Naira Raadii stood back-to-back with her master as the two of them fought off legions of battle droids and droidekas sent out by Separatist leader and former Jedi Master, Count Dooku. Naira couldn't help but think about how this battle could have been avoided—or at the very least planned out a little better—had a certain Padawan just listened to the Council instead of rushing headlong to rescue his master alone. Oh, yes, everyone had heard about Anakin Skywalker's deliberate defiance against Master Windu, running off to Geonosis to liberate Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, except things didn't work out that way. Now Skywalker, Master Kenobi, and Senator Amidala—what the kriff was she doing here—all needed saving. Naira was going to give Skywalker an earful after this, Padawan-to-Padawan, if they didn't all die first…

Naira, a young, red-and-white-skinned Togruta woman, had been on Kinyen for a diplomatic security mission alongside her teacher, the Shistavanen Jedi Master Surill. They had barely concluded their task when they received the urgent call back to Coruscant. Naira dutifully travelled back with her master only to be shuffled onto another transport with what appeared to be just under half of the entire Jedi Order and sent off to Geonosis. As the ship entered hyperspace, Grand Master Mace Windu came over the comms.

"Apologies for the sudden call to arms," he said, "but this is an emergency situation. Count Dooku has captured two of our order with intent to execute them. We are going to interrupt that plan and rescue our people. Be advised that we are going to be outnumbered between Dooku's droid army and the Geonosians. Should we end up in combat, we will have no additional support until Master Yoda arrives with reinforcements."

Reinforcements? Naira had thought, From where? The entire Jedi Order can fit into two full-sized passenger transports with room to spare, and we're all already here…so, from where—?

She felt the large, furry, clawed hand of her master rest upon her shoulder, pulling her out of her thoughts. "Do not center upon your anxieties, my Padawan," Surill said, his voice deep and gruff, "Trust in the Force and keep your focus on the present."

"Of course, Master," Naira answered softly, feeling slightly chastised, "I apologize; I am just trying to make sense of the situation."

"Ah," Surill hummed in understanding, "and how is that going?"

"Not well…I seem to be playing dejarik while everyone else is playing chance dice. There's no cohesive strategy to Master Windu's…um…plan."

"Sometimes decisions have to be made at the spur of the moment," Surill said, "or have you forgotten about your own impulsive tendencies, Naira?"

Nair grinned unapologetically at the slight, but she did not respond to it as the transport entered Geonosian space.

The Jedi had infiltrated what appeared to be a gladiatorial colosseum just as three people were being chained to stone pillars at the arena's center. Dooku was making vague promises to spare the captives' if they joined the Separatist cause, but all three refused even as three monstrous creatures were released into the arena.

Naira watched the spectacle and wondered if rescue was even necessary. Skywalker and Kenobi seemed to have been doing quite well on their own. Hell, even Amidala was giving these beasts a hard time. When the droidekas rolled in, however, Naira knew it wouldn't be long before they would all be jumping in.

Naira looked towards the VIP box. She could just barely make out the images of Count Dooku, Nute Gunray, the Geonosian leader, and what looked like a human in Mandalorian armor. She thought she had also seen a kid with him…who would bring a child to an execution? She had very little time to ponder that before a violet-bladed lightsaber ignited in front of the man's throat. Master Windu had made his move, signaling to the rest of the Jedi to show themselves.

Several lightsabers lit up from within the spectator seats, including Naira's and Surill's, and for a brief moment, it seemed they had gotten the upper hand. Then the B2 Battle Droids marched in, and with their presence, the Geonosians joined the attack. Surill ordered Naira to jump, and the two of them leapt into the arena. Master Windu was also forced to the ground, having been chased out by the armored man.

"We are being herded, Master!" Naira warned as she blocked several blaster bolts with her twin guard shotos, "This was not a good idea!"

