3 Emotion yet Peace; Peace is a Lie, There is only Passion 1 (1/2)
Emotion yet Peace; Peace is a Lie, There is only Passion
=RK=
Part 1
Kaliida Shoals Medical Center
Ryndellian Sector
near Naboo Star System
The victorious remnants of the bomber wing and its escorts landed in one of the empty hangars of the half evacuated Hospital facility. I parked my fighter next to Skywalker's Y-Wing and after shutting down the engines I popped open the canopy and got out. I moved around Anakin's bomber and met him and Master Koon, who was congratulating the young Knight for his ”excellent” leadership abilities.
”Excuse me?!” exclaimed Ahsoka. ”Delkatar was the one who knew that the original plan wasn't going to work! He warned us!”
”You are correct smarty pants.” snarked Skywalker.
”It depends on the point of view.” declared Plo.
”Indeed, Master Koon. Skywalker, a word.” I said after hearing their exchange.
The younger man turned around to face me.
”Yes? What is it?”
”Tell me, how often have you led clones or other pilots who are not force sensitive in battle?” I inquired.
Skywalker frowned at my question.
”I've been a general for less than a month and I was assigned a fleet to command three weeks ago. So a few tims.” Anakin answered after a moment of reflection. ”We didn't get any new training.”
”That figures. Did you have any military training before being given command? Has someone tried to hammer in your head that most people could not perform as well in combat as Force Adepts? We were fortunate that Grievous didn't send more vultures to intercept us, not to mention the pylons supporting the Ion cannon were actually vulnerable to our torpedoes. If that cruiser didn't try to fire just after the we hit its weapon this station would be gone and Kenobi's ships would be in a heap of trouble.” Not to mention the excellent odds of us being shot to pieces by that behemoth on our way out.
The Jedi Knight looked positively mutinous. It seemed that no one had taken him up to a task in a long time. At least I could see him thinking, which was a good thing. There were many more ways the bomber raid could have gone to hell than I could think of from the top of my head and as far as I could tell the plan to take out that thing if we failed consisted of throwing two tiny fleets at it. Given that both Kenobi and Skywalker were really commanding battle groups, not proper fleets, it would have been a disaster – the Malevolence looked like it could take out their combined forces conventionally.
”Skywalker, you need to understand that expecting normal people to be able to keep up with you, will only get them killed. There are few aces that might be able to pull off stunts just like you in the cockpit of starfighter and that is before the Force is factored in. So in the future plan accordingly or you'll get a lot of good men killed.” Me in particular, which was the important point.
I shook my head. ”I'll never know whose idea was to put you Jedi as generals without first giving you at least basic military training!” I grumbled.
”That's not fair! We do good work out here!” disagreed Ahsoka.
I removed my helmet and looked her in the eyes. ”Look kid, I am not disputing that you are doing your best and thats often better than could be reasonably expected. However, the way this war is being run is Insane! How many people will die because you have to learn the craft of war on the battlefield, where every mistake is paid with blood and lives?” I asked.
”I... but...” muttered Ahsoka. ”Arghhh!” The young Togruta clasped her hands into fists and growled.
”Too damn many...” whispered Skywalker.
The smirk which was on his face ever since the Ion Cannon was blown up was gone. I suspected that he was recounting all the battles he's been part of since the start of the war. I had no doubt that a lot of Jedi had been killed and battles lost because the newly minted commanders of the GAR had no idea what the hell they were doing. That explained the attitude of Yularen towards the Jedi too. While he followed their orders, the Admiral had no respect for the Order members. Probably he has been part of battles in which the Jedi's lack of experience (and the disturbing tendency of some of them not to listen to advice) had let to easily avoidable losses. Then, considering his rank, Yularen would have undoubtedly read a lot of reports showing debacles caused by the new generals. No love lost there either.
”Then see to it that you do not make the same mistake twice. And listen to the military commanders you have access to. For example, it is very unlikely that Admiral Yularen has gotten his rank without knowing what the hell he was doing.” I continued to dispense free advise.
Why couldn't have I ended up at least few years before the war began? Then I would have had more viable options than joining either side of the war or going somewhere to hide while Palpy build his Empire. I guess I still could try the later, yet this conflict offered too many opportunities to simply ignore. Ah, no point in grumbling about what might have been.
Skywalker gave me a sharp nod and left. He had a thoughtful expression on his face. I found myself alone with Ahsoka and R2-D2 who whined after Anakin. I grinned at the short astromech droid.