WotH Chpt 28

==War on the Horizon - Chapter 28 ==
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===Sneaking and Searching===
Anakin glanced over to make sure that his master was asleep before leaving the quarters they were assigned, a blaster tucked into his belt while his lightsaber was tucked snugly into a small pouch in his sleeve. 
 
"Sorry, Master," he whispered. "But I think you're wrong."
 
Then, with a breath, he leapt down from the window and a cushion of the Force caught him as he extended his arm down. And putting the hood of his cloak up, he knew that there was something that Obi-Wan and the Duchess were missing. He would find it, and then there would be peace here.
 
Spotting a path that led to where he wanted to go, Anakin moved through the shadows and into an alleyway before using a nearby pipe to climb onto the roof and began heading in the direction that the Force was nudging him. 
 
"Let's just hope that the calming tea that Master drinks works," Anakin muttered. "Because he's going to need it after he finds out what I'm doing."
 
As he reached his destination he dropped down and grinned. This was the sort of place he was born to be a part of. 
"Swoop racing, huh?" He asked the closest person. "What does it take to get into one of the races?"
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===Satisfaction egotistical Droid ===
"Alright HK," I looked at the ancient droid. "We're cutting you loose." 
 
"Smug satisfaction: I knew that you would eventually release me, meatbag."
 
"We're going to give you a Gozanti and a blaster before shipping you off into the Unknown Regions," I made sure that my windows were closed. "I have a job for you there that you might be interested in."
 
"Interested Questioning: Oh really? What does this job entail?"
"There's the possibility of an extra-galactic species preparing to invade," I grinned. "And they hate all forms of mechanical technology. Their ships, weapons, and everything else are made out of biotech."
 
"Statement: You have my attention."
 
"I want you to go out there and have fun making sure that they never get to reach the main part of the galaxy. And to do so, I'm sending whatever armaments will fit into the Gozanti's holds." 
 
I held up a hand to stave off his next question. 
 
"The only mech I'm willing to give you is the only Locust that we have in the entire unit. It's the Steiner variant, which means you get a medium laser and two SRM-2 launchers. The mech's a death trap. But you're welcome to it if you're willing to use it."
 
"Begrudging acceptance: I will accept this seeing as I will not be able to persuade you otherwise."
 
"Good," I looked into HK-47's photoreceptors. "I do not want to see you again, ever. I know what Revan used you for, and I want no part in the madness that follows you."
 
"Stern warning: if I return, you will have other problems that concern you."
 
"Your ship is waiting at the Starport," I showed a hologram of the Gozanti that was waiting for him. 
 
"Accusing statement: you knew I would accept the Locust before I came into the room."
 
"Aye, it was your only option," I nodded. "I've got a tech ready to remove your restraining bolt just before you board."
 
HK simply stared at me with his red eyes for a moment before turning and walking away, the rust-colored droid emanating smug satisfaction with every step.
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===What makes best soldiers===
"So, you might have some of the best people in the Galaxy to turn into soldiers," I said as I looked at the farmers and loggers that had signed up for the initial training and recruitment. 
 
"And why is that?" Dooku asked, his eyebrow raised. 
 
"Because farmers, hunters, and people who come from an agricultural background are less likely to shy away from hard work," I shrugged. "Now, don't get me wrong, we're still going to have to break them down and build them up. But they're somewhat acclimated to the kind of environment that exists in a professional military."
 
"Hmm," Dooku stroked his beard. "Interesting. Are you against recruitment from the cities?"
 
"No," I shook my head. "Of course not. People who come from certain backgrounds just have an easier time acclimating to the conditions is all." 
 
"So where do you start?" 
 
"With breaking them down and forcing them to work together as a unit instead of as an individual," I replied. "And that starts right about now." 
 
A Drill instructor seemingly appears right in front of the recruits, the front row shying back as she begins to yell at them. 
 
"Is the yelling necessary?" 
 
"Not strictly," I sighed. "But it helps with simulating stress and combat. Combat will always be loud and messy, and by triggering their stress responses to it and training them we can bypass some of the natural reactions that everyone has to it."
 
"There's an entire science behind training soldiers," I explained. "And a lot of it involves psychology. We are going to have to adjust things because different species will have slightly different reactions, but overall, the results will speak for themselves."
 
"We shall see, Colonel Hull," Dooku turned and walked away. "We shall see."
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===Failure of Politicians===
"Once again, the senate fails to assist us," Wilhuff sighed. "I am grateful that we were able to bring Sullust into the fold, we would be scrambling to repair the ORSF if we had not done so."
 
"Agreed," Gideon sat down. "I am beginning to believe that we might do better without the Senate hamstringing us at every turn. Perhaps we should look into some… Alternate solutions." 
 
"I would advise caution and patience for the moment," Wilhuff argued. "We do not possess the means to effectively accomplish that for now. At least not without relying on those who I would rather see rot."
 
"So we begin the process now," Gideon smirked. "I think that if we negotiate well, we may be able to persuade Kuat Drive Yards or another shipbuilding company to begin construction of shipyards here. We possess the resources they will need, and we are far closer to said resources."
 
"Hmm," Wilhuff considered. "No, Kuat is tied too closely to the core. We will need to befriend a smaller corporation, one that would be indebted to us." 
 
"I will look into that," Gideon replied. "There are likely many that would like to break into that market."
 
"We will have to be careful to not offend the Sullustians though," Wilhuff advised. "They have been our rivals for too long for them to not see it as a threat." 
 
"Regardless, we must make preparations," Gideon sighed. "I will speak with the various PDFs and begin coordinating the training together. I will not have us fold should things turn for the worst."
 
"And I will try to see if there is anything left of the Republic to recover," Wilhuff smiled sadly. "We have come too far for us to merely abandon it immediately."
 
"I know. But we must also do what is right for Eriadu," Gideon dipped his head. "They are our people, and we must see to them first."
 
"Then let us begin," Wilhuff stood up. "We have much work to accomplish."
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Chapter 28