Here we are with the second chapter, This is where we will meet our main star, click the like and follow button and subscribe if you wish.
Corellia 22 bby
Padme Amidala made sure her suit was set as she set herself for the task at hand. Just a few hours ago she had been called by Bail organa for assistance for a proposal to separate the Supreme Chancellor and the Supreme commander into two separate ranks. To be quite frank she is rather nervous about it. More clearly nervous to ask Cromhill.
She had heard of him from senators like Bail and Garm of who he was before he came back to Corellia during her early years in the Senate. She admired him though her views were different than his, although she felt bad when told of why he left the Senate due to the current amount of corruption within it. When she heard from Garm bel where Cromhill was she asked if she could come along with Garm as a sign of proof that the Republic needed him.
"Mistress Padme we are near the landing zone of Coronet city." C-3PO announced as Padme turned to the protocol droid, "Thank you 3PO. Tell Garm that we will meet him at the landing zone."
"Yes, mistress Padme.. My lady, if I may ask, are you certain that we may convince this Thornril Cromhill to become Supreme Commander?" C-3PO asked with some concern to which Padme sighed. Thinking about this made her feel doubtful. While it's true that the Chancellor was her friend and mentor, she knew and couldn't argue for a fact that Palpatine can't command the republic army and lead the senate at the same time, and the amount of responsibilities and giving more and more power to him worried her. There is also the fact that Cromhill's duty to his planet may convince her that he may not want this position.
"I'm not going to go full confident into this, but I do hope that Cromhill will at least be able to think about the offer." Padme answered as she headed to the exit of the ship as she could feel the ship landing. Waiting a few mins for the door to open she stepped out to see Coronet, the Jewel of the City.
"Oh my… It is even prettier in person." 3PO commented as Padme gave a small smile at 3PO words as she went to meet up with Garm Bel Iblis who was with a few men as he noticed her coming.
Going to Padme, Garm gave a nod and spoke, "Welcome to Coronet City. The Jew of Corellia. I was told where we can find Cromhill at one of the shipyards managing defenses in the city."
"Then let us meet up with him and convince him of becoming the Supreme commander." Padme said as she let Garm Bel lead on a speeder. When the passengers enter the speeder travels through the busy city to meet up with Thornril. On the other side of the city where the man in question was at, he was coordinating with the militia of the planet going over some details with them.
"Incase we are under attack at these spots, you are to hold the enemy forces at these positions and hold them until reinforcements can arrive to assist you. Remember the partly constructed starships can serve as cover and hold out defensives for all sorts of attacks with the right equipment, positions and troops." Thornril instructed the gathered men as he pointed at the two partly constructed CR90 corvettes, and the areas surrounding them, "They will not hesitate to try and pin you down in there so you must be aware of what your enemy is planning and communicate effectively and quickly. Are there any questions?"
"Sir, what if the enemy uses tanks to fire at the ships? I know the hull is tough but not that tough on them." One of the militia men asked which others agreed as Thornril smirked as he had the hologram show the corvettes guns.
"These turrets are powerful enough to knock down an AAT and can take out a platoon of those battle droids on its own. Don't be afraid to use all the resources when it comes to a fight, even those that seem useless can have their advantages." Thornril explained as he saw a speeder carrying Garm Bel, a lady and a droid coming their way. He wondered what Garm wanted as he knew that he was finished with this lesson as he turned to the captains, "That will be all for today. Captain of the militias, give the men tours though the ships and teach them the controls for the turrets."
"Yes sir." The Captains said as they led their militias to the ships as Thornril went to the speeder as it stopped opening its door as Garm Bel stepped out first as he went to Thornril like an old friend, "Thornril. How are you?"
Thornril chuckled as he went for a hug to his friend, "Doing good my old friend. How about yourself, are you still invoking that vow?"
It was Garm's turn to chuckle as he answered, "Maybe if we don't get what we plan for today. Thornril I would like you to meet somebody sent from Bail Organa. Senator Padme Amidala. Senator, meet the man who I replaced following his departure from the senate, Thornril Lucius Cromhill."
As Thornril looked at Padme coming out, he remembered her from the bombing assassation attempts on her for speaking against the creation of an army of the Republic, he couldn't blame her for it. Truth be told he had hopes that the war would not come, but alas it did. And it was up to people like him to prepare his people for the said war. Holding his hand out to shake Padme's, he spoke, "Pleasure to meet you, Senator Amidala, I heard about your stance against a creation but alas. Here we are."
"Thank you. And I agree that I wish things were different. Is there a place we can speak in private?" Padme asked as she shook Thornrils hand.
