The art of compromise

We've got no homes, no mothers to raise us, no fathers to guide us…

But we were thrown into a war and trained to die for a Republic we'd never even seen.

Coruscant 1 month after the start of the clone wars.

"It is a pleasure to have you here with me," said Grand Chancellor Palpatine, with a politician's smile and eagle eyes. He was definitely a politician.

I gave a military salute, I was in full diplomatic armor, a pure white armor with some black paints that show my official rank. A small gun similar to the one Jango Fett had, a black kama around my hips and a black cap that made me look more professional.

"The pleasure is all mine, Grand Chancellor of the Republic" The Grand Chancellor of the Republic, as his name indicated, was the one who had executive power over the entire Republic. Therefore he was undoubtedly the most politically powerful being in the entire galaxy.

The room had a very nice view of the city planet of Coruscant and inside it was elegantly decorated.

"The first month of war has been problematic, Supreme Commander..." He paused for a second to think. "I hear the clones are giving themselves names. Do you have a name?"

I shook my head, still no name. "CC-0001 for the moment Supreme Chancellor."

He nodded his head, seeming to think for a few seconds. However he quickly pulled himself together.

"Well then, Supreme Commander. After a month of war and you have been on all fronts leading the clone army. I would like to know what the situation is. There are days when I wake up and we have gained over 10 planets and others when I wake up and we have lost 30 and the collapse of the front line is immediate and I must evacuate Coruscant for my safety."

The situation was stressful to say the least, in the worst case it was absolute chaos. Front lines were being established. Thousands of battles were taking place on all sides that would designate the borders on which the war would be fought for years to come. In an attempt to improve our initial situation I intervened with the 203rd in dozens if not hundreds of battles already. A month of war without rest. I took advantage of the Grand Chancellor calling me to a discussion with him on Coruscant to give my legion a rest. They well deserved to rest for a whole year for their work.

"I wish I also knew what the situation was," I said in a joking manner. The Grand Chancellor was a politician and surely he was a despicable being who lived a lie to maintain his position. Surely he would appreciate a little humor.

I thought with a bit of disdain in my head. As in my former life my government had sold me to the Russy Federation for better peace conditions. Zettour and Rudesdorf were in turn sold to the allies to be falsely convicted of war crimes. In exchange once the victors had stolen the disputed territories The Empire wouldn't be partitioned into successor states.

I retched at the memory of Loria. I opened my throat the moment I understood Loria's intentions. The advantage of being a veteran mage was that I was able to create magic blades large enough to be able to commit suicide without being noticed.

I stopped thinking, the more I remembered, the worse it would be.

Palpatine laughed lightly, seeming to appreciate the joke.

"Should I prepare for my evacuation, Supreme Commander?" He said, continuing the joke.

"It won't be necessary yet. I will take it upon myself to bring victory to the Republic."

He nodded with a smile. However, I was probably expecting a serious report so I activated a hologram of the galaxy and began to mark on the map our strong points, the enemy's strong points and the conflict zones.

"We are still in the settlement phase. We are drawing the future borders of war right now. And although we are winning in some places, the separatists are also winning. I feel that I cannot professionally give you an opinion on the development of the conflict until the borders are settled".

The Grand Chancellor seemed content with what little I had explained. Civilians liked to see military plans and pretend they understood something. Surely he had never seen the inside of a military academy in his life either. And yet he has the future of the army in his hands.

"I understand the situation. I expect a full report to myself and the senate when the settlement phase is over. But may I ask if we can use the industries of Geonosis to produce equipment for the Republic?"

I shook my head. "After an investigation it was discovered that it would be impossible to use the Goenosian factories for our industries. Therefore I would like to propose the dismantling of the entire Geonosian industry. So that in the worst case scenario they cannot be put back into operation."

He nodded and opened a hologram. Seeming to write something on it. He quickly finished.

"I'm going to hold a senate session to decide what to do with the industries on occupied enemy planets. What is decided will set precedent."

A silence fell over the room. One that lasted a minute, where absolutely nothing happened.

"What was the reason for your first War Directive?"