If Surill had responded, Naira didn't hear him over the sound of a jet-pack-propelled body zipping by. Naira watched as the armored man engaged in a one-on-one with Master Windu. She pulled her attention away quickly, realizing if she didn't focus, then she was as good as dead. It was pointless, however, as Naira's assessment was proven accurate. The Jedi were being forced together in a tight group, making it easier for the droids to pick them off until Dooku called for a cease-fire. Naira maintained a defensive guard stance even as Master Surill stood between her and the surrounding enemy.

Dooku commended Master Windu and the surviving Jedi for fighting so gallantly but pointed out their obvious defeat. He demanded Windu surrender himself and the Jedi in exchange for their lives. Windu refused to allow them to become political hostages prompting Dooku to order the droids to open fire upon the captives.

Blaster fire suddenly rang out all around them, but Naira was astonished to learn it was not coming from their captors. Instead, it was raining down from above, targeting the droid army and the Geonosians. Naira looked up and saw dozens of transport vessels flying Republic colors descending from the sky and circling the arena. A cheer erupted from the Jedi on the ground as Grand Master Yoda's voice could be heard giving orders to unseen operatives.

"Around the survivors," the diminutive old Jedi said, "a perimeter, create."

As the transports landed, thousands of white-armored bodies poured out and continued taking down droids and Geonosians, providing cover fire for the evacuating Jedi. One of these soldiers, brandishing violet stripes on his otherwise white armor, approached Surill and Naira.

"Jedi Master Surill?" the voice piped through an electronic filter in his helmet. His accent put him from somewhere in the Mandalore sector, Naira assumed.

"Yes?" the Shistavanen answered with uncertainty.

"CC-Four-Six-Eight-Seven-Three, at your service, General," the man promptly stood at attention and saluted the Jedi.

"General?" Naira echoed softly, "What is he talking about, Master?"

Surill shook his head as the man before them removed his helmet revealing a very youthful human face. His skin was lightly tanned, and his dark hair was buzzed down to a respectable military cut about a half inch from his scalp. Shining brown eyes looked inquisitorially at the two Jedi before him, and Naira could not help but think she had seen his face before.

"I apologize, General," the man said, "I hadn't realized you were not yet briefed on the situation."

"Quite the understatement, soldier," Surill confirmed, "Is that something you're authorized to do?"

Right then, Naira deflected several more blaster bolts from the still-approaching droid forces. "You know, Master," she said with a mix of impatience and sarcasm, "perhaps this isn't the best time to discuss this in committee?"

The soldier slid his helmet back on and pointed towards a transport, taking potshots at the encroaching droids as he and the Jedi jumped into the vehicle. They took off immediately at the armored human's command. Naira observed as the ship began firing upon enemy forces surrounding what appeared to be a staging ground for these new Republic forces. As she studied the layout, she turned to her master.

"They need to stop firing on the infantry," she yelled over the wailing engines, "they are just a distraction so the heavy artillery can advance without resistance and allow the Federation ships to escape!"

Surill nodded. "Good catch, my Padawan," he said, "What do you suggest we do?"

"We have two viable options: we can either target the heavies and clear a path for our foot soldiers and tanks to advance on the enemy or—and this is a bit riskier—we ignore them completely and target the ship stabilizers to prevent them from reaching orbit. The droid controls are on those ships as well, but there's no guarantee destroying them would stop the droid army this close to one of their foundries."

"Then we'll do both," the soldier said before shouting at the pilot, "Monte! Get us closer to those Fed ships! Domino, grab a missile launcher and aim for those ships; don't let them escape! Casino, Roulette, target the heavies, and pinpoint where they are weakest to take them out. Wild Card, take the turret and provide assistance to the ground troops. Black Jack and 8-Ball: suppressing fire on the deck guns!"

"Sir! Yes, sir!" the men shouted in unison.

Naira wasn't certain, but for a moment, all seven voices sounded as though they were all coming from a single source. They also sounded almost identical to the commanding officer. It was an odd sensation. Through the Force, Naira sensed a strong similarity between them all and yet several varying differences. Something she would have to work out later, she was sure.

