Home Front
Dral'Alor enjoyed war, genuinely.
Most clones knew it was their purpose, that it ran through their blood, and they performed to the absolute best of their abilities. But Dral'Alor truly enjoyed it. The thrill of combat and the satisfaction of beating his enemy. Out maneuvering them,blowing them away, achieving victory. The man enjoyed every second of it. His training sergeant, Llats Ward, saw that in him and picked him out as the squad sergeant for Having the fervor of Jango himself.
The man stood proudly in proud red GAR fatigues as the new General, Pallas Assyr stood in front of him. He saluted the General. She was an Echani of nimble build with a round plane pale face. She kept her bright silver hair tied tightly in a well formed bun over her head and stood tall. She was of a nimble build, characteristic of the Echani. She had plain looks. In the sea of people that filled the galaxy she was utterly unremarkable in her appearance unless of course you'd never seen an Echani or a Jedi. The expression on her face was firm. Alor tried his best to read who this General was, the last was a moron whose mess the sergeant fixed and got no credit for. Alor didn't really care; he just wanted to keep doing his job, the one he loved. But the Sergeant certainly didn't like the amount of casualties the battalion took. They had a full battalion now they were half strength. Fifty good commandos laid to rest because of bad planning.
Yet General Assyr seemed to be a very serious woman. Hopefully that meant she would listen to Major Song when he said something wasn't a good idea.
"Lieutenant, I had the major prepare a full file for you on your first assignment. Its on the planet Askaria," Said Pallas, "You can reveal the specific details on your own time. For now all I'll say is it's a planet that's been embroiled in a fifteen year civil war. The planet's government is in line with separatists who've given them air power. Askaria's in the expansion region, if the CIS is able to turn the planet and use its ground forces in operations it will place them one step closer to Coruscant. We can't have that now can we?"
"No ma'am," Dral Alor replied firmly, "What part are republic commandos to play in this op."
"A small taskforce of Republic intelligence, ARC troopers, and a single jedi have managed to get the planets various rebel factions under one banner. Originally your deployment would have been with in a month while our forces planet side set up an operation to depose the government." Pallas paused and formed a frown, "Just yesterday I received an intelligence report they believe the ACG will mount a massive offensive against a rebel held region called Kheshig which is where just three months ago members of the Naboo starfighter corp set up an air field to support rebel operation. Its geographic position also allows us to keep the other rebel cells provided with weapons and supplies." She stopped and Dral'Alor could tell she wanted him to finish and see if he understood the strategic implication.
"If they take the region they win." Dral summarized, "So you want us to deploy soon."
"In a week," Pallas said, "I want a platoon of commandos on the planet side to assist our forces in Kheshigan in repelling any attempt to take the region."
Dral'Alor nodded, "We can certainly cripple their ability to maintain an offensive. Get in behind enemy lines. Hit and destroy their supply stores. Harass them from the rear. Hit their lines of communication and just be a general pain in their hides."
"You'll do as the CO tells you to. And because the rebels are officially apart of the GAR that would be High General Borjid, a native of Kheshig."
Dral said nothing he didn't entirely like that. He felt they were being handed over to this guy to use as he wished. And there was no proof that this guy even knew what commandos were for or how best employ them in a conflict.
"And before you raise any concerns. Borjid's been in this fight for fifteen years. Before the republic supported him he was credited with securing the Kheshig from the ACG. He's a marine by trade back when the planet was unified it bolstered a force of one hundred thousand marines whom were considered an elite unit and yet he waged a very successful guerrilla campaign."
"So he's flexible," Dral Alor interrupted with a nod, "Good at adapting to a situation and learning new things. I look forward to meeting him."
"Good, he wants you to land in the city of Ardashir where he is consolidating forces to mount a defensive action," Pallas replied with a smile, "Now once I am planet side you're under my direct authority. However I have to oversee administrative and logistical affairs here on Coruscant. "
"Understood," Dral'Alor said, "The men won't appreciate being pulled from leave early. I'll pull the squads commanded by the toughest sergeants to form the platoon.'
