Chapter Eighteen

The fire blazed hot in the pit, the embers releasing from the logs and floating up in the night sky. Kyra watched their ascent, seeing as they became indecipherable with the stars in the sky.

"That was a wicked six weeks of training, General," Link of Cobalt Squad said.

"Not unlike training back on Kamino," Rook echoed.

Kyra smiled. "Well, that's quite the compliment," she said and shrugged. "I'm just getting the men ready for various threats and ensuring their responses to those threats become habitual."

"Well, you certainly pushed them, and they rose to the task," Neeja said, reclining against a rock on the other side of Kyra.

"I'll say," Hoppie chimed in, "I could do a Southside wall fortification in my sleep. But yes, you've done well, General, and it's actually been," Hoppie tilted his head to the side, "Fun."

"Good," she said, "Though honestly, it took far less time for the men to get the hang of it than I thought it would. And I have a surprise for you. In fact," she yelled out to all the soldiers that were off shift, relaxing around campfires or in the nearby barracks, "I have a surprise for you all. Gather around."

Troopers began turning towards her, and coming out of the barracks by the dozen, as Kyra walked over to the tent where she stashed the surprise. On a hover-dolly, she wheeled out several large crates that were over a meter tall. She opened the lid. "I'm proud of the work you've done. C shift, hold the line for now, you'll get your fill soon enough. A shift, don't imbibe too much, you have an early morning Shift. And we all have PT, so don't forget that either." A few groans came from the dozens of soldiers that had surrounded her, but they were lighthearted. They watched in eager anticipation as she stood in front of the crate, curiosity brimming. Then she hefted out a large silver barrel. A keg. "Drinks on me, Boys," she yelled, and then lifted another keg out of the crate.

Cheers sounded across the barracks field, and troopers began running towards her, the men scrambling to grab a cup from inside the crate. Hoppie and Cobalt Squad were the first ones to her and helped her bring out three more crates. Eight kegs in all. And there were more crates back inside the command center.

"Ah, so this is what you were up to after drills this morning. I was wondering why you were so secretive about it," Hoppie said.

Kyra smiled and shrugged. "Just made a short trip into Chasin City which was only a few hours from here. I wanted to keep it a surprise."

"Well, this is indeed a surprise," Hoppies said, "Ladies first, General."

Kyra acquiesced, "Fine, fine," she said, and began filling a cup. Eight at a time, troopers began filling their cups up, and Kyra watched, pleased with the smiles on their faces. Clones did not get much opportunity to smile, but she was going to make it her secondary mission to show them there was much to smile about. Her primary mission of course being to keep them alive.

Hoppie took a sip of the dark amber liquid, and his eyes went wide. "This is amazing. What is it?"

"Alderaanian ale," Kyra said with a smirk. "I expect the best, and I give the best."

Cobalt squad had their drinks now, and we are expressing their appreciation for the delicious drink. "This is quite the treat, General," Link said.

Kyra shrugged, "You guys deserve it."

"And this was all cleared by the Commander," Rook asked.

"It was," she said, "In fact I'd wager he'll be down to join us any moment."

The troopers around Kyra grew quiet as suddenly Voolvif came sauntering into the circle. The shistavenen had been slowly showing more signs of interacting with others. He always made it to drills and PT, but only ever spoke to Kyra or Neeja, and he never showed up to dinners, so this was surprise.

All eyes followed him as he grabbed a cup and then began filling it at one of the kegs. Once finished he sniffed it and made what could have passed for a satisfied grunt. Then, to everyone's shock, he extended his cup out in front of him, "To Kyra."

Hoppie recovered first and raised his cup to Voolvif's. Cobalt squad and Master Halcyon joined in too, and echoed Voolvif's cheers.

They found their seats back around the campfire and relaxed again, sipping on the delicious, cold brew. And for a moment, Kyra knew they had all forgotten about the war, and the outpost, and droids. For a moment they felt normal, and free. Sitting around a campfire, surrounded by friends, and drinking a beer will do that.

Sometime later, Hoppie hopped up onto one of the crates. "How's the beer, Troopers?" Hoppie yelled out to the hundreds gathering about. They responded with shouts, and cheers, and whistles. He held out one hand to quiet the crowd. He looked over at Kyra, "General, I'm sure you can guess that when word spread that a female Jedi Knight was taking command of the base, there was a lot of doubt. Then you arrived, and the very first thing you did was ensure that Cosmo remained as lead Commander of the base. Which was a surprise for many. Then not only did you put us through rigorous drills, you left all of us in the dust during PT, not to mention smoking us in your so-called Coleman Circuit. None of us had ever seen a woman do that many pullups. Ever," Several Ooh-Rahs, sounded off among the crowd. "And next, you amazed us in combat, not only slaying whole squads of clankers on your own but saving many lives with your sorceress saber skills." More shouts and quips and exclamations.

