Size Matters Not
End of the Goa'uld's.
The New Alpha site.
The planet had been toughly checked, it was stable.
Lieutenant Colonel Harry Manston enjoyed being on an alien world, though recently they had been getting news from the Free Jaffa that the remaining Goa'uld System Lords were joining forces under the lead of Bal, as he had been smart enough and quick enough to gather the fallen Goa'uld's forces as well as collect all the tech they had horded over the centuries.
The Tok'ra had said they wanted to wait for the in-fighting to whittle down the Goa'uld even more.
The down side of that was that it would take a century at least, so as always they were at an impasse.
Though the one bright spot was the new allies that SG1 had found.
From what Manston had heard these allies were more advanced then the Goa'uld and the Tok'ra in fact they boarded on being as advanced as the Ancients and the Asgard.
Manston took a deep breath, he enjoyed the slight breeze, he just knew that this was the calm before storm so he was going to enjoy every moment he could.
He walked threw the camp, it was then he noticed that people were looking at the sky in shock.
He glanced up, for a few seconds he forgot how to breath, hanging there in high orbit though clearly visible were ships, massive ships.
What was even more shocking was three of them seemed to be coming down to land it seemed.
He looked back at the gathered soldiers, "In position's!" He yelled, at once the men ran to grab their guns, not that they would be any good if the ships decided to open up with their own massive guns.
The ships got closer, Manston took a few deep breaths, he really did hope that these were the new allies that Colonel O'Neill had come across.
The ships soon settled in a clearing a few miles a way though despite the distance the ships were still huge.
"Captain Jones!" Yelled Manston he looked at the Captain who had called back "Call the SGC, let them know massive ship's has arrived!" He called to the Captain who nodded and ran to the Gate.
A few minutes later three odd looking ships were headed towards them though they were not as big as the ships that had landed they were slightly bigger then a military helicopter.
Soon the ships landed, the sides opened, Manston let out a sigh of relief as he saw Colonel O'Neill with SG1 and Doctor Fraser, they in turn were followed by a dozen men in Grey and white armour and some one who was clearly alien.
He noticed that the other two helicopter like ships had the same kind of armoured men come out though they had Red and white armour and Blue and white armour on, those group of men were followed by a pair of beings who also were not Human, one was short and green with pointed ears while the other seemed to have and white and blue cone like horns that sprouted from the top of their head.
Though the cone horned person seemed to be female, though Manston was not sure if the small green alien was male or female yet.
"Colonel Manston!" Called O'Neill with a grin, that Manston had learned to see that as a sign of trouble a head.
"Colonel O'Neill, I assume that these are the new allies?" Asked Manston, O'Neill nodded "Yep, they are" He said still grinning.
"Manston may I introduce Master Plo Koon, Master Yaddle and Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano of the Jedi order they commander the 65th, 104th and the 501st respectively" Said Jack.
Manston looked at the gathering men an eyebrow raised "Ohh sorry 65th are red and white, 104th are grey and white and the 501st are blue and white" He said with a grin.
Manston took a deep breath "You know it would have been nice to know you were coming O'Neill" Grumbled Manston, O'Neill just grinned.
"By time we were close enough for your coms to pick up our coms you could already see us" Said Jack with a shrug.
Manston was about to say something when he noticed the men in grey and white taking equipment out of there ships.
"What are they doing?" Asked Manston.
Jack turned and looked at the men, he then looked back at Manston "Their going to install a bit of their stuff so they feel comfy" Said Jack.
"Comfy, like what?" Asked Manston.
"Oh you know scanners, com systems, ray shield generators" Said Jack.
"Ray shield generators?" Said Manston.
Jack nodded "Yeah, just in case you know the Goa'uld decide to come knocking, it'll hold back the Goa'uld" Said O'Neill.
Manston blinked several times.
A short time later Manston was eating his lunch when suddenly something cold nudged his thigh, he looked down and let out a startled yelp.
Seating there with a thick red tongue hanging out, and big black round eyes staring at him was what could only be described as a large reptile.
He fell off his bench trying to get away from the creature, his arms kart wheeled before he became over balanced and landed with a thump.
He could only stare at the creature as it licked its lips, before its thick red tongue returned to hanging out of its mouth.
It made a happy bark, or what Manston thought past as a bark from the creature.
"Grizzlier! Where are you girl!" Called a voice Manston turned his head until he was looking upside down and saw one of the grey, red and white armoured men enter the mess tent.
"Oh sorry sir!" Said the armoured man as he retrieved the creature.
Manston stood, he stared at the creature that had plopped down next to her owner, to Manston the creature reminded him of a Old Time British Bull dog (with a noise mind you).
"What is that?" Asked Manston as he stared at the creature.
"This is Grizzlier, she's a service Massiff, I try to get her off the ship as much as possible" He said the Massiff lend ageist his leg her neck exposed as the man scratched her jaw and neck.
