Hammer: - Loud and clear... General.

The captain's voice over the comm was an instant sign of relief to everyone present, some of whom were already beginning to think the worst.

Pablo: - I'm glad to hear it, captain. Everyone is fine? -

Hammer: - Yes. Lieutenant Roy and the boys are alive. Our shuttles appear to have been affected by the gravitational vacuum. Our thrusters are not responding, according to what the pilots inform me. -

Pablo: - Don't worry, captain. We will use tethers to take them back to the Venators. Hold on tight. -

This battle was undoubtedly a victory for the Republic. The planet of Ryloth was free from Separatist rule, and Separatist leader Wag Tambor had been taken prisoner. A great advance for the war without a doubt. However... The minds of some were extremely overwhelmed with thoughts.

Through the corridors of the Immaculate, Captain Hammer walked lost in thought, although he always greeted any crew member he passed along the way. His group had faced the most enemies in that battle, and the casualties were very painful... For some more than others.

Hammer did not know it at the time, but once he returned to the safety of the ship he was able to read the reports of the rest of the battle. Roy didn't even want to talk to the rest, and retired to his cabin as soon as he could. Hammer thought at the time that it was simply the Padawan's tantrum for leaving him behind. But the reports gave him a heartbreaking answer as to why he did so.

In the assault, Hammer was inside a shuttle, receiving reports of dozens of downed transports incessantly. But not Roy. Roy was in the front row doing everything possible to protect his people. And in turn, he witnessed a tragedy that Hammer had not known about until he read the reports.

The shuttle carrying Lieutenant Tesla was hit by a shot from a Vulture fighter, exploding instantly. The young padawan saw it with his own eyes, and negative impulses took over his being. The loss of a friend was too painful, and that was the reason why Roy launched himself head-on, alone, against the endless swarm of droid fighters that approached him.they don't care.

That was a reckless act. Stupid. But that explained why Roy was so out of it.if when the rest of the clones finally arrived at the hangars. ¨How many men did we lose?¨ That question from the Padawan was now spinning around in the captain's mind without leaving it.rest.

Maybe he was too hard on him. Whether it was due to ignorance or not. Hammer suffered the loss of Tesla alone in his cabin after hearing the news, but Roy had to suffer the same loss on the battlefield. Fighting and giving the best ofyes for resist the pain and do what was necessary to save as many of his brothers as possible.

Hammer didn't know if he was right or wrong, but he knew he needed to apologize to Roy somehow. For that same reason he was heading to the Padawan's cabin, and was about to knock on the door to announce his arrival, but the words that came from inside seemed very curious to him, andfurther Rather than interrupt, he preferred to listen.

Pablo: - (...) Can I know what you were thinking about? That was stupid and reckless on your part. Nocan going head-on against such a large number of opponents just out of pride. That is not the way of a Jedi. -

Roy: - It wasn't because of teacher pride. It wasn't for any of that. I just did what I thought was right. I just wanted to help as much as I could. -

Pablo: - And everything for what? You almost got yourself killed back there. You must thank the force that that body of yoursit is made of metal, or those shots you received would have killed you for sure. -

Roy: - But they didn't.

Pablo: - Could you hear yourself!? - His tone of voice rose a little. - You are a reckless person who is not responsible for his actions! -

Roy: - I can be reckless.I know. But I am veryconscious of my actions. -

Pablo: - Do you think so? Hey?! Do you really think so!? What if they kill you for your stupidity!? This is a war, Padawan! If you screw up you die! -

Roy: - I KNOW! -

Roy's furious shout shocked his teacher, as he never expected a loss of sanity on the part of his student. But Roy wasn't done yet.

Roy: - Do you think I don't know what's at stake!? You think I don't know what happens if something goes wrong!? We lost thousands of men on the way to that Luckrehulk! -

Pablo: - This is war, Roy. Thousands die every day and we can't do anything about it. -

Paul was right. An absolute truth, but no less painful for that reason. Both Roy and Hammer, who was listening outside wereconscious of that. More than five thousand clones died trying to reach the Separatist ships, and another three thousand died inside. A sacrifice of eight thousand clones to destroy two capital ships.Tactically speaking it was a great strategic achievement. A small sacrifice for a crushing victory. But that doesn't make it any less painful.

Roy: - But I had to do something. I can't stand by while the kids are dying. -

Pablo: - They are clones, Roy. They were born for that. It is your duty to sacrifice yourself for victory. -

And there it was. An axiom that no one could refute. The idea of ​​the conception of clones. Their purpose... Their reason for being created. Born and raised for a war that was not theirs... and yet... The only reason they were alive. Ironic... That the reason why millions of individuals they called clones now existed throughout the galaxy was as disastrous as the very concept of war. Something so cruel and merciless had been the seed forgestation of the clones.