That was a question. One that I honestly didn't know whether to answer truthfully. However, telling the truth to a politician could be advantageous. Politics is a job specialized in lying and detecting lies, with only the best getting any real power. If I lie to him he will know it. If I tell him the truth he will appreciate it, or so I hoped.

"It was due to Jedi military incompetence. They don't have the knowledge to lead so I felt I couldn't in good conscience give them command. I discovered this when I saw the difference in losses between a legion led by a clone commander and one led by a Jedi."

He seemed to nod, thinking. I think every time he stops to think before he says something it is surely another quality of being a politician. Carefully thinking every word that comes out of his mouth.

"I understand, dare I say I might even think you are right. However it is necessary for the Jedi to play their part in this grand scheme."

He stood up, me standing up in response. He shook my hand and I accepted it, shaking hands.

"Thank you very much CC-0001 for your great work and I look forward to your report with great enthusiasm. I also want to tell you that I will watch your career with great interest."

"Pleased to meet you Chancellor and I look forward to bringing you the final announcement of the Republic's victory."

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I was in front of the Jedi Council. When I was called here I did not know why I was called here. However, standing next to me was the newly promoted Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker. He was the one who helped me on Geonosis. In a mere month to my surprise for an unmodified human he had grown a shocking amount. At the battle of Geonosis he looked like a teenager but now he looked more like a real man, also for some reason I didn't know his hair had grown too long for the month that had passed.

"We have called you here. To consult you about the ban you made after the battle of Geonosis. Where you forbade the Jedi from controlling clone armies. This is not an interrogation. But it is in our interest to know what happened to make you take such a decision," said a beautiful red-orange alien woman with something I couldn't describe on her head.

I took a deep breath. Probably telling the truth was the best option. Just like with the Chancellor.

"After the initial battle of Geonosis, I personally investigated the deaths of our troops. It was then that I detected an anomaly. 5000 casualties. 2,000 of them being combat deaths. In difference there were 200 dead in each legion."

I sighed and looked around me. Most seemed concerned after hearing my report. Although I didn't know if this was a lie to show sympathy or sincere concern.

"Jedi Master Mace Windu led a legion to the front. Most likely with the intention of capturing the enemy leadership. Which is an understandable desire. However, he made so many mistakes that caused so many deaths. So many avoidable deaths that I was forced to research the Republic archives on the Jedi. Discovering that you had no tactical, nor strategic military training whatsoever. Which made me realize that the best course to take would be to forbid the Jedi from taking control of the clones for the sake of preserving the lives of my men."

Silence fell, none of the Jedi spoke. Anakin seemed to look at me with concern however I focused my gaze on Mace Windu's face. He was so stoic that I didn't notice a reaction. Even though he didn't speak I felt frustrated with him. Almost qualifying it as hatred.

Yoda participated by opening his mouth, I quickly noticed him.

To avoid further misfortune. Recommendations give us. Living beings clones are. Cared for like any other their lives must be.

Yoda... As problematic as it was, he understood the value of clone life. Something I saw little of from many people. But in a month of war I could feel the hatred of many non-clone admirals towards us. They looked at us as mere maggots. Yet Yoda treated us as living beings deserving of rights.

"I would recommend first of all. That all jedi be aware. That when you charge with your lightsabers. The clones are forced to come out with you, coming out of cover that will save their lives. And unlike you, they have no lightsabers to protect them from enemy fire. If a clone is shot at, they will die. If you get shot, you will block it with your laser sword. That's why Mace Windu survived when two thousand of my men...didn't."

Second of all. A clone commander is much more competent than you, so is a captain. Unlike you they were trained for this job from birth. Therefore consult all your strategies. Be careful though, for we clones are forced to follow you to death. We were born to die and our destiny is to die for the republic with blind loyalty. So if you ask him for a strategy make sure he tells you his true opinion. For many times they will lie or simply accept your orders because they have or consider no other choice.

Third of all and most important of all, learn strategy. If there is no time to go to war academies. I can make a basic war book so that you all have an insight into how war works. It won't teach you advanced warfare tactics but it will prevent you from causing thousands, both clones and not to die for naught."