Manston watched as the man petted the Massiff.
"A service Massiff?" He asked, the man nodded "Yeah she used for searching for people, her brother Lumpy is used for narcotic searches" He said.
"And where's Lumpy?" Asked Manston.
"He's in the barracks, he seemed to have found something in some one's rack" Said the man.
Manston blinked several times.
"I better go and see, it could be something from over the counter that one of my people have brought with them" Said Manston.
The man nodded "Hound by the way" He suddenly said Manston looked at him again "Pardon?" He said.
"My name, Sergeant Hound 65th legion, under General Yaddle and Marshall Commander Fox" He said.
Manston nodded "Lieutenant Colonel Harry Manston" He said.
Hound nodded "Come girl lets see what Lumpy has found" He said as he tapped the head of the Massiff.
Obediently the Massiff followed Hound.
Manston had to wonder if all the men had animal names.
Soon Manston left the mess tent and went to the barracks.
He entered the barracks, he stopped short.
Lumpy was a little bigger then Grizzlier, though the spikes on his back were roughly the same length as Grizzlier's.
Near lumpy stood a man wearing the same coloured armour as Hound, he was looking at one of Manston's men.
"What's the problem here" Asked Manston.
Why did the solider look guilty? Wondered Manston.
"Lumpy found a substance" Said the man pointing to a small package that was lying on the bed.
Manston stepped forward he looked at the package.
In the small bag was what looked like white crystal's, he looked at the man "Do you have an explanation Marine?" Asked Manston.
"They planted it sir" He said, Manston looked at the Marine.
Manston knew the man, he had, had some run in's with MPs several times though this was the first time he had been caught with anything serious.
"They've only been here a few hours, why would they want to plant anything on you?" Asked Manston.
The Marine shrugged "Who knows sir they are alien's" He said with a sneer.
Manston raised an eyebrow, "They planted drug's on you because they are Aliens" He said the Marine nodded.
"Yes sir" He said.
"From what Colonel O'Neill told me, their Human" He said "What the next excuse?" Said Manston.
The Marine blinked several times.
"Do you have any MP's" Asked Hound, Manston shook his head "We don't normally have MP's here" Said Manston "We do have cell's though" He said.
Hound nodded he pulled out a pair of cuffs, he slapped them on to the Marine, Manston looked at one of the other Marines in the barracks "Show Sergeant Hound to the Cells" Said Manston.
A Marine nodded and showed Hound towards the cell in the middle of the compound.
"Shall I continue sir" Said the remaining animal handler.
Manston looked at the man "What's your name solider?" He asked.
"Trooper CT-4404 "Jax" sir, this is Lumpy" He said pointing to the Massiff that stood next to him.
Manston looked down at the Massiff then at Jax "Please continue, better safe the sorry, though hopefully it's just one bad apple" Said Manston.
Jax nodded he then opened up his utility belt and pulled out a bag he then with care put the small bag into what Manston assumed was an evidence bag, he then took out a kind of sharpie, he looked at his wrest and jotted down something on the bag.
"Just putting down the day, time and location and who's rack it was found in" Said Jax.
He looked at Manston "Shall I give it to you sir, to hand over to your legal system?" He asked.
Manston nodded and took the evidence bag "Thank you" He said he looked at the gathered Marines "You will cooperate fully with Trooper Jax, is that understood!" Ordered Manston.
"Sir, Yes sir!" The Marines shouted standing at attention.
He looked back at Jax "Carry on Trooper" He said.
Jax nodded and tapped the neighbouring bed with his armoured foot, at once Lumpy began sniffing around the bed, Jax then with ease raised the bed enough for Lumpy to sniff the under side of the bed, after a few seconds the bed was lowered back down, the Massiff then began sniffing the cabernets, and inside the draws when they were opened to allow the snot to go in.
Manston gave a nod satisfied that Jax and Lumpy wouldn't find anything else in the racks.
Manston made his way to his own rack/office to write up the report on the found drugs though it of course would have to be tested back on Earth.
Several hours later.
O'Neill ate his dinner, he looked at Manston "Heard you had a little excitement today?" He said Manston nodded "Yeah one of the 65th and his service animal found some drugs in a Marines rack he'll be escorted back threw the Gate tomorrow, along with the evidence and my report, though got admit it is a little unnerving when one of the Massiff's just decides to sit it self down next to you and stare at you with big black around eyes" Said Manston with a chuckle.
"Which one was it" Asked O'Neill, Manston thought for a moment "Grizzlier sat next to me but it was Lumpy that found the drugs" He said.
"Kind of reminded me of those British bull dog's" He chuckled "But bigger and meaner looking especially with the spikes on their backs" Said Manston.
O'Neill nodded and continued to eat his dinner, Manston chocked when he saw a few of the 501st enter led by Rex.
They all had their helmets off and were attached to their utility belts.
"What the hell!" Choked Manston who got a slap on his back from Carter.