Hammer wasconscious of it. Every clone in this galaxy wasconscious from them. They lived by and for war. They were born knowing theirpurpose and their destiny but... They weren't just clones. They were more than that. Hammer clenched his fist todeal with the contradictions within him... But what he would hear next would give him a lot to think about for a while.

Roy: - They are not just clones... master. - He said with a challenging look. - They are more than that. They're not just... cannon fodder. They are living beings... Have you ever talked to them? Have you ever discussed anything other than... war plans or combat strategies? Have you ever sat at the tablenext to them and hasear your jokes? Theiruncertainties? -

Roy's voice sounded sad, and at the same time, full of emotion for what he said. Pablo showed himself the moststoic He could, remembering his lessons to avoid attachment, but he couldn't help but feel bad about it. But Hammer had a very different reaction. The clone was... stunned... Hearing words he never thought he would hear from someone other than another clone... words that perhaps no one would understand... But Roy wasn't finished yet.

Roy: - They have dreams... Aspirations... Likeany other. Cross says he wants to be a doctor when the war is over. Collin aspires to be a commercial flight pilot. Nine wants a peaceful life in the country. Tukk says he wants to buy a ship and explore the galaxy. Hammer boasts that he will be a wegsphere star. -

This last comment undoubtedly brought a couple of laughs to everyone listening. Even in Paul himself. Who did his best to remain calm. But then... Roy sighed... and continued talking.

Roy: - Tesla wanted to be a school teacher when the war was over. -

That slight smile that brought out Hammer's comment had disappeared with Roy's last words. Tesla did not die like a hero, sacrificing his life in an epic scenario where his decision would turn the tide of the battle. Tesla was another of themiles of casualties that this war had claimed in itsmaelstrom hunger of destruction. A death that history would not remember, and only those who knew him in life would keep his memories. A death... like many others.

Roy: - They are alive... teacher. More than any of us could imagine... More... more than I... -

You didn't have to be very smart to know what he was referring to. Both Roy, Pablo and Hammer knew what he was referring to. The Padawan's body, more machine than human, could barely classify as someone alive. A cybernetic aberration like General Grievous himself... although he did not choose that path.

Paul did not knowthat say. The teacher remained silent for a long time. What could I say to him? Remember the Jedi path and avoid attachments? ¿How many Sometimes should I tell him? Would Roy understand it once and for all? Would this be the right time to teach him something? Or was it better to let the padawan assimilate said pain as part of his learning? Roy was not the firstPadawan of Paul, butif he first that he had to train in the middle of a war of such magnitude.

Pablo: - Rest for today... Lieutenant. Tomorrow... we will talk more calmly. -

Maybe that would be the best option. Some time to think about everything that was happening. A teacher is very important for a student, but there is no bettermaestro than self and acceptance. Perhaps a little time to absorb this lesson would be most prudent. Pablo didn't know if it was the right thing to do, but at least Roy was silently grateful for his decision. But the Padawan wasn't the only one to learn something that time.

Hammer: - Oh... General... No... I didn't know you were here. -

His ability to lie was as bad as a Wookiee's ability to be stealthy. The clone was so lost trying to assimilate everything he heard, that he didn't realize that the conversation had already ended. And when the general retired, the first thing he saw when he opened the door was Hammer's face with his thoughtful gaze focused on the floor.

Pablo: - Don't worry, captain. I was already on my way out. -

And without saying another word, the general retired. You didn't have to be very smart to realize that General Pablo simply decided not to pay attention to his indiscretion, but taking into account his face it was not difficult to imagine his emotional state. For now, it would be best to leave those two alone for a while.

Roy: - Captain... What brings you here? -Said upon noticing his presence.

Hammer: - What...? Oh yeah... The boys and I are going to... play some games of cards until it's time for dinner... Would you like to join in? -

Roy: - Of course. If I don't participate the game would be very boring. -

Hammer: - Ha... Smug brat. -

It was no stranger to Roy that Hammer had heard his conversation with his teacher, what he didn't know was how much he had heard. Now, clone and padawan were walking through the silent corridors of the Venator, heading to the cabins with the rest of the 194th.

Hammer: - Hey... Roy... I want to apologize for what happened on the Lucrehulk... I didn't mean to be so hard on you. -

Roy: - Okay, captain. I also acted too reckless. I deserved the punishment... if I'm being realistic. I still apologize for disobeying orders. -

Hammer: - Well... I guess we all acted very impulsive back there. -

Roy: - So it seems. -

A small comment that would get a couple of laughs from the duo, but silence quickly returned to reign in the place, being interrupted only by the footsteps of both of them. Although there were still things that needed to be said.

Hammer: - Hey... Roy... - He looked a little hesitant.

Roy: - What's wrong, grumpy old man? -

Hammer: - Thank you... For... For everything. -

They both looked at each other, and shared a smile of true camaraderie. Two beings full of defects and complexes that they hid from the rest, but who saw themselves as family.

Hammer: - And don't call me a grumpy old man. I'm younger than you to start with. -