- CASTLES CRUMBLING (A.S.) -

- 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘-𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 -

it's only blue

REGINA STEPPED INTO the center of the High Council Chamber, her hands crossed behind her back. A week had passed since she'd become a Jedi Knight, and she'd been expecting a summons by the Council for a while. During their period of lack of assignment of any kind, Regina and Anakin—who, like her, had not been sent anywhere—spent as much time with each other as they could.

Some they did publicly. The two held up in the Archives with Regina teaching Anakin random facts about the universe or they went to the training dojos and kept each other in shape. The couple had to maintain a cordial relationship in the eyes of the Jedi. Everything had to seem normal. Therefore, these instances occurred more than once, just to delay suspicion. Other meet-ups happened at their shared flat, though they were especially careful going to and from the place.

But the time had finally come for all of this to end and Regina felt a twisting feeling in her stomach; she felt strangely uneasy.

"Sitara," Mace Windu acknowledged her with a nod. Regina regarded the Master with a slight bow of her own. "We have given you some time to grow accustomed to your new rank. However, as you know, war is breaking out across the galaxy. That is why we find it of the utmost importance to assign a battalion of clone troopers to your care."

Regina's eyebrows shot up, curiosity and, to be honest, excitement forming where dread had been moments before.

"Meet your troopers today, you will," Grandmaster Yoda added. "Get to know each other, it is best. Then, finally, protect the galaxy together the group of you can."

"I understand, Master," Regina said respectfully. It was a good idea, to be fair. Better to let the clones meet their new general before sending them off into their first battle.

"Sent off to Uquiam you will be, three days from now," Yoda continued. "Meet your clones and your commander for now. Working together closely from now on, you will be."

Regina glanced at the other members of the Council who were watching the young Knight silently. She felt unusually exposed without her master standing beside her. She pushed down the thought of Quillow and the pain it brought. He had left four days ago; she knew that he had to do his duty, no matter what form that took.

"You'll find the clones of the 555th Battalion in their barracks at the new Grand Army of the Republic Headquarters," Windu informed Regina. "They should be easy to find." He was right; everyone knew where it was located, just a short ways from the Jedi Temple. 

"Thank you, Master."

✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩

After being dismissed by the Council, Regina made her way across Coruscant in the direction of the GAR barracks. She arrived soon enough and found herself navigating the long, windowless passages of the garrison. Asking a few clones where the 555th Battalion was located, they directed her to the center of the compound. Regina finally came to a door, a plaque on the extremely—and unusually—shiny door that read "555th."

"I assume you're General Sitara?"

Regina turned at the sound of the clone voice behind her. She found a tall clone clad entirely in green and white armor. He had short, close-cropped black hair, brown eyes, and a clean-shaven look.

"Yes, I am," Regina nodded, identifying by the badge on his shoulder. Immediately, the clone saluted her, falling into military form.

"I am CT-5283," he informed her. "Commander Blue."