Upon arriving at the Shelter base, we relieved the garrison stationed there, which had been sent to the front. We came in our Juggernauts, but as soon as we unloaded, they departed on their return trip, taking the previous garrison with them—a full legion of clones.
We were greeted not exactly with joy, but with smiles. Our repair units, led by the captain-engineer, were still at the base, along with a decent number of wounded, including some from our Legion.
We had worked out a plan on the way, and as soon as the equipment disappeared behind the wall of rain, the clones began settling into the base and setting up positions. We got quite a lot to work with: a network of trenches and shelters, the base infrastructure, DF.9 defensive towers… But the most tempting thing, in my opinion, was a small mountain adjacent to the base from the south. There was an observation post at its summit, but that wasn't what made it special.
"General," the engineer who approached me saluted. "Did you call me?"
"Yes. We have a job for you."
"What exactly?"
"We need tunneling equipment."
The clone followed my gaze.
"You want to build tunnels under the mountain? But why?"
He understood where my thoughts were headed, but drew the wrong conclusions.
"Not under the mountain—inside it. To build barracks, ammunition depots, a hospital, and around the perimeter — hidden firing points, guns and twin blasters…"
"You want to turn the mountain into a single firing point, sir? On which side?"
"Around the entire perimeter, Captain. Around the entire perimeter."
Blam looked around.
"Not a bad idea. We already have slightly more than we need to defend such a perimeter, and if new units arrive, we'll be too crowded. The losses would be great."
The engineer took off his helmet and scratched his short, spiky hair.
"There'll be a lot of work."
"You have three days. Not a moment more."
"We'll do it, General. There's a mine nearby… nothing serious, but I think we'll find everything we need there. Drills, cutters, fasteners, beams. Only… we'll need transport and an escort. May I go?"
I nodded. The clone hurried toward the building where the repair battalion was stationed.
Blam asked, clearly referring to the possibility of complete encirclement:
"Do you think it'll come to that?"
"Yes. By the way, does this mountain have a name? It's always 'the mountain' this and 'the mountain' that…"
"No, sir. Mark 168," he replied, checking his datapad.
"Hmm. Almost like…"
I paused, trying to recall the name of that mountain.
"Blam, mark it on the map—Suribachi."
A very… timely name.
"Sir, what does that mean?"
"Well," I began choosing my words carefully, "there was a battle during… the ancient Sith–Jedi wars. At that time, twenty thousand warriors on a small… uh, small planet fought against one hundred and ten thousand enemy warriors with complete superiority in ships and… aviation. Their main base was in a mountain called Suribachi."
"And how long did they hold out?"
"Almost thirty-seven days."
"Hmm." Blam glanced at me in surprise. "Not a bad result. And… how many of them survived?"
"The enemy managed to capture just over two hundred defenders… of the planet."
***
Zule moved her fingers. The prostheticsresponded obediently. The mechanics worked perfectly, but they were still not her hands.
From the moment she lost her hands and her Master died, she had remained in a state of apathy, reinforced by medication. To be honest, she was even grateful. All her sorrows and anxieties had faded, and they hurt her less.
Knight Vikt entered the hospital room where her cybernetic limbs were being calibrated.
"How are you, Zule?"
"I'm fine, Knight Vikt."
"Well, then I have something for you."
With those words, the Jedi handed her a lightsaber cylinder. Falleeni swallowed involuntarily—she would have recognized this weapon with her eyes closed. It was the saber of her Master, Glaive.
"Your lightsaber is broken, and you need a blade. I don't think Jeb would mind if you used his saber."
"Do you think so?"
"Yes. Or what, have you decided to give up?"
"And how am I now?" Zule lifted her hands, the polished metal gleaming. "I won't be able to use the Force properly…"
"Um, no. You're wrong about that. Or are you just going to give up like that? I don't believe it. Or… should I send you away from the planet? Let the Jedi Council decide what to do with such a… crybaby. But I think Jeb would be clearly disappointed with your decision."
"But I… but he… How dare you!" Zule tried to stand up, but the Jedi placed a firm hand on her shoulder.
"The-ere. You're alive again? That's the spirit. Now—saber in your teeth and off to practice. I'll come and check on you."
Falleeni nodded, bewildered. The Jedi left the room. Zule carefully took the hilt of the saber in her metal fingers.
I'll prove that I can fight like this!