Roy's return to the 194th was quite a sensation. He was young, and he had the luxury of treating clones like his peers. After all, Roy himself was older than all the clones in terms of age.

Everyone who knew him came to meet him. Those with whom he had fought side by side from Gala to Geonosis. Hammer himself had to get strong so as not to cry from emotion, but the mockery was something he couldn't get rid of. Especially from Commander Tukk himself, whose joking attitude had not changed at all.

The reunion with Mayday was the most emotional. Those who nearly died in the catacombs of Geonosis fist bumped and looked at each other, grateful that they were both still alive to fight once more.

However, Roy himself wanted to hear from his friends and brothers about everything that happened in those four months that he was unconscious. Reading the records reports is one thing, but listening to the experiences is a completely different thing.

Generally speaking, the Legion was fighting on numerous Outer Rim worlds, and often made raids on the Mid Rim. But no story was more heartbreaking to hear than of the pyrrhic victory at Khorm.

Told by Tukk himself, the clones' faces were obscured as their commander narrated the events in worrying detail. The battle of Khorm was brutal, even though most of the clones were unaware of the dark secrets hidden in the bowels of the planet.

Even with the presence of 4 Jedi generals and three navies, the Separatist forces were overwhelming, and would not give up the agrocite mines under any circumstances. Plo Koon themselves, Kit Fisto, Taught Khorm-a and Pablo Gill, led the three clone armies to the almost impossible victory.

THE 194th fought side by side with the Wolfpack. A separatist device was manipulating the planet's climate, and the clones on the ground had no air support. Capturing an agrocite processing facility allowed them to establish an outpost to recover, but the situation was only beginning to worsen.

When they noticed the climate control device, an advance party led by Plo Koon and Kit Fisto themselves entered hostile territory to deactivate the device, leaving the outpost in the hands of the rest of the Jedi... Then she appeared.

The ultimate murderer. Fury incarnate. Assaj Ventress emerged from the storm and devastated the camp like the diabolical hurricane that she was. The Jedi faced her, but could do little to stop a swordswoman of such caliber. General Pablo fell wounded before the fury of Ventres, and Master Taught saw his fateful end that day. Just like thousands of clones who were no match for the brutality of the crimson lightsabers... Sergeant Collin was one of those clones.

Eventually, the Republic managed to take control of the planet, but the assassin was able to escape. Both legions had to be reestablished with a large amount of reserves due to the losses, and it took General Pablo a week to recover from the thrust that Ventres managed to land on his forearm. That will explain the blindfold Roy saw him wearing at the station.

The Padawan remained silent. Collin was a great friend and an incredible soldier. His serenity was soon shared by those around him. Brothers in arms and blood who suffered their loss, as well as that of all those who found eternal rest that day. All while a thought etched itself into the Padawan's mind like hot steel on flesh.

¨This war must end as soon as possible.¨

Still, the time with the boys lasted only a couple of hours, when a clone arrived at the barracks, looking for Roy and Commander Tukk. Apparently the general wanted to see them on the bridge as soon as possible.

Neither of them was kept waiting, and they left for their destination as soon as possible, while Tukk told the Padawan about the rest of the smaller-scale campaigns in which the 194th was involved. All in relative victory, something that would help the young man regain his composure a little.

When they finally arrived, they both got a big surprise, when they saw the general speaking with one of the grand masters of the Jedi council through holoprojection.

Pablo: - They finally arrive. -

Roy: - Master Pablo. Master Kolar. A pleasure to see. -

Kolar: - I say the same, young Padawan. I see that your recovery has been favorable. -

Roy: - Yes, great teacher. Thank you for your concern. -

Pablo: - Padawan Roy is a tough nut to crack without a doubt. - A comment that was very well received by your student.

Kolar: - I see. Apparently Master Yoda was right. Smiling more won't hurt you. -

Pablo: - The last time I smiled at an infant, he ran away when he saw me. My teeth are not something that are... pleasing to the eye. -

It was impossible not to laugh about it. Well, the general's appearance could be very intimidating for the younger ones.

Kolar: - Well, returning to what's important. The council has a space mission for you. -

Pablo: - I hear it. -

Kolar: - We have been informed that Rune Haako, lieutenant of Viceroy Nute Gunray of the Trade Federation, is heading towards Lorrd. We have every reason to believe that the Trade Federation will try to rally the Lorrdians to the cause. -

Pablo: - I thought that Lorrd had a fairly modest position in the senate. -

Kolar: - It's possible. But we understand that their current king is somewhat... greedy. And it would not be surprising if he breaks his commitment for extra credits. -

Roy: - If I remember correctly, Lorrd was on the outer edge. Having an outpost for the Separatist Alliance operating in the area would be very dangerous. -

Kolar: - Correct, young Padawan. General, it is vitally important to prevent this meeting. However, Lorrd's neutral position does not allow us to make an armed presence on the planet. For this reason, you and your Padawan will join a team we have prepared. Your mission will be to infiltrate without being detected, and intercept Rune Haako and capture him. You will head to Lorrd and meet with Master Nunes Keldor. She will tell you the rest. -

Pablo: - Understood, great teacher. -

Roy: - It seems like you guys will be bored without us for a while. - He said to Commander Tukk in mockery.

