“Aide de Camp”

After the call to attention, the briefing room was absolutely silent. Despite its pre-fabricated construction, it was still one of the most secure locations in their area of operations. In the center of the dimly-lit room stood a Jedi healer, General Saii’ve Prok. The shape shifter glanced around at the gathered officers and NCOs, who held her gaze with calm, almost stoic expressions. Although she knew that clones were made – she still cringed at the thought – to obey orders without question, she was still surprised that basic survival instinct had not begun to sink in, considering the conditions they’d been operating under. The mission was supposed to last only six months. Eight months into a six month mission, without a single message from Coruscant, or anyone off the planet, there was no hiding the severity of their situation. Under direct orders, the regiment had only drawn supplies for six months. Through careful distribution and rationing, they had so far managed to sustain themselves, but even such preventive measures would only last them for so long. If they could not establish a line of resupply, or at least communication, they would either run out of ammunition or starve. Something had to be done, and quickly.

“Gentlemen, we have a heavy task still ahead of us, so I’ll keep this short. Our defenses are holding, and the Separatist attacks show no sign of increasing in strength. However, our food supply is being stretched to its limits. At our current rate, it will only last another 17 days. Before today’s end, we’ll have to draw from our ammunition reserve. Even with our disciplined fire, it will only last us another 13 days. And since we landed here, we’ve had no contact with anyone off-planet. With no transport of our own, we can only wait for reinforcements or extraction-”

Just then, the briefing room door hissed open and a corporal stepped in, immediately snapping to attention.

“General, the east patrol just came in, and they found something you should see.”

Saii’ve nodded. The corporal pulled out a holoprojector and set it on the briefing table. He nodded to Saii’ve and stepped back. She tapped a few buttons and the device hummed to life, filling the room with a faint bluish glow. The projected image of a wolf-dog stood over the table, clad in a full-length cloak covered with shrubbery and leaves. His left hand supported a long-barreled, scoped rifle that stood stock-down on the ground. His face was smeared with dirt and grime, but his posture remained rigid as his eyes stared straight ahead.

“General Saii’ve Prok, my name is Jace Taer, and I am a mercenary. I’ve received your transmissions to Coruscant and I have listened to the situation reports. I’m sorry to tell you that nothing transmitted from the planet’s surface seems to have made it past the upper atmosphere. I want to offer my assistance. There are certain tasks to which a regiment of clone troopers is not well-suited, even those as highly trained as yours. Tasks that might be better left to me, so as not to spread your own forces too thin.” He paused, as if allowing her time to consider. Saii’ve uncrossed her arms and put her hands on her hips. “I don’t intend to interfere with your operations, only to lend a hand. I suggest we meet to personally discuss your situation and how it might be remedied. If you accept my proposal, have your north battery fire a single round at 1432 hours. I await your decision.”

The hologram vanished, and again silence filled the room. Saii’ve turned to her gathered troopers.

“Thoughts?” The first to stand was the only clone wearing yellow-marked armor. “Commander Tok.”

“I don’t like it,” he replied immediately. “How long must he have been spying on us to know what he knows?”

“He could just as easily be working for the other side,” agreed one of the gunnery sergeants.

“For all we know, he’s the reason our transmissions haven’t gotten through to Coruscant,” chimed in another.

“A hired gun will take Separatist money just as easy as Republican credits,” offered the quartermaster.

The conversation would have continued, but Saii’ve held up her hand and they fell silent.

“I understand our mistrust of a mercenary, but is there anything to suggest he hasn’t been sincere in contacting us?”

Again, Tok was the first to speak.

“We should consider the very real possibility that this is all a ploy. Forget who he is or who he says he is. An unknown combatant has asked to meet personally with our commanding officer. Why are we even considering this? If he has any sort of loyalty to the other side, he’s probably going to try something. He knows how precarious our situation is, and it wouldn’t take much to disrupt what little semblance of control we have here. We can’t afford the risk, no matter how sincere he may appear.”

There were murmurs of agreement. A captain spoke up next.