"Oh didn't you know?, their Clones" Said Jack, Manston blinked several times "Clones?" Said Manston.
Jack nodded "Yep" He answered.
"Why does he have blond hair?" Asked Manston after he nodded a thanks to Carter.
"I don't know, I've never asked him, Yo Captain over here!" Shouted O'Neil waving over to Rex, who looked over to him, he then looked at his men and gave them a nod before he walked over with his tray.
"Colonel's, Major, Doctor Jackson or Teal'c not with you?" Asked Rex as he sat down.
"No their back on Earth, they needed him and Teal'c to translate something" Said Jack.
"You know I've been meaning to ask, all the other guys have got dark hair yet you've got blond hair, you don't dye do you?" Asked Jack.
Rex smiled "No I don't it's a genetic mutation that the Fett DNA has, at first the Kaminoans thought to decommission all those with the trait because they thought it ruined what the product looked like, but when they realised that they would have to do thousands of decommissioning's, they would loose money, plus its merely cosmetic and doesn't effect the performance of the product" He said.
"Wait a minute, decommissioning the products?" Said Jack though he had a nasty suspicion what Rex was talking about and he didn't like it.
"Yes Sir, Clones who they thought were not up to their standards of perfection, it wasn't just the hair colour sir, it was for any reason, wrong eye colour, an unwanted genetic mutation, a deformity to name a few things thankfully with the Jedi now on Kamino they stopped it along with the culling's" He said.
"Culling's!?" Said Manston in horror.
Rex nodded and bowed his head sadly "Yeah if a batch of tubies had more then the expectable amount of mutations, they would decommission a whole batch, before their had entered the second growth stage" Said Rex sadly.
"Tubies? Are we talking babies here?" Said Manston Rex nodded.
"Damn" Was all Manston could say in horror.
"Something else I've been meaning to ask, Fox and his guys why do they never take their helmets off?" Asked O'Neill wanting to get off the depressing conversation, Rex sighed deeply.
"They were first stationed on Coruscant, they were the security detail that protected the Chancellor and the Senate, they weren't well treated, they were forbidden to be on duty with out their helmets, they were treated little better then droids worse then droids in fact, they were mistreated worse then you can imagine, they had the highest mortality rate, even higher then us that were on the front lines, if one of them got killed by some one on the lower levels they were charged with damaging Republic property and fined, apparently killing a Clone wasn't murder back then, also the Senators could order a Clone to be decommissioned for the simplest reasons, a scuffed bit of armour, not standing at attention straight enough or for a Senator simply getting bored with their play thing and wanting to get rid of it" He said.
"Their play thing?" Said Crater.
Rex nodded "Yeah I'll leave to your imagination what those poor Vod had to go threw, though I'm sure when the new Chancellor brought in the new Clone laws that granted us the rights of all Republic sentients Fox and his boys found a lot of those people that had hurt our Brother's, most were brought to justice, though I'm sure that for a number of them, their bodies will never be found" Said Rex.
"And the helmets" Asked O'Neill.
Rex smirked and gave a shrug "They'll still getting used to the idea of being allowed to take off their helmets with out permission, their still a little warier about being around Nat-born's who don't want to hurt them" Said Rex.
Manston stared at the blond Clone.
After a few minutes a few more Clones entered their armours were red and grey.
Manston watched as the grey armoured Clones already had their helmets ether attached to their utility belts or tucked under their arms, though Manston did notice that the red armoured Clones had still to remove their helmets as they collected their food and sat a few of the table's.
Manston also noticed that two of the Commanders were making their over to them "Wolffe, Fox" Said Rex with a smile the pair sat down in unison which was weird.
After a slight hesitation Fox removed his helmet. Showing a face full of nasty scars most notably was the scar over his left eye, that seemed to Manston to look the same as Wolffe's.
"If I may how did you guys loose your eyes?" He asked as he looked at the two men.
"I lost mine to a bald headed bitch named Asajj Ventress" Said Wolffe.
"I lost mine to another bald headed bitch, Sly Moore, though unlike Ventress who was a trained Sith assassin and a force welder, Sly Moore was aide to the late unlamented Sheev Palpatine, I think she was secretly in love with Palpatine or with his power, when he knelled over suddenly I think something in her brain snapped, she screamed accusing me and every one else of killing him, she flung herself over his body, then suddenly she pulled out a Light Sabre and swung it at me" He said Fox with a shake of his head.
"She missed I managed to get out the way, that really pissed her off and she swung again this time she took a small step forward and slashed up catching my helmet, it only hurt for a few seconds but I couldn't see out of my left eye, I remember hearing her screaming, howling really, then I heard blaster's set on stun, then nothing" Said Fox.
"Moore is enjoying her stay in prison, Ventress is off somewhere doing what ever it is she does when she's not killing people or flirting with General Kenobi" Fox chuckled as he started eating his food Wolffe gave a grunt as he tucked into his own food.
