-Secrets Revealed-
"Oh, there's so much to tell," She told me nonchalantly.
"Ah, so you did do something. What happened?"
"I had just interrogated a man. Getting into this man's head and taking away all of his convictions and very nearly his identity ... Tokrin, it made me feel awful. I rushed to the 'freshers and got sick to my stomach. After a while Dar came to check on me," The image quality may have distorted her face, but I could tell she was smiling. "I needed someone to unload upon so badly, I-" she paused with a sigh. "I wasn't thinking about how close we really were. I wasn't being careful. We talked about loyalty and what we really believed about the war and then I asked him about us. He said he didn't know if there was something, but he was kidding himself. We ordered lunch and went off into a room, alone. We - you know - and now," She averted the comlink's lens. "Tokrin, I'm pregnant."
My eyes went wide. Whatever shed of respect for the Jedi code was quickly waning. I left her chances of remaining a Jedi as quite slim. I couldn't judge, because I too had probably broken the code in becoming too attached to my men. It just seemed wrong to not care.
"Etain, do you know what this means? Who else knows?"
"I know, I know, but no one but Kal Skirata, Dar's training sergeant knows. Dar doesn't even know."
"When is the baby due?"
"A few months; I've been using the Force to speed up the process."
"Why aren't you showing?"
"I'm not sure. I guess it's just because he is so small. I expect that I'll fill out pretty soon. The 'mission' to Qiilura was a ruse created by Kal for the duration of the pregnancy."
"He explains what I felt in the Force when you got off the gunship. I thought there was another person with you until I saw just you. I meant to ask."
Etain touched her stomach and said, "Yes, little Venku was the one you felt. I felt him within days of me and Dar being together. I was very nervous when Master Otarri came over to greet me. I don't know how much he felt."
"Do not worry about him. If it isn't his business, he won't get involved. I, however, want to be involved. If there is anything I can do...let me know; please. And obviously I won't be telling anyone about this."
"That is very much appreciated; I might have to take you up on that offer eventually but, for now, I can manage. That's enough about me. What have you been doing? From what I hear you have been very successful under Master Otarri."
I smiled, "Master Otarri tends to exaggerate my few successes. I am nearing the Trials though. I'm really anxious about getting those done. I know I'm fully capable, but Master Otarri says that I need to wait and gain more experience."
"He's right. Listen to him - even when I thought I was ready, I wasn't, until Master Zey helped me to mature and gain more experience. Trust your Master, he'll know when you're ready."
"Thanks for the advice. It's been good catching up Etain," I motioned towards her belly and grinned. "We all need showers, a meal, and some rest. I suggest we all get some sleep; we've had a long day."
"I couldn't agree with you more," Etain said, completely exhausted. "Oh, one more thing. This time, let's call each other's comlinks now and then instead of every 3 months ok?"
I smiled, slightly embarrassed that I hadn't called her sooner. "Of course I will this time!"
Etain tiredly laughed. I could not imagine how utterly spent she was, carrying a baby and fighting a war. We both stood, and bowed slightly.
"May the Force be with you, Tokrin."
"May the Force be with you, Etain." I ended the hololink and check the chrono. Pushing off sleep, I made myself finish the report. After an hour or so, it was complete and I was ravenously hungry. I issued an order down to the Mess and they sent up a small dinner which I devoured upon delivery. Showered and well fed, I flopped back onto my bed and immediately fell asleep.
The next thing I knew, I was waking to the feeling of the Amphion decelerating from lightspeed and entering Coruscant space. I changed into some fresh robes that had been placed for me next to my bed while I slept. Looking out from my transparisteel viewport I observed the gigantic Republic fleet blockading the city-planet. The view was magnificent. All classes of Republic ships were arranged to ward off any incoming Separatist attack. The ships really were massive. One could not appreciate the scale of them until passing by one and realizing that, even though the ship looks close, it was actually several hundred meters away.
As we passed through the atmosphere, my view was closed off by flames. After a minute the flames cleared and a bright sunny day in Coruscant was revealed. Towering skyscrapers dotted the cityscape, adjacent to a maze of valleys thousands of meters deep. The Amphion slowly approached the dock and landed safely on the ground with a light 'thud.' A knock came from the door.