Moments later, the droid army was reported to be in full retreat, allowing their transport to land and regroup at the staging area. Naira and Surill exited the attack ship and followed the eight soldiers over to a larger transport brandishing stripes on its hull that matched the patterns of the men's armor. Stenciled on the side in Aurebesh lettering was "CB-77." This vehicle had at least a couple hundred more men, and once the hatches sealed shut, the commanding officer ordered them to remove their helmets.

Naira was nearly startled to see that every man had the exact same face. Well, more or less. She could pick out minute variations in a few, but others were so identical, they may as well have been mirrored images. That explained why their voices were similar, but where had she seen that face before?

"Clones?" Surill guessed cautiously, pulling Naira from her thoughts.

"Yes, sir," the commanding officer confirmed, "bred for the sole purpose of defending the Republic from the Separatist threat."

Sole purpose? Naira echoed in her head. It sounded just as distasteful there as it did coming from this clone, and he sounded like he was reading a memorized script. Naira wasn't sure how she felt about that, but she decided to keep it to herself for now.

"Why do you keep calling me 'General'?" Surill finally inquired.

"You are a Jedi of the rank of Master," the clone answered. It wasn't a question but a statement of fact.

"That is correct…"

"Our mandate states that all active Jedi are considered officers in the Grand Army of the Republic. Padawan Learners have been assigned the rank of Commander, and Knights and Masters carry the rank of General. Each General has been assigned a battalion of clone troopers to better aid in the war against the Separatists. We are Clone Battalion Seventy-Seven, and I am Clone Commander Four-Six-Eight-Seven-Three. I would be considered third in command after yourself and your student."

Surill took all this information in stride. "That is quite a mouthful," he said, his gruff tone never wavering, "Do you have a name?"

"Technically, sir," the clone answered, "CC-46873 is my name. However, that doesn't exactly roll off the tongue. My brothers call me 'House.'"

"That is certainly easier," Surill said before turning to Naira, "Well, you seem to already know me…and this is my Padawan, Naira Raadii."

Naira gave a slight nod of her head as "House" saluted her. "Commander," he greeted her, "good call targeting the ships and heavies."

Commander? Naira tried to reconcile the title in her head and found she did not like it. I'm no commander…I'm barely a Jedi. Out loud she said: "It was just basic dejarik."

"Ah, you're being far too modest," Surill praised her then said to House, "Naira has a brilliant mind for battle tactics.

"It shows," House agreed, "A talent that will be very useful in the coming days."

The Togruta smiled curtly then faced Surill. "Master," she said, "may we speak privately?"

"Of course, Naira. Commander, if you'll excuse us?"

House nodded and indicated a room where the Jedi could speak unimpeded.

"Master," Naira wasted no time once the door sealed shut, "this is highly unethical. Never mind the fact there was a secret army hidden in the Republic's back pocket, but an army made up of tank-bred men with no other purpose than to fight and die for a cause they probably don't even understand or believe in?"

"A mighty bold assumption, Padawan," the Shistavanen responded curiously, folding his arms across his chest.

"It's not an assumption, Master. It's an observation. You heard them yourself: this is the sole purpose they were bred for. You won't find clearer evidence for government-sanctioned slavery. These aren't droids off an assembly line; they are living, breathing men. Using them like this is wrong."

Surill scratched his chin in thought. It was a sign that Naira had made a good point yet again, and her master was looking for an appropriate counter-argument. When it was clear he didn't have one, he let out a heavy sigh and laid a hand upon his student's shoulder.

"I understand your concern," he said, "but there is little we can do about it right now other than be grateful they arrived when they did."

"I am grateful, Master, but that doesn't make me less uneasy about the situation. Where did they come from? Who commissioned them? Were they given a choice to serve? Who was their donor? What do they even know about this conflict? These are questions we should be asking before we toss them out for cannon fodder."

"You are right, of course, Padawan, and I—"

The chamber door hissed open, cutting Surill off. "Sorry to interrupt, General," House said, "Commander. We just received a transmission from General Windu. Count Dooku has escaped. General Windu requests all Jedi Masters gather for a debrief on holocomm. Some of my men can tend to the Commander's needs in the meantime."