"Flirting with Kenobi, that red headed guy we saw on the news?" Asked Jack, Wolffe nodded "Yeah that's him, Cody always moans when ever they come across her, the General can't resist flirting with people he fights with, he does it all the time, we don't know if Ventress just attacks him to get him to flirt or if she actually attacks him to try and kill him to stop him from flirting with her, I'm fairly certain the bloody man flirts with bloody Tactical Droids" Said Wolffe with a shake of his head.
Jack blinked several times.
A few days later.
The Stargate opened, Jack was a little shocked when a bubble appeared around the Gate.
"A Ray Shield" Supplied Rex.
Jack nodded, he smiled as a very confused Bra'tac came over his scared face as he bounced off the shield, when he couldn't get threw the bubble he glared at Jack "Human! what is the meaning of this?" Demanded Bra'tac.
Jack looked at the Clones and did a cutting motion with his hand ageist his neck, after a few seconds the bubble vanished "Sorry about that but our new allies didn't fill comfortable with out some sort of way of keeping people from attacking threw the Gate" Apologised Jack.
Bra'tac looked at the Clones he gave an approving nod "A wise strategy, they will have need of it, Bal has gathered his forces, some how he has found out about this new out post as well as your allies I know not by what means" Said the old Jaffa Master.
"Well it was only matter of time before he did, how long do we have?" Asked Jack.
"A day at most, but he could arrive at any moment" Said Bra'tac.
"Ok we'd better get ready" Said Jack.
He looked at the Clones and the gathered Jedi he raised an eyebrow, were they talking to a tiny blue figure standing on Plo's wrist?.
"Ah Colonel O'Neill, we have just received word that the Separatists are on their way, being led by Admiral Trench, I hope your people are prepared for a fight" Said Plo.
"About that it seems, the Goa'uld are on their way as well" Said Jack.
"Is any one else coming from the Republic?" Asked Sam.
Plo nodded "Yes the 41st, 91st, 92nd as well as 327th will joining us and the 501st and the 65th, if you have any non combatants here I would advise you to send them back threw the Gate as soon as possible" Said Plo.
Jack nodded, he then heard engines he turned and saw more Gun ships land a number of them carrying six legged vehicles.
"Oh the big wigs would love to get their hands on some of those six legged things" Said Jack.
Plo chuckled "Sadly the AT-TE is military equipment" He said.
More troopers were running into positions.
"Sir we're picking up Ha'tak's entering orbit, a few are heading for the surface" Said Clone.
"Also picking up Separatists ships!" Said the Clone trooper.
Jack looked up at the sky, he blinked several times as he saw several massive ships appear in high orbit.
He could see explosions surrounding the ships, it seemed battle between the Republic and the Separatists had already started, Jack could only hope that the Goa'uld got caught in the middle.
The Ha'tak's slide towards the nearest clearing to were the ground troops could engage with the Tau'ri, Bal was a little perturbed that there were now massive alien ships firing at each other, a lot of his ships had been destroyed as the ships fired at each other, though Bal was confident that once the battle was over he could claim much advanced tech left behind.
He smirked the planet had been scanned and there was only a few hundred people on the planet, Bal had more then enough Jaffa to throw at them, they were loyal to their "New God" Bal unlike many of the other Goa'uld who had been convinced of the lie that they had told their slaves, Bal knew he was not a God.
Though he did enjoy being worshiped by lesser races.
"We approach the site My Lord" Said a Jaffa Prime of a former rival Goa'uld, Bal didn't even bother to remember his name, "Then proceed" Ordered Bal.
Bal lend back on his throne, he smirked soon his power would be absolute.
A few hours later.
Jack emptied another clip into a charging Jaffa, he saw the Clone troopers fighting both droids and Jaffa, it was a free for all, though as far as Jack could see the enemy Jaffa were getting a little thin on the ground so to speak, he also so Yaddle bouncing all over the place cutting heads off droids, as well as their limbs, also she was using the force to crush droids as well, not far behind her Jack could see at least two red and white clone troopers following their small Jedi General, taking out any droids whom she missed.
Plo Koon though not bouncing about was swiftly taking out droids as well as force shoving Jaffa into the ground up to their necks after severing their staff weapons with his light sabre.
Jack reloaded his P90, he could see the medics attending the injured, it was a little concerning that he was seeing a lot of his people on the ground, he was impressed that the medics could attend the injured and with out hesitation fire their blasters as ether enemy approached.
Jack fired his gun taking out a Jaffa, he glanced up at the sky the battle up there was seemingly over.
He wondered how pissed Bal was that all his grand plans were being demolished, then he saw it, the Ha'tak's taking off.
But they didn't get far as the AT-TE's opened fire with their cannon's as well as the Gun ships swooped by firing at the Ha'tak's.
Jack saw smoke bellowing out of one of the Ha'tak's, he heard an explosion and the ship seemed to fall back to the ground, as an engine was hit, the second Ha'tak seemed to be in trouble, though Jack doubted if that one was Bal's.
