Above Christophsis, following the decisive win by Admiral Yularen, routing the CIS Blockade.
2 ships left Admiral Yularen's flagship, a single Nu-Class Shuttle and one LAAT, infantry model.
These two ships held within them the first ever members of the legendary clone battalion, the battalion that conquered Mandalore.
The future 332nd Battalion.
However they were currently only the newly created 332nd Platoon, a new shiny batch.
…
Looking around me, I didn't quite believe I would ever reach this point.
Waiting for war…
Me and my platoon, the brothers I had grown up with was travelling to Christophsis to serve in the 501st, sadly.
One might say 501st would be the best due to it's victories and the teamwork between Obi-Wan and Anakin, later Ashoka.
But the 501st fought everywhere, Christophsis, Geonosis, Tath, Coruscant, Mandalore, Naboo…..
And many many more.
Me and my brothers were an early batch, the second one.
The first batch included the clones whom were ready for the war, the second were a few months behind.
"Entering the atmosphere!" The pilot said over the intercomms.
And with that I began looking over my armor.
It was the basic Clone Lieutenant armor, blue lines on the arms and helmet. But I also had a black camo, similar to Captain Rex and a single DC17 on my hip.
Additionally I had a DC15 included in my combat-gear, however that was connected to the gun-rack on the side.
We had a single squad in the Nu-Class Shuttle.
But we were still 12 people in the Shuttle.
And the 12th member just approached me.
"Lieutenant Vaughn, correct?" The person said, looking over her it was clearly a Torgruta, having orange skin and white marks.
However the most discerning feature was the Lekku.
However what shocked me personally was that it was Ashoka, but I expected that.
No it was her appearance that shocked me, she did not look 14, no she looked 14
She wore the same clothes as when she was 14 a brown top.
Brown shorts and white slim leggings with shoes reaching her knee.
As well as arm bracers and some arm accessories.
"Yes, Commander. Of the 332nd Platoon." I said, saluting her.
I could see she got uncomfortable and attempted to remember something.
Finally she got it.
"At-ease." She said.
Ah, she had forgotten how to get us to not salute her.
"Is this your first battle, Lieutenant?" She asked once again.
"Correct, other than the simulations. But this is the first time me and my team are in the field, Commander." I said and she nodded happily. I guess she was happy she wasn't the only shiny ones.
"Well, seems that we're both in the same situation." She said, and she began dreaming I guess.
"I suppose, so, Commander. Except that you'll be my Commander. Apparently I'm joining Torrent Company." I said, Torrent was the most elite company in the 501st, I was originally shocked that we'll be joining that unit.
But considering our results in the simulations, I had an easier time accepting it.
We had almost broken the previous records set by the Null's, ARC Troopers.
As a result of that I was promoted from a Sergeant to a Lieutenant.
I served in the military during my previous like, went into a Officer-school before leaving and joining a mercenary company.
At east until Putin turned on us during a contract and attacked us.
We held on for months, capturing a city and even sending a few strikes into Moscow, but we eventually all died out.
Due to this I knew precisely how to motivate men, as shown in our month long struggle against the Russians.
Due to my success I was given a few bonuses, I got a singular visor improver on my helmet, the same as Commander Cody but blue.
I had gotten myself a prototype shoulder antenna, floodight above my visor, and lastly an improved range-finder, allowing me to pinpoint the distance easily.
After I said that Ashoka went silent, she likely hadn't been 100% briefed in command.
"Well, I'm not war-experienced, but I've got enough experience in leading, so if you need advice I'm always here to listen." I said, getting her out of her foul mood.
"Thank you.. Vaughn." She said finally before the ship stopped in the air and began descending.
"Landing in 25 seconds." The pilot said and I turned to our men.
"Sergeant Typho, get your guns and prepare for departure. Form up in a double column." I shouted, walking to the gun case.
Grabbing my DC15A, it included a hook shooter, and a flashlight.
I turned on my comms.
"Staff Sergeant Tyr, get our men prepared for departure, we'll meet our new commanders, so stay focused ladies." I said before removing my pointing finger from the button connecting me and my Platoon.
"Yes, sir!" I got in response.
Soon enough, a vibration through the ship signalled our landing.
Ashoka stepped ahead and I stood on her right.
It was standard procedure for the second highest ranking officer to form up on the Commanding Officer, and although Anakin had yet to accept her.
Ashoka was officially a Commander in the database.
As the doors opened I found myself looking over a particular situation.
Wounded men were sitting around, medical forces running around.
Our welcoming party included Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker and 6 troops.
As I looked at these 2 legends I couldn't help but find my hearth jumping faster for a split second, but then it slowed down.
The Clone genetics were designed to help Clones keep our calm, and the Hearth beginning to jump without being in any physical activity activated said procedure.
Ashoka walked down and we followed, I was on Ashoka's right shoulder, my 10 men about 1 meter behind us.
"A Padawan?" I heard Obi-Wan mutter.
If I'm correct he originally said "Youngling" but seeing Ashoka's age I wouldn't be shocked that he said "Padawan" instead.
"And who are you supposed to be?" Anakin asked as Ashoka reached them.
"I'm Ashoka, Master Yoda sent me, I was told to tell both of you that you must return to the Jedi Temple immediately, there's an emergency." Ashoka said, meanwhile the rest of us stood there just waiting.
They had yet to mention us so we could not leave yet.
"Well, I don't know if you've noticed. But we're in a bit of an emergency here." Anakin said, a bit aggressively, but I guess that happens when you don't get reinforcements.
