The Brush Fire Wars (Book 2)

[Akirapryde]

Winds of Change
Risten Marine Base
Coruscant
T-16.5 Hours

With the mighty Defiance in the back ground, a formation of sharply dressed Marines stand ready for the ceremony. Everything within the ceremony park was laid out to show the awesome fire power that the 501st was able to level at its enemies. The unit was more than just another unit. When the 501st arrived in system, people took notice. Today only a fraction of that mighty unit was being called up for service. There in the shadow of the Defiance, stood four platoons of forty five marines each stand ready for the ceremony to begin. As the Republic military builds up the nine Republic Expeditionary Force divisions ordered by the Senate. The Brush Fire wars were just starting to spark to life. Today the Order was for nine RDF Divisions, before these wars are over, nearly a hundred of these divisions will be in service with twice as many ordered. To ensure that the RDF units are combat ready, the Senate ordered that their ranks would be filled out with both Army Reserves and Active units. Even the legendary 501st Marine Division is not immune from this Order. Today, before fellow Marines and guests to the ceremony, the 501st sends off some of its most elite units to fight within an RDF unit.

The day could not have been a better day for such a event as the skies were blue and the stands were filled with guests from across Coruscant. Admiral David Heartman look over the Marine unit before him with a smile on his face. He was proud of each member that stood before him today. He knew almost all of them by name and was sad to see them leave the 501st but at the same time, he was leaving the 501st as well. With his promotion to Admiral means he has to give up command of the 501st to someone else. It was a good trade off, in gets to take over command of the Coruscant Battle Fleet, which both the Defiance and the 501st are members of. Looking over the four platoons, each looked their very best as they stood in their dress uniforms. He looked up and down the lines of men and women and was pleased that each detail was ensured. The men and women stood like statuses in their parade rest position as they waited for the ceremony to begin. It was a sad day for the 501st but a very good day for the Republic as the combined experience of these soldiers would be gained by another unit. He looked down at the datapad in his hand and smiled, 'for so long the peace was entrusted to the Jedi. Now it is our turn to maintain the peace.' He thought to himself as he cleared his throat.

"Attention to Orders!" He read loudly from the datapad. On that simple command every officer and marine alike snapped from their current rest position to a more rigid position of attention. "It is hereby so ordered on this date, that the following units will be dissolved. First platoon, Bravo Company; Third Platoon, Charlie Company; First Platoon, Alpha Company; and Ninth Platoon, Alpha Company all of the elite 501st Marine Infantry Division. It is now further ordered under Grand Admiral Ossistain Heartman that these named units will be reorganized in to Alpha Company, 1st Republic Expeditionary Force." Admiral Heartman read the orders loudly and clearly for everyone to hear. Then he lowered the datapad and smiled to his men, “Personally, I have served with each one of you as the Captain of the Defiance. It was my honor to lead you on the very missions that had made you all elite warriors. I can only wish that I would be leading you once more in to harms way. I was not lucky enough to receive that honor. But I shall bid you all well. I know that you will bring honor to your families, and back to the 501st it's self. I know some of you might have feelings about being placed under the direct command of the Jedi Council during these engagements.”

“But I want you all to know, as seasons change, so do the times. I personally see this as an opportunity to shine where the Jedi have failed. They could not stop these conflicts that now threatens our very peace nor could they contain them. Now it is our time to shine. For us, the times have indeed changes as we shall bring these wars under control. Yes we will still serve under the Jedi, however during these conflicts we have a voice in how they are fought. Remember by fellow marines, in our hearts and minds we are and will always be Defenders of Peace!” He said using the motto of the 501st. This little speech brought cheers from the men and women in the formation. He looked over the cheering soldiers before him. The 1st REF was never intended to be made up of soldiers from just one branch of the military. However, now it was the only unit in Republic history to be made up of men and women whom were bread, born and raised to fight wars. It filled him with a great sense of pride that this elite unit was his personal creation. Yes they would serve under a Jedi and Army joint commander. However, they will always be loyal to him.

Now on to the other point of his business. He lifted up the datapad once more and called out, "Lieutenant Fiolla Heartman, front and center!" He watched with pride as his niece moved with control and rigid action away from her platoon and walked towards the center of the formation. Without a word said, Zya moved from the back of the platoon and took up the position left open. Zya watched with pride as she knew what her sister was about to receive. The two had talked about it the night before and Zya thought that it was long over due but Fiolla was apprehensible about it.

Admiral Heartman looked down at his niece with pride. She had come so far and did so much in such a short time. No longer did she need his guiding hand over her career. She had achieved so much in such a little span of time. No other warrior or marine could match her record. She was the record breaker. She was both an inspiration to her unit and her piers. "It brings me great pleasure." He said to her as he handed the datapad over to his XO. He calmly started to walk towards Talon and stopped right before her. Flanking him stood her sister Jedi Padawan Angelique Heartman, no one ever knew how much Talon had looked up to her sister. Despite being someone that was looked up upon, for Talon, her role model was her own sister. On the other side Admiral Heartman stood Jedi Padawan Daz Murl. The young man that Talon saw as a blood brother. She loved him just like she loved her own sister. The smile on Talon's face was clear as she looked at the two most important people in her life. Admiral Heartman smiled as he pulled a pair of rank insignias out of his pocket. “These belonged to me when I was first promoted like you” he said softly and turned to look at the XO from over his shoulder. Admiral Heartman give his XO a nod.

