Star Wars: Dar'Aliit

Chapter Twenty: Nemesis

18 BBY the Malevolent

The Grand Moff Sharn waits for me on the bridge. He's surrounded by three of the newer troopers. From their heights I get the sense they're not clones. One is shorter. Once the decom bill came, so did the rumors we were going to be replaced.

Kamino is gone. Future clones will not be possible. This is only natural, I suppose.

"Sir," I salute as casually as I would for anyone. He can call me on it and see if I care. I'm only here to do my job.

"Lieutenant, welcome aboard the Malevolent."

I've heard a similar name before. Old Separatist ship, I think, used to be a major terror back in the early days when I was still in training armor. The irony is not lost on me and I smirk.

The Moff catches it and hints at a smile of his own. "We are housing here an early operation. An extension of the old intelligence division of the Republic. Our forces will of course be civilian but still highly skilled, and trained. You may consider yourself something of a...special recruit." The Moff turns and faces the bridge. "I have arranged quarters for you, though I advise you not to grow comfortable. You will be deployed once you are read in. Speaking of which, I have an officer waiting for you on that matter. She will meet you in the briefing room."

With a glance back, the Moff waves his hand dismissively. "I am grateful you decided to join us."

"Thank you, sir."

"Dismissed."

I turn and about face for the door. A new operation? I know the Republic had plenty of intel agents who went undercover. Harder for us clones seeing as we all look the same, but I feel something of an honor at being recognized. I'm grateful I can keep playing my role.

#

18 BBY Cassic Base

The Captain on the ground is to my surprise, an older clone than me named Haywire. He walks through the base with me in tow. It's sparsely populated. Most everyone I can see are other clones in and out of uniform and a few locals who give sideways glances. There's an air of hatred in the air that I haven't felt in a long time.

"I don't know why you'd want to come here," Haywire says as we walk through the open air part of the base. There's some boarded up buildings and a few sleazy bars. It looks like the base gates are kept under guard, even during the day.

"I was informed the locals were providing resistance. I'm here to...report on it." I look around.

Haywire shrugs. "It's about the same everywhere. Didn't used to be this bad, though. These people once respected us."

"Seems like a lot has changed."

"I blame that other planet," the Captain's sneer can be heard in his voice. "I think seeing their sister planet locked in war turned their hearts. You know Cassic's sister planet was Separatist back in the day, right?"

I nod. "So what have you noticed about the region recently?"

"Myself? Well aside from the hostility, it seems like something big is brewing out there. A couple of supply ships vanished a while back. Weapons supply, but we haven't found any armed civilians. Got some odd blips off the radar a few weeks back too. Nothing we can confirm, but still, something is going on."

I nod. We stop near the gate and the two guards salute the Captain. Beyond that I can see what can only be described as a dying city. A woman, likely in her thirties, catches sight of us. The glare she gives us both would be enough to stop a laser bolt in its tracks. Beside her trails a small boy in tattered clothes. He clings to her side.