Here we go the next chapter for the Story. Those wondering of why I'm using the 22bby instead of the tapui calendar, I just find it easier to use the 22bby. Anyway hope you enjoy this chapter.
Anaxes 22 bby, Two months after battle of Geonosis
Marko Ramus sighed as he finished his shift at his job while he walked into the plaza. When he was young he wanted to do something adventurous in his life. Sure he was raised in a family that had a normal simple life, but he imagined that years and years ago, his ancestors were soldiers of the Republic. The fact that Anaxes was once a world where millions of Republic soldiers were trained is a testament to that.
When the Clone Wars broke out he imagined there being a recruitment for he and others to go out to fight, however that hope dashed when the Clone army was shown. He couldn't believe it when he heard the Clones taking over a soldier role. Sure they were raised to fight and train, but they don't have a reason besides what they were told of why they fight.
Going to his restaurant and getting his food, he sits down and takes a few bites of his meal when a person comes in looking surprised and a bit excited, "There's a video from the government coming on announcing something!"
This got everyone's attention as the Waiter and cooks stopped what they were doing as they turn to the holo tv in the restaurant as the man in question turned the tv to the proper channel as a reporter is on, "As forces led by General Kenobi and Skywalker took the planet early this morning. And now we are now pleased to show a video that was in the works for a few weeks and approved by Supreme Commander Cromhill."
Chatter began to take the Restaurant as dozens more came in overcrowding the place as Marko noticed a few of them to be his fellow workers. They all heard about Cromhill and his position as the Supreme commander, while they were supporters of Palpatine, they agreed that Crohmill was a better choice to lead the army. People sit down or stand as they video game to seeing a Republic soldier firing at what seems to be some sort of War droid, a second later war cries came from the video as Marko and the others watched surprised as Old Republic Soldiers charging against the Sith empire in the video as a narrator gose, "Four thousand years ago, your ancestors fought against the Sith Empire to protect the Republic."
The video transitions to a battlefield as several clones rush forth into a battlefield with a Jedi Knight leading them, "Now we call upon you to join the Republic army to fight against the Separatist threat both on ground."
Then a video is shown as a fleet of Republic Dreadnought class ships and Acclamators battle a CIS fleet above another planet with fighters engaging one another, "And in space."
Several citizens of all species appear before a group of Clones and a Republic officer signing papers and answering questions, "We call upon you to join today, join to protect your home, your family and the Republic we fight for. Join us now and explore planets you have never seen, fight alongside fellow soldiers. The Clone Army may be strong along with their jedi, but that can't fight the millions of battle droids alone."
The Droid Army is shown next marching alongside their tanks and Spider droids. As the narrator is shown, "Will you answer the call today? Will you join up to fight? We call upon you!"
As the video ends the people in the restaurant began to talk as if they were in a theater with an impressive play. Marko along with them as he was processing what he just saw. Was this a dream? What was going on? What did he just watch?
Just then, they heard a ship fly overhead along with several fighters and gunships as Marko went outside with other people as they saw the ship was heading to the Republic Naval War college. Marko heart began to swell up more and more as he then sees a few clone troopers set up a table with some posters as a officer began to approach the crowd, "Ladies and gentlemen as of today by order of Supreme Commander Cromhill, we are looking for people to join up to Republic army to help our follow soldiers and rebuild the Republic. Who wants to sign up first?"
Marko thought about this as he looked back the way his job was. Sure he felt normal at his job of being a banker, sure he didn't mind handling credits and making sure accounts were being set right, but he had a sense of adventure in him, the sense of duty. To him this was his chance to do what he wanted, to be a soldier and a protector for the Republic. Did he want glory, did he want to be a high rank? Maybe in the past, but now. Now there was a war going on that needed everyone in the fight, and he was going to do his part.
He began to move forward as he looked at the Officer, "I want to join up." And like that to Marko, his destiny began.
Meanwhile, Coruscant, The Supreme Commanders Office.
Sian Jeisel was walking along the halls to where the Cromhill's office is, thinking of what to say to him. She was pretty nervous, not as she was when she was young, but still this was the Supreme commander she was talking about.