Surill sighed and nodded. "Very well," he said, turning to Naira, "We will discuss this further at a later time. Will you be alright?"

"Yes, Master," the Togruta said with a slight huff, "I suppose I will have to be for now."

That warranted a disapproving glare from Surill. "Naira," he said, dragging out her name, "I am not dismissing any of your concerns, but we can't reverse what's already happened. I will talk with the Council about this, and hopefully, we'll get some answers. In the meantime, the best thing we can do is form a camaraderie with these soldiers. Take some time and get to know them as individuals. It won't fix the situation, but it may make it easier."

Naira didn't respond as she watched her master follow House out towards the ship's conference room. Once gone, two other clones entered. One approached Naira directly, his chest plate displaying the designation CC-12345 with what looked to be a hastily-drawn domino piece at the end. While he mostly looked identical to House, this clone's hair was a bit longer and slicked back over his head. There was some light stubble along his jawline, chin, and upper lip as though he were attempting to grow out facial hair. His voice was also the same as House's but slightly different in inflection and octave. Yes, they were clones, but not even they were one hundred percent identical. That knowledge just added to Naira's discomfort, but she was going to try to make the best out of it.

"Do you need anything, Commander?" the clone asked.

Naira shook her head as she took a seat. "You needn't call me that," she said, looking up at him, "In fact, I would prefer it if you didn't…um…?"

"Domino," the soldier assisted, tapping at the crude drawing on his armor before pointing at the other clone who had entered the room with him, "and that's Casino."

"Casino," his designation reading CT-777, gave a disciplined salute at the introduction but his general demeanor came off as a bit on the playful side. His hair was not exactly what anyone would call "regulation" being spiked in random directions on top and shaved to about a quarter inch from eye-level down. He had two very distinct scars on his face that instantly set him apart from his brothers. A vertical laceration ran down the center of his right eye, and Naira's first thought was that it was a miracle the man hadn't been blinded by whatever caused it. The second scar was a long, semi-horizontal line that began at the rightmost edge of his left eyebrow, arched up his forehead, and leveled back out ending past his hairline about an inch above his left ear.

"Can't say I've ever heard of an officer who refused to be addressed as such," he said with a grin, "feels a little insubordinate to not use the proper titles."

Domino mirrored the smile and tapped Casino on the shoulder with the back of his hand. "It's not insubordination if it's a direct order," he said, looking back at Naira, "What should we call you instead?"

"'Padawan,' 'Naira,' 'Raadii,' or any combination of the three," Naira responded tersely, "That seems fair, I think."

"Then we'll consider it an order, Raadii," Domino acknowledged, "and good soldiers follow orders."

Naira looked at him with absolute indignance. "I'm sorry, what?" she asked, "What kriffing scud told you that?" She had stunned both clones with her rather colorful language, preventing them from answering, so she continued: "Um…no. Just no. While soldiers are expected to follow orders to a T, a good soldier knows when to question bad orders. I don't ever want to hear those words again, and you can take that as an order, too."

The clones seemed a little too shocked to respond before Casino let out a laugh that almost made Naira jump. "Oh, I like her," he said to Domino, "she's got bite." He faced the Togruta and said: "I think we're going to get along quite well, Raadii."

Despite herself, Naira let out a small chuckle as the two clones walked out of the room. She didn't find what was said humorous by any means, but the carefree way Casino had said it lifted her spirits a little.

"See that?" she heard Casino say as the soldiers disappeared into the corridor, "I got a smile and a laugh out of her."

Domino scoffed. "Oi, ya want a medal?" he asked as their laughter and footsteps echoed and faded away.

Naira felt a little better. Despite the suspicious nature surrounding their creation, she knew these men were innocent and could not reasonably be held responsible for their existence. Even so, it would take more than a couple friendly interactions with these clones to accept them and acclimate to this new change in her life. This was the hand she was dealt; how she played it would determine her fate.