"I trust your judgment. Dismissed lieutenant."
Beskad could be a hard sergeant. He made Te'Anila and Jaster both clean every blaster and piece of equipment in the commando group. The two resented each other as they did and yet they did it resolving not to fight just to get the miserable little experience over with. Martial had apparently gone off with the republic support staff who'd volunteered for the day's scenario. The Sergeant simply told the guy to be back by mourning. They were after all on leave with out a mission so it was ok to be a bit looser.
Beskad looked at each blaster and armor piece. They were absolutely spotless and it only took the two of them three hours. He nodded pleased with their efficiency before turning around to them as he folded his arms. He frowned.
"No more bantha fodder from either of you. I don't give a fierfek how much you do or do not like each. We're professionals and you'll keep those reservations out of the combat zone got it?"
"Yes sir." They both said at once avoiding eye contact with the other.
"Good, dismissed, take your leave."
"Sarge you're really going to let us go." Te'Anila said.
"Uh huh, should I change my mind." Beskad scowled at the man. He was surprised the man didn't just take that and run.
"No, not at all," He said before leaving.
"Besk you're not coming," Jaster said before getting up to leave.
Beskad looked at him and found it was a genuine question. In truth Beskad didn't want to go because he didn't like the idea of being able to relax while people were fighting across the galaxy. He also didn't like that atmosphere much preferring the quiet isolation of being alone in his squatters with a book or holo movie.
"No, I got more important things to do as the squad sergeant. Now get out of my sight." Beskad said.
"Yes sir." Jaster said quickly before running off.
Beskad returned to the squad quarters. He took a seat on one of the bunks before laying down and pulling up his tablet. A smile crawled on to his face as he began to ease off and read a novel, a crime thriller this time about a hitman trying to escape his life. He froze immediately as he saw a notification pop up on his screen from Lieutenant Dral'Alor.
"What in the name of manda." He muttered to himself.
He opened up the message that it was thick. He scrolled through skimming the detailing. Kriffing Alor be more precise you little shevick. He thought as he continued skimming paragraph after paragraph of describing some proxy war on some outer rim world. Manda this should have been a meeting. The operation in question was so complex it made the crime novel Beskad got half way through seem plausible in reality.
"Damn it." Beskad said, realizing now he had actual work to do. This was the Galaxy's cruel way of saying That's what you get for lying to your boys about why you didn't want to go out on leave with them.
Martial arrived at the bar dressed in red fatigues. He stood outside and took out his communicator. Since he was the only commando there tonight he figured it was safe.
"Zel." He said through the communicator, "It's Martial. I found some time out of the barracks, I'm at the bar. How about we meet up?"
"Hmmm, you're in luck as I'm on administrative leave."
"Wow, what'd you do."
"It's protocol for all lethal engagements in law enforcement so they can investigate. But I really am bored. I'll be done soon I promise."
"Look forward to it." Martial said before entering the bar.
The was designed for republic military personnel. There clones and non clones enlisted mixed together. People tended to think the republic army was entirely clone based. In truth the clones made up the minority. Countless support and combat personnel came from planetary security forces. Typically the core worlds had the only PSFs that could be considered professional fighting forces. Because they had the capital to build military forces. Corellia however was an exception. Training sergeant Devron's homeworld and the culture Martial himself was raised in. He saw four Correlian grunts seated at the bar, he could tell based on the flags on their shoulders. He strolled over and took a seat next to one.
"Hey noticed the flag on your shoulder. You're Correlian PSF aren't you."
"Yeah I'm surprised you recognized the flag. Nothing against clones, you boys fight damn hard. There's just hundreds of worlds out there surprised you made out our flag."
"Well it certainly helps I was trained and raised by a Correlian."
"O realy, what was his name."
"Evir Devron.'
The soldier froze as the other one's slowly turned. The man chuckled a bit as he realized who that was.