When she first heard the news, she wasn't aware of it at first as she had invoked her right of denial as she felt that the republic was too corrupt and that the Jedi felt wrong to fight for it. Fighting for the chancellor, for corruption. It felt wrong. What felt even more wrong was not being aware of Sora Bulq falling to the dark side.
She and several others went back after Sora's fall to being prepared to lead the clone army when she was told by Windu of Cromhill becoming leader of the republic military giving him power and separating it from Palpatine. Watching his speech. She was respectfully unsure about it. After some time discussing it with some Jedi who didn't feel like being a leader for the troops, and talking to republic citizen's of their perspective she took the concerns to the council.
While some of the council members disagree and argue about the return of the sith, there were a few others that didn't argue. When the meeting was finished, she was pulled aside by Obi wan and Yoda, both recommending that she talk to Cromhill so that's where she is now.
Nodding to a few clones and officers in respect she approached the office to where Cromhill is at to where two clone shock troopers and a secretary are at. Going to the desk where the secretary was, she waited till the woman looked up before she spoke, "I wish to see the Supreme commander regarding… concerns on behalf of some of my fellow Jedi."
The two clones looked at each other while the secretary, who was a Miralian who almost looked like Jedi master Luminara and Barriss only with different face tattoos, looked at her for a few seconds before turning to the computer, "I can let him know you're here, but can you tell me your name? Orders are for anyone who wishes to talk to him needs to tell who they are."
"Jedi master Sian Jeisel," Sian answered as the secretary typed it in and got on the comms. A few seconds passed and then the secretary nodded as she turned to face Sian, "He can see you now."
Sian nodded her head in thanks as she made her way to the door of Cromhills office. Gathering herself and praying to the force a little bit, she passed the shock troopers and entered the room of where Cromhill is at, the man himself was looking at some sort of ship of Corellian design, as he turned to see Sian come in.
"Welcome, Reeva told me that you were here, regarding some concerns about you and some fellow Jedi." Cromhill said as he turned off the holo as he went to his desk and sat as he signal for Sian to sit as well.
"Yes, as you are," Sian said as she took a deep breath and began to speak, "There are those of us in the Jedi who worry about fighting for a Corrupt Republic. I may be a jedi, but yet I can't feel it to lift my blade to serve as one. Were keepers of the peace, defenders of justice, not soldiers. I know this may seem hard to explain…"
"What was your life like before the war?" Cromhill asked as he interrupted Sian which surprised her. She didn't expect such a response from him, but she braced herself as she answered.
"It was… a peaceful life, I was like all other Jedi, raised at an early age and trained to be a Jedi. During my time I did a lot of tasks for them. I found it easy conversing with the people, to help train. I was known as being the leader of a clan when I was young."
She told her story to Cromhill for a few minutes, going from her master and the teachings she had to the missions and her beliefs. After she finished her story she looked at Cromhill for the man himself had an emotionless expression.
A few seconds he spoke, "In a way, you are right. The Jedi in the past were mediators of peace and represented both sides to negotiate their problems in the past. The problem should have been addressed sooner, you are healers, Teachers, and ambassadors. Perhaps we both could ask the Jedi to make a corps to show this. To show the galaxy you're more than just fighters and soldiers."
Cromhill points towards his armor which had been updated as he continued, "When my ancestors fought in the great galactic war, the Jedi were independent. They were not bound by the senate. How I know it is through history and studies. They didn't have a temple in the middle of the city, they had it out on a planet with life, where no cities were built. They knew the spirit of the rules, and settled things and saw both sides. We need that"
The words surprised Sian as she tried to understand what Cromhill was saying. A part of her thought was impressed as Cromhill knew his history of the Old republic army and the Jedi well. She too had an admiration for the Old Jedi. As soon as she finally realized what Cromhill was talking about, her eyes widened and she stared at Cromhill, "Are you saying?"
"I was going to ask Yoda and the Jedi council to make a Jedi relief corps to establish relations and make better ties to the planets we have and make diplomatic negotiations with neutral planets who want to stay out. If you wish to ask in my place I can give you my approval and explain to the Council."
