**Chapter 820: New Alliances and Old Burdens**
**Scene 1: Bridge of the Enterprise – Nebula-class Star Destroyer**
Anakin Skywalker stood on the bridge of the *Enterprise*, arms crossed, as two holograms flickered to life before the assembled command staff. High General Valentra's stern, no-nonsense image appeared first, followed by an elderly gray-haired woman in a crisp naval uniform. She looked to be in her mid-fifties or early sixties, with sharp eyes that spoke of decades of experience.
"High Admiral Delara Hannika," the woman introduced herself with a crisp nod. "Representative of the General Staff. It is a pleasure to meet you, Supreme Jedi General Dagon."
Dagon, standing tall in his black Wrath Shield armor with the faceplate retracted, inclined his head. "The pleasure is mutual, Admiral."
"I understand congratulations are in order," Delara continued. "We now have a decent foothold in the outer eastern reaches of Hutt space."
"Yes," Dagon replied. "The fighting was intense, but we have pushed back the current joint CIS and Hutt offensive. They are back on the defensive. We destroyed nearly seven hundred capital ships—both CIS and Hutt warships—and have deployed the Guardian systems as protection in the captured planets' orbits."
Valentra's hologram nodded approvingly. "Excellent work. However, we currently request that you and Master Skywalker pull back to discuss a new expanded broad military conference. Given the inclusion of Alsakan, Kuat, Corellia, and numerous Outer Rim volunteers, as well as Mid Rim and Core Worlds contributions to both army and navy, there is to be discussion for a new planned offensive deep into Hutt and remaining CIS borders."
Anakin shifted slightly, glancing at Dagon. The weight of the words settled over him. The war was no longer just survival—it was becoming a coordinated crusade.
Dagon's expression remained calm. "Understood. We will return to Coruscant immediately. Skywalker, prepare your fighter. The *Enterprise* will escort us."
As the holograms faded, Anakin turned to Dagon. "A big conference. Sounds like the war's entering a new phase."
"It is," Dagon said quietly. "And you're part of it, Chosen One. Don't forget that."
**Scene 2: Officers' Mess – Mern-Thirteen Headquarters**
Line Captain Lee Noriega placed her datapad on the table and pulled the lunch tray toward her. She devoured the entrée with a spoon in her right hand while scrolling through the text on the screen with the index finger of her left. She had already familiarized herself with the information and was now leisurely assessing it.
The news that all their militiamen were being taken away, and only clones were being used, both pleased and saddened her. Gaining highly professional soldiers was a good thing. But parting with what you essentially created yourself was also difficult. She had grown accustomed to the militiamen in her plans and tactical decisions. Now everything would have to change. Well, she'd think of something in two weeks.
And then there was this confusion with unit numbers…
In total, from the start of the war until the full deployment of all seventy million first-generation clones, five hundred Star Corps, one thousand two hundred separate legions, two thousand four hundred separate regiments, two thousand eight hundred and forty separate battalions, and one thousand four hundred and forty separate companies were formed. All of these units were line units. The remaining clones served as ship crews, technicians, pilots, and medics. Only the commandos had any specialization, but they were few in number—around ten thousand.
As the war progressed, some of the line units received their own names and specializations: paratroopers, airborne infantry, reconnaissance, armored, and assault units. And just because the 721st Airborne Legion was numbered "721" didn't mean there were 720 other airborne legions before it. The 720th could be a simple line legion, and the 719th an airborne assault legion. And the 715th might not even exist temporarily: if the unit suffered significant losses, it could be disbanded, only to be reconstituted when enough recruits had been gathered to form a full-fledged unit. Veterans were distributed among other units. As far as Sumeragi knew, even taking into account the second wave of clones, only 443 corps existed. Fifty-seven "temporarily do not exist"…
Reaching for the juice, Lee Noriega found herself in the company of young Jedi Knights gathered in the officers' mess hall for breakfast.
"Good morning, Line Captain," Seth Lindemann greeted her from the seat opposite. "Glad you could join us. Was it an engaging read?" The Atoan pointed to the datapad.
Lee was embarrassed. "I'm sorry. I probably got carried away and didn't notice you arriving."
"So what's the matter?" Fredtlin Strang asked.
"I'm trying to figure out the new staffing levels for the system army," the woman explained.
Erran Berrus shook his head. "Do you ever rest, ma'am?"
"I was resting," Lee shrugged. "Really? This is a strange vacation you're having," Sheili Vendar snorted loudly.
"My mother used to tell me that you should find a job that feels like a vacation, a hobby, or a holiday," Lee Noriega replied. "And then you won't have to work a single day. I found that job myself."
"I can't believe you had no choice! Seriously—war?! What could be interesting about that?" Arnus exclaimed.
Lee sighed in turn. "They're still kids, honestly. They're growing up, but they're still kids. Although I'm pretty myself. Shouldn't I tell them I absolutely love the military uniform? And that's the only reason I went to the Naval Academy? No, that's definitely not something I should say."
She set the datapad aside and focused on her meal, but her mind continued working. The new corps arriving for Mern-Thirteen were impressive on paper.
First was the **Fourth Elite Airborne Assault Corps**, under Clone Marshal Commander Art. Forty thousand clones, trained and equipped for landing in enemy territory using any form of airborne assault—standard LAAT drops, rocket or repulsor pack drops, landing from any altitude using drop pods or parachutes.
"We could use guys like that," Lee thought. "Taking a beachhead and launching a surprise attack—that's a job they can handle. But their equipment isn't exactly top-notch, and if the battle drags on, the losses will be significant. That's why they were withdrawn to Coruscant—to recuperate after their latest operation. They'll be reinforced by a couple of disbanded separate airborne assault legions, so there won't be any issues with training or overall combat effectiveness."
Next came the **Seventy-Third Shock Corps**. Although inferior in training to the Fourth and less mobile, it was better prepared for a ground offensive. Its large number of armored vehicles and heavy weapons allowed it to penetrate even highly echeloned defenses.
"These ones can actually deliver a punch. But they won't be usable everywhere… They've been pretty battered, too."
The **109th Star Corps** was a standard line unit, bolstered by clones from other, more battered units. Commanded by Marshal Commander Seventy-One, who had fought at Geonosis. One of its legions was staffed by soldiers from the disbanded 416th.
Last but not least was the **Ninety-First Reconnaissance Corps**, under Marshal Commander Neyo. A unique unit, created by High Jedi General Oppo Rancisis. Two-thirds of its forces were equipped with BARC speeders, the remaining third with AT-RT walkers. Mobility and speed were its hallmarks.
In addition, two separate siege regiments—the Fifty-Fourth and the One Hundred and Thirty-Sixth—the Ninth Special Forces Company, and the Muunilist Ten Squad—an elite GAR unit under ARC Captain Fordo—were being assigned.
Lee took another bite, her mind already forming new tactical doctrines. The war was changing. Mern-Thirteen would change with it.
**Scene 3: Strategic Realignment**
Back on the *Enterprise*, Dagon and Anakin reviewed the latest fleet reports as the ship prepared for the jump back to Coruscant.
"The inclusion of new allies changes everything," Dagon said. "Alsakan's Mandators, Kuat's industrial capacity, Corellia's shipyards, and the Outer Rim volunteers… We have the numbers now for a true deep strike."
Anakin nodded, still processing the scale. "And the Guardian systems on the captured worlds will buy us time."
"Exactly," Dagon replied. "This conference will decide the shape of the next year of war. Rest while you can, Skywalker. Dagobah was only the beginning."
As the *Enterprise* entered hyperspace, the Republic prepared for its next great offensive. The Dragon's shadow lengthened across the galaxy.