Soon the second Ha'tak crashed back down smoke pouring out of the damaged ship, the third continued to climb.
Bal wanted to scream with rage, everything was destroyed his only hope was to flee and to build up his forces once again he had plenty of time, he smirked as his ship was fired on, but thanks to his Asgard shields the shots were doing very little damage.
Unfortunately for Bal he didn't seem to realise that in high orbit following his escape was a Republic Attack Cruiser and it was aiming one of its 52 point defence lasers right at his haul.
He ignored the demands he surrender.
Bal was so focused on his escape he didn't hear the Jaffa Prime say that the ship was powering up a weapon.
He was Bal, he was the System Lord he would rule the Galaxy for the next ten thousand years.
He briefly wondered if he could ring down to the planet and get to the Stargate and escape, but the plan was discarded as the gate was heavily defended plus there was a shield of some kind preventing the gate from being used to or from the planet, his only hope was to get into orbit and jump in to hyper space.
"My Lord" Yelled the Jaffa, it was the last thing he said as suddenly a bright green light enveloped the ship, all Ball could hear was the ripping of metal, his eyes glowed as he tried to leave his host, it was though to late, the Asgard shield's lasted only a few short seconds, before they were over whelmed and the green laser punched threw the ship.
Jack stood there his mouth hanging open as he saw a bright green laser punch threw the haul of the Ha'tak.
Slowly the ship fell back down to the ground soon followed by a massive explosion as the whole ship went up in a giant ball of flames.
The green laser had come from one of the larger Republic ships.
Soon the battle was over the few surviving Jaffa surrendered.
The Battle droids were in pieces all over the place, Jack wiped his face as he surveyed the battle field, it was actually quite shocking to see how many were dead, though he could now clearly though a number of his people were dead, the injured out numbered the dead, though that wasn't to say the same about the Clone troopers though.
The dead out numbered the living and the wounded.
Several hours later.
Jack stared at the report that he had to write he had written a little of the after action report, the number of his people killed and the injured and prisoners taken.
He now had come to reporting how many Republic troopers had been killed taking out the last System Lord plus his ships and the majority of his Jaffa.
Two thousand Troopers had come down to the planet, Five hundred would not be leaving it, not counting the ones on the ships in orbit or those in the star fighters killed.
In total on the planet and in space the number was over six thousand.
Jack stared at the number, six thousand Clone troopers had died, it was daunting at the sheer number killed.
O'Neill sighed deeply, he had to finish his report.
The Jaffa that had been taken prisoner were being attended to by the Jedi medical core, as they worked to free the Jaffa from their need for the Goa'uld symbiont to survive.
The Tok'ra had reluctantly handed over their drug to help the Jaffa.
The Jedi were working to perfect the drug, after a few short hours O'Neill finale finished the report.
He stood and left his temporary quarters, he walked threw the camp, Jack could see the AT-TE's trudging around where the Ha'tak's had crashed, they were clearing up the remains of the Ha'tak's, the large sections of the haul's were being pulled away to reveal any bodies or survivors, so far a number of Jaffa had been found alive though wounded.
They had found what was left of Bal, as well as his unfortunate host, it was revealed that Bal had been in the process of leaving his host in ordered to survive.
Only the Clones were doing this as their helmets could be sealed to prevent any escaped Goa'uld symbiont's from trying to take them as a host.
Jack continued to walk threw the camp.
Jack sighed deeply, off to the side he could see the lines of dead, all the Earth dead had been sent threw the Stargate, the Clones were waiting to be placed in simple coffins and fired into the sun, as it turned out in the Clones growing society, they saw the bodies as empty shells now that the Vod had marched ahead as they called it, though Jack had to admit being sent in to a planet's Sun seemed a pretty cool way to spend eternity.
He shook his head, he ran his hand over his face he felt his day old stubble, he needed a shave, he walked past the medical tent where the more serious injured were being attended, among them the Ha'tak survivors.
It was taking a lot to convince those Jaffa that their God was dead and in fact he was not a God but a parasite but it was proving a hard slog as they refused to acknowledge the fact that Bal was dead, Bra'tac had the patience it seemed of saint as he continued to badger the Jaffa every day that Goa'uld were false Gods.
Though he did seemed to be getting threw to the younger Jaffa, the older ones were as stubborn as the old Master.
Yaddle and Plo had also gone to work convincing the Jaffa of the Goa'uld deception and it seemed the two Jedi were being successful.
Though of course Wolffe and Fox by no means trusted the injured Jaffa alone with their Generals so at least one trooper from the 104th and the 65th were on guard duty at any time.
Jack decided to have a bite to eat, he head to the mess tent.
Inside were several of his people as well as a few troopers, Jack saw Wolffe and Fox along with Rex seating at a table eating.
He picked up a tray and put some food on it.
