New Padawan

And like that. 2 months passed. And we had gotten the full package.

The new 660 men had arrived yesterday alongside the Venator. I had decided against meeting them on the first day and had sent down Trapper. They now all had gotten their armor.

They were all taught basics ability's of flying and landing, however they couldn't fight effectively in the air, Trapper would begin their training with that soon enough.

My new task force 99 2.0 was gaining great results. They spent 15 hours of a 24 hour day training. 10 hours with aerial combat and 5 with their own specialisation. They could already compare to certain elite squads within the Republic. Though not any ARC's and Republic Commandos.

I named them Task Force 66 after getting permission from Mace. Although Mace is the most stoic ass Jedi I ever met. He's a worthy General and Grand Master of the Order.

He spent hours training with each one of us, how to land properly, predicting shots and teamwork. Although Yoda usually trained the Jedi the most, Mace was the one to teach Knights how to fight and he had multiple Padawans.

Today is the day I approached my men.

They were in our training area in the Venator. Or let's say hangar. We just used the Hangar.

As I approached the hangar a precarious sight welcomed me.

Alongside the 0.5 kilometres long hangar, there were 330 men flying around. 165 of them wore a black shirt, and 165 wore white.

They were shooting training shots. When you got hit, you wouldn't get stunned but instead on their shirt there was a small device that began blinking, signifying their loss. Trapper led one team while another clone commanded the second.

I assume he came alongside the Venator. However Trappers experience in aerial combat was simply too much. He used dual DC17's. And he was blasting a hole straight into their lines. The second team was disorganised, it was a lot harder fighting in formation while in the air and it required experience and a good Commander.

Trappers experience and skill overshadowed the troops inexperience and he therefore had a lot of control, while the other guy was struggling but he was still quite capable.

That's when Tyr approached me.

"Greetings Dust. How's it going?" He asked as he stepped beside me.

"Ah, hello Tyr. It's going good. About to announce changes to our structure and meet my troops." I said as I continued spectating the fight. It was now 120 vs 90 with Trappers team winning.

"I see, but remember that you are in command of an entire legion, not only a battalion. So don't got ghosting my regiment will ya?" He said with a chuckle.

"Heh, I know. But I have been specifically assigned to the Airborne Troopers. So they gon get a little more of my attention. But battles can't only be won by the air so you won't be getting out of my oversight just yet." I said with a smile and Tyr began chuckling.

That's when the air battle ended.

Trapper spotted me and fled over to me.

"Greetings, sir!" He said as he saluted me.

"At-ease, Major." I said as I began chuckling.

"What… I'm tryna be serious Infront of the troops." He said as he too began laughing.

"Well, how's it going with the troops?" I asked as he got out of his stupor.

"Ah. It's going quite excellent actually. These are all eite troops. Every 660 one of them are battle-tested. We have 150 ARF Troopers, 3 ARC Troopers, 17 Clone Engineers and 190 Heavy Troopers and 300 Regular Clones." He said with a smile.

"Huh? Even 3 ARC Troopers. That's surprising." I said.

That's as indeed surprising. There were very few ARC Troopers at this time, but they were a welcomed surprise.

"Alright, Trapper. Organise the men I'll be doing some debriefing." I said. Trapper nodded and ran off.

That's when I heard footsteps behind me. Turning around a surprise welcomed me. The last addition to my Battalion. There came Genera Plo Koon alongside a new addition. Elena Vos. She was a green Mirialan, she had tattoos resembling black frekles in a like under her eyes and mouth.

And I feel like I remembered here from somewhere. Not her young current self, but someone who liked extremely similar but elder. Green Mirialan Padawan….. oh she's one of those who survived Order 66 I believe, since I remember her as older. But she doesn't resemble any Jedi from any series.

But I remember her from a series….. oh holy fucking shit. The Seventh Sister! The Inquisitor. Oh this was bad. Any Inquisitor would be bloodthirsty and reckless. But they were also extremely powerful in Lightsaber combat...

Oh well, she shouldn't be extremely dark right now. I hope.

"Commander Dust! It's about time you met my Padawan. She arrived yesterday." Plo Koon said as he signalled for her to step forward.

She looked at me with a little disgust as she did an extremely small bow and said.

"Greetings, CT-8788." She said with a slug voice.

This was extremely amusing. I smiled in a sadistic way.

"You do know, Padawan. That I am your Commander?" I asked and she got angry.

"Puh, you are not superior to me. We're both Commanders." She spit out.

"General Plo Koon, may I?" I said as I ignored her.

"Oh, yeah sure. You may inform my young Padawan." He said as he crossed his arms.

"Padawan, do you know your main assignment is?" I asked and she looked at me like I'm stupid.

"I'm assigned to Plo Koon for learning." She said as she looked at me in an arrogant way.

"Yes, but what unit will you be serving? The General leads a Corp, it was multiple legions and battalions. And you have been assigned to serve with a specific one." I said as I looked at her from my vantage point. Due to being taller.

