Chapter 1: Preparing for the Storm
Finally, a fleet assignment, I thought as I hurried down the halls of GAR Command. But I should probably tell you my story first. My name is Silas Patton—scratch that, now Admiral Silas Patton. I'm currently thirty years old and living out of my Acclamator 1 assault ship. Now, one might ask how an admiral doesn't have a fleet under him, or at least a task force, but I can answer that question.
Just in case you've been living under a rock for the past month; there's a galactic war of unprecedented scale happening, the Clone Wars. I remember the day they recalled many Judicial Forces officers to Coruscant to lead battle groups of new Venators with the Jedi. I was skimming over the holo-news sipping from a cup of caf when I received a call from the newly minted "GAR High Command" to come to Coruscant for "flag officer orientations".
Now back to my humble beginnings; starting in corellia, where I was born and raised, hence the name "Patton" or fighter's town. Yeah…, not exactly a corporate official here. I was raised by my father, a military man just a few miles out from CorSec Academy, naturally I joined once I was of age, and then joined the judicial forces shortly after I graduated. What can I say; I just wanted to see the stars.
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Grand Army of the Republic Headquarters
Coruscant
Oh shoot, I thought as I rushed through the gray interior of GAR Headquarters, hopefully I'm not late to orientations.
"Ok, here it is," I sighed with relief as I looked at my Chrono, 4 minutes early; room 2100, 14:56 Coruscant standard time. Then I looked at my surroundings: a bunch of fellow captains based on their rank plaques: A Devoronian male, three human males, two human females, and a Ithorian male.
My thoughts were soon interrupted by an older fellow asking, "so they got you to, didn't they?"
After a second of confusion as to what he meant, my reply was, "Yep, what was your old assignment?"
"KDY sector fleet Dreadnaught heavy cruiser, the Entrepreneur. I come from a proud line of corporate officials and decided to name the ship for them."
Ah, so a political appointee. Back in the judicial forces I had to rise through the ranks like most others; we never really liked the "fancy people." I still had to reply though, "Nice, I had an Acclamator 1 class assault ship, the Legacy."
"Interesting," said the old man in a tone that conveyed that he didn't want to speak any more.
Then, an admiral, by the looks of the rank plaque, arrived and opened the door, revealing a conference room. Everyone sat down and introduced themselves, with the man who let us in introducing himself as Admiral Corburn and beginning a speech as to why we were there. "Now, Captains, as you all know, there is a galactic war happening and even at this very moment good men, women, and clones are dying to protect us. Because Kuat has sold us these new Venator class star destroyers, we can defend our territories far more effectively. However, this war has seen us hard pressed for good flag officers, that's what you are here for." He continued on with his speech and talk of logistics, and at the end of the month I was an admiral, heading to KDY to receive my fleet.
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Kuat Drive Yards
2 days later
I had taken a military shuttle to Kuat with three other newly minted admirals, only one of which was in the conference room with me, a human woman.
Once we had arrived at Kuat we all went our separate ways and found our respective clone commanders.
"Hello, are you CT-7484, trooper?" I asked the first clone commander I saw. (Yes, I know it's kind of racist, but I truly can't tell most of these clones apart.)
"No, sir," the trooper replied, "he's down the hall, in room 15 I think."
"Thank you commander," I said as I walked down the hall to room 15.
When I arrived the door was unlocked, so I opened it to see another identical face doing paperwork and sipping from a cup of caf. "Ct-7484?" I asked with some wariness in my tone.
"Yeah that's me; you Admiral Patton?" The clone asked. I was surprised by the clones' laid back tone.
"Yes," was my simple reply.
I was even more surprised by the clone when he jumped up and yelled with a crisp salute, "Admiral Patton, Sir!" I guess it's another perk of the job, being yelled at daily, but in a good way.
"At ease, soldier," I said with calmness in my voice, "Why don't you tell me your real name first?"
"Pinpoint, sir," was the clone's reply.
"Oh, so a marksman, I take it?"
"Yes, Admiral"
"Now, why don't we go inspect our ship," I suggested.
"Yes sir."
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Kuat Drive Yards
Venator class Star Destroyer - Titan
Bridge
Pinpoint was in charge of the 554th clone legion, which would work in tandem with Task Force 156, my Venator Battle Group, that consisted of 3 venators, 2 arquitens class light cruisers, and five Consular class corvettes.
The three Venator class Star Destroyers that made up the bulk of my task forces tonnage were named the Titan, the Liberty, and The Event Horizon; the Titan being dubbed my flagship and where the majority of the 554th clone legion would be staying, two regiments, to be exact.
Pinpoint and I were almost done being shown around by the captain of the Titan, a clone named Drift because of an unfortunate incident with a starship several years ago.
"Admiral, this will be your quarters," Drift said, "Do you want to go in now?"
"Later will be fine, captain," was my response.
"Yes sir," the clone said, "Now, commander, the mess is in the room to our left, and the main quarters are in front of us, and we're done. Remember, if you ever get lost there's a map of the ship on your data pads and please do enjoy your time aboard the Titan."
"Thank you Drift, tell the helm to set course for Coruscant, and if you need me I'll be taking a nap in my quarters," I said. Ugh…, finally this tour was over and I could relax.
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The Jedi temple
Main entrance
"Hello there!" I said eagerly to the Jedi on the steps. Turns out being an admiral has a lot of perks, like built in cup holders on your chair. It's actually kinda fun getting to know the crew of clones. But now I need to meet the Jedi general who is somehow in charge of me, Enoch Void.
"Admiral Patton" the human man greeted me, "I trust that we will work well together."
"Aye sir," I said. Is that amusement in his tone? Some Jedi he is, they're all supposed to be emotionless husks. Hmm, maybe this won't be all bad. Alright General Void, I'll play your game. "Now why don't we head over to our flagship?"
My clone commander, Pinpoint and myself had just finished giving General Void a tour of the Titan, my flagship.
"Any questions about the ship, sir?," Pinpoint asked the general.
"No, thank you commander, this tour was satisfactory. You may take your leave"
"Understood, sir, thank you sir!"
After Pinpoint had gone, the general and I went to a separate conference room and seated ourselves. My first words to him were, "You're not like the other jedi"
Darn it, back to that irritating amusement in his tone, "truly, admiral?" He said with a smirk on his face.
"Yes sir," I replied, "for one you're not an emotionless husk, and you have a cool name."
"Anakin Skywalker also possesses a "cool name" as you put it."
"Aye, but he's not a normal Jedi now is he?"
"No, no he isn't," General Void conceded with a chuckle.
After a few seconds of silence I asked, "So what color is your lightsaber?"
He replied by igniting the blade, revealing a purple and black blade.
"That's so cool, combined with your name it's perfect." I said.
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A/N This is my first attempt at writing a fanfic so any reviews or feedback would be helpful. 10/31/23 update