He walked over to the Clone officers who nodded at him as he sat with them "So how are things going?" As Jack pick up some sauce and put some in his burger.
As well as a little next to his fries.
"Not bad the dead will be dealt with by the end of the day, we're still trying to figure out what to do with the Jaffa that have been taken prisoner, hand them over to the Free Jaffa to rehabilitate, or place them in an internment camp" Said Fox as he looked at the pad in front of him.
"Plus the wounded ones, it might be easier to hand them over to the Free Jaffa in the long run " Said Fox as he frowned at his pad as he stabbed it with this finger a few times.
Jack looked at him the man had bags under his eyes, "Hey when was the last time you got any sleep?" Asked Jack.
Fox looked up at him and blinked several times "Sleep?" He asked Jack nodded "96 hours ago at least" He said nonchalantly as he continued to stab at his pad.
Jack blinked several times "96 hours, you've had no sleep for four days!" Said Jack, Fox sighed "Yes" He said Jack stared at the Clone Commander, Jack himself could just about function on no sleep for 72 hours no sleep but 96 "You need sleep man" Said Jack.
Fox looked at him "I've gone over 109 hours no sleep" Said Fox.
Jack was sure his brain shorted out at that, he gave a sight shake of his head "You've gone a full week with no sleep?" Asked Jack Fox nodded.
To Jack that did not sound at all healthy, the body needed sleep even if it was a power nap.
He looked at the other two Clone to his horror they didn't not look horrified at all at the news at all in fact they looked at little sad.
That was when he remembered how Fox and his troopers had been treated during the pervious administration of the Republic.
"Vod those times have passed, there are plenty of us to carry the burden" Said Rex as he placed a hand on Fox's Pauldron.
"He's right I'm sure General Yaddle would order you to a rack if she knew that you had, had no sleep for four days straight" Said Wolffe as softly as he could.
"There's so much to do, the clean up, the prisoners, the dead, meeting the IOA Rep's" Said Fox.
"We can do that" Said Rex softly as he tugged the pad from Fox's fingers "Come on Vod I'm about to hit the rack join me?" Said Wolffe.
Jack's eyes went a little wider at that though he didn't say anything.
His brain though was in free fall.
He wondered if the Clones did Clone-cest if that was actually a thing.
With a great sigh Fox stood and allowed Wolffe to lead him out towards the temporary barracks.
A few hours later.
Jack was once more in the mess tent this time having dinner when several marines entered, they were talking about the Clones, Jack even heard a few words along the lines of the Clones were weird.
He decided to nip that in the bud now.
"What's that Marine" He called over to the offending Marine in question.
The Marines turned and looked at him "The Clone are a little weird sir" Said the offending Marine.
"How so?" Asked Jack getting ready to rip in them.
"There's about a dozen of them in the barracks sir, they all sleeping together sir" He said.
"I'm sure they have Don't Ask, Don't Tell Marine" Said Jack.
"Its not that sir their all in a pile sir its weird is all" Said the Marine.
"A pile?" Said Jack the Marine nodded "Yes Sir, nothing going on they don't have their armour on, just their black suites and their all sleeping in a pile in the middle of the barracks" Said the Marine.
"I believe they call it a cuddle pile" Said the deep calming voice of Plo Koon, Jack looked at the Jedi Master.
"A cuddle pile?" Asked Jack he dismissed the Marines.
Plo nodded and sat in front of Jack "Yes the Clones enjoy cuddle piles with their batch's, when they were growing up in their all too brief childhoods one of the few comforts they had was piling in to one of the sleeping tubes and sleeping in a pile it gave comfort to them, they still do it now, though now its in the middle of what ever barracks they have available" Said Plo.
Something Plo said caught his attention "What do you mean their all to brief childhoods?" Asked Jack.
Plo took a deep breath before he answered, "The Clones sadly have accelerated aging they'll be lucky to see thirty, if we do not find a way to slow down their ageing" He said sadly.
"How old are the Clone's" Asked Jack.
"Wolffe and Fox were some of the first Clones so they are around 13 years old, the new arrived troopers are only just 10" Said Plo.
Jack stared at Plo.
Jack had thought that Wolffe and Fox were at least in their early thirty's and Rex only a year or so younger, but to find out that all three were barely even teenagers.
"Wait, you're telling me that Fox and Wolffe are only just teenagers?, that all the Clones by all rights are still kids!" Said Jack his eyes wide at the whole horrible idea of kids fighting in a war.
Plo nodded "Sadly Yes, and as I said they have accelerated ageing, if we do not find away to halt their ageing they will all die around the age of thirty or forty if they are lucky" Said Plo sadly.
Jack could only stare, "Who bright idea was that then?" He asked Plo sighed deeply and folded his hand's into his sleeves "The Kaminoan's are Master Cloner's, if an army was raised from birth it would take almost twenty years at least so the Kaminoan's accreted the ageing so it took ten years to grow the current rank and file of the Grand Army of the Republic, though sadly the Kaminoan's have shortened it even more in the last year, in the next few months we will receiving the next batches only eight years old" Said Plo with a shake of his head.