"No, I haven't been informed." She said with surprise.

"Well, I command the 104th Legion, however it is a bit special. It consist of 4 regiments, but also an extra battalion. Called the 1st Airborne Battalion. You are assigned to that battalion." I said as she looked offended.

"Why? What!? I'm a Jedi I should control the Battalion, not assigned. And what is a airborne unit?" She exclaimed.

"Keep your voice down, Padawan. And keep your arrogance to yourself." Plo Koon interfered.

"Yes, Master." She said under her breath.

"Okay, well. I have looked into you, Elena. You're an extremely skilled lightsaber combatant, way ahead of your class." I said as her chest puffed out due to pride.

"And as such, you have been assigned a special fighting unit. The 1st Airborne Battalion is the first of its kind. We are equipped with jetpacks and heavy explosives. We'll be the first in battle and last out. We're meant to jump from LAAT's and onto the fight." I said as she began smiling.

"Hmm, that sounds fun." She said as she began to smile. I guess she got over her prude.

"Aye, but that's not all. I suppose you've heard of the Rancor Battalion? The most elite battalion?" I asked as she immediately answered.

"Yes, of course. It's led by ARC Marshal Commander Colt." She said. Apparently she knew a bit about republic command.

"Well, we're individually stronger. We have 3 ARC Troopers, 150 ARF Troopers, 17 Clone Engineers, 190 Heavy Troopers and 300 battle-tested troops. Sure they have more ARF Troopers, but most of them are not battle-tested." I said with a smile.

"Additionally, you're a Jedi Commander. Equal to a Battalion Commander. However above you is a Regimental Commander, and further a Senior Commander. Which is my position. I suggest you study other ranks than the Jedi ones as well." I said as she realised it.

"Alright, sorry for my disrespect previously. You deserve my respect and I hope to learn more about fighting from you." She said respectively.

"No problem… Elena." I nodded to her as I turned to Plo Koon.

"Should she be taught to use a jetpack or does she already know? Or can she use the force to jump and slow her own speed." I asked Plo Koon, though I turned to look at Elena as well.

Plo Koon looked to Elena, he wanted to know the same I guess.

"I can force jump and slow my own falling. I probably won't use jet packs, but I wish to learn it." She said as if it was an order.

"Well. Trapper is our chief jetpack instructor. He can give you proper training another time." Just as I finished, Trapper approached us.

"Commander, I've organised the troops. They're ready for you." He said as he saluted Plo Koon.

"Very well, let's not keep them waiting. By the way Trapper, this is Elena. Plo Koons new Padawan, she will be joining your Battalion." I said as he turned to Elena and introduced himself.

"Major Trapper, of the 1st Airborne Battalion, Ma'am!" He said with respect. He didn't outrank her, yet.

And with that I began walking. Plo Koon and Elena stood back originally but I looked at her and signalled for her to join us. So joined us and me, trapper and her walked towards the men.

They all stood Infront of an elevated platform, meant for quick briefings.

I approached the podium, all eyes were on me.

Elena and Trapper followed me.

Looking out over the 600 men Infront of me, I stepped forward and began speaking.

"Greetings, I am Senior Commander Dust, CT-8788. I command the 104th Legion, which you are a special battalion assigned to the 104th legion. You do not have any direct Commander, Major Trapper is your commanding officer and training officer for now. However in addition to that, the Jedi Council has sent us a Jedi Commander." I said as I pointed to Trapper then motioned Elena to step forward.

"This is Padawan Elena Vos, she is a padawan to Master Plo Koon, who leads our Corp. She will be with you guys specifically. However that is not all I came to inform you guys of. I expect you all know your new assignment, we're officially the 1st Airborne Unit. Which means a lot of pressure but also completely new structure and ways of doing stuff, which I shall announce. We will split the squad into another unit named Teams. The general team will compose of 5 members, everyone will be gunners with 1 sub-focus. 1 will focus on tracking, a 2nd on cyber and communications, another will focus on marksmanship, this doesn't necessarily mean sniper but a DC15A, a someone will be the leader and the last will bear heavy weapons, which differs from explosives to Z-6 Miniguns." I said as I pointed to Trapper before starting again.

"Trapper here will organise you into your preferable sub-specialisation. You may request one, if you don't one will be assigned to you. Or if we have too many of another." I said as I took a breath and began speaking again.

"Our landing will never be the same. Sometimes we will be landing all within 50 meters, other times we will land in companies over thousands of kilometres distance. Or sometimes we might as well land in teams with distance between planets. That is the reason I created teams, a small unit capable of working as an independent unit." Finally I finished my long briefing.

"The seppies wont remain silent for much longer, you needed to focus until it starts, I expect each team to be capable of acting independently within a few weeks." I said as I stepped down from the podium.

"A good speech Commander, a good speech." Plo Koon said as I stepped down from the podium. Where he was waiting.

"Thank you, General." I said as I approached him.

And with that I followed him to the bridge for further placement of our corps.