#commander hardwire

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Juliette had returned to her room, and began rummaging around in her desk.

Cosmos leaned in the doorway, “well, you really turned these quarters into your own.”

Juliette smiled to herself.

Cosmos stepped in, shutting the door.

“Okay, I got something serious to talk about with you,” Cosmos knelt down.

Serious? Juliette stopped her search, turning her full attention to her best friend.

“I’m only asking because I care about you,” Cosmos assured, “is everything between you and Fang okay? You two were acting weird all day yesterday and then suddenly you were fine again. He’s not jerking you around, right? If he is, I’ll straighten him out.”

A smile spread on her face, “I knew I made a good choice.”

“Excuse me?” Cosmos held her face, “a good choice in what?”

“My best friend!” Juliette proudly declared.

Cosmos gave her an amused smirk, “oh yeah? Well, charming me isn’t going to make me drop this.”

“I’m fine,” Juliette pat his hand, “Fang just has some bad communication skills sometimes.”

“He should work on that,” Cosmos looked up at her ceiling. “I don’t like seeing you upset.”

Juliette closed and opened another drawer, then paused.

“Talk to me, Starlight,” Cosmos ordered.

Juliette sighed, “it’s just… I feel like everyone is constantly trying to protect me, but I can handle myself. But when I try to prove that, someone always gets upset and says I was reckless.”

“To be fair, for most of us,” Cosmos said, “you’re General number six. The 952nd was originally a Legion at the beginning of the war, but we are more of a relief Battalion now. Who’s to say that if you die, we get disbanded and the 952nd dies with you?”

Juliette blinked, trying to fight tears.

Why did he have to word it like that? I know I’m important, but I didn’t think of myself as their last shot.

“Sorry,” Cosmos dabbed his thumbs under her eyes, “that came out a little too dark, huh? But seriously, Juliette, none of us want to lose you. I don’t want to lose you.”

“But what about you?” Juliette cupped his face, “if I have to hear another one of my friends call themselves expendable, I might lose it.”

Cosmos placed his forehead to her’s, “we were made to die originally, but you make us want to live. At least, you make me want to live.”

Juliette giggled, “want to hear something stupid?”

“Always.” Cosmos leaned back on his hands.

“So, there’s this thing called kov’nyn,” Juliette explained, “it’s when a mandalorian head-butts you with their helmet on, and in gentler settings it’s a kiss.”

“Okay?” Cosmos nodded along.

“When we were in my childhood room and you came in to tell us dinner was being made,” Juliette giggled, “he was doing what you just did, and I was internally trying to figure out if he was kissing me.”

Cosmos laughed, “I knew you looked flushed!”

“Now you know,” she shrugged, “your friend is an idiot.”

Cosmos held her shoulders, “my best friend may be an idiot, but she is my idiot.”

He placed a big kiss on her forehead.

What a goof.

Cosmos slapped his knees, “now, is there anymore bombshells you wants to throw at me?”

“Like what?” Juliette teased. “Like that my boyfriend told me he loves me?”

Cosmos rolled his eyes, “that one was so obvious that he didn’t even have to say it.”

“But I still haven’t said it back,” Juliette waited for his reaction.

Cosmos blinked, “oh. Now you have my full attention. Talk to me, Starlight.”

****

Mirage already knew he was due for promotion.

Commander Colt told him so, but he didn’t think he’d be promoted like this.

Sitting next to his brother, Coyote, who looked torn as Commander Hardwire and Sergeant Cooper whispered to each other.

Poor vod, Mirage studied him, he actually wants this. Maybe I should let him have it and step down.

“Alright,” Hardwire addressed them, “we have a mission today. Consider this your test.”

“Mission?” Coyote sat up straighter, “what mission?”

“We’re delivering supplies,” Cooper explained, “Separatist have been spotted in the area, so it may not be so simple.”

Mirage turned to Coyote, “you ready for this?”

Coyote nodded, “we got this.”

May the best man win.

****

In her room with just Fang, Juliette listened to him talk about possibly sneaking into market to get supplies. For what, he wouldn’t say, but he promised her investment would be worth it.

As she listened, she gathered her gear and scratched at her wrist where her faded scar was.

Rolling up her sleeve, Juliette traced her old burns.

“Are you ever going to tell me where this is from?” Fang asked taking her hand.

Juliette giggled, “it’s not a big deal.”

Fang ran his hand up her forearm, then drew her in closer. She felt the heat rise to her face as his right hand rested on her hip, and his left hand caressed her forearm.

“You mean everything to me,” Fang kissed her wrist.

Juliette turned her head away, covering her face.

Fang chuckled, “blushing?”

Juliette nodded, I’m so pathetic.

Fang pulled her down onto his leg, and kissed her cheek, “sweetheart, you’re beautiful.”

“Are you trying to make me blush?” Juliette hid her face in the crook of his neck.

“Yes,” Fang hugged her, “I love you.”

I’m a horrible girlfriend, Juliette wrapped her arms around his neck, why can’t I say that back? How can he be okay with me not saying it back?

Fang softly hummed, “so, it was suggested I take a break. But I’m not fond of sitting on the sidelines, so I’m coming along. Okay?”

Fang brushed his cheek against her head, snuggling her close.

“I would love to have you there,” Juliette traced his cheek, “but only if you’re up for it.”

“I want to go with you,” Fang kissed her forehead. “Please?”

“Okay, cyar’ika,” Juliette giggled, as he kissed her cheek.

Fang brushed his nose against her’s, “I love you.”

Juliette opened her mouth to say it, but it didn’t feel right to say out loud yet.

“We should get going,” she said instead.

Fang smiled, kissing her nose, “I’ll meet you at the gunship.”

He let her up off his knee, and got off her bed.

His fingers traced her jaw, and lifted her chin.

She could feel the love radiating in his eyes.

Then his hand left her face, and he was heading to the door. Smiling to himself as his finger hovered over the button to the automatic door.

“It was a grenade,” Juliette blurted out, “I was trying to prove to my buir that I could disable it on my own. It backfired, and I learned my lesson.”

Fang looked back, smiled, then left.

She went back to getting ready, listening to the muffled voices she loved outside her door go by.

****

Even though he knew she was fine, Mirage still had his hand out behind Juliette’s back.

In his head, he knew one day she’ll need him to catch her.

Across from him was Shadow, white armor now dawning their purple with a stripe of the light color going down one of his pecs, just like Mirage.

Mirage couldn’t help but smile, he’s copying me. Never thought I’d have someone look up to me like I did Colt.

Then his gaze shifted to Coyote and Fang, both ready to go as soon as those doors opened.

Act like a Corporal, Mirage told himself. Show some initiative, trooper. Colt didn’t train you to stay a Strategist forever.

Outside, he heard heavy fire.

There are Separatist here, Mirage watched as everyone shifted from relaxed to fight mode.

Mirage closed his eyes, feeling it course through him.

The calm before the storm.

As soon as those doors opened, he heard it and snapped right into it like a rubber band.

He waited for Juliette’s move, then followed her right off that ship. Even though he knew it was not his job anymore, he felt compelled to follow her everywhere on the battlefield. If she went down, he’d be right there to pick her up again.

****

Just as the reports said, there was Separatists who began invasion on this Republic planet.

Those droids waited for them, thinking they wouldn’t be prepared to fight.

Clone troopers—as Juliette had learned—are always prepared to fight.

While she could imagine their training was not the same, the lesson to always be on their toes was just as engraved in their blood as it was in her’s. Days and days of training, preparing for something that would come along one day. The day they’d put on their armor, hide their recognizable faces, and take on the Galaxy.

Only difference was, Juliette didn’t know her training was for a war. She doubted her father knew it either, because he might’ve trained her even harder; If that was even possible to do.