“If we’re considering accepting his proposal, it should only be to take him into custody.”

Saii’ve scanned the collection of near-identical faces and gave a small nod.

“So, we can’t trust him as a mercenary, and we shouldn’t meet him because he might be a Separatist sympathizer despite his professed desire to aid us.” She shook her head. “I would have thought a regiment of the Republic’s finest would have more backbone than that.” The clones bristled in their seats, and Saii’ve grinned. “What mischief could one mercenary hope to make surrounded by the best soldiers I’ve ever seen? I say we meet him.”

“General, it’s not in standard operating procedure to contract mercenaries.”

“But isn’t it S.O.P. to gather all possible options and resources?” Saii’ve replied. “And besides, who said anything about contracting him? He’s asked only for a meeting. Why not hear what he has to say?” This time, not even Tok spoke up. “It may not be according to protocol, but the way things are, we can use all the help we can get.” She paused, and looked around at her troopers, at once disheartened and elated that they showed no emotion. Their training was terrifyingly effective. “In the absence of any contact from Coruscant, our orders stand, and we will carry them out until we’re relieved. Effective today, all personnel will be rationed two meals a day. No one fires a weapon unless given clearance to by their sergeant. In their absence, each platoon is to conserve ammunition. Understood?”

As one, the clones jumped to their feet and stood at attention.

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Dismissed.”

Saii’ve watched her troopers drop their arms and file out of the bunker in strict military fashion. She made a mental not to get them to stop saluting her so often. As far as she was concerned, there wasn’t anyone around who cared. As the rest of the officers left, though, Tok stayed behind and approached her with his helmet tucked under one arm. Saii’ve stepped around the briefing table to stand in front of him.

“A word in private, General?”

“Of course, Tok.”

“I wish you would reconsider this.”

The shape-shifter flashed a grin and crossed her arms over her chest.

“I understand, Tok, and I appreciate your concern for my well-being, but there’s nothing to be worried about. I can handle myself.”

“I take it that means any additional security during your meeting is out of the question?”

“Personal security would be a waste of the men’s time. If you see fit to bolster the base’s security at that time, I leave that decision up to you.” Tok nodded. “See that the north battery fires a single round at 1432 hours.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

He turned to leave, but Saii’ve called after him.

“And Tok?” He stopped in mid-stride and spun on his heels to face her again. “You know you can call me Saii’ve.”

For a moment, his face cracked into a smile.

“Just following protocol, Saii’ve,” he replied, snapping off a quick salute before disappearing out the bunker door.

Saii’ve shook her head and tucked the holoprojector into her belt and followed him.


The next few hours passed without incident. Patrols departed and returned. Scouts radioed in their reports to be compiled for the next scheduled transmission to Coruscant. Ammunition was re=distributed. Sergeants announced to their platoons that lunch would no longer be served at 1200hours and that hot breakfast and dinner would be served at 0800 and 1600, respectively. Though a few clones made jokes about the frugality of the quartermaster, most of the rank=and file took the news as they every other development in their situation: without visible emotion. They used their ready rations more sparingly, and carried on with their duties.

As Saii’ve moved around their base camp, troopers stood and saluted her, as they always had. Among those at rest around their barracks or gun batteries, most had removed their helmets. When they stood to salute and greet their Jedi general, she saw to her surprise that many were smiling. And in spite of the novelty of it, Saii’ve found herself smiling in return. As the hours passed, she moved among the off-duty troops, striking up conversations at times, at others, she simply sat and listened while they talked amongst themselves. Each time she moved on from a group, she reached out through the Force and found that they seemed more at ease. She couldn’t help but smile at their strength.

At 1432 hours, Saii’ve stood at the base of the north battery as it rotated toward the distant treeline and fired a single round. For a few tense moments, the entire base fell silent as the cannon’s report echoed in the clearing that surrounded their base. Commander Tok reminded those watching the perimeter to be vigilant, even picking up a set of electrobinoculars and scanning to the north himself. After a few minutes, the captain of the watch reported nothing out of the ordinary. One of the lieutenants standing near Saii’ve made a remark about ‘being stood up.’ Most of the troopers chuckled.