"Captain Devron the drunken commando," He laughed, "Dudes a kriffing legend for his lethality and wicked absolutely wicked sense of humor. Guy assembled a team of the most elite commandos within CSD, earned the nickname Specters, it was said during the Stark hyperspace war he once cleared a whole kriffing ship room to room by himself. And its known he pulled the most epic prank on the whole SF brigade."
"Yeah he told me," Martial said with a laugh, "Managed to replace all the ale with and I quote dog piss mixed with ginger."
"Living legend." The soldier said as he grabbed his drink.
"Didn't think Correlia would enter the war? What are you boys doing out here?" Martialasked.
"That's cause Correlia is neutral we're not CDF we're a Correllian PMC called Amber Star that does contracts for the GAR. We don't really care about the cause if I'm being honest just making a quick buck. You know us correllians always working some kind of hustle."
"Admittedly Devron said he only took the job to train us cause of the money but he was dead honest with us," Martial said, "And I gotta say this is the only bar I can go to in town because GAR drinks free and I don't get paid."
"Wait, hold up now." The soldier said, nearly spitting his drink out, "They don't kriffing pay you?"
"Nope," Martial replied.
"Seriously you boys should be in an uproar. I'm talking storm coruscant,overthrow the chancellor, build yourself a little junta and then drain those sons of bitches out of every last penny on'em." The soldier said as he took a deep sip from his beer.
"See I thought about it," Martial said only half jokingly, "Then I realized then I'd have to run the goddamn republic. Kriff that, I don't want to deal with some plush plush core world aristocrat complaining about his tenants not paying enough rent."
"Hell I hear you there," The soldier said chuckling, "What you need is to get yourself a hustle."
"I've brainstormed some plots actually. But it'd take multiple people and my squad won't back me up."
"They weren't trained by Devron?"
"No the other Devron trained commandos on my squad, well they're gone."
The soldier frowned and didn't drink this time. THe other one's went silent as well. They may have been private contractors only fighting for credits but they seemed to fully understand the weight of losing brothers. The soldier placed his hand on Martial's shoulder.
"Here," He said, handing the commando a handful of big credits worth easily a few hundred, "Go wild tonight."
"Really," Martial said as he pocketed it and the soldier nodded his head. Martial smiled and began to chuckle, "You got a name."
"Jynsen Greegs." he said.
"You just got hustled Greegs."
Greegs looked at him at first confused then a little angry. "OOOOOOOOOOO!" His soldiers yelled in the most mocking manner possible. "The Colonel got hustled like a bitch!" Said another. "Look at his face. The shame, the despair, and humiliation of getting hustled he doesn't know what to do with himself." And then Greegs eyes grew real wide and he laughed out load with his men. "Kriffing hell you were trained by Captain Devron, nice one trooper."
"Names Martial I probably won't be here all week. GAR's probably concoting some new hair brained schemed that any sane person would call a suicide mission but some coruscanti flimsi pusher thinks was a good idea."
"Well you survive and decide to go awol hit Amber Star up. You seem like you'd fit right in with me and the boys."
Martial's attention was then drawn away as the door swished open. A woman entered. She had a real lean fit build to had a bright face that Martial would describe as pure in tone. On an oval face sat a pair of bright green eyes. Yet it was lush and strong strands of brown hair tied in a neat bun above her head that first drew Martial to her. Zel strolled in and smiled as she made eye contact with Martial. She wore a blue uniform as the Corellians looked as she sat down next to them.
"I see you've made friends." Zel said.
"You know me," Martial said, "It's my strong suit."
"Among other things," She said teasingly.
Martial knew what that implied and smiled. The Correlians said nothing at first. Greegs nodded his head putting it together. "I'll be damned a republic commando and a senate commando. Thought those two units had an intense rivalry."
"O the intensities what makes fun,"Zel said with a naughty smile.