The comm chatter was going nuts.

All those similar voices talking over each other, it was overwhelming. First chance she got, she ducked undercover and adjusted the volume.

“Okay, General?” Mirage asked from beside her.

“It’s loud,” she called, “have to tune you all out or I’m going to overstimulate.”

“Gotcha,” Mirage pat her shoulder.

As obnoxious as she found it, it was comforting knowing she had someone following her.

The comm chatter quieted down after a few clicks, all that was left was the battle.

She turned her attention to Mirage. He was holding their position, poking around the wall and firing his blaster.

She lifted up her duo pistols, and tapped his back, “right behind you.”

“Ready?” Mirage ducked back into cover.

She nodded.

Mirage checked again, then gestured for her to move.

She moved around him, and ran into the battle unafraid with her ARC trooper right behind her.

While she didn’t need him, she still wanted him close. Battle zones still occasionally confused her, and who better to have than her ARC who always wanted to be with her?

They ducked undercover with Buck and Mick behind another crumbling building.

“Civilians are safe, General,” Buck reported. “We’re trying to do minimal damage.”

“Tell that to the clankers,” Mick quipped.

“I would, but they’d never listen,” Buck laughed.

Juliette did a scan, seeing everyone scattered in hiding places, including Fang with the Commander and a couple others across from them.

Her gaze fell on a trooper clutching his side out in the open.

Mirage noticed as well, and shook his head at her, “no, no risks. I’ll get him.”

Juliette sighed, I’m indestructible as long as I’m fully geared up.

However, she could figure, the brothers talked. Fang probably voiced his fears to a few of them, about not wanting to lose her. His worries, she imagined, planted seeds in their minds to also worry about her safety.

Juliette twirled her guns, then got back to firing.

Out of the corner of her visor, she saw Mirage grab the trooper quick and fall into the Commander’s barrier.

He tripped, she smiled, but he got him there safe.

She ducked behind the sturdy building, as plasma bolts wizzed by.

“Relax, General,” Buck reloaded his gun. “We’re fine.”

As soon as he said that, there was a flash and she felt like she was flying. Her helmet flew off, the back of her head hit the ground hard, and her ears were filled with a loud ringing.

Immediately, her hands went to ears to block out the white noise.

****

This is all my fault.

“Juliette!”

A yelp of pain, and Fang was down holding his shoulder.

Coyote grabbed the lovesick trooper by his ankle, pulling him back to cover as a hail of red bolts landed where his head just was.

Boomerang crawled over to Fang, “you okay?”

“Juliette…” Fang pushed him away, “she’s hurt!”

“She seems fine,” Cooper said, but his tone was laced with concern.

Mirage stood motionless, looking at the General and two troopers left behind.

Juliette’s face, twisted in excruciating pain as she held her ears. Cooper was half right, she did look fine minus the noise. It was his brothers who looked worse, as Buck laid motionless under the rubble and Mick held his busted hand, quickly scooting to cover.

“Fang, stay still!” Boomerang order, snapping Mirage back.

Mirage turned back to Fang, still shaking his brothers off trying to blindly bolt over to her. He knelt down, and held Fang down firmly to the ground.

“You getting killed isn’t going to help her,” Mirage stated sharply.

Fang stopped, but his panting showed he still had fight in him.

“Fang,” Hardwire pat his helmet, “she’s covered, she’s safe for now. We just got to push these guys back, and then we can get her.”

“They’ll need evac,” Boomerang turned his focus back to Juliette across the way. “Must’ve blew out her hearing.”

“That’s not good,” Hardwire whispered. “Not good at all.”

“Obviously,” Cooper muttered.

“No!” Hardwire barked, “remember when she rescued Cosmos. She was several klicks away and still heard him.”

“She probably heard someone else…” Cooper quietly correctly.

Fang kicked his ankle, “her hearing is better than all of ours!”

Mirage turned back to her, “I’ll get her.”

“No.” Hardwire grabbed his arm, “just wait.”

“Keep firing!” Coyote ordered, “get those droids out of the city!”

Mirage shook his head, but aimed his blaster.

Something bumped his back, and a trooper zipped right past them.

Mirage snapped his head to the side, “Shadow?“

He’s fast…

The trooper dodged plasma like it was a regular old food fight on Kamino, and slid across the ground to behind the wall with Mick.

“Remind me to tell him he did a good job,” Hardwire ordered, “after I discipline him.”

Boomerang let out a sigh of relief, “Shadow has her, Fang.”

Shadow dragged her to Mick—who held her against him—then got low. Slowly, crawling close to the ground, Shadow inched his way back to Buck.

Mirage sighed, as Shadow shook his head and went back to them.

Buck was dead.

****

The ringing continued despite how tightly Juliette covered her ears.

Mick held her to his chest, his hand over her’s to help block out every other noise.

But it did nothing for whatever was wrong with her ears now.

Shadow slid her helmet over. Gently, Mick placed it over her head and sealing her back into the soundproof casing.

It did nothing to help.

————

Cooper looked over the reports again, tilting his datapad so Juliette could look too.

According to the agenda, they’d mostly be backing up the 212th. The 501st had plenty, and with General Skywalker and Commander Tano leading them, they had all the firepower they needed.

It was still odd that General Kenobi requested Juliette’s aid. In fact, the request for their aid was for Juliette by name and her best men.

He looked over the ship, knowing full well this was more Hardwire’s opinion of the best than her’s.

I wonder who would of made the cut if she picked for herself.

Juliette brushed his arm, then moved back to Hardwire’s side and taking his hand.

Cooper smirked under his helmet, such an odd group we are.

****

They arrived in the hangers, and unloaded their supplies quickly with the help of some of the 212th and 501st men.

Once the gear was off loaded, the gunships hurried off before the Separatist could realize they slipped through.

Shadow stayed with Juliette and Fury, assisting them with one of the crates. He could write a whole book about all the things he liked about her as a leader and friend, starting with the fact she always helped with the heavy lifting.

“Well, well,” an ARC helped lift her side, “you must be the infamous, General Trix.”

“The one and only,” she quipped, “to who do I owe the pleasure?“

“Fives,” he suavely answered, “they call me Fives.”

“Fives,” another ARC came over, “what are you doing?”

“Making proper introductions, of course,” Fives turned back to her, “that’s Echo.”

“Ma’am,” Echo nodded politely.

“Hello,” she nodded back.

They dropped the crate as Mirage and Boomerang came over, checking out the two 501st ARCs. Although he forgave them, Shadow still moved to the other side of Fury to distance himself from Mirage. His ‘shadow someone else’ comment still stung fresh in Shadow’s mind despite the many days that passed since the altercation.

In better news, Juliette and him grew closer and they began a workout routine together.

“Nice armor,” Mirage commented. “Still looking brand new.”

“Just finished training a week ago,” Echo said, “first wave of ARCs since the Battle of Kamino.”

“Do they do recap courses?” Boomerang asked.

Mirage elbowed him lightly, “funny, Doc.”

Fury began walking off, heading to where Juliette went rushing off to see Commander Cody and General Kenobi.

Shadow paused, looking at the ARCs chatting and then walked off after Fury too. Besides that, he knew wherever Juliette was going was far more entertaining.

Another reason to like her.

****

“Ah, General Trix,” General Kenobi smiled when she approached. “I’m glad to be working with you this time. I heard great things from Cody through his reports.”

“Well, your Commander is great as well,” Juliette commented, “and I’ve been hearing many more stories about him.”

Cody turned his head, quietly expressing shock.

“All good thing,” she assured.

Fury stood by her side, “she’s referring to the scuffle you had with General Grievous, sir. During the rescue of General Koth.”

“I too am a fan of close combat,” she stated.

Cody chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.

