difference between one GENERAL and another.'
It was definitely on my mind on the way to the fields to setup camp.
After we made it to a good area in the field to set up camp, we all let out a sigh of relief and decided to relax for the night. Grey and the other troopers were all busy, either napping or checking their equipment, I was finishing up with my equipment as well.
Once everything was good to go, the Jedi returned from where they were. Caleb and Depa sat by the fire to warm up. We troopers had armor to stay warm but took our helmets off, it gets stuffy in there sometimes.
"Master, there is still one thing I don't understand..."
"only one?" Depa responds sarcastically.
"Fine, among the many things I don't understand is why you didn't respond to that Kalleran?"
I thought the same thing when we were talking to the Kallerans. It definitely upset us troopers, of course with our loyalty to the republic, disrespecting the Jedi was also a shot towards us. Being a Jedi master, Depa must've had a good reason for the way she acted.
Caleb continued, "We can't let him think there is no difference between the separatist and the republic."
"I remained silent, in part because our actions will better illustrate that difference than any words."
"In part? What's the other part?"
With her head down Depa responds, "I believe the Jedi order made a crucial error in taking military titles."
Wow, a member of the Jedi high council questioning the decision of her own. That's never happened with us clone troopers, maybe because we all were made from the same DNA. There is definitely more diversity within the Jedi.
Both Styles and Grey get upset with Depa's response.
"No, no way." Styles says.
"With all due respect, general, I must disagree." Grey stands up and continues, "We'd be lost, the whole war would be lost without Jedi leadership."
"And believe me, you wouldn't even want to see this battalion without your leadership."
Depa keeps her composure after hearing what Styles and Grey had to say. She let's out a small sigh before she responds.
"It's not a matter of leadership, but of role and rank."
"Again, general, respectfully. I believe you underestimate the value of a clear chain of command."
In my mind, Grey has a point. How would we function without someone in charge and us following orders.
"But, but you're questioning the decision of the Jedi high council?!" Caleb says surprisingly.
"At the Jedi temple on coruscant, I seem to recall that you were somewhat famous, if not infamous for asking too many questions."
We troopers burst into laughter at Caleb after Depa's response.
"Why am I not surprised," Grey said.
"Maybe because the kid never stops asking questions."
"It's not the same thing at all" Caleb said
"And here I thought it was just soldiering he didn't understand."
Styles was only teasing Caleb with what he was saying. Asking questions is never a bad thing. Knowledge of any situation is always a good thing.
"I asked questions to better understand why a decision was made, I never questioned the decisions themselves."
"Perhaps I was being glib. And perhaps that's not the most attractive quality in a Jedi master." Before continuing, Depa stands in front of Caleb and places her hand on his head.
"Truth is, your questioning nature is precisely what led me to choose you as my padawan."
Depa then reaches into her pocket and pulls out some sort of box.
"Take this Holocron. Use it to study the role of questions and peaceful dissent in the Jedi order."
Caleb takes the Holocron while trying to withhold his excitement, he says, "yes master, thank you"
Styles comes up to Caleb and rubs his head, "so you were the temple trouble maker, huh?"
"Yeah, something like that, I guess. Not like I was trying to be a pain or anything"
"Just came by it naturally, huh?" Styles asks while still laughing a bit.
"Ah, leave the kid alone. He doesn't know you're teasing him," Grey said to Styles before leaving the group to answer a call.
"I know he's teasing and stop calling me kid."
"Who says I'm teasing," Styles said sarcastically.
After Styles left Caleb alone, I looked over to see what Grey was doing. Looks like he was talking to some holographic figure. The figure was in a robe which covered their face so I couldn't make out who it was. But after the figure disappeared, I seen Grey and the other troopers put their helmet on. Then something unexpected happened.
"Caleb Dume!" Depa yelled as she grabbed his arm.
Both Styles and Grey, along with every other trooper, raised their blasters towards the Jedi.
"Good soldiers follow orders," Styles said menacingly
"Execute ORDER 66. Execute the Jedi!"
After Grey yelled the order, I felt a sharp pain in my head. Like I was hit by some kind of electric shock. After that, I felt a strange rush of energy flow thru me and some kind of vision emerge. I could see hundreds, if not thousands, of Jedi being turned on by their clone troopers. Betrayed by those who were made to battle by their side.
Once the vision passed, I could see my clone trooper brothers begin to fire on the Jedi. But before I could say or do anything... I Passed out.
End of the prologue 0.3
With this being my first fan fiction, any feedback is greatly appreciated. if you enjoyed it, the start of my own original story will come, soon enough
Thank you for Reading