Sian was speechless. On one hand it could give Jedi who don't want to fight a chance to do something better than fighting, on the other she is skeptical of how many Jedi would want to avoid fighting or wanting to be over-reliant on the republic until the corruption was gone. She then remembers about Qui gon and how if he was there when Cromhill gave this offer and for an agreement to be made he would take it as a reforming of the Jedi order… She looked up to him and saw him as someone she aspired to.
"I agree," she said at last knowing that this is the way forward. She took her hand out to shake as the agreement with Cromhill came to a close. This is a step in the right direction
Pzandias, 22 bby, Three months after the battle of Geonosis.
Horn Ambigene was preparing himself as he overlooked the battlefield, just an hour ago he was informed Republic forces were on the planet. A part of him was wondering how in the force did they find out about this planet?
After defeating his forces in space the Republic began landing forces on the ground, though far away it seems from the civilians. Which was a bit odd to him due to how normally those Jedi would land close to the city in order to take it swiftly, for them to land far away raise some questions on who he was facing.
He began to think back to what was announced some months ago. When Cromhill became the Supreme commander of the Republic. He admits that was frustrated that Cromhill, someone who fought in the Stark Hyperspace war, would join the Republic after everything they did. Neglecting the outer rim and its people, his people. A part of him wanted Cromhill to join the CIS. To topple the corruption so it could start anew, with a new system to replace it with Dooku in charge.
These thoughts were interrupted when one of his commanders rushed up to him, "General! The Republic forces are coming! They are in a march with someone leading them! Riding a Guarlara!"
"What? Is it a Jedi or one of those Republic generals?" Horn asked as he looked at the map his commander showed of the Republic army. They counted who knows how many strong. 5 thousand, 10 thousand even more… He also saw what seems to be Clones and other species marching in a straight march, far enough to spread out but not far enough to be picked off. Walkers behind them with those AT-TE's being escorted by Republic AT-XT's from what he could gather.
"No… It doesn't seem like a Jedi. And the armor, it's… not normal republic clone armor." The commander answered as he pointed toward the man riding the Guarlara, in Old republic armor Havoc Squad used during the Great galactic war, a sword hanging from him but not a lightsaber it seems, and a rifle hanging on his back with a cap, not one of those fancy capes but one made different.
Whoever he was, he wasn't a normal general… Nor was he a Jedi. Which made it more worrying for Horn. Turning to his commander he said with reluctance, "Prepare all available forces to fight… and if any of our people want to fight tell them to be ready and follow our lead."
"Yes sir." The commander said as he went to go to spread the orders as Horn turned his attention back to the map and the man in question. Who was he? Was he trying to intimidate him and the people? Why is he riding a Guarlara?
Questions roamed through his mind as he saw the man raise his hand in the air, and the troops behind him came to a stop. Was this going to happen? Was he going to begin his attack?
Horn noticed as what seemed to be a Clone commander went up next to him and seemed to be talking to him about something, he couldn't figure out what they were saying as the holomap had no sound but whatever it was, he knew it was something important.
Just then his holo communicator began to ring on an open broadcast as Horn answered it to meet the man who's on the holomap, what was said next sent Horn into a shock.
"People of Panzadias, I am Supreme Commander Cromhill of the Republic Military. Most of you may be aware of this, but those who don't I will explain and may be wondering why am I talking instead of attacking. Im am giving you all the option to stand down and talk with us. While we may have started the war in your view, and you started the war in our view. Both sides cannot fight a war like this and expect no talks to take place," Cromhill stated as he looked around to see the sep organic soldiers look at one another in doubt though far away.
"We were once one whole before the war. I read that a thousand years ago we stood united against the Sith Empire, and its descendants. I understand your frustrations with the Republic. I understand the want to have your voice be heard, I know that too, there are other ways to get this if we stand united and have our voice be heard. Tearing it down will not solve things for all of us. A reformation can be achieved if we all stand united. I know that there are those who have doubts about fighting, I don't know how many, but I know they are there. So I'm giving the doubters a chance to leave and not fight, and to the General here not to fight, to surrender so that blood can't be drawn on this day, and that people can fight not in battles with weapons and ships but with words. I'll give those who want to leave and not be killed here time to leave. But those who want to stay… Then I'm sorry." Cromhill finished as the holo communicator turned off leaving Horn and those who heard it silent.
