CW Legend Chapter 1

Clone Wars Legend Chapter 1

21 BBY
Outer Rim, Xara Xu Xul

If there was one type of planets that Anakin hated with a burning passion it would be desert planets. He really did, and for some reason-force knew why-desert planets always tended to be important to the war effort. Xara Xu Xul was included amongst them, nothing but bastardized sand and fuel and underground shipyard. Massive city-scaled shipyards capable on constructing crusader sized starships and then opening the ceiling and letting the finished starship just fly out. the early Separatist bombardments had proven that they could handle almost any ordinance thrown their way.
The locals had deep pockets and therefor a strong voice in the Senate, explaining why he was sent here to help Obi-wan secure the planet.

“General Skywalker,” he heard Captain Rex coming up behind him.
He was overlooking the holotable. It currently displayed a strategic map over the region with the largest underground shipyards.
“What you got, Rex?” Anakin Asked.
Rex stopped on his right side, steady and firm in his movements.
“General Zeshara has arrived on board.” There was some tension in his voice.
Anakin nodded.
“Good, then we can get started soon.” He looked at a trooper. “Contact Obi-wan’s CP planetside.”
“Yes general.”

He threw a glance at Rex.
“Is there a problem?”
“No, sir.”
Well, clearly there was something, he thought.
“Speak freely, Rex,” Anakin encouraged. “What’s bothering you?”
Rex looked at his CO, sighing, then he said, “I’m got comfortable having Psycho on board the Resolute, or being in the same solar system as him.”
Anakin raised an eyebrow.
“Why?” He crossed his arms below his chest.
“In my opinion…he’s a fragging psychopath, a lunatic.” Rex’s voice tensed as he spoke. “And a Battalion of crazies troopers shouldn’t fight in the GAR.” He intertwined his fingers behind his back. “That’s my opinion. Won’t interfere with my duty. Got have my word.”
“I know,” Anakin said without missing a beat. “I know the Blood Dragons have a bit of a reputation, but that reputation also involves many victories and a straight up refusal to fail.”
Rex knew all the rumors, and perhaps Jedi General Zeshara kept Psycho and the rest in check. But back on Kamino Psycho had proved why he had that name and nothing more normal. To him, a brother that lacked any form of empathy had no place in the army. A description that fitted most clones in the Blood Dragon Battalion.

“Knight Skywalker,” Zeshara said as she entered the room.
“Knight Zeshara, it’s good to meet you again,” Anakin greeted her.
The Togruta smiled in return. Behind her walked Psycho. Wearing the red Galactic Marine armor his Battalion was also famed for. With his helmet under his arm he scanned the new surroundings with his blood red eyes.
“Met in the Temple, right? Years before this war ever began,” Zeshara remembered.
“That’s it.” Anakin looked to Psycho and the man just gave a nod.
Rex caught Zeshara shooting him a glare.
“Sir,” Psycho added.
Anakin had also caught it and just nodded back to him.
“Commander Psycho.”

Zeshara’s skin was a shade of blue and her lekku white with dark blue tattoos following along their length. Her golden eyes turned from her commander to Anakin and as if on cue Obi-wan’s hologram appeared.
“Anakin, Zeshara I‘m glad you could join on so quickly,” he spoke.
“My boys would never forgive me if I missed a fight,” she joked.
Anakin folded his arms again for a moment before he keyed the console connected to the holotable. He marked out the CIS and GAR positions.
“How’s it looking?” Zeshara asked, cutting to the point.
“We have been beating them in orbit since Anakin arrived with the rest of the Open Circle Fleet,” Obi-wan informed her. “But the droids numbers has overwhelmed our ground positions this far, 501st reinforcements halted them when they arrived an hour ago.”
“For now,” Anakin added. “The droids are rethinking their advance and have started digging in, here and here. It will allow them to focus on overwhelming the south and north of our lines. They think their defenses in the center will hold against any possible attack we can throw at them.”

Zeshara folded her left arm and touched her blue lips with a finger from her right hand.
“If we can break their center, we break their campaign,” she believed. “With their logistical support in orbit gone they can’t resupply as long as our fleet is here.”
“They only have one real shot at it,” Anakin said.
Obi-wan nodded in agreement.
“Yes, but they may only need one. There is a lot of armor preparing to push through our lines in the north.” He gestured to the position on the map. “The big problem is that all our forces is badly needed elsewhere right now so they don’t actually need to win to advance their cause in this sector.”
Zeshara stepped closer to the map.
“What defenses do their center have?” She inquired.
“Artillery, air support, trenches and bunkers under construction and an Orion Task Force detachment,” Obi-wan read up. “Artillery and air support can be neutralized easily enough.”

Zeshara took a breath and breathed out through her nose.
“Is Commodore Jaeriel here?”
“No. But Orion Task Force droids are better programmed than regular droids.”
“With air support, heavy weaponry and close air support my Battalion can break through. Letting you two focus on their armored columns.”
“Are you sure your men can handle it alone?” Obi-wan asked her.
Psycho looked at his general, waiting for her answer.
She smirked.
“Off course we can Master Kenobi,” she assured them with confidence. “My Blood Dragons can do anything.”