[21 BBY]

[Executive Security Solutions City-ship/Capital-class Warship Stormcrow {II}, Republic 19th Sector Army, In Orbit Javin, Javin Sector, Outer Rim Territories]

"There was limited engagements while on patrol I'm afraid Sir, we pressed at them but they largely withdrew before we could engage, outside of fighter/bomber raids" I stated looking at the shimmering hologram of General Geen, though nodding to the other Sector Army Generals under the man's command "...but a number of subversive activities we had to investigate, and it's clear the Confederates have been attempting to send infiltration and Commando-droid teams into our territory to cause trouble for one"

"Indeed..." General Kenobi's avatar noted, arms folded across his chest "...both myself and Anakin's commands have seen similar attempts, and it's proving very difficult to track their movements as yet"

As in I'd disappeared them, but nobody needed to know that of course. I'd sent Ventress on her merry way after eliminating a Confederate picket of two aging frigates out on the patrol; along with the repurposed commando droids and all the things she needed for her journey and assassination attempt. Honestly I'd been a bit surprised by the presence of the Confederate picket on a smugglers route, but they'd died before they'd even realised we were there so little to be found out. But, regardless of that, I'd sent on Ventress and our unconscious duo were secure at Hoth for later questioning.

'The fact they're not dead should muddy the waters a little with their dear old Boss, even if he can't track them through my wards' I thought to myself standing and listening to Anakin report similar problems on Naboo where, yet again, the enemy had managed to land covert combat teams. Security just wasn't very tight there, and that was a serious problem when we had a fleet in orbit and were expecting a major attack at any moment on said fleet and planet. At least they'd tracked down and eliminated those groups, but after the HIDDEN BIOWEAPONS FACILITY the Confederate's had managed to establish previously one could hope for a little better in my view.

I interjected as the discussion turned to the overall strategic situation "So their back on the offensive?"

General Geen nodded as I watched the galaxy map "Yes, Sabbaoth Squadron attempted to raid towards the KDY Rothana subsidiary, or perhaps lure out the defensive fleet. Whatever the case its clear they've gotten several of the captured Star Destroyers operational and armed, including one of those giant monsters they called Mandators. Their calling it a victory, driving them of, but our forces took a battering and the Seps got away with light damage"

Kenobi's avatar nodded in agreement "Yes, and Grievous has struck several systems, damaging infrastructure and slaying four Jedi"

Yanthis's shook his head "Their linking up their forces, bit slower than I'd like if I was them, but their control of the Outer and Mid Rim, and pushing into the Inner Rim and Colonies Region, is firming up in the Galactic North and East. Military Intelligence's view of large scale attacks up the hyperlanes is probably right for once, and towards Kamino of course, but personally hitting Bothawui would be their better option. Cut the supply line to the Core like they've done with us and the Mon Cala pocket. Same with us, Naboo, Christophsis, being the most likely as we've guessed"

"Yes..." General Geen agreed "...and all reports indicate Separatist build up at the moment, so we're not long off from something happening. I know forces are already on alert, but I need those levels maintained Generals. Furthermore I'm reinforcing Naboo, Javin, and Christophsis, with raised auxiliary forces. Daron, yours is more an offensive reinforcement unlike the others, either as a counter-attacking force or an offensive strike depending on events"

I nodded "Understood, and when will I get..."

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[21 BBY]

[Executive Security Solutions City-ship/Capital-class Warship Stormcrow {II}, Republic 19th Sector Army, In Orbit Javin, Javin Sector, Outer Rim Territories]

'It's like bloody musical chairs with Force users of late innit?' I chuckled silently to myself as I sat forward on my couch, opening the decanter filled with brandy and pouring a portion into the ice filled glass. One of the rare breaks from the workload of being a Republic General and organising a secret mercenary cabal...and yet, one still had to be on one's guard sadly. That just seemed to be the way of things lately now didn't it?