"We knew you were a warrior, maybe the best we've ever seen. But what amazed us most of all, was you weren't distant like the other wizards we've met. You joined us nearly every evening at the campfires, and made your rounds, speaking with everyone you could. I'm sure I speak for us all when I say that was the moment when we knew we'd do everything to carry out your orders, or die trying."

He raised his cup of in the air, "A toast to you, General. It is my greatest honor serving under you. Thank you."

"To the General," hundreds of troopers yelled.

Kyra felt her eyes brimming with tears and did her best to stifle them. She raised her cup in response. "Thank you, I...thank you."

Aedan stared into the flames, as he, the other masters, and Quix sat around the campfire behind her backwoods house. It was a rule now to stay busy, to keep moving, keep going after these murderers. That way he could ignore the ache. But there were times like now, staring into the flames, where he was idle, unable to focus his energies into accomplishing something, and thoughts of her flooded his mind. Force, I miss her. He didn't know how to handle being away from her. And this distance and zero communication was messing with his mind and memories.

How was she feeling? Was she in agony as well? What if she regrets everything? What if she just moves on?

He shook his head and took a deep breath. Relax, Aedan. This is another obstacle to overcome. That's all. Someday you'll see her again.

"A month and a half and still nothing," Quix said from his right, shaking Aedan out of his thoughts.

"They're laying low for now," Aedan said. "That yacht catastrophe put them on the radar."

Master Fisto shook his head, "I'm worried that they're just planning their next big score. This waiting around is starting the drive me crazy."

At Kit's words, an idea started forming in Aedan's head, and he began to explore the notion, as extreme and perhaps risky as it may be.

"What if they jumped systems?" Drallig said. "We'd never find them."

Yoda grunted, "Know these areas they do. Afraid they'd be to venture out. Still here I think they are."

Quix tossed another log onto the fire, "They're here. And they're going to strike again. It's only a matter of when and where. But there's no pattern in how they've struck. Every variable in each attack seemed to be random."

"So let's control the variables," Aedan said

"How could we possibly-" Quix began, then realization dawned on her. "You want to set a trap."

Aedan nodded, "We lure them in, entice them with some ostentatious event, one they couldn't pass up, and once they've taken the bait, we strike."

"What about collataral damage? Any place or event we choose will have innocent bystanders present," Cin Drallig countered.

"How about a vacation yacht. We could sequester the passengers in a safe location on the ship once the dark jedi arrived on scans."

"That's still extremely risky, and do you think they would dare try another yacht after the last catastrophe?"

"At this point, I don't think they much care," Drallig said.

"Further to the darkside, they have gone. Only more evil they have become. Care not they do for innocent lives."

"The green sorcerer is right," Quix said, winking at Yoda, "I think they only want to show more of the power, and exert more of their dominance. In fact, I think they're waiting for the council to confront them."

"But that would be suicide," Cin Drallig said. "They can't possibly expect to stand up to the rest of the order."

Aedan rocked his head back and forth, "Maybe, maybe not. They've obviously grown overconfident, and obsessed with their own power. But they also might believe most of the masters, or more powerful Jedi, are needed for the war. We," Aedan said, gesturing to the masters around him, "Are lucky in that we are available for different reasons."

"What like you being demoted and almost kicked out," Master Fisto teased.

Aedan glowered, "Again, your compassion is most appreciated, Kit."

Master Fisto smiled broadly.

"Okay, for the last time, why the frack were you demoted?" Quix asked. "You guys keep bringing that up, but won't tell me."

"Loverboy here fell in love with another Jedi," Kit Fisto said.

Quix's eyes went wide, and her mouth fell open. "What?"

"Really?" Aedan said, "You just had to say it?"

Master Fisto raised his hands, "Hey, I think it's great. You should be proud."

"But I thought Jedi weren't allowed to get attached," Quix asked, bewildered.

"Hence the demotion and nearly getting kicked out," Aedan said. "In fact, if it wasn't for Master Yoda, I wouldn't be here."

"Yoda, you saved this guy?"

Yoda grunted, and marked patterns in the dirt with his gimer stick. "Lost too many jedi we have. Needed Knight Kahl is."

"RIght," Aedan said, "Let's get back to what's important, like I don't know, taking out the group that's terrorizing the sector."

"Okay, do we all agree about the vacation yacht being a viable option?" Drallig asked.

"What if we made it so lucrative and promising that they just couldn't resist? Like a canto bight casino themed cruise, and even had celebrities endorse it?" Quix said.

Aedan rubbed his chin, "I think you're onto something, Quix. I think we should go with that."

"I agree," Kit said.

"So do I," Drallig said.

"As do I," Yoda said. "Settled it is then."

"Great," Aedan said. "Let's get some rest then. Tomorrow we go on the offensive."