Martial said nothing at first. He met her last time he was on Coruscant. She strolled in to the bar out of uniform so he didn't know she was a senate commando. But he was drawn to her immediately and she was fascinated by him. Wanted to know more about clones. They talked, they joked, then shared war stories. Met the next three days not always at the bar. She showed him around coruscant. They went back to her place and showed each other their scars. That's when their relationship truly went from attraction to companionship. Martial was able to open about the loss of his original squad sergeant and squad mates. He couldn't even really tell Beskad or Jaster that he blamed himself. They wouldn't understand to men were so bitter. But Zel wasn't bitter she was a bright beacon in his otherwise dim life. She held his hand and simply listened. And he listened to her about how she couldn't forget about her first kill and how her partner back when she was just a CSF officer got killed. The moral conflict and the guilt of those to actions are at her. Martial never killed anything but droids he'd do it if he had to but that didn't make it less ugly. The two hadn't actually had sex that night they just stayed with one another and watched holovids to try and forget before Martial's leave ended and he was deployed. She gave him her number and told him to call when he came back.
"Well me and the boys gotta go do contractor stuff. We'll leave now, nice meeting you Martial." Greegs said with a wink.
Martial nodded back knowing he was leaving to give him and Zel time alone. "See you around." Martial replied with a nod as the man left. Then turned back to Zel gazing into her deep emerald green eyes and she stared back into his brown eyes.
"How long are you in this time?" Zel asked, holding his hand instinctively.
"Don't know," Martial said, "We came back because the casualties were too heavy to keep us deployed. Also we got assigned to a new general."
Zel nodded, "I'm glad you made it out alright." And then thought about what alright rally intelled and and concerned frown draped her face as she turned back, "You are alright."
"Peachy." Martial replied not really wanting to relive what just happened with Xavier's death.
"Marsh," Zel said she seemed to sense something, "You can tell me anything."
"I'd much rather hear about you. How's life in the blues." Martial asked, "Senators make you shine their speeders?"
Zel laughed at the idea. Martial smiled, glad to hear her laugh again and move away from the topic of the last mission.
"Well I'm on administrative leave after shooting a terrorist during a raid."
"Wow, that's exciting," Martial said, "But how are you with it."
"Frankly I didn't feel much when I pulled the trigger and I don't feel much now. Not like the first time. Is that…."
"No you shot a terrorist, guy probably deserved it."
"I really have missed you," Zel said, "And speaking of giving people what they deserve."
Martial smiled, "We'll have time for that. Let's get some drinks and a bite to eat first. I haven't eaten anything but army rations and well maybe a Geonosian or two."
Zel knew he was joking about the Geonosisian. She laughed, "O alright I suppose we can grab you something that actually tastes good."
"I l….." he began but he saw the door open and to his surprise it was Jaster and Te'Anila.
"Marsh you got a woman!" Jaster said.
Martial kept his smile on but was embarrassed he then felt a vibration in his pocket and checked his holo tab. It was a message from Beskad Marsh I just let Jaster and Te'Anila out on leave. If you don't want them to see Zel, don't go to the GAR bar. Martial almost laughed at the fact it came exactly one second after they'd arrived. It didn't matter much Jaster might give him shevick for a few days but he wouldn't do much.
"We can…"
"Nothing in the regulation book against it," Martial defended himself but it was clear the idea also wasn't exactly encouraged, "Zel this is Jaster and Te'Anila two of my squad mates."
"Pleasure to meet both of you," She said, standing up and shaking both their hands with a smile.
"You really are gorgeous, if I showed up claiming to be Martial one day could you tell the difference," Jaster said and got a concerned look from his brother, "I'm joking. Mostly."
"Well, your voice is darker. I can tell when someone is faking a whole personality after a while also Martial's got this cute little scar right above his right nipple. So unless you're willing to take a vibro blade and cut very very very carefully good luck."
Jaster was actually at a loss for words. Martial laughed, "Sit down both of you. Drinks on me I hustled a corellian contractor out of a few hundred credits."
" Of course you kriffing hustled someone," Jaster said as he had a seat and Te'Anila did as well though the demo looked considerably less comfortable.
