Chapter Text
19 BBY
For three and a half long years, the Clone Wars had raged on. Billions had died; many more were left without homes, friends, family and worlds. But it was almost over. Every day, the Republic won more victories across the stars. The Separatist leadership was falling apart, with only a few key leaders keeping the rebellious droid armies fighting.
On a farming world that fed nearly a quarter of the Outer Rim, clones fought to keep those countless systems from starving.
It wasn't an easy battle. The droids fought hard and were merciless. They had pushed the Clones back multiple times throughout the conflict.
"All units, FIRE AT WILL!" Captain Spikes hollered before Ammo and the rest of their brothers in the 211th battalion unleashed a whirlwind of blaster fire on the incoming battle droids.
Droid after droid was shot and turned into a scrap pile, though they managed to take a handful of clones with them.
"We got commandos incoming," a clone warned just before being strangled by one of those elite droids.
Ammo used a smoulder on the commandos, sending one down with his heavy rotary cannon, but another knocked his weapon away with a vibro-sword before kicking him to the ground.
Ammo tried to pull out a pistol he carried on him, but the commando stomped a strong metal foot over his wrist on the side where his pistol rested.
The commando was about to decapitate him when a swirling energy sword spun through the air, cutting the droid's head off instead. The rest of the metal body collapsed right onto Ammo. Thankfully, though, he managed to push it off of him just as his saviour – the owner of the lightsaber that had decapitated the commando – came over to offer him a hand up.
"How many times do I have to save your sorry butt, Ammo?" the Jedi Padawan – Commander Phoenix – joked.
"I'll have you know I had the situation well under control," Ammo replied, with a smirk.
"Sure, you did," the Padawan replied. At that moment, another commando appeared, blaster pointed at the young Bpfasshi Jedi. This time, Ammo shoved his Commander out of the way, having pulled out his pistol and shot the commando dead center in the head.
The clanker went down in an instant upon being shot.
Turning towards the Jedi he'd just saved, Ammo chuckled. "And how many times do I have to save your sorry butt, Phoenix?"
Crossing his arms as a frown formed on his face, the pale-skinned humanoid teen looked ready to reprimand his comrade. But instead, the frown flipped upside down as he hooked an arm around the trooper's shoulder. "Let's just call it even," he suggested.
"Works for me, buddy," Ammo replied.
"Enough chatter, you two," General Qordo – a Quarren Jedi Master, leader of the 211th battalion and Phoenix's mentor – called out atop the sliced remains of at least a couple of commando droids. "We need to keep pushing the droids back until we've secured their command base."
Bowing his head respectfully, Phoenix replied, "On it, master." Ammo gave the general a salute. "Sir, yes, sir," the clone said, then reached down and picked up his rotary cannon.
In no time, the Republic had won the battle. The Separatist command base was destroyed by a blazing explosion caused by Phoenix, Ammo, and the latter's clone brothers. Without the command base, the remaining droids were soon deactivated.
Applause erupted across the now-scorched battlefield as clones cheered the success of another mission.
That night, the farmers celebrated in honour of the brave clones and their Jedi leadership who saved them and their world from destruction. Locals played music on hand-crafted instruments, and the farms served meals of local vegetables and fried meat. It wasn't anything fancy, but compared to the government rations that tasted like dirt-plastered bark, the local food tasted like heaven in the clones' mouths. But the best part was the dessert: little pastries, which were little fluffy, hand-sized cakes with icing on top and filled with flavour-rich cream. All baked with ingredients produced on the planet by local farmers.
Ammo had never tasted anything so sweet in his life. Made him wish he could enjoy something like this every day. "Mm mm…"
"I see someone's enjoying the food," Phoenix said as Ammo savoured his fourth pastry, as evidenced by the leftover cream staining his face.
"Sure am, Commander," he confirmed.
"That's good. You and the rest of your brothers have more than earned this celebration."
"Gotta enjoy it while I can. After all, we'll probably be shipping out tomorrow for the next battle."
"That might not be happening," the Padawan said, much to Ammo's surprise.
"What are you talking about, sir?"
"I was just speaking to my master," Phoenix revealed. "Master Kenobi has killed General Grievous. It won't be long before the remaining Separatist leaders are forced to surrender. The war's basically over at this point."
This… this was something Ammo could not believe. Sure, he knew that the Clone Wars would eventually come to an end, hopefully with the Republic being victorious. But still, with the war over, what did that mean for Ammo and the rest of his brothers? What would happen to them when the Republic didn't need an army to fight?"
Phoenix didn't need his Jedi senses to see the worry in his friend's mind. The end of the war was something that all clones both looked forward to and dreaded at the same time. Since the war began, many Jedi had thought about the fate of their loyal soldiers after it ended.
"There will always be a place for you and your brothers in the Republic," the Padawan assured, placing a comforting hand on the clones' shoulders as he spoke. "You guys gave your all to protect us. Your loyalty and sacrifices will never be forgotten. Master Qordo already said he'd petition the Jedi Council to figure out a suitable plan for you guys after the fighting's over."
This was enough to ease Ammo's worries. "It's been an honour serving you, Commander. My brothers and I couldn't have asked for a better leader, nor could I have asked for a better friend."
This touched Phoenix's heart dearly. Without warning, the Padawan wrapped his arms around the clone in a warm hug.
Though surprised at first, Ammo quickly returned the hug. He embraced the young man who was one of the closest people in his life.
"Ammo, quick, stop being so mushy and get over here, now!" Captain Spikes called out to his brother.
Releasing each other, the Padawan and clone recomposed themselves; the latter nodded to the former and headed toward the captain, wiping the cream from his face as he walked over.
"What's up, sir?" Ammo asked upon reaching Spikes.
The captain pulled out a disk-sized commlink and said, "We're receiving a message from the Supreme Chancellor under a priority code." Moments later, a hologram of Chancellor Palpatine appeared, but he didn't look like the kind, elderly leader of the Republic. Instead, he appeared scarred, disfigured, and shrouded by a hooded cloak that hid most of his body. When he spoke, his voice sounded both the same and different at once, as if something sinister had engulfed the Chancellor as he said four words that would change the galaxy forever!
"Execute Order Sixty-Six!"