"Well, it's going about as well as I expected," Galahad said as he cut down a B1 battle droid. Behind him, the clone troopers of the 10th Corps fired in steady lines, holding back the wave of machines.
"One cannot expect everything to go well," Fay replied calmly. She raised her hand and pushed a group of droids into the ocean with the Force. "Especially in war."
"I understand that perfectly, Master," Galahad answered. He stepped forward, his silver blade flashing as he deflected blaster fire away from the clones behind him. "Forward! We must push them back before they move deeper into the city!"
"You heard the General!" Commander Vorn shouted, firing both of his DC-17 blasters. "Shields up! Advance in pairs! Keep moving!"
M3 Bulwark blast shields snapped open as the clones moved ahead in formation. Troopers with Z-6 rotary blasters stepped up beside the shield carriers, their heavy weapons spinning to life.
The Z-6s roared.
A wall of blue bolts poured into the droid ranks. B1s were torn apart in seconds. Super battle droids staggered under the focused fire before collapsing in smoking pieces.
As they pushed toward the landing zone, bad news reached them.
"General!" Vorn called out as he moved beside Galahad, dodging blaster fire. "The 930th failed their mission. The droids broke through their line—they're pushing into the city!"
"Ha! I knew we couldn't rely on those shinies," a clone captain muttered after overhearing.
Vorn said nothing, but the slight turn of his helmet toward the captain showed his disappointment. It was their first real battle. Just because they had fought pirates before—or worked security on Coruscant—did not mean they were any better than them.
Galahad heard the comment.
"Well," he said calmly, a faint smirk behind his helmet as he unleashed a controlled burst of Force lightning that disabled a marching B2 super battle droid, "if you feel that way, perhaps you should lead the reinforcements."
The captain stiffened.
"Sword," Galahad continued firmly, "take your company and intercept the droid force before they reach the inner districts."
"Yes, General," the captain replied, somewhat grudgingly. He turned to his men. "You heard the General! Move out! Let's go save the 'shinies'!"
The clones quickly shifted formation and broke off toward the city streets.
Fay stepped beside Galahad, her expression calm despite the chaos. "Hard lesson, this will be."
"Yes," Galahad replied, watching the departing troopers. "But they will learn. All of them will."
Then he raised his blade again.
"Forward! We finish them first!"
Because Galahad is the General of the 10th Corps, the only organize and battle ready unit on Kamino, he is entrusted with the defense perimeter around the main landing platform area where both the Jedi and Kaminoan believe where the landing crafts that have survive to land.
Kamino Defense Corps, while is in theory the second organize unit, it actually fully comprised of the clone troopers that still in training. The Corps only serve as a platform where the clones can get himself use to the hierarchy and how it would function when they have been ship out to war.
So, while 10th Corps will be facing the front, the Defense Corps will be defending the zones where the fighting will be lower in intensity, though with how much one C-9979 landing craft can carry, Galahad doubt that his Corps can cover all the holes.
"Fire!" Commander Vorn shouted, pointing at the incoming landing crafts.
Three troopers stepped forward and fire RPS-6 rocket launchers.
The rockets struck true.
The landing crafts exploded in the sky, breaking apart in flames before crashing into the ocean below.
"This is the third landing point we've cleared," Galahad said, watching the burning debris fall through the rain. Around him, clones reloaded and prepared to move under Vorn's orders.
He looked up at the dark sky.
"I hope Master Rancisis has arrived and is dealing with the Separatist fleet."
Thunder answered him.
"Trust Master Rancisis," Fay said, standing beside Galahad, "his tactical accuman and battle mediation have made him one of the best the Order cna offer in time like this, put more trust in him."
Galahad sigh.
"I might be less worried if those are not my fleet and Corps fighting under him."
In the end, the battle end in victory for the Republic.
Because of Galahad involvement, the droids never able to have the numbers to overrun the labotory, resulting Shaak Ti, Anakin Skywalker, and Obi-Wan Kenobi didn't tear down the transparisteel bridge. Though the ARC troopers still activated by Lama Su, fearing that the droid numbers will increase further and overrun them.