Kolar: - Not at all. Commander, you and your fleet will proceed to Mon Cala and will be placed under the command of General Kit Fisto. The Quarren have received separatist support, and we must help the Mon Calamari reclaim their world. Prepare the diving equipment. -

Tukk: - Yes sir. We will leave immediately. -

Kolar: - That's all, gentlemen. May the force be with you. -

Once Master Kolar concluded the call, everyone began preparations. Pablo and Roy's Jedi fighters were ready in less than ten minutes, enough time for both of them to go to their cabins to collect their belongings and supplies for the trip.

And as soon as they left the hangars with a "dramatic" farewell from the most joking clones, Hammer included, they made the jump towards Argazda. A neutral planet of great commercial importance, where they would take civilian transport to Lorrd. Well, he didn't want to raise suspicions with the arrival of two republic fighters.

A trip not at all exciting, and not wanting to attract attention, both Roy and Pablo kept low profiles. Each one separately, finding the opportunity to talk to any civilian who was willing to share any relevant information about their destination before their arrival.

Lorrd was a planet with a variety of biomes. From large snowy meadows to embracing deserts. Even so, the civilian transport ship descended towards an area where the weather was cooler. The capital city of Lorrd, located in the tropics. And once Master and Padawan passed the emigration checkpoint, they ran into a protocol droid waiting for their arrival.

Droid: - Excuse me. Are you Pablo-Jill? -

Pablo: - That is correct. -

Droid: - Perfect. My teacher sent me for you. Follow me please. -

The capital city of Lorrd showed its prosperity without scruple. Being located near an important trade route of the outer rim, millions of merchants chose it as a place to rest, resupply, and exchange merchandise. Furthermore, their tariffs were not particularly high compared to other places of this nature. Of course, it was better to follow the rules, because the Hutt clan had their henchmen watching from the shadows, and the local police were not particularly tolerant.

The Jedi and the Padawan followed the droid for several minutes along the main avenues, until they took an alley that took them out of the public eye. Streets that lacked the splendor of the main roads, and that little by little began to show the misery that Lorrd hid from the public eyes.

Roy: - Master... Are you okay? - The young man's question brought the Jedi out of his thoughts.

Pablo: - Huh? Yes... What's the question? -

Roy: - I don't know. I've noticed him distracted for a while now. That's not usually common for you. -

Pablo: - It could be... This whole topic has me a little thoughtful. -

Roy: - Is it so strange that our enemies try to take advantage of opportunities against us? -

Pablo: - Well... Not at all. -

Roy might be many things, but he wasn't stupid. His teacher was acting rather incoherent, considering how composed and upright he usually was. Four months could have changed many things, but it wouldn't be enough to leave him in such a... stunned state. However, neither of them expected the comment the protocol droid had to say.

Droid: - If it's any consolation, Teacher Nunes is also looking forward to seeing you again, Teacher Pablo. -

Pablo opened his eyes wide, unable to hide his embarrassment at such a comment. The droid didn't even turn around to say it, so he would be unable to tell what he had actually done. The Jedi looked at his student, and he was making an impossible effort to prevent laughter from breaking out in front of his teacher. She looked at him with surprised eyes, but her mouth made countless grimaces to suppress her laughter.

Pablo: - Anything you want to tell me, young Padawan? -

Roy: - No... No ma... teacher. -

Roy thought he was going to explode if he kept holding back. Luckily, no laughter came out of his mouth, other than small escapes of air that he couldn't control.

Finally, the droid stopped in front of a house in acceptable condition, and the door opened as he entered the codes into the control panel. The droid stepped aside, allowing his guests to enter first.

Teacher and student entered the premises, and did not hesitate to reveal their heads as soon as the droid closed the door again. Lorrd was a hot planet, and those Jedi hoods to conceal their identity were portable ovens. At least the coolness of the air conditioning was invigorating. Especially for Pablo, whose amphibian species did not tolerate hot climates very well.

Droid: - Teacher. Master Pablo and his padawan are already here. -

The newcomers looked inside, at a room where there were fourteen other Jedi already gathered, since apparently, they were the last to arrive. However, almost immediately, a Kel Dor approached them.

?????: - A pleasure to see you again, Master Pablo. -

Pablo: - It's my pleasure, master Nunes. -

Seeing Pablo smile was not common, and Roy knew it. Which is why he had to contain his laughter again when he saw his teacher's smiling face.