//------------------------------//
// Chapter 5 - Burdens 
// Story: Star Wars - Hope In the Force 
// by Mkchief34 
//------------------------------//

As the Gunship carrying General Marchen and Commander Gale landed in the Sentinel's main hangar, Kyris was approached by a Clone Sergeant with a datapad.

"We've got a base camp set up, General." the Clone reported. "Generators are charging and supplies are being distributed."

"Good work." Kyris said. "Go get some rest."

"Yes, sir."

The Clone saluted and headed off. Gale perked his head slightly and followed Kyris towards the elevator that went to the bridge. As they entered and the elevator began to ascend, Gale gave a sigh of exhaustion.

"Tired, Commander?" Kyris asked.

"I guess I am, sir." Gale replied wearily. "I haven't been sleeping well. Too much has happened, if you understand my meaning."

"I understand perfectly." Kyris said. "However, I think our trials have only just begun on this world. Our battles for the Republic may be finished, but our new war for survival has just begun."

"And I'm ready, sir." Gale smiled. "We all are."

"I'm glad to hear it." Kyris returned the smile as they entered the bridge, walking over to a holomap of their newly-established base on the surface near the cruiser. As they watched, a Clone Sergeant approached.

"General, reports are coming in from our base. Power supply is at one hundred percent, with food and water being allocated from our supplies and a nearby lake. We've also gotten word from Princess Celestia that additional shipments are incoming."

"Good work." Kyris said. "Secure the perimeter, and have some troopers take up guard positions. Everyone else should get some rest. And I mean everyone, Trooper."

"Yes, sir."

The Sergeant saluted, and headed out. As Gale looked out the window at the setting sun, he sighed.

"General?"

"Hmm?"

"I'd like to stay in Ponyville for a bit before I retire for the night." Gale requested. 
"I've got something I need to take care of. I ask permission for a temporary leave."

"Permission granted." Kyris said. "Just return to the base whenever you can. Have a good night, Commander."

"You too, sir."

As Gale saluted the General again and took the elevator to the lower decks, he sighed once more from exhaustion, stress, and anxiety.

====

As Gale plucked a pair of DC-15 Pistols from a weapons rack and holstered them, before taking a DC-15 Carbine for his main weapon, he turned to see a speeder bike lying vacant near the exit ramp.

"Well, I suppose I can take you for a spin." Gale said, powering the bike up and moving to descend the ramp and onto the earth. "Not like anyone's going to miss this."

As he drove towards Ponyville, he could feel his worries start to burn away in the evening light, like ash from a flame. In his mind's eye, he could feel that somewhere in the Galaxy, a new hope was rising that would one day topple the Empire and restore the galaxy.

If only Gale knew what it was or what it could be.

As he stopped near Fluttershy's house and hopped off the bike, he was surprised to see Fluttershy feeding seeds to some white-feathered animals.

"Oh, hello Gale!" she said as she noticed him approach. "What are you doing here?"

"I was hoping to talk some more before I return to base." Gale said. "I hope I wasn't interrupting anything."

"No, I was just feeding my chickens." Fluttershy said. "Come on inside."

As Gale entered, he could see a small furry animal look at him and raise its eyebrows in a condescending manner.

"Oh, not now, Angel." Fluttershy said. "He's my friend."

Angel apparently didn't agree with that statement, which it affirmed by furrowing its eyebrows.

"Come on, Mr. Gale is really nice." Fluttershy continued. "Just give him a chance, will you?"

Angel rolled his eyes and hopped off, to Gale's astonishment.

"That thing has issues." was all he could say.

"Angel Bunny's never liked strangers." Fluttershy replied, sitting him down. "He's also a bit temperamental."

"Well, I'll be." Gale laughed. "Never thought a critter like him would have that much personality."

"He certainly does. So, what did you want to talk about?" Fluttershy requested.

Gale sighed and looked at the pegasus before removing his helmet and lowering his head.

"It's just...starting to finally sink in." he said. "That our war is gone, the Republic is gone, the Jedi, gone...how much longer will it take before we're...gone, just like that?"

Fluttershy gasped quietly, as she laid a hoof on Gale's shoulder.

"You know, back on Kamino a few years ago, I met another Clone, a Captain." Gale said. "His name was Rex. His unit had just returned from Umbara, where one of the Jedi betrayed him and his men, ordering them to attack another Clone unit. When all was said and done, he summed it up like this to me. "We're soldiers, and one day, this war is going to end. But what happens to us then is anyone's guess"."

Gale shuddered and looked at Fluttershy.

"My guess is, I'll be gone just like my brothers who fell in battle." he moaned. "How am I supposed to continue when all I know, all I've ever cared for, is gone?"

Gale let a tear slide down his cheek as he buried his face in his hands. Fluttershy wrapped her hooves around his shoulders as Gale shook silently, tears flying freely down from his eyes.

As they sat there, the sun eventually dimmed and gave way to the moon, and soon after, Gale calmed down and looked at Fluttershy with a grateful smile.

"Thanks, Fluttershy. For hearing me out." he said quietly.

"Anytime." she replied. "If you ever need to talk, even if it's in the middle of the night, come find me, okay?"

"Okay."

As Gale smiled again, he stood up and headed for the door.

"I should get going." he said. "Thanks again, Fluttershy."

"No problem. Get home safe."

"I will."

As Gale saluted before heading out, he returned to his speeder bike and drove off for the Sentinel base, his worries from before now fully extinguished.

====

As Gale entered the Base's Barracks, he quietly removed his armor, stowed his weapons, and laid back in his bunk with a wistful sigh. As he drifted off to sleep, his dreams untroubled, the night sky above them filled with stars in a vibrant display.