"It is ok if we sit here right. We're not intruding?" Te'Anila asked, showing manners which surprised Martial a great deal.
"O no," Zel replied as she sat back done, "As I said it's a pleasure to meet you. Though Martial never mentioned Te'Anila he talked about another guy named Xavier."
"Right," Martial said now there was no way to beat around the topic, "Xavier died. Te'Anila is the new him."
"O," Zel and seemingly immediately realized that Martial didn't want to talk about Xavier now, "Well it's still nice to meet him."
"Thanks," Te'Anila said awkwardly, "Look Marsh I want to apologize for….."
"You're good," Martial said, "I get it. You lost your squad, you're having a hard time dealing with it. It was easy to project onto the non mando. Let's just leave it in the past and start the kriff over." Martial said, "Hi I'm Martial the squad corporal and tech."
"Te'Anila," The demo private said, "You're new demo."
Martial nodded, "Now let's just enjoy the rest of the night drink up."
They drank,joked, and drank some more. Then Jaster and Te'Anila decided to head back to the barracks for the night. Martial walked with Zel headed back to her personal speeder.
"So what was that about?" Zel asked, "The apology."
"New guy got in and found out I wasn't mando. Got rather brazen about it. And kriffed up a sim in front of the General. Well him and Jaster kriffed up a sim really," Martial said, "I understood why he reacted that way. Whole squad gets killed and he's shoved into a new in which non of the other commandos were raised by the same person like his previous squadron. Then to make matters worse one doesn't even speak the language of his culture. He's told you just have to accept and be happy with your new family. Of course he's going to be kriffing angry and of course he's going to take it out on the one non Mandalorian. I'm just glad he got it out before we ended up getting deployed somewhere."
"See that's one thing I love about you," Zel said as she grabbed his arm and leaned her head on his shoulder, "You always have a way of taking time to understand and sympathize with people."
Martial said nothing at first as they stood outside her speeder. He turned to her and embraced as he looked in her strong blue eyes upon her diamond shaped face. She smiled at him. He kissed her.
"We're not even back at the apartment yet," Zel said.
"I missed you." He replied.
"I missed you too."
They entered the speeder and drove off. Martial took in the city as the past. The bright lights of various clubs and restaurants opened at night. The bustling speeders moving above and below them. People going to work, people going to have fun, and maybe people going off to hear bad news. Yet the war felt like a distant memory here. So far from the violence and turmoil of it all.
"So aside from doing us all a public service and killing a terrorist how have you been?" Martial asked.
"Good," Zel said, "My mother stopped by to visit and we had a nice meal together. O I saw this new holofilm I think you'll like. It's a comedy about some desk clerk who smuggles spice."
"That does sound like something I'd watch," Martial said with a pleasant smile, "And how is your mother?"
"She's fine. Still hate's what I do for living, wished I stayed on Aldeeran, the safest world in the Galaxy." Zel said, rolling her eyebrows, "I don't think she gets that's why I left. I wanted a challenge and some danger for once."
Wish I could relate. Martial thought to himself not having a mother. And only really knowing danger and challenge. Yet he could still sympathize by seeking to escape what you knew too well.
"How are you Martial? And I mean really."
Martial looked at her and he knew she was referring to Xavier. She had a way of knowing when something was deeply wrong in him just by looking into his eyes. Martial knew he couldn't keep hidden much longer. So he nodded.
"I'm the sole original survivor of Warlock squad," Martial said, "It feels just how you'd think it feels. Kriffing miserable. Like I got them all killed."
Zel nodded, "I know. I'd love to tell you it wasn't your fault because odds are it wasn't. But you won't listen. I didn't listen when you told me that after Zol died."
Martial nodded remembering when Zel told him about how she watched a senate commando die while they were clearing a room. The man was shot in the throat. Zel blamed herself for what was a mistake on Zol. She didn't come to terms with it, no matter how hard Martial tried. So instead he opted just to listen and help her grieve.
"So I'll do for you what you did for me. Whatever it is you want to do."