Just then, there was a string of soft beeps from Saii’ve’s belt, and she quickly pulled out the holoprojector, which displayed a new received message. Again, Jace stood before her, in miniature.

“I’m glad to see you’re willing to talk, General. If you would kindly instruct your troops in the northern section to hold their fire, I’ll be with you shortly.”

The message ended, and Saii’ve spoke into her comlink.

“Northern section, hold fire. All other sections, stay alert. We have a guest.”

Her order was instantly relayed along the prefabricated battlements, and all eyes scanned the tree line, expecting a speeder or some other land transport. Saii’ve even stepped up onto the platform behind the battlements, reaching out with the Force to sense anything out of sorts. No malevolent thoughts; that was a good sign, but… Someone very close was nervous. What reason did any of her clones have to feel nervous now?

“Out of curiosity,” came a voice from behind her, “what’s everyone looking at?”

Saii’ve spun around, igniting her lightsaber. Around her, every clone on the battlements snapped around with weapons raised. A dozen or so paces behind them stood Jace, hands raised above his head. The mercenary had discarded his ghillie suit in favor of a black tactical vest over a green tunic and a pair of loose-fitting tan pants. In seconds, Tok and several others had him surrounded.

“On your knees,” one of the sergeants shouted.

“Of course,” Jace replied calmly, dropping to one knee, then both. “I’m unarmed.”

“You’ll understand if we don’t take you at your word,” Tok growled, nodding to two privates. “Search him.” He turned to Jace again. “So, mercenary, do you have anything on your person that we should know about?”

Jace grimaced as the two troopers flipped his hands behind his back and gave him a rough pat-down.

“Ah, yes. In my vest, you’ll find a pair of holoprojectors and a notepad.” One trooper shoved him to the ground. “Ow… Still unarmed here.”

“Alright, on your feet, merc,” Tok ordered.

The two troopers hauled him up, and their sergeant stepped up with a small scanner. He passed it slowly up and down the length of Jace’s body, eyeing the device’s readout, and then turned to Tok.

“No sign of explosives of weapons, Commander. He’s clean.”

“You couldn’t have just used your scanner first?” Jace sighed.

Tok smirked and motioned to the other troopers, who backed a few paces away, but kept their weapons at the ready. Jace cleared his throat.

“May I put my hands down now, Commander?”

“What do you think you’re doing here?” the raptor replied.

“Just giving you and General Prok a demonstration, Commander Tok.”

“Well, so far your demonstration leaves a lot to be desired,” Tok rumbled.

Saii’ve disengaged her lightsaber and crossed her arms.

“Care to explain, Jace?”

At this, the wolf-husky hybrid’s eye brightened, and he grinned.

“I’m glad you asked,” Jace replied, clasping his hands together. “You know that I am unarmed, but I must confess I did not enter your base unarmed. If you’ll follow me, I’d like to show you what I brought.”

Saii’ve took a step toward him, but Tok shook his head.

“Out of the question. You tell us where you’ve hidden your things and my men will retrieve them.”

Jace shrugged.

“As you wish, Commander. Behind the mess barracks, there’s a stack of empty, used crates from your deployment. You’ll find one of the bottom crates is far from empty.”

Tok nodded to a pair of clone privates, and they rushed off. A few minutes later, they returned lugging a crate marked ‘rations.’ It hit the ground with a decidedly metallic clang. One of the troopers pried it open and motioned for the group to come see. Jace was the first beside him, with Tok close behind. Saii’ve stepped around the group to get a better look. Inside the crate was a long-barreled, scoped slugthrower, a battle rifle, a few blasters, and a pair of silenced pistols.

“Not bad for one man,” a sergeant remarked.

“A lot of good it does you sitting in this box,” Tok replied, leaning down to pick up a set of electrobinoculars with an odd attachment. “What exactly are these for?”

