Chapter 3
Plan of Action
Maverick and his troops followed the Jedi, Kal Nevaar, to his home on the more Eastern side of the forest. they occasionally ran into one of the forest's numerous predatory animals, but Kal just waved his hand, and they walked away, as they had never seen the men. Even though he had seen a Jedi do it before, Maverick was still amazed and impressed. They were now nearing Kal's makeshift home.
"It's not much for room, but I can fix that, if need be." Kal said.
"As long as we can live in it, we can call it home." Jax said.
"Yes, well, I can't guarantee that it will be comfortable." Kal replied.
"Comfort is a luxury, sir, and luxuries make a man soft." Berk said.
Maverick didn't say anything, he was only thinking of how the Jedi had found them, yes he had the Force and could probably sense them, but that din't explain why it had taken him this long to find the six of them.
***
The seven men walked inside the small lodging and stood.
"Please, make yourselves comfortable." Kal said sweeping his arm around the main room of the building.
The clones complied, taking a seat or leaning against the wall, according to their preference.
"Could I ask you your names?" Kal asked.
"Sir, everyone calls me Jax." one of the clones said.
"I'm Sparky, they call me that 'cause i'm good with electronics." another replied.
"Bets, got my name 'cause I like to take risks." another replied.
"Berk, no story for my name."
"Vek, I also have no story."
"I'm called Maverick, because I'm inventive with my way of following the rules."
Kal nodded, "Would you mind me asking if you took of your helmets, I feel odd not seeing you face-to-face." he said.
The clones looked at one another, but then slowly removed their helmets, revealing the same face under each, but each was different in their own way. Maverick had a scar directly above his left eyebrow that arched over the bridge of his nose to the corner of his right eye. Sparky had an inch-long scar along his hairline on the left side of his forehead. Berk had a scar that started on the left side of his neck, went up his his chin, and stopped at the left corner of his lips. Jax had long slicked back hair, but no scars on his face. Bets had the symbol for galactic credits tattooed on the right side of his neck. Vek also possessed no scars, but, unlike Jax, his hair was a regulation military cut. Lockdown just had a simple buzz-cut hairdo.
"Were not that impressive, sir, hard to be an individual when people share your face." Jax said.
Kal shook his head with a smile, "You are all individuals, Jax. You have your own preferences, your own ideas, and ,above all, your own personalities." he said.
Jax seemed to think about this, "I suppose so, sir." he said.
Kal scanned the group of men in front of him. He felt them in the force, and memorized there presences, though when he reached Maverick, he felt something of a mix of questioning and curiosity.
"Is there something troubling you Maverick?" Kal asked.
"Actually, sir, there is." Maverick replied.
"Go on." Kal politely insisted.
"Sir, I've been thinking, how did you find us in those ruins?" Maverick asked.
The other troops focused on him, apparently they hadn't thought about that.
"I felt your presences in the the Force." he replied simply.
"But why know, we've been here for a good long time now, so why did it take you this long to find us?" maverick continued.
Kal sighed, "I felt a disturbance in the Force. So when I stretched out with Force, I felt your presence, and the presence of something dark. I immediately assumed that Vader was here with a squad of troops, I believe that the Empire is coming, and soon." he said.
"No rest for the weary soldiers I guess." Jax said with a shrug.
"If the Empire's coming, we will fight." Lockdown said, standing up and clenching a fist in front of him.
"We need more than just the seven of us, alone we are sure to fail." Kal said.
"What do you suggest we do then, sir?" Maverick asked.
"I don't know, but we have to protect the innocent inhabitants of this world." Kal replied.
"Why not just ask the locals for a bit of help?" Bets asked.
"I had hoped not to endanger then, but that may be inevitable." Kal said.
"Then let's do it, if the Empire gets here while we're discussing this everyone will be caught off guard." Berk said.
"Then that is our plan." Kal said.
"We can teach the locals how to fight, at least the basics anyway." Maverick said.
Kal nodded, "Yes, that would increase our chances, but are you sure you can do it?" he asked.
The troops all stood at attention, "Sir, yes, sir!" they all said in unison.
"Very well, we shall go to the nearest village, and ask them to take us to see their highest authority." Kal said.
The troops replaced their helmets, walked out the door, and waited for Kal.
"May the Force be with us." Kal said.
"For the Republic." The troops replied.
"We're off to war again, lead the way... General." Maverick said.
They began to exit the forest and head towards the nearest village, which was closer than they had thought.