"I just don't want to think about it right now. I want to pretend for just one night there isn't a war, I'm not a soldier and people aren't suffering."
Zel nodded, "Ok," she said, "We'll watch a holofilm then."
"Yes that sounds nice." Martial said with a smile.
They arrived at Zel's apartment not long after. She parked the speeder in the garage and they walked up stairs into the flat. She lived in a small apartment with a kitchen,living space, and single room. Immediately they looked at each other. Zel smiled sweetly as Martial again held her in his arms and smiled back.
"I know I said we'd watch a holofilm but it's been so long since we've see…."
Martial cut her off and leaned in kissing her again. She slowly wrapped her hands around his head and embraced him. They spilled back slowly. Both their hearts racing.
"The bedroom," Zel said.
"Yes." Martial said.
Sergeant Beskad was ordered to a platoon meeting with the other sergeants and now Lieutenant Alor. He arrived in the meeting room five minutes early in his fatigues . He saw four other squad sergeants present. Clones may have all looked the same but he knew who was who from their facial expressions and mannerisms. There are four of them in all. Sergeant Prowl of Zen squad kept to himself, had an easy look with a warm smile and keen eyes. He sat across from Chieftain who looked ticked off. The guy always looked ticked off with his folded arm and aggressive stale lips. Then lastly there was Cassus who simply looked bored out of his mind with his frown and posture that said I have better things do right now. Beskad sat down and nodded.
The doors swished open and Dral'Alor entered dressed as an officer. With his gray tunic and Lieutenant pins positioned on his right peck all completed with his sharp gray cap over his head. His hands in black officers gloves that held a datapad. The man kept a blaster pistol in a holster to his right. Everyone stood and saluted it felt strange, the man being a sergeant just like the rest of them only hours ago.
"At ease," Said Alor and he nodded, "Let's get started. I want all four of your squads on base and ready to deploy by the end of the week."
"They were just put on leave," Chieftain grumbled, "In order to have them back to deploy we need to call them back basically now. Run drills to get them back in the mode then gather supplies."
"Yes," Alor replied, "Those are your orders."
"That's it," Chieftain continued, "Damn it Lieutenant this could have been holo mail. And your holo mail should've been a meeting!" Chieftain pointed his finger this time.
"Fierfek," Cassus said in a low dark growl of a voice, "Chief's right. LT what the kriff are you doing? You should break down the operation for us, not just chunk it all in a kriffing holo mail."
"Everyone else feel the same?" Alor asked.
"If we're allowed to speak honestly to the Lieutenant." Beskad said affirming they had to respect the rank, "Yes we would like to discuss this operation you want done sir."
"What specifically?" Alor asked, "Was the holo mail not clear?"
Chieftain seemed on the verge of personally snapping the man's neck. He clutched a fist.
"Well sir," Beskad said quickly, preventing Chieftain from exploding, "Do you want us to read this whole thing to our commandos? Do they really need to know every single detail?"
Alor went silent as he thought about that. Then nodded sharply as he began to understand where he went wrong. Indeed it would be ridiculous to give the average commando that much intel.
"I see your point. You want me to simplify it for the men," Alor said and everyone voiced their approval of that idea, "There's a civil war on the planet Askaria, a planet in the expansion region. Republic intelligence has an operation involving a Jedi, para military officers, and a regiment of ARC troopers operating alongside a vast professionalized rebel fighting force. Our orders are to embed ourselves with the rebels and assist in efforts to topple a military dictatorship that is pro CIS."
"See that's how you're supposed to write holo mail." Chieftain said, "Not a thousand kriffing details on Askarian enthinic groups. Not details about the planet's economy abs natural reasources. Our boys don't need to know that. The Officer probably does but we just need to know how to shoot and how we're going to do that."
Alor nodded, "Noted." He looked around the room, "Well you should know the CIS has given the ACG tanks, shuttles, fighter craft, and bombers. You should also know the ACG bolsters numerous special operations battalions hand picked from their best infantry and trained in guerrilla warfare. They typically in platoons and odds are we'll meet them in battle."