He could see the horror on Jack's face, "The Kaminoan's still see the Clones as a product, despite the change in the law, for them the Clones are an investment the more Clones that are ordered the more money pour into Kamino's coffers, so they perfect the process of Cloning" He said.
Jack shook his head "Who Ordered the army in the first place?" He asked.
Plo sighed softly "A Jedi by the name of Sifo Dyas, he had the ability of foreknowledge and prophecy he foresaw a Great War but many do not believe that such ability's exist so he was ignored, so concerned was he about this future that he saw he went behind the council's back and ordered the creation of the Army, sadly the Sith Lord may have interfered with his mind, once the order was given there was no need for Sifo and he was killed by the Pike syndicate, the Sith Lord then changed the order to his wish's which included a bio-chip placed into the clones brain's, this chip when activated would have suppressed the Clones will's and they would have become little better then droids, on these chips were a hundred and fifty orders, one of these orders was to kill all Jedi this would have meant the slaughter of Masters, Knight's, Padawans, Initiates and Younglings we would have been out numbered" Said Plo.
Jack blinked several times "These chips what happened to them?" Asked Jack.
"After the death of Sheev Palpatine and things were discovered about him a full investigation was launched and we found out the truth about the chips, at first the Kaminoan's told us the chips were simply an inhibitor chip to suppress the aggressive tendencies of Jango Fett, though this was quickly disproved by our own medical personnel who found the chips were placed in the brain that controlled some ones will not their aggression, the council ordered the removal of the chips, and ordered that future Clones not have the chip, though of course the Kaminoan's complained as this would make the Clones uncontrollable" Said Plo.
Jack shook his head he glanced at a few of the Clones who were escorting a few of the Jaffa to the temporary compound until it was decided what to do with them.
Jack could not wrap his brain around the whole idea that those men were by legal means just kids, Hell they weren't even old enough to vote let alone drink or fight in any war, he sighed he rubbed his face though what did concern him was the fact the Republic had the means to implant something into a persons brain that could be activated so that person become a perfect soldier, Jack shuddered at the idea of any of the hard liner General's who wanted to create the perfect soldier or politicians who thought the public should be implanted with in them.
Jack shuddered again no he was not going to put that in his report, the IOA didn't need to know about the chips.
Several hours later.
Jack saw Wolffe and Fox, the later had his helmet firmly in place.
He sighed he was half tempted to tell the Clones that they all needed to see shrinks though Jack figured the Jedi had those and they were being offered to them.
The IOA were making their way threw the gate, they all looked a little horrified at the site of the remains of the battle.
Jack figured that the IOA would try and get some of the high tech stuff that was now laying around, though Jack knew that the IOA would fail.
Joining them was Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and with him was Commander Cody.
Jack did wonder why the red head was here.
A few hours later Jack was ready to bang his head on the table they were going around in circles, the IOA just didn't seem to get it threw their heads that the Republic was not going to sell them weapons and or any military hardware.
Though it seemed the reason Kenobi was here because he had the patience of a space saint it seemed, Jack figured the man must be due a sainthood.
Suddenly as though something had heard Jack mental pleading for the negotiations to end Kenobi's wrist com beeped.
"Sir, We picking two small ships heading to your location as well as several larger ships" Said a Clone trooper.
"Get the fleet in defensive positions" Ordered Kenobi.
Kenobi looked at the IOA "I'm sorry it seems the enemy have returned, we will continue these talks after they have been dealt with" Said the Jedi Master before he stood up and left.
The IOA simple sat there blinking looking a little lost as the Clones followed the Jedi out.
Jack gave a shrug and fled the tent before they could demand answer's.
Jack looked at the sky he blinked several times as he saw a dozen large ships besides the Republic ships.
He could see the ships pounding each other as well several smaller explosions surrounding the ships.
He then noticed the Clone troopers running to defensive positions, he then heard a odd whining sound, he looked up and searched the sky, from one direction he saw a ship, coming from the other direction was another ship.
Jack wondered who these guys were.
The two ships landed in separate clearings.
Jack looked at Plo "Any idea who this is?" He asked, the calm Jedi Master shook his head "I'm sorry Colonel I do not who this is but I can tell you they are force sensitive, it might be wise if your people stay out of the way, I do believe they have some battle droids with them" He said.
Jack raised an eyebrow.
Half an hour later a dozen battle droids came out of the tree line with them was a tall pale skinned bald headed woman, in her hands she held two red bladed lightsabres, "Kill them!" She ordered the battle droids ran forward firing their blasters, the Clones returned fire as well as Plo Koon bounced the blaster bolts back at the approaching droids, Jack took a few shots at the droids he then heard the sound of lightsabres, Jack turned and saw Kenobi clashing with the bald woman, Jack blinked several times he couldn't believe what he was hearing, Kenobi was flirting with her as they fought, Jack could now understand Cody's exasperation with his Jedi, it seemed the man was incapable of fighting with out flirting.
