Soldiers of the Stars

Chapter 3: Reputations

MYGEETO SYSTEM, ALBARRIO SECTOR

GENERAL ACRUX

     As we walked down the ramp, I immediately noticed the troops in formation at attention. Two Companies were present. Across from the soldiers, the two Captains and the Commander. 

    Krell grumbled under his breath. I didn't understand what he was so moody about. I thought he'd be glad to get rid of me. The energy around him tightened. "I won't let you down, Master," I assured him. I couldn't help but feel like Krell was against this whole situation. Perhaps he didn't trust me, nor my capabilities to command this legion. 

     "I will hold you to that," he dryly replied.

     The Commander and the Captains were already saluting when we reached them. I saluted back, but Krell refused to acknowledge them. "Commander Rook, it's a pleasure to meet you." I grinned. 

     "Likewise, General. Your reputation precedes you." My stomach tied itself into knots. My reputation? I had much to prove to these men because my said reputation was towering beside me.

     "Your Colonel is a Political Officer, is he not?" Krell looked down onto the Commander.

     "Yes, Sir."

     "I must have a word with him."

     "Yes, Sir. Right this way, Sir." Krell followed Rook to the bridge, which was perfect for me because it gave me a chance to converse with the Captains. 

     I turned to the Clone Captain in the red paratrooper armor. "Captain Winters, I assume. It's an honor to meet you." I held out my hand. Without hesitation, he shook it. "I admire your leadership and have heard nothing but good things from the 506th. I look forward to serving alongside you." I couldn't believe my eyes. Captain Winters stood across from me, saluted me, and shook my hand! A self-starter shock trooper who paved his way to creating the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, almost single-handedly secured a Republic victory at the Battle of Arantara without a single casualty, and rightfully one of the most respected Clone Captains, shook my hand. 

    "Thank you, General." His voice was genuine and soft; I couldn't imagine him raising his voice; it was so gentle. 

     My gaze drifted to the Captain with the indigo paint. His aura stabbed at me. Resentment. Displeasure. Just what I expected. He knew who I was. I approached him nonetheless. He hesitated before shaking my hand. "Captain Gunner of Able Company." He held my gaze. One didn't have to be a Force-welder to sense the indignation he held towards me.

      I spun around to face the Companies and cleared my throat. "At ease." In a unified, solid motion, the formation relaxed. 

     "My name is General Acrux, Jedi Knight. I understand you boys have never served under a Jedi before. Do not be mistaken, this will not affect any expectations set by your commanding officers, nor the Republic. Our main objective remains the same nonetheless of this transition, we fight to restore peace to the galaxy." 

     Short and easy, just like I rehearsed. Winters and Gunner dismissed their men. A trooper with peculiar indigo designs on his armor approached; it wasn't like the simple paint job of the half star on the shoulder pads like the rest of Able Company. I took notice of the Squad behind him, decked out similarly. 

     "General Acrux. Lieutenant Volt, CT-6843, Able Company at your service." Volt stood out. Instead of black hair, his short, curly hair was dyed brown, and he had a tattoo of a lighting strike streaking across his right temple and past his eye. Inconspicuously, I studied the tattoo to find that it covered a deep scar. Before I got the chance to greet him, he continued. "I will get our R5 unit to escort you to your quarters whenever you are ready. E8 will make sure you settle in just fine." He gestured to the droid to his right, who also bore the half star symbol on both sides of its head. He already had my footlocker off of the shuttle. Efficient. "You need anything, General, anything at all, find Sergeant Balo of Indigo Squad and he will see it done." He gestured to the Sergeant behind him, who was addressing the Squad. I quickly concluded that I liked this Lieutenant.