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From the Personal Journal of Vall Juridian, Jedi Knight
Entry Date: 21:4:15 BBY (Early Second Year of the Clone Wars)
Location: Republic Forward Outpost, Saleucami Sector
War.
The word used to be something from the histories. An echo from the Ruusan campaigns or the Mandalorian conflicts—studied in the Archives, debated by scholars. I never imagined it would define my every waking moment.
We Jedi are supposed to be peacekeepers. Negotiators. Guardians of the Republic. Yet here we are—leading armies into battle. Wearing armor beneath our robes. Counting our victories in enemies destroyed instead of peaceful resolutions.
The men under my command—clones—follow my orders without hesitation. They learn my voice, my gestures, even the smallest inflections. They trust me. I’m beginning to recognize them as individuals: CT-3512 “Ridge” with his habit of humming during patrols, Commander Nurek who never removes the dented pauldron from Kamino no matter how many times it’s offered for replacement. They aren’t just soldiers—they’re brothers to each other. And, if I’m being honest… they’re becoming brothers to me.
Today we secured an old Separatist supply depot on the edge of the Oseon Belt. Intel suggested it was abandoned, but there were droids waiting. Not many, but enough to test us. Ridge took a glancing hit to the chestplate—he laughed it off. I didn’t. I’ve started feeling every loss and every wound as if it were my own.
The Council says this war is necessary. That the Separatists’ aggression leaves us no choice. I try to believe that. I repeat it to myself during the long nights on patrol, when the wind carries the sound of distant blaster fire and the Force feels like it’s retreating into shadow.
I fear what this war will make of us. I fear what it will make of me.
Still… the clones look to me for guidance. They fight because I lead them. And so, I will lead. Until the war ends—or until I can no longer lift my blade.
For now, I’ll keep my doubts between these pages.
—Vall Juridian, Jedi Knight, Commander in the Grand Army of the Republic