"Indeed if you both follow me." Thornril answered as he gestured to them to follow while noticing C-3PO come out and following them, he commented "My mistake. Three of you. I forgot him."
A little laugh came out of Padme and Garm as they followed Thornril to his office with 3PO. As they arrived and entered his office Padme looked around in astonishment. His room was partly like a museum, with a few pictures detailing what looks to be the Great Galactic War from 4 thousand years ago. Models of Hammerhead ships from each age on a shelf to the right. As she looked to the left her eyes widened, there was an armor display detailing Old republic armor from the Galactic war and next to it a sword of some sorts.
Thornril noticed her gaze at the armor and sword, "That armor is the same armor that Havoc squad used, belonging to my ancestor from the war. Passed down from generation to generation, until it ended in my hands, the sword itself is made of Cortosis, one of the metals that can stand a chance against lightsabers from during the Jedi civil war. I keep them both as a reminder of what the Republic was, and what it would be." Cromhill said in a resigned voice at the last part before shaking his head, "Anyway, what is it that you wanted to see me for?"
"Old friend… We all know for a fact that before this war started, there were signs of this war coming. And while there were those of us who thought that this conflict could be solved peacefully, there are those like you who worried that we neglected our military, though we did get an army in the form of the Clone army, we are still unprepared for the Separatist…" Garm Bel began as Thornril listened carefully, trying to dig a part of what his old friend was trying to ask him.
"We have proper military experience to lead the republic army and to take the leadership off Supreme Chancellor Palpatine's burden so he can focus on politics, while invoking the rules of the military to appoint a Supreme commander of the Republic army and…" Padme continued for Garm only to stop when Thornril to raise his hand up,
"You want me to lead the Republic army." Thornril concluded as he noticed the silence that followed, this confirmed what they were asking of him… Was he nervous about this, perhaps. On one hand, it gave him a lot of power to command an entire republic army and he was nervous about it, while he was surprised and admittedly partly excited about it, he worried of what that power might do to him.
On the other hand it could help him get people on his side and make changes he knows is good for the Republic. If he knew one thing after the Stark Hyperspace war, they needed an army after the Naboo crisis but yet… Nothing. It partly didn't help matters that a person like Palpatine, while good at politics and not military, would be a disaster for the republic's military. What did the Chancellor know about military tactics?
Sensing Thornril thoughts, even though he wasn't force sensitive Garm spoke up, "I knew you since we were young boys, your tactics shown in the Stark war, the way you led your men, all of these is what Bail organa thinks you should be the Supreme Commander of the Republic army. You're the key to leading the Republic to victory, and without a doubt help reform it."
"I agree. Cromhill, when I first heard about you, your views were different from my own regarding how a Republic should be. It is true that our differences would not make us get along, but after hearing your story, what you went through, I will admit that if there is one thing the Republic needs is a leader who can lead its army while the Chancellor handles the politics. Like days of old from thousands of years ago." Padme added, she did her research on her way to Corellia and learned about the role of Supreme commander, and how while separate it keep a check and balances in line for the Republic. Something she wished she knew early before leaving with Anakin to Naboo to protect herself from further assassination attempts.
As Thornril heard these words he began to think a bit more. It is true about what they said, and he was no fool himself as he did read about the Republic army from thousands of years ago of the title of Supreme commander itself to show who was the leader of the Republic forces. But one question bugged him when he thought about this. Did he really want it? Did he really want this position, this power?
No, if he was younger and a bit ambitious maybe,but that was years ago. However could he say the answer? No he couldn't, the galaxy was at war, and the Republic needed a leader, and he knew that if he didn't agree then the galaxy would be in danger. Looking at the armor and the sword, he almost picture his ancestors looking at him in that armor, telling him to take up the offer. The galaxy needs him to do his duty, not as a man with ambition, not as a man of politics, but as a Soldier.
Taking a deep breath he began, "I know for a fact that our personal interests Senator Amidala may not get along together, and we all know that it has been a long time since I led an army or set foot in the Senate. A part of me wants to stay away from that life, a part of me wants to go back in. But I was once a soldier, and if there is one thing I learn is that a soldier is always called to serve for the greater good. If I am to lead, then I will do so gladly. Some things will have to be changed, but I will lead the Republic through this war and make sure that peace is made."
Garm and Padme smiled. Knowing that they recruited their hope to lead the Republic army as Garm nodded his head and spoke, "And I will support whatever you need done."
We leave this hear on a cliffhanger. I know that it may not been long yes, but it was not as short as last chapter. Think of this like a slow warm up before I go into bigger stuff. I promise there will be more coming but until then, like this story and comment, and May the Force be with you.