“And that makes you perfect,” General Kenobi smiled, “I will be aiding Anakin and his troops on a stealth mission, and you all will be our diversion.”

“Happy to assist,” Juliette turned to Fury, “could you locate my Commander.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Fury walked off.

General Kenobi bowed to her, “may the Force be with you.”

“To you too,” Juliette said, cringing at her response.

As soon as he walked off, Cody said to her, “did you hear one of my men punched Grievous in the face?”

Juliette smiled, “I’m so proud of him.”

“Come on,” he instructed. “Let’s get the boys ready.”

Juliette looked back, seeing Shadow was still with her and held out her hand, “come on. You’re sticking with me.”

He took her hand, quickening his pace.

“If anything goes wrong, I want you with me,” she said, “after all, I taught you how to do a proper spin kick and pile drive.”

“Very useful skills to know,” Cody nodded. “I approve of both tactics when handling droids.”

Hardwire approached, a small smile playing on his face with his helmet tucked under his arm, “why am I not surprised?”

“Oh shush!” Juliette swatted his chest, “I admire your brother.”

“She praised you to the senators last night,” Hardwire told him.

Juliette crossed her arms, “I stand by my opinion that am happy to work with Cody more than everyone else on this mission. Don’t tell Rex.”

Cody laughed, “thank you, General Trix.”

****

Cooper could feel Coyote staying close to him, exchanging conversations with a few of the 212th men they were with. He always had a knack for befriending brothers from other places, whereas Cooper barely had any acknowledge him unless they were told they had to, and for some reason they were always nervous.

“Look, I’m not bashing General.”

“Boil, don’t say-“

“I’m not going to say anything offensive, Waxer. But she doesn’t have a lightsaber.”

Coyote chuckled, “I’d be more scared if she did. Knowing her, she’d probably just have us sit back while she takes down the whole Separatist Army. Sith and all.”

Cooper snickered, she really would.

“She sounds a little nuts,” Boil grunted.

“She is!” Coyote replied proudly.

On the comm chatter, Cooper could hear Cody and Hardwire giving instructions to tanks to get into positions and for Digger to take his men to get an overhead view for them.

Part of him wished that one of the Jedi stayed. Not because he wanted their help, but because he wanted them to see her. He felt like a kid with a favorite toy he wanted to show off, and all the clones from every end of the galaxy knew she was great. The Jedi didn’t know how lucky they were she said yes.

Here we go.

****

“Damn,” Calico chuckled, “I think they’re having a brawl off.”

“Hmm?” Digger hummed, eyes focused on the droids.

“Commander Cody and General Angel,” Zombie said, “if his armor was as tough as her’s, Cody might be going just as showy as her.”

“Oh!” Hound laughed, “a nice roundhouse kick from Shadow!”

“That’s ARC material right there,” Mutt stated.

Digger sighed, “boys. The mission.”

“Yes sir,” they grumbled.

Still, Digger did a quick scan of the battlefield to find her. Just to see what they were talking about, nothing more.

Mutt nudged his macrobinoculars, guiding him a few more clicks to the right and he saw her. She fired a few rounds with a pistol, then used the butt of the gun to bludgeon a droids head off before going back to blasting.

Heh, looks like she’s having fun down there.

Digger lowered his macrobinoculars, seeing four ARF helmets facing him.

“Get back to work,” he ordered.

They turned back to the battle, snickering.

“You like her,” Calico said, “we know it, you know it, even Cosmos knows it.”

“I don’t like her like that,” Digger protested.

“Uh huh,” Mutt mumbled.

“I don’t,” Digger pressed, “she’s just intriguing.”

“Uh huh,” Mutt repeated.

“Come on, think about it,” Digger rolled his eyes, “she’s the only General who isn’t a Jedi. Her weapons are her own. She’s a trained warrior. She’s fascinating.”

Mutt turned to him, “uh huh.”

Digger frowned, realizing what he was doing.

“Shut up,” Digger grumbled, “I don’t like her.”

“Uh huh,” they all mocked him.

“Very funny,” he muttered. It’s not like I’ll ever get her to look at me anyway, other than promiscuous.

****

“Come on, Shadow!” Juliette called, “keep up!”

Shadow laughed inside his helmet. He’d been on a lot of fun missions before, but none as fun as this.

He shot down a few droids, following after her and Fury to get better aim as the droids fell back.

Even though they’ve been at it for hours, he wanted to keep fighting. He wanted to feel useful and needed again.

Juliette stretched her arms, “how am I not use to this yet?”

“You weren’t forged for this,” Fury teased. “Not like me.”

Juliette flicked his helmet, “you’re lucky you’re my favorite ARC.”

Shadow chuckled, but his gaze shifted past them to Mirage. He had been approaching, hand extended out to tap Juliette’s shoulder when those words came out of her lips.

Shadow knew it was playful teasing, that she didn’t favor Fury that way. However, he knew the words would sting Mirage like how his words stung him.

Mirage lowered his hand and shuffled away back to Boomerang and the other wounded.

Don’t do it, Shadow. Don’t feel sorry for him.

Mirage got down and began helping Boomerang calm the injured.

I could just go help Boomerang. If I happen to talk to Mirage, then so be it.

“I’ll be back,” Shadow dismissed himself from Juliette and Fury’s playful banter.

He hurried across the field, over to Boomerang’s little makeshift camp and knelt down.

“Need help?” Shadow asked the medic.

Boomerang lifted his helmet, “hey, good to see you. Could you help Mirage get Trusty and Doubler to the arriving gunship?”

So be it.

“Sure.”

He turned to Mirage, helping Trusty get his arm over his shoulder while trying to balance poor Doubler who was wincing in pain every time he lost balance and lowered his foot.

“Let me,” Shadow took Trusty. “I got him.”

“Thanks,” Mirage muttered.

Shadow followed him, walking through the heavy silence.

“Hey, Raj?” Shadow cut into their private channel.

“Yeah?” He lifted his head.

“Did you mean what you said?” Shadow asked, “about shadowing someone else?”

“No,” Mirage turned to him, “I never meant it. I was just so upset with Boomerang and I was lashing out.”

Shadow nodded, “interesting. You said something you didn’t mean and it hurt my feelings.”

“I can hear your sarcasm,” Mirage groaned.

Shadow helped Trusty on the ship, “let that favorite ARC comment be a lesson to you then.”

Mirage grumbled then followed after him as they headed back, “hey! I didn’t mean what I said, but she could’ve meant it.”

“True,” Shadow said, “but at least you might actually have learned how words hurt.”

Mirage sighed, “look, I’m sorry I said it. Can we just be vods again?”

“I don’t really have a choice,” Shadow said, “you’re my brother always.”

“You know what I mean,” Mirage nudged him, “please stop being mad at me?”

“I was only upset the first two days, then I was annoyed you never apologized,” Shadow said, “why didn’t you?”

“I didn’t know what to say,” Mirage sighed.

“Just sorry would’ve been enough,” Shadow said, “it’s all I wanted.”

“I’m sorry,” Mirage said.

“I know,” Shadow turned to him, “that’s why I forgive you.”

Mirage didn’t say anything else as they returned to Boomerang. The medic had his helmet off, rubbing the side of his head where his hair was slowly growing back.

Shadow nudged him, “so, why’d you do it?”

“Gut feeling told me I had to,” Boomerang pointed to his bruised eye, “does this still look as bad as it feels?”

“Probably,” Shadow looked at his cheek, “at least you can open your eye again.”

“Still wish I got in a few more shots,” Boomerang grumbled.

“I saw you kick a droid,” Mirage commented, “where’d you learn that, Shadow?”

“Wave two incoming,” their comms went off.

Shadow checked his blaster, “the General taught me. Maybe she’ll give you some lessons too.”