Suddenly two new comers had walked out of the tree line, these guys were tall both had horns on their heads though one was black and red the other black and yellow, taller and larger.
"KENOBI!" Screamed black and red guy he then ignited his lightsabre which turned out seemed to be like a staff, the black and red guy quite literally jumped into the fight taking on Kenobi and bald lady who was promptly kicked in the stomach and sent careening into the near by bushes.
The woman seemed to snarl as she staggered to her feet, before she could get back to the fight two troopers from the 104th shot her twice with the blasters on stun, Jack could heard sabre's clashing he turned and saw the larger taller horned guy was taking on Plo with his own staff weapon.
It seemed Plo was holding his own quite well.
Jack noticed that the fight between Kenobi and red guy seemed to be different this fight seemed personnel.
It seemed Kenobi and red guy was evenly matched.
Jack then looked over to Plo, the fight was over, the taller guy was on the floor holding his stomach he looked a little shocked "Brother!" He called, at once red guy was by yellow guys side "Savage?" He said as he held his brother "Your Brother will be attended to Maul" Said Plo Koon.
Maul glared at Plo, Jack shivered the two guys eyes were yellow, Jack had to wonder if that was natural for his species.
Maul snarled at the Jedi Master, "You are a victim too, Maul let us help you" Said Yaddle who appeared from where ever she had been.
"I'm a survivor, I have always survived as will Savage" Growled Maul.
Yaddle nodded her head "Yes a great feat, yet you are a victim of Sidious as well, taken from your mother and your home as a small child, abused and tortured turned into a weapon then abandoned by him once a stronger force wielder was discovered, he abandoned you when he found out about Anakin Skywalker as well as Count Dooku who I doubt would have survived the war if Sidious had survived to this day" Said the small Jedi.
Maul let out a growl, he held his brother closer as though to prevent the small Jedi taking him.
"Dooku destroyed the Night-sisters stronghold on Dathomir, your mother's physical body was destroyed all because Sidious could not abide rivals to his power" She said.
Soon Yaddle was right in front of Maul suddenly her tri fingered hand touched his forehead "Sleep" She said softly as her other hand touched Savage's forehead as well soon the two were asleep.
Soon hand cuffs were placed on the two and a medic got to work on Savages wound.
Fox let out a moan, Yaddle smiled up at him "General" He groaned Yaddle grinned even more "Yes Commander?" Said Yaddle looking innocent but sounding anything but.
Fox bowed his head briefly in defeat, he then raised his head and let out a sigh "The cuff's stay on" He said Jack was sure that if Fox was not so disciplined the man would be tapping his foot and he would have his hands on his hips.
Yaddle nodded "Of course" She said as she grinned even more showing very sharp teeth.
Jack glanced up at the sky he could see the battle looked more or les over, he then looked at the where the IOA members were huddled together.
"Well that was interesting!" Said Jack, the IOA members just stared at him, Jack sighed deeply IOA people did not do well when they were thrust in to a combat situation.
He figured that the IOA would be leaving just as soon as the battle in orbit was confirmed as over.
He glanced over to Yaddle who was seating next Maul, Jack had to wonder who wrote the baby name book who named their kids Maul and Savage, the small Jedi had her hand on Maul's forehead, her eyes closed, Jack wonder what she was up to.
He then heard shouting he turned he saw bald lady struggling between two 104th troopers "Release me at once" Screeched the woman, her eyes wide with anger, Plo shook his head "No Asajj, you will be taken to the temple on Coruscant to stand trial for the many murders you have committed" Said Plo.
She screeched again and struggled ageist the Clones, her eyes went wide she looked down at her wrists she then stared at Plo.
"Force suppressant cuff's" He said simply.
With a tug the Clones dragged the now screeching and struggling woman away.
He turned and looked at Jack he gave a shrug and followed his struggling men.
Jack then let out a groan, he would have write a new report, he hated writing reports.
With that he trudged back to his tent.
He glanced over to see some troopers from the 65th carrying stretchers and placing Maul and Savage on them before carrying them off to their Gun ships too take back to their Assault ship's in orbit.
He shook his head, he had a feeling that Yaddle had adopted the two horned men, with a sigh he went towards his tent.
He wondered what was in store for the future, was the war over, was there another System Lord out there, he supposed he an his team would find out sooner or later but until then he had a report to write and IOA members to look after and maybe try and get some more cool stuff from the Republic, ether way it was going to be cool.
THE END
DONE! Would you like a sequel story of Yaddle, her troopers, Maul and Savage.
I am currently writing two new stories Underworld X Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D plus a Good Omens X Lucifer.
I'm currently on a Michael Sheen binge which one would you like to see first?.
Read and review, I write for my own enjoyment all mistakes are mine