The effort I required not to insult them and remain professional was great. If I somehow offended them now it could be that they reject my advice. With some stupid mentality of a person who would shove someone in front of a train over a lost job.

Again Yoda was the only one to speak.

"Write it, please, the book. Soldiers of peace we are, Generals of war, we, are, not. Unnecessary death, prevent this will. The book, when finished. To me give you will. To all Jedi, who will lead. I will give."

Yoda. He was over 800 years old. He may have been militarily uneducated but he was wise. There was no denying it and he appreciated the lives of the clones. Maybe, just maybe, he had a little bit of my respect.

"Another subject. Of the Jedi council, offer you a Jedi by your side we would.. Knight Skywalker, we propose.

I looked at Anakin as he looked at me. He seemed more surprised than I was. He saved me. I didn't know him personally but helping a clone meant that at least he didn't consider us objects. Something I appreciated.

"I will accept your Jedi knight."

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was in the Maelstrom. Legion 501 and 203 joined their fleets because of Jedi Knight Anakin's bound to me. Making our entire fleet be a very powerful one, with six Venators and a Maelstrom.

We were on our way to Christophsis as the droids were trying to invade. It was a strategically important planet so I decided to oversee the battle in person.

I was alone in my personal quarters when my unexpected visitor arrived. Captain Rex.

"Come in" I said, seeing Captain Rex, enter wearing freshly blue painted armor. Something that amused me to no end. For not being trained by Mandalorians, he certainly had the Mandalorian look about him.

He sat in one of the chairs in my room. Taking off his helmet and looking calm.

"Long time no see Big Sister" He quipped cheerfully. No clone called me CC-0001 but Big Sister. Which I was infinitely grateful for.

"Long time hypothetical Renegade Clone who is now called Rex" I said jokingly. Of all the clones he was the one closest to me. All because I helped him survive from a decommission. He was too independent for the strict Kaminoans, and unlike the first generation ARC troops, he wasn't created for it. Therefore he was going to be decommissioned. However, I saved him.

"Harsh, still going straight for the throat I see," he chuckled, setting his helmet on the table and sitting back.

"That may well be. You may wonder why I called you here. That's because... I'd like to know about the Knight Anakin Skywalker. How has he treated you, the brothers? Is he trustworthy? He was placed as my protector for some reason, yet I know nothing about him."

"He's very hyperactive. He'll go on the attack with plans developed in less than ten seconds, yet he makes it work. Rarely if ever listens to his former Master and yet somehow is the best person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Considers us as living beings, never leaving a man behind. He's always leading from the front, and is the best pilot I have ever met. Few as that might be." he paused to take a breath before continuing.

" I've spoken with the other commanders. I would say he is one of the best Jedi I could have ended up with as a superior officer."

I nodded and removed my helmet as well, looking up at the ceiling. "The way you talk, who would have thought you were so independent and outstanding that you were an anomaly."

"He saved my life repeatedly, I would give mine for him if necessary

Many clones would say that because of how they were created and raised. Rex, however, was different. More independent so to speak. Therefore his saying had much greater relevance.

Rex snapped me from my thoughts, in a timid voice.

"I heard that the Kaminoans called you, immediately afterwards you rescinded the War Directive. What happened there?"

I looked away, remembering the situation. "They threatened to decommission me."

Rex rose violently from his chair and approached me.

"There's no way they could do that! Not to you, Right?"

I shook my head, the Kaminoans were monsters. They would kill me without hesitation if they felt it necessary.

"Rex, we're objects,things that can be dispatched on a whim. You're lucky that I was able to protect you in time. Thousands of clones died because the Kaminoans thought them defective. I can protect you, Rex, but who protects me? Why do you think I haven't picked a name? The Kaminoans watch every step I take. Just looking for an excuse to murder me. Because that's what it is. Murder. I protected you Rex. But who protects me?"

Rex pulled me from my seat, hugged me tightly even though I couldn't really feel it though the armor.

"Your brother's will always protect you," he whispered. Standing there in the embrace of my brother I almost believed that.

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