"And this proffesionalized rebel force," Cassius asked, "Are they any good?"
"The rebels we'll be embedded with are. They're based in the north and used to comprise the planet's marine corp before the civil war. they're well disciplined and motivated and because of Republic intel well equipped," Alor said, "There's smaller militia and guerrilla cells whose skill admittedly varies."
"And there's no battle droids?" Asked Cassus, "That's a first."
"Well Cassus," Alor continued, "The truth is the majority of the fighting is local PDFs fighting other PDFs in sectoral warfare. The CIS is gambling if they can get the ACG in control of their world. Then the ACG will launch attacks on surrounding pro republic worlds with out them having to do much."
"They could do some damage. I actually read the report. They've got more combat experience then any PDF in the expansion region. Course it's because they've been fighting themselves for fifteen years. But you get a hardened experienced military force lose on some world who hasn't seen a day of combat in the last 1,000 years it'll be very one sided." Prowl concluded.
"Gee maybe we should let 'em push all the way to the core," Cassus said, "Nothing would please me more then for these soft core world Di'kut wxpiernce actual war!"
Beskad frowned in bitter disagreement. How could he say something that makes sensleless? There could be nothing worse than allowing to unfold. The atrocities that such a force would commit a long the way alone were unfathomable. Of course Cassus was trained by Walon Vau the cold and ruthless mandalorian training whose brutality was his personality. Cassus must have been just as brutal. Beskad was brought up by Nakota Te'Anhur. She wasn't a Mandalorian by birth but niether was Vau. Yet Vau was an aristocrat who couldn't have possibly known the true horror of war. Nakota was born to peasant farmers on the world of Gelda in the Corrion sector it was considered a March and ruled by a Margrave. The whole sector fell into a bloody war after the death of the King of the Corrion Kingdom died and a usurper seized power. At the age of ten his training sergeant saw her home ravaged by war. Her parents and siblings slaughtered and brutalized by soldiers loyal to the usurper before a mandalorian mercenary took her in. But she described the horrors of war to Beskad avoiding more often avoiding traumatic memories but still Beskad was given a vivid enough picture of what tended to happen to civilians and instilled with a strict adherence to justice. As was every commando trained by Te'Anhur I don't train savages I train soldiers. She told them often and that sense of Justice still burned in Beskad.
"They're an issue Ner'vod," Said Cassus almost aquisingly.
"Our job, it's to defend the republic."
"Yes but…."
"So their worlds burning means we've failed our one job. I'm in no mood to fail."
"And they what get to sit here and reap the benefits!" Cassus said in a near shout, "We bleed, we kill, and we gotta deal with the weight of it all. But we don't get any of the benefits of our labor!"
Beskad frowned again he misjudged the man's comment. He didn't want to necessarily stand by and watch as people suffered at the hands of ruthless and unrestrained vandals. No he was frustrated with being used and forgotten.
"Gentlemen," Said Dral, "Let's stay on topic. What equipment do you need so I can requisition it."
"Right," Cassus said pushing it behind him, "If they have tanks we need rocket launchers. Every squad needs at least one dedicated AT soldier."
"Wouldn't hurt to pack a few E-webs either set up defenses if we gotta dig in some place." Beskad pointed out.
"Ammo," Said Chieftain, "Lots of ammo, I'm talking blaster cartridges, thermal detonators, det packs, rockets, and lots of it. Get a years supply we might need but you can never have too much ammo."
"Right, Sergeant Prowl?"
"Yes ver'alor." Prowl responded.
"Any special requests?"
"Food, water, spare parts, and all the fun little logistical stuff. And like Chief said tell them we need enough for a year. We probably will only be there for a few months. But it would suck to run out of food."
"Right, I'll get in contact with brigade logistics give them our list. Get your squadrons ready to deploy by the end of the week, dismissed."