In the space, Galahad plan to capture the Lucrehulk didn't brought into fruition as Rancisis felt that destroying the vessel is better than risking a boarding operation.
While Galahad understand his reasoning, especially when the Republic needed a victory in the early stage of the Clone Wars, he still can't felt that the Jedi didn't accept his plan because of his dislike towards him.
But, this quickly when behind Galahad head when he received news that 10th Corps because of their performance have been assigned with ten ARC troopers.
Hearing this, Galahad quickly order the ARCs to choose clones from the 10th Corps and train them, so that number of elite clones can be increase, even if slightly.
Other than the ARCs, Galahad also successfully secure a squad of clone commandos, more specifically, the Foxtrot Group that lead by Clone Captain Gregor, four platoons of Advanced Recon Force troopers and another two platoons of Biker Advanced Recon Commando.
Even though Galahad wanted a larger force for the Advanced Recon Force troopers and Biker Advanced Recon Commando, but as this is the early stage of the war, what he receive now is the largest force that any Sector Armies receive.
But, with the 10th Corps not only receiving this large complement of special forces, they also receive reinforcement from the surviving clones from the Kamino Defense Corps, resulting the Corps to reach it full strength of 42304 clones, including the officers. Galahad is order by the Council to return to Coruscant and receive the five Venator-class star destroyers assign to him.
Then, he then lead the 10th Corps towards Foerost and secure the Foerost Shipyards for the Republic. Due to the large number of battle droids that the Separatist have station on the Shipyards have resulted a two-years long siege in the original timeline, he have no choice but to see if he can secure more reinforcement for him.
After two days of haggling around the GAR Headquarter, Galahad successfully gain to the command over the Republic fleet that currently blockading the Shipyards. Though only the capital ships will remain, while the escorts will be reassigned.
Other than that, because the importance of Foerost Shipyards and the location of it, the Council also send Luminara Unduli with her 41st Elite Corps to help with the attack.
===
Aboard his new flagship, Fists of Iron, a Venator that he received on Coruscant, he immediately prepare for the hyperspace jump when suddenly a transmission from the Chancellor's Office arrive.
"Master Galahad, it's always a pleasure to see one from Naboo." Palpatine said with a kind old man smile.
"Chancellor," Galahad said while slightly bow his head. "it's good to see you well and not affected by this sudden war."
"One cannot said I truly not affected." the sith lord said with a sadden tone. "But, for the Republic, I must be strong for it."
Galahad nodded to his false words without giving him any hint of what he's thinking.
"Is there anything you need from me?" Galahad ask as he truly curious of what he wanted.
"Yes, Senator Amidala have brought a request to me," the men said as he step slightly to the side as Padmé begin to appear. "she wish to negotiate with those present on the Foerost Shipyards so that they can surrender peacefully."
"Indeed," Padmé nodded. "Foerost Shipyards are a large and significant starships manufacturer and were among the most successful large-scale construction facilities in the galaxy. If we able to capture it without much damage, than we might be able to use it for our own benefits."
"Well, what you saying might be true," Galahad said. "but from what I know, the Techno Union didn't put any organic leaders upon the Shipyards, only the T-1 tactical droid can somewhat count as the commander there."
Galahad watch Padmé with a rising eyebrow, though none of them can see it.
"So, I don't think your specialty will be needed."
"That's where your wrong," Palpatine suddenly interject. "the Republic Intelligence have inform us that while the droid is the leader of the Shipyards, there are also some of the Techno Union designers that have been stranded there. If we can persuade them, then we might be able to find the weaknesses in the defenses."
Galahad, feeling through the Force and through the eyes of Padmé, have a gut feeling that she will still come even when she's rejected by him.
"Fine," ha said after a short silence, "you can come with us Senator, but you will do as I said when we arrive at Foerost."
"Of course, Master Galahad," Padmé said, "then I will make the preparation for the journey."