****

There was an explosion and the ground shook under Cooper’s boots. Loosing his footing, he started to fall forward when Coyote caught the back of his armor’s collar and straightened him up.

He followed him to cover, and gave him a pat on the back, “thanks.”

“No problem,” Coyote said, as an other explosive dropped where they just were.

If Coyote hadn’t grabbed him, Cooper would’ve been scattered pieces.

“Jeez,” Cooper shook his head, “now I really owe you.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Coyote shrugged.

Another explosion shook the ground, and he swore he saw Coyote shutter.

Cooper nudged him, “I’m right here, you’re okay.”

“I know,” he said unconvincingly.

Another explosion, and Coyote moved back under cover, taking deep breaths.

“Coyote, what’s wrong?” Cooper set his blaster down, “are you okay?”

“It’s the explosions,” Coyote exhaled. “I’m fine, I just need to get my thoughts together.”

“Collect them fast,” Cooper held his shoulder, “I need you here.”

Coyote nodded, then shook off those nerves, and got up again ready to go.

****

“Great shot!” Hound said in his comm, “alright, next target is at these coordinates. Ready?”

Digger was zoning out, watching the battle unfold along with bopping his head to the same song he had become obsessed with in the past week.

He shifted his gaze, to the base catching glimpses of plasma bolts flash inside.

He wondered if this mission would be a step towards finding that man who wants to torture them. He figured not. Considering since the war began, he heard a lot of things have been slipping under the radar.

“I’m bored,” Zombie sighed, “please tell me we’re going drinking after this.”

“We might be here for a few days,” Calico groaned.

“Ew,” Zombie groaned, “I hate that.”

“Yeah, well that’s life,” Calico shrugged, “we fight and fight and fight some more.”

“No, no,” Zombie corrected, “that’s clone life.”

Mutt chuckled in amusement.

“See,” Zombie said, “Mutt gets it.”

“Hmm?” He turned to them, “I didn’t hear you.”

The both sighed, and went back to surveying too.

Digger turned his gaze down to the battle, “did any of you tell them the tactical droid is in the back right tank?”

“Huh?” Hound turned his gaze, “there’s that clanker. Thinks he can hide from us, eh?”

Digger smirked, watching Hound switch back to their tankers channel and giving the coordinates and egging them to just lay all their fire on that one area, so they’d get a big explosion.

Digger stood up, heading back to his walker, “pack it up boys, this base is ours.”

“Woo hoo,” Zombie said unenthusiastically, “a tiny break before the Jedi decide if they want to keep us around.”

“Zombie, do you need a nap?” Calico teased.

Zombie grumbled, “I will backhand you.”

Digger said quietly, “that would be a yes.”

“We have taken the base,” Hardwire announced through the comm, “bring your boys down, Sergeant.”

“Copy that, Commander,” Digger replied.

****

“I think I took down way more droids than you,” Juliette declared.

“My bruised shins will say otherwise,” Cody quipped, “but nice try.”

Fury nudged her, saying lowly, “I counted a hundred kills, twenty of which were physical.”

“Really?” Juliette grinned, “cool!”

Cody’s comm went off and he excused himself to answer it. Juliette turned her attention fully to Fury, noting how he shifted his weight like he was uncomfortable.

“How’s my reliable ARC?” Juliette teased. “Didn’t get hurt out there, right?”

“Not at all,” he answered. “I’ve been tailing you, so those droves… droins…”

Juliette stepped closer, “droids?”

He nodded, “didn’t stand a ch-chance, General. S-sorry for stedd… stuttering.”

“But I like your stutter,” she blurted out, “it’s cute.”

His body tensed up, “r-really?”

She nodded, and began walking with him tailing behind her.

****

Cooper walked with Coyote beside him, quiet and tired as they entered the base.

He turned to Coyote, “you okay?”

“I’m okay now,” he said. “It just took me back.”

Cooper sighed, “I think about my old squad too. Losing all of Pack squad-“

“I wasn’t thinking about that explosion,” Coyote cut him off, “I was thinking of Keks.”

Cooper stopped, letting the realization dawn on him that he never learned how his last squad mate died.

“You didn’t know?” Coyote asked.

“I never asked,” Cooper took off his helmet, “an explosion?”

Coyote took his arm, leading him away.

“I don’t like where this going,” Cooper followed him to an uncrowded spot by the walkers.

“I don’t actually know how he died,” Coyote began, “all I know is he said goodbye, there was an explosion, and he was gone.”

Cooper sunk down, “that crazy trooper. He actually did it.”

Coyote sat down, slowly removing his helmet.

“He use to say, if droids ever tried to take him hostage,” Cooper recalled, “he’d blow himself up. Never thought he’d go through with it.”

“I think he did,” Coyote hugged his knees.

“I know he did,” Cooper chuckled.

“I looked up to him,” Coyote said quietly.

Cooper turned to him, “I did too.”

Coyote turned to him, blue eyes glistening with the threat of more sadness.

Cooper stared off into the distance instead, “being the survivor isn’t easy, little vod. It never will be, but we have to keep going or we end up as heartless as the droids we fight.”

He could see Coyote scoot closer. In ways, the younger clones reminded Cooper of the little kids they saw on relief missions. He admired that even with the war pushing them to grow up, he could see some of his brothers resistance to be just cannon fodders.

Coyote placed his head on Cooper’s shoulder, staring off into the distance as well.

Cooper never was a fan of physical touch, but he allowed it.

Quietly, he said, “if you ever need to talk, kid, you come to me. If you need a shoulder, I will be that too.”

Coyote muttered something he didn’t catch.

****

Shadow walked with Mirage and Boomerang, listening to them trade conspiracies in hush whispers about what they pulled from their brains.

“We could take out mine,” Shadow quietly suggested, “then we’d all have matching scars.”

“Did we ever scan you?” Boomerang asked, “I know we scanned the other two.”

“You didn’t,” Mirage smirked.

“Kriff,” Boomerang groaned, “I’ll do that when we get back.”

“Hey!” Fives came running up to them, “glad you’re okay, brother.”

“I have a medic attached to me,” Mirage quipped, “it’d be concerning if I wasn’t.”

Boomerang took off his helmet, smirking, “kiss up.”

Fives whistled lowly, “what happened to you?”

“Clippers got away from me,” Boomerang sighed, “then the other medic and I had a little disagreement that got out of hand.”

“He’s not much of a brawler,” Shadow added.

“It’s true, I’m not,” Boomerang agreed.

Echo came running up, “would you stop running off on me?”

“Is ARC training hard?” Shadow asked.

“Yes,” Echo stated.

“But worth it!” Fives declared, “we’ve been working hard since cadets to be ARCs, and it was worth every boring mission we had prior. All the action, the responsibility, the armor.”

Echo looked down at his armor smiling, “it is nice.”

Mirage nodded, “also helps with picking up the ladies. Gentlemen too.”

Fives wrapped an arm around Echo, “next leave, you and me are making 79’s our hunting grounds.”

Echo shook his head warily.

Boomerang cut in, “who exactly decides who can be an ARC?”

Mirage turned to him, “why? You want to be an ARC, Doc?”

Boomerang gave him a look.

“Well, usually a ranking officer makes the suggestion,” Mirage shrugged, “and then it’s taken into consideration, and then the C.O. gives the promotion, and off they go to training for a month or two depending on their preexisting skill. Why are you asking? You know how it works because Fang was nearly promoted.”

Shadow’s eyes practically popped out of his head. The idea that Fang was nearly promoted was mind boggling. He was reliant on Coyote and Juliette to keep him together, and he wasn’t nearly mentally stable enough to not have a panic attack on Kamino. However, if he did get promoted, it was possible he’d still be alive.