"Sir, may I enter?" Asked Commander Gett.
"Come on in, Gett," I said turning to the door and opening it with the Force.
He entered and walked over to me.
"A shuttle for you and Master Otarri is waiting just off the loading ramp Commander. I have already informed Master Otarri," he said.
"Thank you Gett. It's been an honor," I said, shaking his hand.
"The pleasure is all mine sir," he replied.
"Will you get time ashore Commander?" I asked. These men rarely got any time for themselves, which greatly angered me. How could an army perform at its best when its troops and commanders were always exhausted?
"Yes sir, three days I believe," he said excitedly.
It's better than nothing.
"Good! I hope you enjoy yourself, for my sake."
"Sir?"
"I'll be reporting to the Jedi Council before heading out for another mission probably on the other side of the galaxy. Unfortunately I won't be re-joining the 25th for the foreseeable future."
At this, Gett seemed shocked. "But, sir, you are our Commander. You have led us for months."
"I know, I didn't expect to be taken from my post either but this is war, and as you well know, everyone has to be adaptable. And I sense that we will meet again someday."
"Well in that case sir, it truly has been an honor. The troops and crew will be sad to see you go. Hopefully we'll save your carcass at some other point in the future!" he chuckled.
I smiled and said, "Knowing my luck it's a great possibility."
I followed Gett out the door and turned down the opposite corridor that he went before he stopped me.
"Sir, one last thing, would you like to come with me to the bridge and say a quick word to the crew before departure? Master Otarri has already given a speech, but I thought you might want to say something."
He had me hook, line, and sinker. I wanted to leave unnoticed, but quickly regretted it and realized that I couldn't just leave the men that I had bled and fought with, because they had done the same alongside me.
"Of course I would."
He walked me to the bridge and entered before me. That was not Gett; he was always allowing other people to go first, as per his training, but then I walked in and realized why he did. All of the bridge personnel were lined up and saluting me on either side of the path leading to the front of the bridge where the ship intercom was located. I was dumbstruck as I made my way to the intercom. Gett had hurried to his place next to it and pressed it for me.
I stood there looking at the solid red button, suddenly at a loss for words. I began to talk but wasn't aware of what I was saying.
"Troopers, gentlemen...my friends, I am constantly astounded by the quality of clone troopers. You always surprise me; your dedication to a task, your loyalty, and your honor. When I say that I am privileged to fight next to you all, and to know you, I really mean it and so much more. Everyone here aboard the Amphion has and always will have my eternal respect. All I can say to you now is thank you. Thank you for believing in me to command you and for being the best soldiers this galaxy has ever known. I will not be joining you on your next tour as far as I know, but if I ever get a chance to command you again I will not hesitate to return. Now, I have one final order for you all before I leave: carry on your values, your tradition, and most importantly, your Mando heritage to your newer clone brothers; show them what it means to be in the 25th. Best of luck in your coming battles, and may the Force be with you."
Upon my last word Gett ended the transmission. The entire crew on the bridge exploded in applause and nodded my way as I passed by. Before I left the bridge I turned to Gett and gave him a knowing glance and a nod, which he returned. The doors opened and I stepped into the elevator. They closed behind me and the elevator took me to the loading bay. As I walked out of the Amphion and down the loading ramp, the troopers and crewmen all looked my way as I passed, and uttered, "Great speech, sir!" I was still in disbelief that they thought I had done a good job leading them.
As Gett said, the transport was in fact waiting for me. Otarri gave me a questioning look.
"Just saying goodbye to the crew," I said.
"Be careful my apprentice. Don't let your feelings towards the clones cloud your judgement," Master Otarri said carefully.
"What do you mean Master?"
"I mean that when the time comes for you to give an order that will result in clones' deaths, be vigilant and be cautious. The Dark Side is tactful and will lure you away with your feelings."
"I'll do my best Master."
He went up to the cockpit and tapped the pilot's shoulder. The helmeted clone pressed a button and the ship took flight, then shot off in the direction of the Jedi Temple.