Star Wars: Lurking Darkness

Chapter 10

The gunship had settled down deep within the Acclamator assault cruiser, patiently awaiting their arrival in orbit above Coruscant. The massive cruiser was now his own to command and lead into a war-torn galaxy.

Still he was having trouble accepting the fact that he was now a General leading hundreds of clones to their possible demise.

It all felt bizarre in its own way. Leading men who looked the same, talked the same, and for the most part acted the same way was something he never expected to do.

Now he was aboard a ship full of them. Taking a quick look around he saw the hangar was filled with gunships like the one he had just exited from, and a few other ships and vehicles he did not recognize.

In front of him stood a clone trooper whose armor was completely different than those that had just been beside him. The white synthmesh hanging from his visor hid any hopes of recognition. His white body armor looked specialized and a lot stronger than the clones around him. Von wondered if this clone was somehow stouter than the rest aboard the ship.

The clone approached Von and saluted him. "General you are needed on the bridge immediately." He spoke with the same voice as others.

"Very well lead the way soldier." He said to the clone.

Everything about the ship made him realize just how much power it had. The hundreds of soldiers at his command were actively marching to different rooms and stations. Many saluted him as he passed while others did not.

Feeling a little insulted he decided getting tough wasn't the answer just yet. Besides, it could be that half the clones weren't aware of his presence aboard the ship.

"Here we are General." Von stepped into the bridge taken back by what he saw. The command bridge was a lot bigger than he had expected. More than a dozen troops readied the ship for takeoff while others calculated their jump into hyperspace.

Standing at the viewport was a tall man looking out at the traffic around Coruscant.

The view was breathtaking. Thousands of ships made their way to and from Coruscant. Many looking for a new beginning on the city planet while others desperately attempted to escape the bureaucratic corruption that had taken over the senate.

Von knew it was only a matter of time before the senate tore itself apart leaving the entire galaxy to fend for itself. On that day not even the Jedi will be able to maintain peace as the Clone Wars have demonstrated.

The man hadn't moved from his position and he kept his professional posture. "Lt. Stryder, I have General Von Zeth here safe and sound as you requested. May I assist in anything else sir?" Von stared at the man who from where he stood looked toned and fit for war.

"No, that will do Captain thank you." Von dared not to speak first and waited for the formal pleasantries.

"So Master Von I see it took you long enough to win over the council and finally go to war." The lieutenant said in a deep voice.

Von looked at the man closer and began seeing a resemblance to someone he had once known. "Wait a minute Stryder I recognize that name. But there is no way on Kessel you can be Lander Stryder he died years ago."

Slowly turning his head he gave Von a big smile. "If that's the case then I'd say you believe in ghosts Master Von." Von couldn't hold himself back and gave the man a quick hug.

Lander had been in charge of all training given to the most elite of clones in the GAR. With the help of Von and his knowledge of the archives he had become the source to all action taken on the battlefield by Lander himself. The lieutenant always sought after Von to get the latest information on specific military targets. They had become good friends and always looked out for each other when the council tried to intervene on their tactical affairs.