"The M16 is a lightweight, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed assault rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO which became the standard issue rifle of the United States Army in 1969, replacing the M14 rifle. Despite its initial poor reliability in the jungles of Vietnam, mostly due to corrosion issues, lack of a forward assist, and a fouling prone powder used in its ammunition, it proved to be an extremely reliable rifle following the correction of these issues via the development of the M16A1.
The rifle would go on to see service in many more conflicts across Earth, including the Second Gulf War, the invasion of Panama, the Clone Wars, the Pacific Crisis of 1998, the War on Terror, and the Galactic Civil War to name a few. However, despite its battle tested nature, the rifle would be mostly replaced in active American military units by 2001 with the M4 carbine, which was in essence a smaller and even lighter M16. The rifle, however, would still remain in use by several National Guard formations, even up to the end of the Galactic Civil War, and still remains in limited production in the modern day, often the favored weapon of many firearm enthusiasts."
-The Weapons of Terran Infantry in the 20th and 21st Centuries, published 2062 A.D./47 ABY
Gadaan wiped his cheek with a rag then threw the now blood-covered piece of cloth into a small bin as he turned to walk through the door back into the shuttle's cockpit, Ventress still right where he had left her in the pilot's seat with the commando droid next to her, which had previously acted as the pilot during their escape. They were now on the way back to Separatist space, having avoided the Republic blockade via the ship's inbuilt cloaking device.
"Ah, finished with your manicure I see," Ventress jeered at him.
"Leaving an injury untreated is foolish," Gadaan retorted, this time not rising to the bait. "The Force provides us all we need in terms of sustenance, but to fall to an infected cut would be a ridiculous way to die."
Ventress huffed. "Perhaps you do have a brain in there after all."
It was then that the console began to beep. "Mistress, we are receiving a transmission from Count Dooku," the commando droid said.
"Put it through," Ventress ordered as she rose from her seat.
The two Sith assassins then dropped to their knees as Dooku's holographic image appeared before them.
"Master" Ventress acknowledged.
"Lord Dooku" Gadaan followed.
"Were you successful in your mission?" the Count of Serenno promptly asked.
"Indeed, my lord," Gadaan said as he held up the drive. "We now have comprehensive readouts of several Republic warships."
"Excellent. This will be very useful information for the admirals of our fleets. You are to be commended."
"However," the Count continued. "The war goes on. Ventress, you are to return to Seranno. The Republic has been making headway into the Sullust Sector and you will be assisting Admiral Trench in driving them back."
"Yes master" the female dark acolyte replied.
"Now, I must speak to Gadaan alone. Leave us."
Ventress hesitated for a moment before she rose to her feet and bowed, giving her fellow acolyte a steaming look as she left the cockpit.
"Lord Sidious demands a report on your performance during your mission," Dooku said. "He has great expectations for you."
Gadaan lifted his head and stared Dooku in the eyes.
"Our infiltration went exactly as planned. With Republic forces scattered it was a simple task to ascend the facility and dispatch the guards. By the time they responded we had already managed to download the files. To not arouse any suspicion of what we had stolen, we let them believe that we had yet to actually download them. To sell the deception, I descended to the lower levels and dispatched several Terran units that were attempting to breach the building. It was then that I was intercepted by the Jedi Padawan known as Ahsoka Tano. I was about to gut her like the filth she was when a fighter crashed on our position, burying me in debris."
Dooku stood silently, his face unamused by what he had been told. Gadaan continued.
"I quickly freed myself and followed the Jedi, who were now in pursuit of Ventress. I once again clashed with Tano on a speeder bike until we reached the cliff at the edge of the city. There I engaged Anakin Skywalker. I found him to be a... much more deadly opponent."
Gadaan unconsciously flexed his left hand, the Jedi Knight having grabbed it during their duel and nearly crushed it with his mechanical arm. Dooku raised an eyebrow, taking notice of this.
"We were evenly matched until he and his Padawan managed to force myself and Ventress away as the rest of the Republic forces finally regrouped, by the point of which the fake drive had been taken from Ventress by a pair of Terrans and a Clone. I used a collapsing pillar to distract the Jedi and break Republic unit cohesion, after which we promptly made our escape."
"And your facial injury?" Dooku asked, causing Gadaan to slightly scowl.
"A stray round from a Terran soldier, nothing more," he replied.
Dooku hummed.
"Return to Seranno, you shall await Lord Sidious's next task there," the Count sternly ordered. "And see to it you take further care in the future. If you are able to be so easily bested by primitives..."
Dooku then paused, just as Gadaan's lightsaber ignited next to his throat.
"Then you will be of no further use to us. Is that understood?"
Gadaan eyed his blade, sweat dripping from his brow.
"Yes, my lord," he acknowledged.
The Sith Lord disconnected the call without another word, the lightsaber deactivating and clattering to the cockpit's floor. Gadaan growled and snatched his weapon off the ground.
Oh, how he hated Dooku! A failed Jedi desperate to prove that he was still above all of those around him.