“Those would be my range-finding glasses,” said Jace. “The laser on top is accurate to the centimeter as far out as a mile and a half.” He reached into his vest, and Tok seized his wrist. “Ah! Commander, I’m only taking out my notebook.” Warily, the raptor released him, and the mercenary pulled out a small, bound book. After a few pages, he held it up for Tok’s inspection. “Just a rough range chart of the area around your base. On the other side, I made note of your patrol schedule.”

“If you’re making a point, make it fast, merc,” Tok growled.

“Fine. The way you have yourself established here is very much by the book. It’s strategically-placed and well-defended with good fields of fire, but it’s all very predictable.”

“What do you mean by that?” Saii’ve interrupted, staring over the crate at him.

“Just that, General. Even the strongest defense can be overcome if the enemy can find a pattern in the comings and goings of your patrols, or how you shift men around the perimeter. Just this afternoon, the eastern wall was undermanned. That’s how I was able to slip inside.”

“Well then, since you’ve been so eager to point out the flaws in our defenses, perhaps you’d care to offer a solution or two?”

“Gladly. I suggest you vary your patrol schedule, as well as your troop distribution around the base, to keep any observers guessing. You’re growing tired of simply sitting here in this fortress, Saii’ve, I can tell. And your men are, too.” He pulled a holoprojector from his vest. “The best defense is sometimes a good offense.”

He activated the display, and a 10 square mile map of the surrounding area came into view.

“Here, to the west, the enemy is massing for another attack, but the effectiveness of your defenses so far has forced them to call up their reserve: The native fighters. They’re just as well-armed and well-disciplined as their droid counterparts, but unlike their metal brothers in arms, they need supplies.” Jace tapped a part of the map, and it zoomed in to focus on an area less than two miles west, where a small walled fort had been hastily constructed. “Fortunately, your careful use of patrols has lulled the enemy into a false sense of security. They don’t expect an offensive, especially not in this direction. I suggest you strike them here, hard and fast, and before they even know what’s happened, you’ll have them on the run. You might even solve your supply problem, too.”

Jace turned and handed the holoprojector to Tok, who glared at the projection for a few moments, apparently deep in thought. A few of the officers around him murmured amongst themselves. Saii’ve, however, seemed to have already made her decision, and focused on Tok. When the raptor finally shifted his gaze to her, the wolf-lioness shapeshifter cocked her head.

“Well, Commander, what do you think?” she asked. “Maybe a quick raid will break the monotony that seems to be setting in around here.”

Tok snorted and handed Jace back the device.

“I still say we shouldn’t trust him,” he grumbled, shaking his head. “But it makes sense.”

Jace grinned, and so did Saii’ve.

“Tell C Company they just volunteered,” she laughed. “Let’s go ruin somebody’s day.”

A few of the enlisted troopers cheered, and the chant was quickly picked up as Saii’ve’s order was relayed around the base. Within five minutes, C Company was locked and loaded and awaiting her command. Just as she was about to address them, Saii’ve spotted Jace approaching in full gear, flanked by a four clones.

“And just where do you think you’re going?”

The mercenary drew a magazine from his freshly packed vest and slammed it into his rifle, racking the charging handle.

“I thought your raiding party might need a little extra firepower. Mind if I tag along?”

“You know, Jace, you’re alright,” the shapeshifter remarked with a nod. “I think you and us might make a pretty good team. Fall in.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Jace replied, snapping off a salute.

Together, they marched over to C Company, and moments later, they were leaving the compound, heading west.

---

A little something I wrote up for featuring her Jedi Saii've and Clone Commander Tok.
At first, it was meant to be about Saii've's mission on Ogdabar, but when I realized that how I pictured the battle and how Koof pictured the battle where two different things entirely, I switched this to a more generic scene. Hey, the Clone Wars take 10 years in the universe came up with, so there's more than enough fights to chose from. (Or make up, as the case may be.)

Anyhow...
Jace Taer and this story are mine.
Saii've, Tok, and their clones are © .
Everything Star Wars is © Lucas the Beard.