Quoted By:
>Return to Commander Fabian. Orders are orders, and he is your CO.
You have your orders, and from someone you trust. Fabian was on Geonosis, like yourself and Joyce. He won’t rush into some foolhardy plan that’ll get you and your men killed, or order you to spend your lives needlessly. He and the 323rd, and presumably the rest of the regiment now, are only a few klicks away, 2 hours distance by foot. You put a hand on Beck’s shoulder.
>We’ll rejoin the regiment. Orders are orders, and we’ll go with the ones we can follow.
Beck nods in reply. “Yes sir. I’ll tell the men.”
You leave him to prepare, comming the captains and organising the regiment so it can move out. Soon enough the battalion is packed up and on the move, heading to FOB Tarsus, a real FOB and headquarters of the regiment, not the piles of equipment and ammunition you were using in your wargames. The men pass the trip in silence, each soldier lost in his own thoughts. This was an entirely new experience for you clones, even more for the shinies who had yet to fight in a real battle. The possibility that they wouldn’t be fighting the separatists for their first battle weighed heavy on every mind, even yours.
Soon enough, you arrive at FOB Tarsus. You were right. The entire regiment is here, though that’s not a complete reassurance. There’s more sentries on patrol than usual, and even more troopers standing around uneasily. Apart from the usual movement of men and machines, the base is quiet. The few who are holding conversations do it in hushed tones, and with sideways glances at you and your men as you arrive. As you lead the men to the barracks, a runner approaches and gives you a salute.
“Commander Sulla. Commander Fabian is requesting your presence at HQ.”
You motion Beck over.
>You’re in charge for now. I don’t want anyone to start anything, got it?
“Yes sir.”
You nod at him, then turn and return the messenger’s salute.
>Lead on.