"Yes, our communications have been a bit unreliable." Obi-Wan said. "But we've been calling for help." He continued.
"Master Yoda hadn't heard from you so he sent me to deliver the message." Ashoka said carefully.
"Oh, great! They don't even know we're in trouble." Anakin said.
"Generals, Commander. If I may?" I asked, still standing behind Ashoka.
"I suppose you are the reinforcements?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Correct, General Kenobi. I'm Lieutenant CT-0292 of the 332nd Platoon." I said while saluting.
It was a bit difficult with the DC15A but I got it done.
"Sir's, you could use the shuttle's communications to relay a signal to 'The Resolute' and Admiral Yularen. He can then furthermore rely it to Master Yoda and Republic Strategic Command." I said, and immediately after Obi-Wan and Anakin looked at each other before smiling.
"Good deduction, Lieutenant. I assume you're called something?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Vaughn, sir. We've been assigned to Torrent Company of the 501st Battalion." I said, smiling a bit under my helmet, it was always good to get a relationship with those two.
Anakin nodded before saying "Report to Captain Rex and Commander Cody, they should be at the temporary command Infront of the Artillery line." Anakin said before walking towards the cruiser.
I saluted them before getting to work.
"Alright, 332nd Platoon. We're reporting to Captain Rex and Commander Cody. Form up at.." I said before looking at a small portion of my visor, showing my current position.
"Section 23R45S" I said as I put the DC15A on my back and began waiting.
Soon enough they all formed up in a line, all 30 men.
"Form a triple column on me." I said, standing Infront of them.
They soon formed up, the middle column straight Infront of me, half a meter distance between each column.
After the last man formed up, I turned around and shouted.
"Prepare,"
"Forward,"
"March!" I shouted. And we began marching.
A few clones watched but soon enough ignored us.
I knew Anakin was not one for protocol, nor was Rex. But I believe this would be advantageous either way, by showing a bit of respect towards procedure at least.
And with that we walked, after 4 minutes we reached the Forward Strategic Command.
Rex and Cody stood there, looking at a map of our current position.
As we approached they both turned around and I saluted them.
"Lieutenant CT-0292, Commanding Officer of the 332nd Platoon, reporting for duty!" I said, saluting in unison with the rest of the Platoon.
"Oh? Looks like we've got some shinies, eh?" Rex asked as he approached us.
"I'm Captain Rex, your commanding officer. I do suppose you have a name, Lieutenant?" He asked.
"Yes, Captain! Vaughn, sir. Lieutenant Vaughn. This is my Staff Sergeant and Executive Officer Tyr, Sergeant of the Orange Squad, Sergeant Typho of the Tornado Squad, Sergeant Jon of White Squad and Sergeant Eagle of Eagle Squadron, a total of 41 men, sir!" I shouted, introducing all of my staff.
"Cody, seems you've got a copy, eh?" Captain Rex said with a chuckle.
"I find it quite instrumental to Battalion doctrine to have at least someone following protocol, it seems you finally got yourself one." Cody said.
"Well, Lieutenant. Your Squad will be put in the forward line, Staff Sergeant Tyr is to bring them there, you'll follow me to the lookout position, I'll brief you." He said as we began walking.
As we walked he briefed me on the Battalion dynamics.
Captain Rex had administrative command of the entire Battalion. Anakin has taken the position of Commander, denying any additional Commander appointments.
Captain Rex was formally in charge of the Torrent Company, but served as the Strategic Advisor to Anakin and unofficial Commander of the 501st Legion.
There were 3 other Captain's but they all knew they were not equal to Captain Rex.
One of them was Captain Appo of Blue Company.
The 501st had a close relation with the 212th, almost equal to that of the men in the same legion.
The 501st were also apart of the Open Circle Fleet and 7th Airborne Corps, but it served as an independent unit.
The Open Circle Fleet was led by Kenobi.
Soon enough we reached the lookout post and Rex began discerning the codes.
"We've put up positions in the building, our long range scanners are gone so we have to do it manually, they're also jamming anything close to their forward position so we transfer information by hand signals." Rex said, just in time for Anakin and Ahsoka to make their way towards us.
We turned to them, and I tried to salute them but Rex just looked at me in a way that said 'Don't'
"What's the status, Rex?" Anakin asked.
"Quiet for now sir. They're gearing up for another assault." Rex said as he stood beside Anakin.
I joined them, and Rex immediately looked confused.
"Who's the Youngling?" Rex asked, he obviously knew about the different kinds of Jedi from the Kaminoans, as did I. But I had informations beyond that.
As they began talking I voided it out.
I had not yet removed my inhibitor chip, but I honestly had no problem with it. I could feel that every time I consider disregarding a superiors command a slight tug in my mind happens.
But because I know it's there it is in fact easily to counter.
"You're stuck with my, Skyguy." I heard as I listened to the conversation.
Rex began laughing and I could hear the men behind us chuckle a bit as well.
"What did you just call me!? Don't get snippy with me little one!" Anakin said, I felt a bit bad for Ahsoka but she got it on herself.
And with that they began arguing more until Skywalker told Rex to deal with Ahsoka.
And with that I began chuckling.
After an awkward yes from Rex he looked at me angrily.
"Vaughn, you got command here until I return. I suppose you know the hand-signals?" Rex asked and I nodded.
And with that all 3 of them walked off.
This would be fun.
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This is a side-project, my main story is still Star Wars: The Senator, but I work on this when I'm bored or need a break from that story, mostly a day or two.
Already have a few chapters and might launch them on Patreon if I get a positive feedback from third