Cromhill was giving them a chance to leave or surrender without a fight. Was Horn dreaming this? His thoughts were interrupted when he heard his commander come back looking a bit shocked, "Sir, several groups of people are dropping their weapons and leaving! Shall we shoot them for desertion?"
Horn looked to see the small groups of troops leaving. When one of the officers threatened to shoot them it made him realize something. That these people have families, have doubts about the war. And while the Republic was not pure and corrupted, his side was a little bit no better. Rushing up to the officer he yelled out, "Let them leave! If they want to leave, let them!"
The officer looked at him, then lowered his blaster as the man he aimed at began to run to the others leaving.
Cromhill watched this too along with Thorn and the men that were with him as they saw the groups leaving the city until only those who wanted to fight remained. Sighing rather in a partial victory in shaking his head, Cromhill took out his blaster pistol and prepared to attack.
"All forces. Attack!" He shouted as he rushed forward with his Guarlara, Thorn following along with the Republic troops as they engaged the forces in the city.
Serrano 22 bby, Three months after battle of Geonosis. Two weeks after the battle of
Count Dooku was not pleased with the latest report. Not only had one of his Cis general's been defeated by Cromhill, but this is a major victory to which no matter how hard his Shadowfeed tried to spin it, Cromhill would counter by showing an accurate video and report of the battle. And how he gave the people a chance to surrender and leave beforehand.
The recording showed that Cromhill used a mixture of using his infantry and AT-TEs to cover his artillery into several key positions before the cannons fired down on to several key areas while his fast moving vehicles kept CIS forces at bay.
Whenever the organic and droids tried to counter attack Cromhill laid several traps in the form of wire traps laid in key areas that were narrow enough for the STAPS to be stopped. He even saw Cromhill himself take to the battle front either showing several droids dead on with his blaster pistol on top of the Guarlara, or slicing several droids with his sword which Dooku found to be speechless on those.
When it was time for them to go into the City, Cromhill led the charge, along with a dozen squads of AT-RT's, and speeders. Like a cavalry charge during some wars beforehand. When Cromhil got close to Horn, he engaged in a blaster fight with him. Wounding the CIS general before holding a sword to Horn's throat asking for a surrender which Horn did.
It was infuriating to say the least, he contacted his other generals after seeing the recording, including Grievous saying that this must never happen again. If you told him this a few months ago. Dooku didn't pay much attention as he didnt see how it would affect the war, then all the sudden this man who he heard of due to his former master Yoda comes in and does a sweeping lot of changes which affect his Masters grand plan.
Cromhill.
That man changed the war in just a few months in more ways than one. Separating the emergency powers from the Chancellor, (which his master gave an angry talk about when it happened.) making a new Republic chain of command with the Jedi being a support general, for while they can still fight and offer advice and lead troops, they are not in actual command of the Republic army. A Jedi relief corps to those who didn't want to fight or have doubts about the Republic led by Sian Jeisel.
Now this, his organic army that he sent Horn Ambigene to make is all but nothing now due to Cromhill. Getting up out of his desk he began to go to the front of it to meditate on the Dark side of how to handle this man.
He knows he can't turn against his master since his plan backfired because of how powerful he was, even before Dooku discovered his identiy. So for now, he must be careful in his options.
Soon, he'll find a way to get rid of this Cromhill man. Soon the Sith grand plan will resume. Soon the galaxy will be the Sith's. For now… he plots and waits.
And here we go rapping chapter four with several points of view. A republic civilian becoming a soldier, A Jedi wanting not to be a soldier in a war, a Cis General meeting Cromhill, and a Sith lord plotting all walking in here. If I Didn't say it before, I'll say it now. We barely have touched the surface. As always leave a like, follow and Review down below and until we meet again.