Bowing to Galahad and Palpatine, she fully leave the hologram.
"Master Galahad, I hope that Senator Amidala will be protected during her mission," Palpatine said with a worried tone, "she always do something reckless when she see it as an opportunity, please do keep a close eyes on her."
"Of course, Chancellor," Galahad said. "I will make sure her return to Coruscant in one piece, and with the news of Foerost Shipyards capture."
Palpatine nodded. "Then I wish you success, Master Jedi."
Galahad bowed slightly as the connection ended.
He let out a quiet sigh.
"Vorn," he said to the clone commander standing beside him, "hold our departure. Be ready to jump to hyperspace the moment the Senator boards."
"Right away, General," Vorn replied, turning to relay the orders to the naval officers.
"Appo," Galahad called to another clone officer, "bring a squad. We're going to meet the Senator in the hangar."
"Yes, sir."
Galahad and Appo left the bridge, a squad of clone troopers falling in behind them.
"Move out," Appo said. "To the hangar."
Among the reinforcement that 10th Corps received, Galahad have noticed multiple familiar clones appearing in the personal report.
The most famous of them all are those that will join the 501st Legion in original timeline.
Appo, Vaughn, Hardcase, Jesse, Hawk, Kano to name a few.
While not sure why them isn't assign to Anakin yet, Galahad is very happy to accept them.
Galahad immediately promote Appo and Vaughn to rank of Sergeant. After assign them a squads, all of them are throw into training with the ARCs to further improve their combat abilities.
Then, Galahad personally assign both squads to serve under her directly, only taking order from him or Vorn only.
Hawk, as the same in the original timeline, is assign to lead a gunships squadron with him serving as Galahad personal pilot.
When the door connected to the hanger slide open, Galahad can already see Padme H-type Nubian yacht have landed and she currently taking the views of the clones working around the hanger.
Beside her, other than R2, is a squad of five troopers of 10th Corps behind her.
"General!" the troopers saluted as Galahad approached.
"Commander Thorn," Galahad greeted the lead clone, nodding to the others. "At ease, troopers. You're home."
Thorn had once been part of the Coruscant Guard. During Galahad's reorganization of the 10th Corps, several officers had been reassigned. The 10th was one of the few corps whose numbers truly matched its designation, so experienced officers were needed. Stone was one of them.
Galahad had given him a platoon and placed him in charge of Padmé's security. He was responsible for her protection and maintained a constant guard at her Senate apartment.
"Padmé," Galahad said softly, removing his helmet, "what are you thinking? Walking straight into another battlefield?"
"Well, Master Jedi," Padmé replied sharply, "while all of you are tearing the galaxy apart, I'm trying to hold it together." Her voice softened. "Whatever pieces I can."
Galahad sighed.
"I know what you're trying to do," he said, handing his helmet to Appo before stepping beside her. "But if we want to keep the Republic united, we must show the galaxy—whether they stay with us, join the CIS, or remain neutral—that the Republic can still protect them when they need help."
He turned to face her fully.
"I will give you a chance to speak with the designers," he said, watching her expression brighten slightly. "But you will follow the mission commander's orders."
"Wait," Padmé said quickly. "What do you mean? I'm entering the shipyards as a diplomat."
Galahad gave a small smirk.
"If you've forgotten," he said gently, "the scientists you want to meet are flesh and blood. But the ones in control are not. And I doubt the droids will welcome you without planning to take you hostage first."
Hearing this, Galahad can see the flame within her begin to subside a bit.
After thinking a while Padme nodded.
"I understand, so who will be I following?" she ask.
"That will be a question for later," Galahad said while smiling. "now, it's time for all of us to rest and prepare."
He put his palm behind Padme and slightly push her as both of them, with the clones and R2 behind them, begin to the exit the hanger.
As they begin to enter the hallway, sound of a clone naval officer echoes through the starship.
"All hand, prepare for hyperspace jump in 5...4...3...2...1"
At his last, the entire fleet jump into hyperspace, towards Nubia.