What troubled Solo even more was the relationship between the Jedi and the Clone Troopers. Many Jedi treated the clones as expendable "meat cans," which naturally didn't earn them the clones' loyalty.
Some accounts claimed that many clones had executed Order 66 with glee.
Yet there were also conflicting reports. In units where the Jedi had treated the clones well, the clones would resist the order, secretly releasing Jedi they respected.
However, the *Clone Wars* series revealed that every clone was implanted with a bio-chip at birth, forcing them to obey orders regardless of their personal feelings.
Which account should he believe?
Solo didn't know. Perhaps no Jedi had ever been released, or perhaps the chip's influence wasn't absolute.
But it was always wise to prepare for the worst. Did this mean he had to treat the clones as mere tools, like other Jedi?
Solo couldn't bring himself to do it. To have the chance to change the future and not even try would be true folly.
After a minute of silent mourning, Solo nodded to the Honor Guard.
The Clone Troopers carefully lifted the bodies of their fallen comrades from the hover platform and placed them into the mass grave.
Once all the bodies were properly laid to rest, the Honor Guard members lined up and raised their blasters toward the darkening green-blue night sky.
"I am proud to command soldiers like you! May our fallen brothers rest in peace," Solo declared. As his words echoed across the clearing, three synchronized blaster shots pierced the sky, startling birds from their roosts in the surrounding jungle.
By then, the night sky was ablaze with stars.
The burial ceremony followed.
The clones filled the grave with earth and erected a three-meter-tall metal obelisk as a memorial. At its base lay a Clone Trooper helmet pierced by blaster fire, surrounded by a "wreath" of welded blaster rifles.
Polished metal plaques were affixed to smaller pillars on either side, engraved with the serial numbers of the fallen—not just soldiers from the 13th Legion, but also those who had perished under Renan's command. Solo had specifically instructed the Engineers to mark each soldier's affiliation.
"Now, I wish to revive an ancient tradition... one that dates back to the tumultuous era of the Galactic Wars!" Solo declared, his voice trembling slightly with emotion as the Force surged around him. The gazes of tens of thousands of clone troopers stirred not mere ripples, but a tempest, almost disrupting his thoughts. "I bestow these war banners upon you as symbols of the 13th Legion's valor!"
Dozens of T-shaped war banners rose from the hovering platforms. The black flags bore Solo's modified version of the Raven Empire Crest, with a plaque at the center displaying the Roman numeral "XIII."
Solo himself couldn't explain why he had chosen Revan's emblem. Perhaps he found the crest aesthetically pleasing and rich in symbolism, or perhaps he knew that after four millennia, no one would remember the symbols of that ancient war, making the risk negligible.
As for the colors, it was a matter of necessity.
The base only had black waterproof tarpaulin suitable for flags, and the remaining dyes were limited to red and white. The final design ended up being "black background, white crest, red trim."
Solo raised his hand in a military salute. The tens of thousands of clone troopers below immediately mirrored his gesture in perfect unison. Their silent salute carried more weight than any thunderous applause.
"Brother, what do you think of the ceremony?" A clone trooper turned away from the metal plaque engraved with serial numbers beside the monument and asked his companion.
"It's a bit strange, but the General's words weren't wrong."
"I think it's good. Our fallen brothers would be pleased."
"Let's see what comes next... Our lives were always meant for war."
As dawn broke, the base sprang back to life.
Solo finished washing up, chewed on a ration bar, and sent Ahsoka off to training.
With the steady arrival of new equipment and supplies, construction accelerated noticeably. The plans he had drafted yesterday were gradually taking shape.
A four-square-kilometer area had been cleared, and workers were erecting a perimeter wall at least four meters high, punctuated by seven-meter-tall defensive towers. Each tower would be armed with dozens of captured artillery barrels, and rocket launchers would be mounted on the roofs.
Solo recalled his rudimentary knowledge of World War II tactics and remained skeptical of such high walls and towers. However, the Plastic-Concrete here was far stronger than Earth's bricks. Even masonry structures like the Brest Fortress had withstood nearly a month of siege against overwhelming firepower.
Moreover, Solo had no formal training in City Building Studies and dared not arbitrarily alter the Engineer's plans. He settled for a compromise: constructing a second fortified perimeter around the base, complete with full-profile trenches, permanent firing positions, and earthen-timber bunkers.
Within the walls, barracks, warehouses, workshops, mess halls, communication stations, and hospitals lined the perimeter. A hundred-meter-tall Command Center, bristling with antennas and enveloped in an energy shield, stood at the heart of the base.
Adjacent to the Command Center lay a sprawling landing pad where the *Dingyuan*, an unnamed *Consular-class* cruiser, and the *Pelta-class* frigate that had arrived at dawn could easily dock.
Though the base appeared chaotic at first glance, every Clone Trooper had a clearly defined task, maintaining perfect order.
"Good morning, General!" the Engineering Corps Captain's voice interrupted Solo's observation.
"Mornings are never good," Solo replied, causing the Captain to pause in surprise.
"I agree," the Clone Trooper unexpectedly chuckled before straightening his posture. "Sir, I have two reports to deliver... one good, one bad."
"Let's hear the bad news first."
"We can't reprogram the B-2 Super Battle Droids. Their protection protocols are too complex, and they contain many hidden commands. We lack the necessary decryption equipment."