Martial laid back in the bed as he held his lover in his arms. She placed her head on his chest and smiled as she flipped through channels on the holovid trying to find something to watch. She was warm but not soft. No the long hard days of work as a senate commando gave her a tough feel as she leaned against Martial. Her hands were especially coarse. Yet Martial was more relaxed then he ever was.
"I love you," He said suddenly.
Zel looked at him and said nothing at first. Seemingly caught guard. Martial couldn't entirely believe he'd just said it. The phrase slipped out instinctively. His communicator began to chime. Zel frowned having a rough idea what that meant. Martial sighed as he answered it.
"Sarge," He said knowing it could only be one man.
"Something came up I need back at the barracks tommorow. We just got new orders we're deploying at the end of the week," Beskad's voice came over, "Look I'm really sorry about taking you off leave right now. I know you planned to spend the time with Zel and I'm willing to bend what be back by tommorow means. You're a h good soldier I trust you'll be in good shape to deploy. Te'Anila whom I'm concerned about."
"I'm your corporal, sarge. Can't let you deal with the new guys shevick by your self. I'll be in tommorow. You've got my word."
"Thank you Martial. Tell Zel I apologize."
"She can hear you," Zel said into the communicator.
"Right," Beskad said again, "My apologies."
The communication ended and at first neither said anything. They stayed silent and watched the holo vid. Some talk show host made jokes about some senator.
"I don't want you to leave." Zel said holding Martial a bit tighter.
"I have to."
"No you don't. You could stay."
"What'd you mean? Are you saying I should go awol?" Martial asked completely baffled.
"I am." Zel said.
"And what? We can't be together if I do that. They'll send people to find me, shock troopers probably." Martial said though he honestly wasn't sure how they dealt with rogue soldiers, "I'll have to run off to the outer rim. Hide on some works in Hutt space."
"I'll go with you," Zel said.
"Leave your job and your career for what?"
"For you laser brain," she said offended he wasn't understanding, "Martial I love you too."
Martial looked at her stunned. Hers wasn't an accident and it took a lot for her to say it he could tell. Zel liked being the tough gal. He sighed that meant she was damn serious about what she was saying. Made it more difficult.
"No that won't be good for you," Martial said, "I can't have you give up your life and career for me. You told me on the first day we met the pride you have in the life you have here."
"But I love you more than my pride. My job doesn't make me feel the way you do."
"No, I can't ruin your life." Martial said and my squad needs me.
"Please Martial for once stop being selfless. Just for once do something selfish," Zel said, "You matter. Please."
Martial went silent and frowned. Zel actually began to tear up as she pleaded with him. He shook his head already having made up his mind the second he hung up the communicator.
"I gotta go Zel." Martial said.
"I guess you do," She began to weep, "Why can't this damned war end? Why do people have to fight so hard over who gets to be incharge?"
"Zel we might've not met if this war didn't happen." Martial told her, "It ain't all bad there's at least a little hood in everything."
"I dont want to lose you." She said and really meant I don't want you to get killed on this.
"You won't," Martial promised, "I'll come back this time."
"How can you be sure?"
Martial thought about how to respond to her question. He really didn't know. Every operation put him close. This could be the one that ends it all.
"I'll be a little selfish," He told her, "I'll actually think about my own well being while I'm out there. And I will survive that's a promise Zel. I'll come back to you and when this whole conflict ends I'll leave the GAR and be your house husband."
"Really? You a house husband?" She chuckled.
"Yeah can't you just see me in an apron, cooking, cleaning, going to the grocery store listening to some stupid little pop song. Then drinking wine with the other house husbands as we complain about our wives and gossip about people."
Zel laughed a bit too hard at the idea. She placed her head back on his chest and held him with her hands. Martial allowed himself to smile again. I don't want to die. He thought to himself.
"Just hold me for a little longer will you." Zel replied, "We have a few more hours…"
"Round two?"
"In the mourning maybe," replied, "I just want you to hold me with your strong beautiful arms as we watch a holo film and forget the Galaxy even exists until mourning."
"Then let's do that."