“Fang could’ve been an ARC?” Shadow gasped, “and still alive?”

“Probably,” Boomerang rubbed his chin, “now that I think about it, we were discussing his promotion about a week before he died, so he’d be in training still right now.”

Mirage said something to occupy Echo and Fives’s attention, stirring them out of asking who Fang was.

There was still one question Shadow wanted answers to first, “Boomerang, why did he not get promoted?”

Boomerang leaned in close, lowly whispering so no one else could hear, “Coyote said not to, on the account of it would destroy his relationship with Juliette.”

Shadow frowned, “I guess you’re right.”

Shadow’s gaze shifted, catching Juliette walking over to Hardwire. As per usual, she had Fury following her.

“I think she would’ve been fine,” Shadow said quietly. “Fang would’ve had his heart broken, but she’d bounce back.”

“She’s currently bouncing back,” Boomerang smiled, “she just is looking for someone to catch her.”

“I predict she already found her safety net,” Shadow said with a smile.

“Really?” Boomerang smirked, “who?”

“No one in particular yet,” Shadow lied, watching them walk together.

Fury took her helmet without even being asked, and stood quietly as Juliette spoke with the Commander.

It’s going to be him. I bet my credits it’ll be him.

****

“So, we’re done?”

“We’re done.”

Juliette smiled at her Commander, “great. Got plans for Coruscant?”

“Actually, yes,” Hardwire grinned, “Fox and I are going to be doing paperwork and then doing patrol together.”

“Oh,” she tried to sound lighthearted, “sounds kind of boring.”

“Yeah,” Hardwire shrugged, “but I won’t be doing it alone. Makes it more entertaining and the time will go by faster.”

“I suppose that’s true,” she said smiling.

“If you want, you may join us,” he offered.

“Nah,” she stepped back, “I got hundreds of troops, I’m sure one will want to hang out.”

Fury stepped towards her, “if I may, I-“

As he was speaking, General Kenobi approached with a sympathetic look in his eye.

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” he said, “I need to steal you for a moment, General.”

“Of course,” she turned back to Fury, “hold that thought, Lieutenant. I’ll be back.”

He nodded professionally, handing her back her helmet. She wasn’t sure what his expression was, but he struck her as disappointed that they were interrupted.

Juliette followed General Kenobi up to a control room, a little uncomfortable with the fact he wasn’t talking. Nor was the usually charismatic General smiling, he just looked troubled.

She walked into the control room where the atmosphere was so thick she could cut through it with a knife.

“General?” She finally spoke, “what’s wrong?”

He just led her to a monitor, but instead of a lit screen, she was greeted by a clone helmet crudely painted with her Battalion’s colors. It was not done by a soldier, as it was all over the visor like it was splattered on.

“The helmet,” Anakin spoke first, “we know was bought at a market where bounty hunters typically trade goods.”

“Why are you showing me this?” Juliette looked at them all.

“We found it like this,” a Togruta stepped forward, “but we also found this message.”

The youngling tapped a key, and the monitor lit up with: “go home, baby Trix.”

A chill rolled down her spine, but she kept a neutral face.

“Do you know who this might-“

“Ferris Joster.”

A new questioning look formed on General Kenobi’s face, “who is Ferris Joster?”

“He is a bounty hunter I knew from childhood,” she said calmly. “He claims he is an inventor, but only of means of gruesome torture, he murdered my father, and he is warning me. If I continue fighting in this war, he will come for me next.”

“How much trouble are we in?” the youngling asked.

“Not as much as I’m about to be in,” Juliette turned on her heel, “thank you for showing me this.”

“General Trix, where are you going?” General Skywalker called.

“Next assignment,” she stated, “that coward doesn’t scare me. But if you see him, I recommend taking off his head. He’s less of a threat that way.”

She boarded the lift, relieved no one followed her on.

She wondered if they could sense the darkness looming around her, or just knew that she will kill him on sight for taking away her buir.

The elevator doors opened, and she stepped off bumping into a trooper.

“Sorry,” she muttered, brushing past Calico.

“It’s fine, are you okay?” He excused himself from his conversation with the other three ARFs.

“Far from it,” she grumbled.

Hound, Mutt, and Zombie ran after them.

“You want to talk about it?” Zombie asked.

“Or not,” Mutt said quietly, “we don’t push.”

“I just need a distraction,” she sighed, “I just want to go back to the ship, get to Coruscant, and relax.”

“I hear ya’,” Calico smirked. “We’re going drinking. Digger is helping a friend, so it’ll be just us.”

“Want to join us?” Hound asked.

“I don’t drink,” she shook her head.

“I won’t be drinking either,” Mutt said.

Hound nodded, “we take turns being the designated sober brother.”

“Please join us?” Zombie pressed, “we’ll show you all the best places.”

She cracked a smile.

“Is that a smile?” Hound wrapped an arm around her, “does that mean you will?”

“Sure,” she smiled bigger, “okay. I’ll go out with you boys.”

“Yes!” Zombie fist pumped the air.

————

Pacing around the hanger, the pre-battle jitters were beginning to get Hardwire.

It was going to be their first time in the thick of the plasma fire and war effort in over a month and a half. Delaying any longer would raise questions, and as Stickler put it, he could only handle so much idling in space while they had all the real fun.

Cooper caught his arm, “she’s ready.”

Hardwire sighed, “I know.”

“Then what’s the problem?” He asked putting his datapad away.

“Are we all okay?” Hardwire asked, “Boomerang and Mirage have been acting off, Shadow is missing, Coyote gets jumpy if you ask him questions, and Tracks… something just feels off with everyone today.”

Cooper offered a smile, “maybe it’s just you’re worried, sir. You don’t want the boys to get hurt and her to fall back into grief, so you’re stressing.”

“That’s not it,” Hardwire huffed.

“Or it could be that I got news regarding another one of your stuffy parties,” Cooper teased, “got to dress up again.”

Hardwire groaned, covering the burn scar on his face, “wish this wasn’t here so I could switch places.”

“With who?” Cooper smirked. “Everyone is practically hair dyed, tattooed up, or sporting a facial scar or two. Your best look alikes would be Boomerang and Radar.”

“Two of the biggest jokesters here,” Hardwire sucked in his teeth, “not good options.”

Juliette ran over, excitedly jumping to a halt with a big smile on her face.

“Commander,” she playfully saluted him with two fingers.

“General,” Hardwire smiled.

“You must’ve slept great,” Cooper snorted.

“I actually did,” she grinned, “I had two out of however many dear friends of mine I have sleepover, and it was wonderful. Cooper, if you want, you could sleepover one—“

“Pass.” Cooper said, “but thank you.”

“Hardwire?” She looked up at him, those big golden eyes pleading.

Hardwire sighed defeatedly, “I do like our sleepovers.”

“Great,” she hopped on the gunship.

“Actually, General,” Hardwire turned around to face her, “there’s one more thing.”

“What’s up?” She asked.

“Shadow went M.I.A. last night,” Hardwire explained, “no one is admitting to knowing anything, and we can’t find him. Did you happen to see him?”

“I swear I just saw him,” Juliette stepped down, looking around, “he was walking with Mick and few others.”

“You sure?” Cooper asked.

“I’m pretty sure,” she stopped looking, “now I’m positive.”

As she said it, Mick walked by talking to another trooper as Shadow trailed behind. His head ducked in his helmet, looking at the floor.

“Shadow?” Hardwire stepped in front of him, “we’ve been worried sick. Where were you?”

“No where.” He said, sounding broken.

“Shadow,” Juliette approached, “are you okay, love?”

There was a pause, then he shook his head.

“You want to stay back today?” She asked, “take a mental health day?”

He nodded.

“Okay,” she held up her finger, “under one condition.”

He lifted his head, and she beckoned him closer.