"Drinking on duty?" a calm and friendly voice uttered, with a mildly reproachful tone mixed in as ever, as the Jedi Master entered the room as doors closed behind her "I don't believe I ever taught you such my young Padawan"

I snorted in amusement, shaking my head as I sat back with a sigh, drink held in my right hand "Hardly, as I'm off duty now I might note my former Master. This is more of a friendly meet and greet let's say, a brief respite from the battles still to be fought..." I gestured at the opposing couch across the small table "...please, have a seat. I must say I am honoured to have one of the Jedi Council in my presence. You deserve it I might add, and that I was glad to hear of it"

She sighed, shaking her head in familiar exasperation "Flattery Daron? Seems some of my lessons got through I see"

I smiled "Of course they did, I did listen...I just didn't agree with all of it. Though I do mean it; I am glad to hear it, and I do believe you deserved it. Have a drink, there's a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks in the cabinet built into the table as you can see"

Something she did do, albeit a mixture of non-alcoholic fruit drinks "And I have been glad to hear you have done well for yourself in the Galaxy since you left the Order Daron, if not in the manner I can say I can truly approve of"

"Well, the life of the ascetic was never really for me"

"It it is more the life of the warrior that I would wished you to avoid my former Padawan"

I sighed, shaking my head sadly "Ah...but it is something that I am good at I'm afraid, also a role that is needed in these dark times"

Stass Allie shook her head sadly "That is a matter I have sadly found myself having to agree with, though the Jedi Order, the Knights and Masters, should have to bear that burden not you"

That I couldn't help but give a snort of bitter amusement at that "Yes, because that has worked so very well to date..." I sighed, shaking my head "...Jedi are not trained to be soldiers, and don't have the skill set and experience for the role. Hence the needless deaths from trying to act as peacekeepers, or from simple inexperience"

She looked at me, stern and sad seeming "And you've learned this in your great many years?"

"Yes, I have, though in a few years. I went off and learned after leaving after all" I replied calmly but firmly to her words "...they're different skill-sets, very different skill-sets, to what we learn in the Temple. Nor are all Jedi mentally equipped to deal with effects of war through the Force, or on their minds"

"Few sentients are Daron, and fighting is a terrible thing. We Jedi are as best equipped as can be, and Force will guide us to the best solution"

"War is murder, plain and simple, through the droid armies muddy that I'll admit" I replied "...and we're at this stage because the Republic has fallen into a corrupt and decaying status quo that allowed the Separatist movement under Dooku to get to where it is. Nor is it helped by the cloned Slave Army the Order throws into battle for them. Don't try and tell me that isn't wrong Master"

She closed her eyes a moment, reopening them and taking a sip of her drink before replying after the silence last a few moments "No, I cannot, but it is the will of the Force, and the Republic's need is too great to turn away the Clones Padawan. Even with its numbers we struggle to fight and win this war"

"Perhaps, but I raised an army of free sentients, as did Jedi Knight Kota, and even Yanthis with his weird ideology..." I replied sipping my own mix of brandy of Solem based fruit juice "...so I'd argue different"

"Yes, you did like to argue differently I recall..." she replied softly, swirling the glass with ice clinking faintly off the inside of the tumbler "...and you did raise your own army as you say. See it coming did you?"

I paused, sipping my drink a little before answering "I think everyone knew something was coming, such as clone armies being grown, and the Chancellor trying to push through military reforms in the run up to the start of this mess"

"And you proudly fight for the Republic after calling it corrupt and decaying?"

"Yes, bad and all as it is...the Confederacy of Independent Systems is lead by too many monsters like Grievous, too many utterly corrupt groups like the Trade Federation or Techno Union, to trust in their motives. Count Dooku's claim of Sithhood with those crimson blades of his was merely final confirmation. The ideals of the Republic are noble and worth fighting for, even if the Republic right now isn't living up to the ideals it professes"

She smiled at me softly "Contrary as ever I see"

"Eh, best of bad options more-so"

"Visions in the Force guiding you perhaps?"

I gave her a look, and she sighed "Daron...you need to trust in the Force"

"No, I don't, others need to look beyond the Force Stass. It's not a benevolent God telling us all the answers we demand of it. One doesn't need the Force to see the problems of the Republic, of its Grand Army, or simple things like sending Padawans out to act as Field Commanders"

Silence fell for a time, another sip of drinks before she spoke "Ah, I can't say I have entirely missed such talks, but it is rare to get such divergent opinions, though not entirely unwelcome"

I gave an amused snort "I'm sure we'll have more of them in the future. Only time will tell what..."

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