The XO started to read from the datapad, "Attention to Orders, for excellence in duty beyond the call. For self sacrifice in during the rescue of the Crew of the Mercy. For courage in the face of unsurmountable odds, and in the face of defeat. Lt. Heartman, you have become an inspiration to both your unit as well as others. Because of your loyalty, skill, heart, bravery and devotion to the Republic, you Fiolla Heartman are hereby promoted to the rank of Marine Capitan. You are charged with carrying out your duties with the same courage and bravery as you have shown in the past. It is further ordered that you will take command of Alpha Company, 1st Republic Expeditionary Force. So ordered by Grand Admiral Ossistain Heartman." The man read as Admiral Heartman removed Fiolla's old rank and pinned her new rank on the collar of her uniform. He put the old rank in his left hand as well as the backs of the new rank. He motioned downward with his head as he smiled with pride at her achievement. Fiolla returned the nod as he placed the old rank and the backs in her hand.

He smiled as now it was a time honored Azgardian tradition for newly promoted officers to receive their blood rank. "On my command Capitan, will you bleed for me?" He asked her. The question reaffirmed the loyalty of officers and was part of the tradition.

She smiled, "YES SIR!" She snapped

He nodded as he brought his large fist up and slammed them down on the new rank. This drove the pins of the insignia deep in to her collar as she let out a muffled groan. Blood started to sweep out of the fresh wounds. Angelique knew the importance of the right of passage for each now marine. Coming from the same background, Angelique understood all to well what this meant. Fiolla smiled at her sister and received a nod back. She turned to see Daz looking away. Fiolla's smile faded slightly. Angelique was the only one to noticed the change. Admiral Heartman nodded the spun around to face the unit. "Platoon Leaders and Sargent, seal the pack" he ordered then stepped out of the way.

In each platoon leader and their platoon sergeant stepped forward and asked their new Capitan to lead them with honor, courage, and pride. Each pair drove the pins deeper in to Fiolla's flesh. Each time blood flowed, and each time she stepped back up for the next pair. With the pain clearly seen on across her face, Fiolla never once backed down. It was that single minded determination that got her to where she was. Half way through the ceremony, the fleshy sounds were replaced as the pins reached her collar bone. Still she didn't back down. She bleed for each of them without a second thought. When it was all over Fiolla looked at her new unit and then at Admiral Heartman. He smiled while giving her a nod.

He then stepped forward once more, "Alpha Company, I give you your new commander!"
On that note someone in the back gave a loud cheer which was soon echoed by everyone in the formation. The ceremony continued as other soldiers were promoted and awards were given. This was a happy and fulfilling day for the marines of A Company, 1st REF. It was one of the last few like it. They were heading off to one of the most intense hot spots in the entire Outer Rim, Baklid VI. More speeches fallowed, then the unit was introduced to their Jedi and Army commanders. Their were speeches of honor and pride. The marines listen respectfully, but it was clear they didn't like the idea of it. To end the ceremony, Jedi Padawan Daz Murl gave a speech about the importance of life and how this war was to preserve that life. He spoke of understanding the other side and ensuring that no needless life would be lost. Daz's speech was inspiring from a Jedi point of view and everything that those who knew Daz best come to expect from the young upcoming Jedi.

After the ceremony was over, the large crowds started to disperse and life on the military base started to return to normal. However a chance encounter was about to happen as Daz and his unknown bird like friend were leaving the stage. There stood a man in Jedi robes, as Daz walked up, he smiled friendly as he said, “Greetings Master Murl. I am Zath Birmston. I have been assigned by the Jedi Council to act as your public relations advisor.” He showed Daz the Data Pad that reflected what he was speaking about. “I know your are very busy however you have become quite the Hero to Coruscant.” The group continued to walk, “I am also to advise you sir that you will be meeting with some local civilians from across Republic City tomorrow. This meet and greet has been set up by the Council to help win hearts and minds of our local supporters and those still on the fence. Also tomorrow evening, Jedi Master, you will be dining with a group of dignitaries from the Senate.”

He walked Daz all the way to a waiting airspeeder all the while explaining in painful details of how much little time Daz will have during this stay at the Temple. Luckily for Daz, it will be a short stay as next week they will be heading off with the 1st REF to fight in the Brush Fire Wars. However to Daz's horror, Mr. Birmston would still be in service when he returns. Daz thought smugly, 'If I am lucky, I could just die in battle.' He smiled as he saw Mr. Birmston in the distance waving back as they sped away. “Life of a hero seems more like life of a star” Daz said softly.

Visst nodded, “they are one in the same Daz. People look up to you. You should consider what they see and how you show it to them.”

Daz nodded to the wise words as he leaned back in the Airspeeder, “I am not going to like being a hero, will I?”

“I wouldn't think so” replied Visst.