Then they switched to helmet comms, and it was silent. However, whatever he said to her made her visibly shocked before she dismissed him.

He walked off, hugging himself as he crossed the hanger back to the main ship.

“What was that about?” Cooper asked. “Any reason for our concern?”

“Not yet,” she said, “after the mission you can be scared.”

“Did…” Hardwire gesture to the two of them, “did we do something wrong to upset Shadow?”

“Not you,” she looked past them, “but one of your brothers said some pretty hurtful things last night.”

Hardwire checked over his shoulder, seeing Mirage walking alone as Boomerang walked with Coyote.

Them? He couldn’t believe it, one of them hurt Shadow?

****

Seeing Shadow in that hanger was a relief, but seeing him look so distraught made Mirage’s stomach tie in knots.

He knew full well he was the one that upset Shadow, and he’d take full responsibility. He just wished that his little brother didn’t tattle on him to the General.

The minute the doors shut, he put his hand behind her as always and she walked off to Hardwire’s other side.

Hardwire scooted over, taking her spot so she could have his, only giving Mirage a brief glance and shrug.

Fine by me, he thought switching hands, my right hand is still throbbing anyways.

Boomerang was over next to Coyote, talking to him inside their helmets. Occasionally, he could see them look over towards him, clearly talking about him.

They’re acting like I’m the bad guy? Really? Sure, I blew up at Shadow and that was messed up. But Boomerang seriously decided to cut open his head and take out an unknown mass from his brain! As a medic, he’s got to know that’s messed up!

The outside of the ship grew louder with noise.

I’m not the bad guy in this. Not entirely… right?

****

It was easy to see something was bothering the General. The minute she got off the ship, she twirled her pistols and got to work blasting down droids and pushing them back.

If Cooper didn’t know any better, he’d think she’d pull a 212th and start body slamming the Separatist.

“Well, I hate to be the trooper who ticked her off,” Grimm remarked dragging an injured trooper to cover.

Cooper provided the medic some aid, “what makes you say that?”

Grimm tilted his helmet, “come on now, Sarge. She was all smiles and rainbows, then Shadow comes around like an injured baby bird, now she’s guns a’ blazing and-“

A battle droid got too close to her, and she immediately spin-kicked its head off.

“-death.” Grimm sounded amused, “she’s a bringer of death.”

Cooper rolled his eyes, “our General is just protecting us.”

“Suite yourself,” Grimm injected his patient, “stop whining. It’s for the pain.”

Cooper moved on, catching up to Coyote who was tailing Boomerang.

“The General is going to get herself killed!” Boomerang barked, “the Hell is she doing?”

“She’s just stir crazy,” Coyote quipped, “we all are.”

“Retreat! Retreat!” The Command droid ordered.

“Run for it!” Another yelled happily taking the order.

They all began falling back, heading to where ever their base was hidden.

Juliette put her pistols back in their holsters, then walked back to Hardwire.

“That worked out,” Cooper sighed in relief.

“You sound worried,” Coyote said.

“You read the file,” Cooper stated, “who are we aiding.”

Coyote groaned, “oh yeah…”

As if cued, General Vos jumped down punching Coyote in the arm.

“Heya, boys,” Vos said, sounding like he was their best friend. “Did you miss me?”

They all mumbled some unenthusiastic jargon, which made Vos smile.

“Good talk,” he said, then went walking over to Juliette.

“So…” Boomerang broke the silence. “Do you think she’ll punch him?“

Cooper sighed, “she’s got another target in mind.”

“Does she?” Boomerang tilted his head. “Who?”

“Whoever made Shadow upset,” he answered, then began walking off.

Coyote said lowly to Boomerang, “should we warn Mirage?”

“Nope.” Boomerang stated.

Cooper kept walking, keeping that new information on file in his mind.

****

Vos must’ve sensed that Juliette wasn’t in a playful mood. When he came over, he complimented her armor with a pat on the helmet, and they began talking strategy.

Vos gave her another head pat, and then turned his attention to the Commander as she walked off contacting the ARFs on her comm.

A chill ran up Hardwire’s spine, making him involuntarily shiver.

“Well, Commander, you seem a little stressed,” Vos quipped. “Usually you’re a bit more hopeful and relaxed.”

“I’m fine,” Hardwire held his hands behind his back, “just my nerves, sir.”

“As long as you’re okay,” Vos said, “can’t let General Twix lose her favorite Commander Hardware.”

Hardwire sighed, “General Trix and Commander Hardwire.”

“Really?” He smiled, “I like my names better.”

Hardwire nodded, “they are amusing.”

He went to go rally up the men when Vos placed a hand calmly on his shoulder, “I’m sorry about your brother. I can tell she loved him.”

He pat his shoulder, and went off to check on the others.

Hardwire looked at his shoulder, then remembered him patting Juliette’s helmet. He remembered hearing rumors that Vos could see things when he touched objects.

Oh kriff.

****

“Alright,” Digger lowered his walker. “I got it unstuck. Try it now, vod.”

Zombie hopped back on his walker, “better.”

“I could’ve fixed it,” Hound mumbled.

“Next time,” Digger said, as someone tapped his shoulder.

He turned, lowering his head to look at his General.

“Which of you is assisting me?” Juliette asked, jumping straight to business.

“No nonsense,” Digger chuckled, “I like it.”

She sighed, “now, Sergeant. I have things to do.”

“So impatient,” he strolled over to his walker, “you’re going to be a joy to work with, Angel.”

“My name is Juliette,” she huffed.

“I know,” he hopped on his walker, “but I prefer Angel.”

She grumbled, “weirdo.”

“I know,” he held out his hand. “You’re riding with me.”

She sighed, giving him her hand.

Softly, he directed her where to put her feet, and rose the walker.

“Calico,” he addressed his second in command, “you’re in charge.”

“Obviously,” Calico saluted him.

They proceeded off, and he could feel her sulking behind him for the first mile.

“Hey?” Digger said softly.

She made an annoyed noise, indicating she was listening.

“You okay?” Digger asked, “you’re usually more optimistic and bright.”

“Not today,” she mumbled.

Digger pulled to the side, lowering behind the thick trees.

“Here’s the deal,” Digger looked over his shoulder, “I can’t focus if I think you’re not okay. Are you okay?”

She sighed, “I’m alright, I’m just annoyed with some of my troops.”

“Is it Grimm?” Digger asked, “he gets under my skin too.”

“No,” Juliette grumbled. “It’s Mirage. He’s fighting with a few of his brothers.”

“Ah,” Digger groaned, “he’s a bit of a hothead when something is bothering him.”

“Still doesn’t give him the right to say nasty things to his brothers,” she grumbled.

“That’s fair,” Digger agreed. “How about you focus on me instead? I’m much more pleasant.”

“Fine, you can tell me about yourself,” she defeatedly sighed, “just get us to that base.”

“Yes, Angel,” he rose back up again, “my favorite dessert is ice cream. Mint chocolate chip with hot fudge.”

“I prefer strawberry,” she replied.

“Strawberry,” he hummed, “noted.”

****

With Juliette off with one of the ARFs, Vos was now in control.

Mirage could see that Hardwire was making himself busy, so he wouldn’t stress out about the fact his General wasn’t there holding his hand as they waited to be called in.

Mirage groaned, rubbing his own hand.

Every time he fired his blaster, it was excruciating pain throughout his whole right hand.

He spotted Boomerang not far ahead, and wondered if he would put their fight aside to take a look at his hand or at least give him something to ease the sting. He got a little closer, but Boomerang looked back and immediately moved off elsewhere in a hurry.

Sighing, he looked around again and spotted Grimm with his blaster and Fury helping with the injured.

Better than no one.

He went over and asked, “could you take a look at my hand?”

