WotH Chpt 23

==War on the Horizon - Chapter 23 ==
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===Justification for a training cadre===
"So, we've cleared out the Banking Clan," I looked at Count Dooku of Serenno. "Now they will be back. And I don't have the numbers to garrison two worlds."
 
"What do you recommend?" Dooku looked over the damage reports from the battle.
 
"I can leave behind a short company to serve as trainers, they'll both recruit for my company as well as train the forces that you'll need. As well as maintaining a reinforcement contract," I looked at the reports. "We're going to leave you with the few ships that we captured from the enemy," I sighed as I looked at the cost write-ups. "We're going to have to take most of the fleet that we brought with us back to a shipyard for repairs. And that's going to eat into the funds that you paid us for this. If I were you, I'd look at getting some technically proficient people here to train yours on the tech side. Maybe hire some people from the Mid-Rim to move out here. We've found that Twi'Leks, Zabraks, and Togruta are more than willing to sign up for some danger as long as the pay, training, and benefits are decent."
 
"So you recommend that I build up my own personal forces instead of relying on a mercenary unit such as yours?" Dooku raised an eyebrow. "Would that not deprive you of your main source of income?"
 
"Not exactly," I shook my head. "For one thing, you're going to be paying us to train your troops, so I'll have a long-term income stream there, even if it is a bit on the small side. For another, unless your troops fight in multiple engagements, they'll still only be rookies at the end of the day, training can only do so much. That's where my company comes in and provides the veterans and elites you'll need to truly do what needs to be done."
 
"Hmm," Dooku considered this as he stroked his goatee. "I would like to see evidence of this training program. As well as what your plan would be for us to acquire the weapons required to arm such a force."
 
"It ain't gonna happen overnight," I laughed. "I'd say a minimum of two years to get more than a small militia force trained and kitted up. If we were in a more industrialized world, then it would probably take less time. "But this is going to be bigger than just training people to fight. You're going to need the logistics base to support the forces."
 
"I understand that there will be a need for that sort of thing," Dooku nodded. "But there are going to be significant costs to do that sort of thing. And I am uncertain that my world can afford to do so currently."
 
"Take out a loan if you have to," I shrugged. "You're going to need it. And the costs will justify themselves when your new army is able to stand off an attack."
 
"I will need a skilled accountant," Dooku mused. "We have the resources to build and make the factories a reality. But I will need much more than just resources."
 
"It's your world," I shrugged. "I can only offer suggestions."
 
"Oh, you would not seize my world from me if given the opportunity?" Dooku asked, his brow arched.
 
"Not a chance in hell," I scoffed. "I very much have enough on my plate as it is. I have no desire to run a planet."
 
"I will need some time to look over what you have recommended," Dooku stood and looked out the window at the great forests below. "I trust that you will remain for a while?"
 
"We're here for at least three more months," I nodded. "You're the contract holder. That makes you my boss right now. We're going to be salvaging and repairing for the next few weeks anyway. So let me know if you need to pick my brain again." I stood up and made to leave the room, collecting the paper reports I had brought with me and sliding them into an armored rucksack.
 
"Tell me, Colonel Hull," Dooku said as I was about to exit. "What would you do if you were approached by a great evil, and had no way of eliminating it without disrupting the entirety of the current system?"
 
"Find a different way to kill it I guess," I turned around and stroked my beard in thought. "There's always more than one way to fight an enemy. Getting locked into one pattern of thought is what leads to defeat on the battlefield."
 
"Explain…" Dooku turned around, his hand gesturing as my chair pulled itself back out. "I would have your opinion as a military man and leader."
 
"Alright," I gulped as I sat back down. "Where do I start."
 
"The beginning, teach me as if I were one of your new recruits. It has been some time since a Jedi has received training or education in military matters."
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===The Faithful Decision===
"No," Yoda shook his head. "Send more Jedi to assist Dooku, we cannot. Down that path, great darkness I sense."
 
"With or without your approval I will find some who are willing to come with me," Yaddle retorted. "This council has become blind to the current nature of the galaxy. It is more than the corruption of the Senate. The galaxy stands on the edge of a cliff, the entirety of the Outer and Mid Rims can see it. Why can this council not?"
 
"Stop you or others, I cannot," Yoda sighed. "Ask that you reconsider, I will."
 
"I will not," Yaddle shook her head. "I can and will prevent a friend from falling to the Dark Side. Here," Yaddle unclipped her lightsaber and left it in the middle of the council chambers. "I have no further need of this. I shall find some who are willing to stand with me, and we will ensure that there are some remnants of the Order left when this Temple falls."
 
Yaddle left the room, the doors sliding shut behind her as silence reigned throughout the temple.
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Chapter 23