Solo frowned. The B-2's firepower far surpassed the B-1's, making their unavailability a significant loss.
"What's the good news?"
"We've cracked the B-1 Battle Droids! Their systems were already simple, and we've added extra protection protocols." The captain handed over a data pad. "Your signature is required for authorization."
"Have we obtained the technical schematics for the enemy ships?"
"Yes, detailed schematics are stored in the databases of DUM and the Maintenance Robots."
"Let's head to the Command Center. I have some modification ideas."
On the way, Solo filled out the authorization information on the data pad, leaving the "Command Priority" field blank except for his own name.
Upon entering the Command Center, he pointed to the equipment models in the holographic projection and began outlining his plan:
"First, upgrade the AT-TEs. Install two Deflector Shield Generators salvaged from the droid control bays on each vehicle, ensuring at least frontal protection. The driver's compartment should also be armored."
"Second, install the remaining shield generators on the speeder bikes.
Third, paint the B-1 battle droids green, organize them into battalions, and assign them to various regiments. This will provide commanders with additional forces to cover their troops during intense combat. We'll also reserve some for base defense and anti-boarding squads on our ships.
Fourth, repair all AAT tanks and weld external supports to allow them to carry infantry.
Fifth, remove the loading ramps from the MTTs and replace them with twelve to sixteen blaster cannons. Rocket launchers would be even better.
Finally, spray our legion's insignia on all equipment and robots."
The captain hesitated. "The modifications aren't difficult, but the painting might be a problem... We don't have enough green paint."
"What colors do you have?" Solo asked, knowing the answer but still clinging to a sliver of hope.
"Only red and white, and we have plenty of those."
"Then paint them white with red stripes. At least they'll be distinguishable from the enemy robots," Solo conceded reluctantly. Red and white were common colors for the Republic military, but right now, there was no other choice.
In truth, Solo was sitting on a small fortune. Even selling the captured E-5 blaster carbines at a discount would fetch 250 million credits.
He even considered selling some of the captured weapons to buy a few Raider-class corvettes from Sienar Fleet Systems. These ships were severely underrated, boasting impressive combat capabilities far more practical than the models currently being promoted by Kuat Drive Yards.
But he dared not proceed. A Jedi possessing such a vast sum of wealth would violate protocol, and the Senate would undoubtedly demand its share. For now, he had to abandon the idea.
To secure the automated fuel refinery orbiting the gas giant, Solo assembled a hundred-strong team.
The team comprised Clone Troopers and engineers, equipped with a light corvette, ten fighters, and a company of B-1 Battle Droids as garrison troops.
No trouble was anticipated. The refinery was fully automated, requiring only the installation of a few defensive turrets and connecting its control systems to the base's command center.
With the fleet desperately needing fuel, Solo had to get the refinery operational as quickly as possible. Moreover, his Force senses warned him that the Separatists would never simply give up.
"Commander, local natives are requesting an audience at the east gate, claiming they wish to speak with the 'Supreme Leader'!" Commander Brem's urgent comms transmission interrupted Solo's thoughts.
"Oh? Let's go see what they want!"
Solo was somewhat surprised; this was the first time anyone had addressed him by that title.
***
In East Gate Square, a peculiar delegation awaited him.
At first glance, Solo mistook them for goblins from *The Hobbit*. Upon closer inspection, he realized their features were more refined, though their ears were identical to Shrek's.
At the head of the group stood an elderly man, leaning on a staff. His body was painted with vibrant patterns and adorned with feathers.
Without needing to ask, Solo knew this must be the chief. The ordinary communicator on the man's wrist made it clear he wasn't entirely primitive.
"Great Chief Mbanggongo greets the Republic's envoy!" the elder announced, striking his staff against the ground with a resonant thud.
Remembering the negotiation techniques his mentor had taught him, Solo maintained a respectful tone, despite his lack of experience with "primitive tribes." "I am Jedi Knight Solo Victor. Welcome, Great Chief. What brings you here?"
"Before your arrival, this planet was inhabited by the Mechamen," Mbanggongo explained. "They used to trade with the Bomongos, but recently they turned hostile and cut off all commerce! You drove out the evil Mechamen, so we have come to trade with you!"
The Mechamen were Separatist robots.
"What do you need?" Solo asked.
"We need to repair our Field Mechs (agricultural robots) and get Shoot-Shoot Guns. The Quillom Beasts are too big and their hides are too tough for spears. We need guns to hunt them!"
Solo secretly congratulated himself for not jumping to conclusions. These natives were more technologically savvy than he'd expected, and antagonizing them would be detrimental to the Base. He immediately nodded. "We can trade. What do you have to offer?"
"We have Otari Fruit and Slom Beast meat!"
Improving the Clone Troopers' rations was a good idea, but Solo suddenly remembered something. "Do you have any paint?"
"What do you need paint for?" Mbanggongo asked, puzzled.
"We're embarking on a campaign and need to mark our warriors' equipment," Solo replied dramatically.
"Excellent! We can help you with that!" The elder immediately agreed.
Solo breathed a sigh of relief.
Not only could he dispose of surplus supplies, but he could also acquire the paint he needed. This was a good trade.
Please Support me by becoming my patreon member and get 10+ chapters.
[email protected]/Ajal69
change @ with a
Thank You to Those who joined my