Grimm groaned like it was a big job, “fine!”

Fury shook his head, “so dramatic, Grimm.”

“Be quiet,” Grimm passed him his rifle. “And hold this.”

He roughly took Mirage’s wrist, jerking him closer so he could look.

“Hold out your hand.”

He did.

“Wiggle your fingers.”

He did barely.

“Make a fist.”

He couldn’t close his hand all the way.

“Congratulations,” Grimm took off his kit, “you broke your hand.”

“What did you do?” Fury asked, “punch a droid?”

“A wall,” Mirage groaned, “I did it last night.”

“Your hand has been broken since last night?” Grimm asked, “are you serious?”

“What do you want me to do?” Mirage snapped. “Boomerang and I aren’t speaking.”

“Don’t you mean Doc?” Grimm quipped.

“He’s only Doc when he’s my vod,” Mirage rolled his eyes, “and after he choked me out last night, he decided he hates me.”

“Really?” Grimm got off the glove, “kind of sounds like negligence if you ask me.”

“Maybe,” Mirage shrugged. “He didn’t know my hand was broken though.”

Grimm nodded along, “here’s something for the pain and I don’t recommend using this hand, so trade your blaster for a pistol and guard the injured when they inexplicably show up.”

Mirage sighed, “okay.”

Fury passed Grimm back his blaster, and said to Mirage, “if he gets on your nerves, comm me.”

Then he hurried off, leaving Mirage with Grimm.

Joy.

****

Using his macrobinoculars, Digger scanned the area. He counted seven droids on guard, three of which were commando droids.

“What’s your favorite color?” He scanned the next level.

“Pink,” she said, “and you?”

“Yellow,” he answered.

“Favorite flower?” She asked.

“Daffodils,” he peeked over at her, “and yours?”

“Daisies, also roses,” she paused, “lilacs too.”

“You like flowers, huh?” He went back to counting, “I’m more of a rock fellow myself.”

“So was Fang…”

She said it quietly, like she didn’t even realize she said it out loud in the first place.

Digger lowered his binoculars, turning his helmeted gaze towards her. Behind her helmet, she was unreadable, and yet he knew she was hurt.

“I heard a lot about him. Some good, some bad. However, I know just based off those stories he was a loved man, and you were loved beyond words.”

She stayed quiet.

He reached out, taking her hand, “I know you’ve heard all the apologies and sentimental condolences, but trust me when I say this. A lot of us clones don’t live long enough to find someone who sees us and loves us the way you loved him, or even understand what it’s like to be in love. I chased and searched for it, and it got me in the worst situations. The fact you still love him after he’s gone, that says everything.”

She turned to him, “can I ask you something? And be completely honest.”

“Of course you can. Ask away.”

“If I fell in love again with someone new, does that mean I never loved him? Does that mean we were a mistake or just a phase?”

Digger smiled under his helmet, “you can fall in love again. It doesn’t mean you can’t remember him from time-to-time and wonder. Your relationship wasn’t a mistake just because it ended in tragedy.”

“And moving on?” Juliette turned back to the base, “what if the man who wants me doesn’t want to wait?”

“That’s his loss,” Digger stated, “you’d be worth waiting for.”

Juliette shook her head, “we should focus.”

“Right then,” Digger lifted his macrobinoculars again, “I count twenty-five total.”

****

“Ready, Commander?” Vos asked punching his fist into his palm.

“Yes, sir,” Hardwire answered professionally, with his men quietly rallied behind him.

“Not like that,” Vos laughed, “where’s your enthusiasm? You boys are so stiff.”

Hardwire paused, tilting his head, “sir?”

Vos ran his hand over his face, “you and your General are nothing alike.”

“Ohhhhh…” Hardwire nodded, “I’ll try again.”

Vos asked again, “ready, Commander?”

“Sir, yes sir!” He said more pumped, feeling his boys follow his lead.

“There we go!” Vos declared, “let’s do this!”

They rushed in, following Vos into battle.

Somewhere inside that base, Juliette and Sergeant Digger were using their distraction to steal information from the main computer.

In and out, Hardwire reminded himself. Get the information, destroy the base, we go home in time for dinner.

****

It was weird having his General instead of his squad, but he enjoyed her company. He was also impressed by her enough to let her take point to better watch her.

She skillfully kept them out of sight from droids rushing to aid the battle.

Although, what he really liked was how—despite all his training—she still put her hand on his chest to halt him. He could remind her his main skills are tracking, scouting, and recon, but this was better.

Butterflies flew inside his stomach when she shoved him into a corner, holding him still with both hands on his chest. He didn’t even bother to look at the droids rushing past, he knew they were safe.

Her hands left his dirt stained armor, and she moved out again towards the control room.

He moved to the control panel, and popped it open.

“Think you can hold our position if any droids show up?” Digger teased her.

She pat his back, “you’re safe with me.”

He chuckled, “good to know.”

He began stripping the wires, humming to himself the current song stuck in his head.

“Your music taste sucks,” she remarked.

He snorted, “was my comm still open?”

“Yes,” she giggled, “that song is so old.”

“It’s a classic,” Digger began connecting wires.

“Whatever you say,” she shrugged.

“What’s your favorite song then?” Digger mused.

“If we live,” she said, “I’ll play it for you. Deal?”

“Deal,” he agreed, “get ready.”

The doors opened, and the droids immediately turned in confusion.

“Hey?“ one exclaimed, “how’d you get here?”

Juliette shot him in the head, dodged a shot and went in blasting each battle droid in the head like she was in a shooting range.

Digger let her, smiling under his helmet.

Once the last droid fell, she turned around looking at him still crotched down by the panel.

“You’re amazing,” he complimented.

“Suck up.”

She went to the main computer, shoving the dead droid to the side and pulling up the systematics.

“Huh,” Juliette inserted the drive, “I recognize these designs.”

“You do?“ Digger came to her side.

He was not prepared for what he was about to see listed off on that monitored.

Torture devices.

Brutal, bloody, and violent ideas to do to prisoners of war. They’d be used on him, his brothers, Jedi, any Republic citizen of use to further the Separatist plans.

“These are Ferris’s ideas,” she whispered.

“Who’s Ferris?” Digger asked.

She scrolled through, “he was a boy I knew from childhood. We played games together when we were little. Then he started wanting to hurt people and we drifted apart. My buir never liked him after he tried using me as a test subject.”

Digger felt his stomach tying in knots, “I really don’t like this.”

“Neither do I,” she tapped something, and froze.

An image of a man in all black and a gold metal suit filled the screen.

“Juliette?” Digger nudged her, “is that him?”

Juliette didn’t answer.

“Angel?”

“Murderer.”

“What do you mean? What are you-“

————

Shortly after arrival on Hoth’s Republic base, Cosmos and Squirrel exited their gunship.

“Never seen snow before,” Cosmos gawked.

“I see why Max tapped out,” Squirrel shivered, “I’m freezing.”

“It’s not too bad,” Cosmos laughed, “think I’d get in trouble for going outside?”

“Doubt it,” Squirrel snickered. “I’m going to go find Tag and Frenzy.”

Cosmos watched him go, and then looked for Juliette.

The hardest part about being friends with her meant having to wait. He wondered if it bothered Fang, having to switch from professional to personal and back again.

It felt like whiplash.

Sighing, he walked alone.

He stood over by the hanger door, watching the snow fall against the dark sky. Almost like falling stars, piling on the ground in a blanket of white.

He was so enchanted, that the snowball flying by his helmet jolted him back to reality.

It hit one of the troop’s in the side of the helmet.

The shiny was knelt down, hand in the snow.

He was… drawing?

“Quit slacking.” The snowball tosser snapped, “do you want to get us in trouble?”

