"The last LAAT/I is away, sir." Republic trooper Racer told the Padawan as he sat on the ground in his flightsuit, pounding the stone with his lightsaber. "It'll be our turn to go next." "Very good Racer." The young man said in a dead voice. "I can't wait to get away from this rock." "I'm with you there General Zarell." "What's with this kid?" The new heavy weapons commander said over the secure line the troopers used when they wanted to talk in secret. "I thought these Jedi were tough?" "Watch it, Heavy!" Boom, one of the 105th Legion's commandos said angrily. "We don't know what it's like for these Jedi. They say that when a lot of people die, it has a strong effect on them. Because of their connection to the Force." "And cut this kid some slack, will ya?" Racer growled. "Believe it or not, they say he's only thirteen." Heavy turned to face the others, then down at the Padawan. "Is he a clone like us, or is he just from a short lived branch of Humans?" "He's not a clone." Boom said. "I guess he's just short lived. Which is too bad, because this kid is something else. You'd like him." "Yeah, but it looks like I won't get the chance to. We're getting a new General. That Cerinian, Pehn Orell." "Were they able to recover any remains of his Master's body from the wreckage?" Boom asked Racer, the Legion's top Intelligence officer. "No. He was completely incinerated. Even his lightsaber was melted. All we found were the crystals for it. Gave 'em to the kid." "Here's our ride." Vreem Zarell said as he stepped past the troopers to the landing LAAT/I. "I'll be okay, Racer. And I'm fourteen, not thirteen." Racer and Boom turned to the new artillery officer. "And evidently he has very good hearing." Heavy said. "You got that right!" Cheater, another member of the commando team said as he trotted by, jumping into their ride out. "So don't try to keep secrets from him. We've learned that the hard way." Heavy shook his head and laughed as the doors closed, and the LAAT/I lifted, taking them back to the ship's landing sight. Maybe they'll get the chance to meet up with him again. "You heard what I said, Padawan!" Admiral Vlad Vinzer said angrily. "There are plenty more of them. They're nothing but cheap, expendible tools to be used and thrown away." Dayko Sekhut, the Captain of the Stardestroyer Victory rolled his eyes at the stupidity and arrogance of the commander of the battle group his ship was attatched to. Vreem Zarell stood before Vinzer, shaking with rage. He couldn't believe the callous attitude he had for the men of the GAR. A third of his troops had died down there because of this man. "Is that all, Padawan? Or are you going to waste more of my time with your whining." Vreem stared at him for a second, before nodding. "Yes, there is more!" The boy said quickly. "Since my Master died down below, it falls to me to write the report that the Jedi Council shall give to the Supreme Chancellor." The Jedi then shoved his face in Vinzer's. "And I'm going to tell them of your refusal to engage a lone Lucre class battleship. And the resulting loss of five thousand men." "What are you accusing me of, boy?" Vlad Vinzer asked slowly. "Cowardice, you pompous idiot!" He shouted before leaving. The Admiral stood glaring at the door when Captain Sekhut spoke up. "Permission to speak candidly, sir." Vinzer nodded. "Sir. One day you are going to push the wrong Jedi. And when you do, you'll find yourself being dismembered where you stand."