Ha! The old man would croak soon enough. Whether that be to a Jedi's blade or simple old age at last catching up with him. Only he and Lord Sidious would be left at the end of this war, the Jedi extinguished, and his justice made manifest.
He smirked at the thought as he plotted the hyperspace coordinates to Serrano.
His time would come soon enough.
"Yet another acolyte of Dooku?"
"Yes master," Anakin replied, the holotable in front of him projecting Obi-Wan's holographic form.
"This is the fourth so far," the Jedi master said as he stroked his beard. "How is it that so many have escaped our intelligence networks for so long?"
"However he remained hidden, it just means we have yet another problem to sort out," Anakin said.
"Indeed. Thankfully I have some good news to share with you then," Obi-Wan said. "Master Kota will be arriving in the system within the next 36 hours to relieve the 501st, and due to the fact that both of our forces have been run down to just over 60% effectiveness, we've been ordered to return to Coruscant to allow the men some R ."
"That is good news, the men have had it hard these last few weeks," Ahsoka interjected. "Are the Terrans coming with us?"
"They are indeed. Their Expeditionary Force is slated to receive reinforcements at Coruscant whilst the Open Circle Fleet undergoes repairs."
"There is one other thing Master Kenobi," Ahsoka continued. "When Dooku's Acolyte fought our forces, one of the Terrans... threw him back for a moment, using the Force."
"Truly? Now that is interesting," Obi-Wan said as his face gained an inquisitive expression. "Are you absolutely certain it was the Force and not some sort of repulsor blast?"
"Absolutely."
"Well then... When you arrive on Coruscant, arrange for him to be taken to the temple for testing if he is willing. Even if he is much too old to become a Jedi, he should at least be informed of the risks such power brings, even if he can't use it."
Before Kenobi could continue, a clone navigation officer appeared in holographic form next to Kenobi and whispered something. The Jedi gave a small nod before the clone walked off, disappearing from the holotable.
"I sadly must go. The Negotiator is about to enter hyperspace."
"Of course, Master," Anakin replied. "May the Force be with you."
"And with you," his old master replied, quickly followed by the hologram fizzling out.
The Chosen One sighed. "This war keeps getting more and more interesting every day," he said.
"Tell me about it," his Padawan affirmed as the pair walked away from the outposts. "How long before we get sent out again once we get to Coruscant?"
Anakin sighed. "Three weeks to a month, give or take a few days."
He was right of course. The 501st and 7th Sky Corps were some of the most elite formations in the GAR and operated primarily as rapid reaction forces. If there was a Republic world that was in danger of falling or a CIS one that needed quick and efficient nullification, the battles of Kamino and the Second Battle of Geonosis being good examples of each respectively, they would be the ones the Republic called upon.
That didn't mean it didn't wear the Jedi and their men down however, hence the need for some extensive down time. Ahsoka felt her master's exhaustion through the Force and decided to change the subject.
"We should probably tell Thomas about the Council wanting to see him, right?" she asked before a flash of green caught her eye.
As Anakin went to reply, she gestured in its direction. "Well, speak of a devil and he shall appear."
Following her arm, Anakin spotted Thomas and the rest of his squad huddled around a small container, apparently having some sort of conversation he couldn't make out quite yet.
As the two Jedi approached them, Ahsoka recognized that it was Sarah speaking, and she didn't exactly sound calm.
"I'm sorry, did you just say, quote 'he can move shit with his mind' end quote?" Sarah asked Will incredulously as she pointed at Thomas, whilst Beau and Mei stood by from the sidelines, the former's arm in temporary cast.
"Yes," Will bluntly replied.
"Is that like code for something?" Beau questioned.
"No, he's being quite literal," Anakin said as he and Ahsoka stepped forward, the soldiers snapping to their feet before Anakin waved them off.
"Do any of you know where exactly a Jedi gets their abilities?" he asked.
Sarah's facial features contorted in confusion. "Sir?"
"Do you know what gives a Jedi their powers?" the Jedi Knight asked her again.
"Only hearsay sir."
Anakin sighed. "Okay, basics then. We get our abilities from the Force, an energy field that is created by all living things, sentient or not. Those who are more in tune with it are called force-sensitives. That sensitivity is what allows us to manipulate the Force for our own ends."
He picked up a rock and used the Force to hold it above his hand as a visual aid and began to speak about the order in detail, from the temple that was the order's home, to what their role in the wider galaxy prior to the war was, to snippets of how they were trained.
Until one thing caught Will's attention.
"Wait," he interrupted. "You said younglings are literally just kids?"
"Yes," Anakin replied, looking slightly sheepish. "An ability of some sort usually manifests early on and when they are discovered, most are recruited into the Order, though some choose not to."
"What happens if they manifest late?" Mei asked.
"Then they are not offered to join and just go on with their lives."
"So, you guys only take kids? Why?" Beau questioned. To the Mississippian, it seemed not only cruel to take children away from the parents, but also stupid to not even attempt to train anyone older than that.
"We don't only take kids, there are exceptions, yours truly included," Anakin said whilst gesturing to himself. "When someone joins the order, they have to leave everything behind as to have no attachment to distract them from their connection to the Force."
