We're Different Than the Rest

Chapter One: The War Begins

22 BBY
2 Days after Geonosis

.oOo.

When you're raised in the Jedi Temple, and have been trained to be a Jedi Master for your whole life, you think you are prepared for everything. That's what Aayla Secura thought before the Battle of Geonosis. She was a Jedi Knight, prepared for anything the galaxy threw at her; especially after her years as a Padawan under Master Vos. Sure, Quinlan Vos was reckless, but weren't all the good Jedi? Aayla and Quinlan had been across the galaxy, sometimes on the run, sometimes hunting someone down. She knew she had a more 'hands-on' Padawan experience than most. There was never a dull day with her master. Now, as a Jedi Knight, Aayla missed the hustle of her Palawan days. She missed traveling the galaxy, learning the different cultures and languages of the planets she visited, and most importantly, she missed the sunrises she saw early in the mornings. 

Like a typical day in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, Aayla was researching in the Jedi Archive Library when she, along with several hundred other Jedi, were called to go to Geonosis. She didn't know what to expect, but she was ready. Her training and apprenticeship under Master Vos had prepared her for anything. 

Or so she thought.

Geonosis proved harder than Aayla anticipated. She lost so many Jedi. So many friends. Along with the entire Republic, Aayla was told the galaxy was going into a period of civil war. But unlike the entire Republic, the young Jedi was told she had to fight in it. After Geonosis, many would have been terrified to go head first into similar battles day after day; but not Aayla Secura, Jedi Knight. For many reasons, Aayla was excited. She would get to travel the galaxy, go on more adventures, just like she used to do with her Master. 

Aayla was ready.
She had to be.

.oOo.

Being late was one of Aayla's habits, but not today. Today was the day she would meet her battalion: the 327th Star Corps. They were supposed to ship out in six hours. Aayla was determined to make it less.

The Grand Army of the Republic shipyard was not far from the Jedi Temple, but Aayla still left her quarters two hours early. The sight of the G.A.R. shipyard was both busy and extremely plain. There were dozens of venator-class flagships with hundreds of troopers standing in rows by each one. Aayla stepped into the transparisteel lift down to the massive hangar. She dug around her small satchel of belongings and searched for her data pad. The lift stopped at the hangar bay doors. Before entering, she looked at the map on the wall, desperately searching for section 4N.

"Section 4N. Jedi General Aayla Secura . 327th Star Corps." Aayla read out loud to herself from the sign over the entrance. The first thing she saw were her troops. Hundreds of clones in white and yellow armor standing in rows. Two individuals stood in front of the rest. Aayla exhaled and walked towards them. "Good morning." She spoke with a smile.

"General Secura?" The clone a half-step in front of the other asked.

"That's me! And you are?" 

"I'm CC-5052. This is CT-6734." He gestures to the man behind him.

Aayla stared briefly at the clones. "I see. What are your names?"

"Commander Bly and Lieutenant Galle." Commander Bly said with a blank tone.

"Thank you, Commander. It is very nice to meet both of you. I know we are not scheduled to leave for another couple of hours, but if everyone is ready, I have permission for us to leave."

"Of course, General."

.oOo.

Bly stood behind General Secura on the bridge. If the Kaminoans had taught him one thing, besides how to fight a war, it was to always stand behind a superior officer. General Secura stared out the transparisteel window into hyperspace. No matter how many times the Jedi Knight was in space, she always thought it was beautiful. Bly stood behind her for what seemed like hours before Aayla spoke. "You don't have to stand behind me, you know." She turned her head around to look at him. "I do not see myself as your superior." Her voice was firm but kind. 

"But you are, General."

Aayla looked out the window again. "While, in the eyes of others, I am your superior," she turned around to fully face Bly. "I have no intentions on acting like one. As commander, it is your job to protect me, as well as your men. As a Jedi, it is my job to protect you and the others. In my opinion, we have the same jobs, making us equals."

"I... I'm. That's... Thank you, sir?" Bly mentally scolded himself for sounding so dumb in front of his General. "But the Kaminoans would disagree with you."

Aayla chuckled. "Good thing the Kaminoans don't have any authority on the Liberty. If you'll excuse me, I need to go put my things away." Aayla patted the small bag hanging by her hips and walked toward the turbolift. 

Bly stood in stunned silence for what seemed like years after Aayla left the bridge, utterly confused by what his General had just said. Bly turned on his helmet comm. "Caro? You there?"

"Caro here. Any new reports, Commander?"

"Drop the formalities, Caro."

"Fine. What's up?"

"We were assigned to a weird Jedi."

"What do you mean weird?" Caro asked suspiciously. "She seemed fine to me. Actually, she seemed more than fine."

"Knock it off. She's not like what the Kaminoans said about the Jedi. She's not cold. She seemed... I dunno. Nice maybe?"

"Ooh. Is that a crush?"

"Shut you kriffing mouth, Caro." 

"So it is."

"No. She's just... I don't know. From what the Kaminoans said, they act all high and mighty but... she different. She didn't act like that."

"We got lucky. Nice, and a pretty girl." Bly could hear Caro smirking through the comm channel. He's always trying to get on my nerves.

"Very funny, vod'ika."

"Was that all?"

"Yeah."

"Great. See you later vod."

*Caro has closed the comm channel* came across Bly's visor.

.oOo.

Aayla was surprised at the quality of her room on the Liberty. The bed was opposite of the refresher door, which was near her dresser. The Twi'lek quickly organized her few belongings and then left to explore the ship. She had studied the map on her data pad so she was would not get lost.
The mess hall was emptier than Aayla expected. There was only one group of clones sitting at a long table. Aayla elected to join them. "Hello!" Aayla sat down next to the clone on the end. "Lieutenant Galle, right?"

"Um, yes General." Galle was surprised the Jedi would sit next to them.

"Care to introduce your brothers?" Aayla jabbed a protein cube with her fork and stuffed it in her mouth.

"I um... yes. General Secura, this is Acer, Caro, Reno, our medic Sid, Lightweight, and Delta. Boys, General Secura."

"Very nice to meet all of you." Aayla smiled and put another protein cube in her mouth. The clones stayed silent, not knowing if they should talk in front of their new General. Aayla quickly finished her food. "It was nice meeting all of you, but I'm afraid I have other duties to attend to. See you soon!" And with that, Aayla was off to the bridge.

This will take getting used to. For me, and for them.

.oOo.

Vod (and Vod'ika) in Mando'a is brother.

Hi readers! I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of my story! I have the next few done and they get better! My goal is to update every 2 to 3 days, and I plan on keeping that goal! Let me know what you think!
P.S. - I'll be using a lot of Mando'a but I will always post the translation at the end! Enjoy!