"Getting back on track here, what does this mean for me exactly?" Thomas asked, breaking said silence. As much as he was interested in hearing more about the Jedi, Thomas's own potential future was much more of a priority for himself.
Anakin dropped the rock and crossed his arms. "Well...since Master Kota will be here shortly to relieve the 501st and the fact we will be on rotation for some R given that we've been chasing the Seps across the galaxy for a while now…I say there will be no better time to find out just how strong your connection to the Force is."
"And how do we do that?" Thomas inquired.
Ahsoka smirked and put her hands on her hips. "Have you ever seen an ecumenopolis before?" she asked.
The Terrans eyed each other in confusion. All except for Mei that is, who grinned to herself, knowing exactly what it was that the Jedi meant.
December 5, 1994/21 BBY
Coruscant System
Jedi Temple
A Padawan sighed as she leaned up against a pillar and stared out at the Coruscant skyline, her strawberry blonde hair glinting in the light of the setting sun.
If there was one thing Tallisibeth Enwandung-Esterhazy could be called, it was stubborn. She had never been the most powerful in her classes or been fortunate enough to be gifted in the use of the Force when compared to the majority of her peers. She didn't have to have the ears of a Lasat to hear what the Masters said when she passed by or the way her fellow Padawans judged her for her perceived weakness. Despite that, she still managed to reach third in her class and be picked by a Master for training. She had finally made it!
Only to read Master Chankar Kim's name on the casualty list of the First Battle of Geonosis two months later.
The only one that had seen something in her that she couldn't even see herself, and he was gone before she could even go on one mission with him! She wanted to let it all out. Rage against all that had seemingly conspired against her from the day she had been given up by her parents in a desperate attempt to save her from the slums of Vorzyd V. Because she was now an ageing Padawan she was seen by everyone around her as nothing more than a weakling destined for the Agri Corps.
Yet, she still had one opportunity...
"Hey Scout!"
Tallsibeth turned at the nickname everyone called her, spotting Caleb Dume running up to her. She honestly couldn't blame them. Try saying her name five times fast.
"How's it going?" the youngling asked.
"I'm fine. How are you?" Scout asked with a slight smile. Despite her near constant sour mood these days, she couldn't find it in her to dislike Caleb. The kid was too kind for his own good sometimes.
"Great! But I came down here to make sure you knew something," he replied.
"Know what?"
"That the Apprentice Tournament has been moved up! It's happening in three days!" Caleb exclaimed.
Ah yes... the Tournament. Where the leftover Padawans who hadn't been chosen by a master after their Initiate Trials were given a chance to gain another master's attention, and Scout's last opportunity to prove that she had it in her to be someone's Padawan again.
"Don't worry Caleb, I know."
"I can't wait to see you kick their butts! You'll get picked this time I know it!" the boy said animatedly punching the air.
Scout laughed before ruffling his hair. "I appreciate your confidence, I really do, but there are so many others also trying to win, so I don't think it'll be that easy."
"Yeah, but they aren't you! You have this in the bag!"
Caleb's eyes then widened as he caught sight of something behind Scout.
"Hey, the Resolute's back!" he said as he ran up to the window. Scout looked and saw said Venator flying only a few dozen miles away from the temple, undoubtedly heading for the ground-based shipyards nearby. She then spotted a lone gunship heading right for the temple, undoubtedly carrying Master Skywalker and his own Padawan Ahsoka.
She frowned as this observation caused her mind to drift back to the outcome of the Tournament. Even if she somehow won against thirty-one other Padawans, who in their right mind would choose a student so weak in the Force during a time of war where any weakness might get you killed?
She supposed it didn't matter either way. She was going to give it all that she had and try to be ready for whatever destiny had in store for her.
Hello all! Apologies for the wait between this chapter and the last. I finally graduated college and posted the first chapter of another story in the SDIVERSE, 'The Greatest Generation', a few weeks ago, so I was focusing on those things. I will most likely be posting the next chapter of that book next so for those interested keep your eyes peeled for that update. Lastly, I just want to thank everyone for their support in this series so far, it has already gone beyond my expectations and my friend Striker-Echo for betaing this chapter.
Once again, the Sol Defense Initiative wiki is also around for those who want some sneak peaks of what's to come and feel free to edit the pages yourselves to add info that I haven't gotten around to yet, as well as a link to the discord server found on the sites main page. I also really want to create a TVTropes page dedicated to the SDIVERSE, but that site is like quantum physics to me, so if anyone wants to help with that, please go right ahead.
Now, onto the reviews:
Many Faced Mage: He'll learn about them soon enough. Thanks for your support!
Comet9: While it will be simple transfer of units for the most part, that is simply a matter of needing the troops now. As time goes on, we'll see more and more newly created units on the battlefield. The TSA Navy is one example which is already ready. It owes no allegiance to any single nation state on Earth, but the TSA alone.
Joeback: Don't worry, we will see many other countries' militaries. I don't want this story to focus solely on them even if the main group is American.
Chmyers97: The Clone Wars take place in the 1990s so that's where most of the equipment and doctrine is coming from.
RedShirt1453: Yep! Here's another!