The shiny brushed the snow off his helmet, and did a couple more lines.

Cosmos stepped out, holding his arms as the chill brushed through him.

“Whoa,” Cosmos gasped, “is that a gunship?”

The shiny looked over his shoulder, then got to his feet nodding.

“Sir, aren’t you cold?” The shiny asked.

“Just a smidge,” Cosmos admitted.

“Rex is going to be mad,” the snowball thrower hissed.

“So?” Cosmos turned to him, “he’s not my boss, and I would love to see my General tear him a new one.”

“You really think your little girl can take one of us?” He punched his hand, “she’ll be in for a shock.”

“Harm her and you’ll never see another battlefield,” Cosmos threatened.

“Levy, she’s a General,” the shiny warned. “Even if she’s not the one we answer to.”

“If you all are done bickering,” another trooper cut in, “we’re here to relieve you.”

Levy left grumbling, not even apologizing.

Jerk.

“You might want to head in,” the 501st trooper turned to Cosmos, “a cold front is coming. Much colder than this one.”

“I’ll take your word for it,” Cosmos headed in with the shiny. “So? What’s your name?”

“I don’t really have one,” the shiny said, “they call me Lazy.”

“That’s not your name,” Cosmos said.

“Huh, how come every nice brother I find they’re from somewhere else?” The shiny pondered, “what’s your name?”

“Cosmos,” he happily replied.

“Cosmos? You’re the pilot General Trix rescued!”

“You’ve heard of me?”

“Everyone’s heard that story! Although I thought it was rumors she rescued a pilot. Did she actually punch a Jedi?”

“Sucker punched General Vos for insulting clones. He claims he was baiting her, but that’s his story.”

“I would love to meet her.”

“Stick with me, shiny. I’ll introduce you.”

Cooper approached with Keks behind him, “would you mind if we ate in the gunship? Everyone’s talking about the Battle of Kamino, and I think Mirage is still sore on the subject.”

“Of course,” Cosmos wrapped an arm around the shiny. “But he comes with.”

“Hello,” Keks grinned, “I’m Keks, this is Cooper.”

“Sergeant Cooper,” Cooper corrected.

Cosmos chuckled, and led them to the ship.

“I got another question,” the shiny said, “is it true that the General named you Cosmos?”

Cosmos took off his helmet, smiling, “right after she punched General Vos.”

****

Ever since losing his voice, Tracks had noticed everyone tends to talk around him.

Even in a crowd of brothers, he felt like an afterthought.

Goose—who volunteered to be his copilot—always talked for both of them.

Some days, it felt like the well meaning pilot with the obnoxiously loud laugh was putting words in Tracks’s mouth.

As they walked back from the mess, where they were with the other 952nd pilots, Tracks’s gaze fell on a lone trooper in pristine white armor.

They’re sending them out newer and newer each month.

There was no one else around, and this shiny was looked like he was just left there.

Abandoned like a pup.

“…but that’s besides the point. The point is that our General is the best out of all the Generals we had. Sure I wasn’t around for General one and two, but out of the others, she’s the best. I mean how many Generals do you know eats their meals with her pilots and helps name them? Although, Baby isn’t exactly an ideal name, and the trooper with that name is too gruff that it’s almost an insult if you think about it. Not as insulting as Dipstick. Don’t know why Radar is so obsessed with that one. Seriously, what goes on in Radar’s head? Total mystery. I don’t even think he knows what he thinks about half the time.”

Tracks took in every word, nodding. However, he honestly was more curious about the lone shiny.

“I’m talking too much again, huh?” Goose rubbed the back of his neck, “sorry.”

Tracks waved his hands, then gestured to the trooper sitting by himself.

He looked beyond bored under his helmet, drumming his hands on his armored knees.

“You lost, shiny?” Goose approached.

Not how I’d start, but okay.

“Hmm?” The shiny looked up, “no, I’m just… waiting.”

“For what?” Goose knelt down, “you already causing mischief.”

“Not really,” the trooper answered, “just not clicking with anyone yet.”

Tracks held out his hand, offering him aid getting up.

Goose translated, “Tracks wants you to join us.”

“Really, you don’t have to pity me,” the shiny hugged his knees, “I’ll be fine.”

Tracks kicked his boot lightly.

“Tracks says he’s not taking no for an answer,” Goose turned to him. “Right?”

Tracks gave him a thumbs up, close enough.

Goose stood up, “come on.”

The shiny sighed, then took Tracks’s hand, “not like anyone is actually looking for me.”

****

They only had a few minutes to themselves.

As usual, despite the informality, Juliette joined Hardwire. She followed him into a quiet room, and removed her helmet easily. Her gear was not as clunky with snow gear trapping her in.

“Let me,” she giggled as Hardwire struggled.

“I can do it,” Hardwire tried to shoo her hands away, but not once actually hitting her hands.

She popped his seal, and lifted his helmet up, “there’s your charming smile.”

A smile formed on his face, despite him trying not to give into her teasing.

“General,” Hardwire lightly scolded, “you’re forgetting your formalities.”

“Sorry,” she apologized, even though he could tell she didn’t mean it.

He sighed, shaking his head as he went into his pack passing her a ration bar.

She sniffed it, grimacing.

“It’s not that bad,” Hardwire bit into his.

“It smells disgusting,” she gagged. “You men actually eat and enjoy this?”

“It has all the protein and nutrients we need,” he took another bite, “you’ve eaten it before.”

“When I was starving,” Juliette pouted, “now I see why Fang enjoys cooking shows.”

Hardwire paused, “where do you get access to cooking shows?”

“My private datapad isn’t on a clone military network,” she explained, “speaking of, why are clone networks so censored? You can’t access any sort of entertainment other than cheesy radio.”

“Do I have to remind you we’re soldiers?”

“I know that, but you get to go on leave and have some days of freedom.”

“But not for free. We can’t just go everywhere unless we have the credits. Then it’s how’d you get these credits?”

“That’s awful.”

Her lip pouted after she said that.

It was unconscious, like a habit.

Hardwire lifted her chin, “have I ever told you that you’re my favorite person besides my brothers?”

“Really?” Juliette lit up.

“Really.” He tapped her nose.

She giggled, then sat on the desk he was leaning on. Her face twisted into disgust again, looking at the ration bar.

“If you eat it, I’ll tell you some good news,” he offered.

Juliette groaned, then bit into the bar chewing slowly.

“Swallow it,” he scolded.

She groaned, forcing it down, “it’s like eating dirt.”

Hardwire chuckled, opening his datapad, “according to Cooper, the men found some shinies.”

“Shinies?” Juliette forced herself to take another bite.

“It’s what we call troopers who just left Kamino and haven’t seen real action yet,” Hardwire explained, “anyways, they taken a real liking to us and Cooper sent me a request transfer regarding the two of them?”

Juliette swallowed hard, “are you saying two new troopers?”

“Should I forward in the request to General Skywalker?” Hardwire asked.

“Yes!” Juliette gripped his shoulders. “Please! If Cooper likes them then that’s a good sign!”

Hardwire laughed, “alright, alright. Just give me…”

He turned back to her, really processing her words.

“What do you mean by that?” Hardwire asked.

“It’s kind of obvious Cooper doesn’t like me,” Juliette shrugged. “And I’ve heard there’s been a few heated arguments regarding me.”

“Did Fang tell you?” Hardwire asked, forgetting to deny that fact.

She shook her head, “Fang only said once that Cooper is conflicted and to just not push my luck.”

“Honestly,” Hardwire sighed, “he’s just worried we’ll destroy you.”

“Destroy me?” Juliette laughed, “are you planning on killing me?”

Hardwire placed his hand on top of her head.

She quieted down, looking up at him with those hopeful eyes he adored.

“You’re so important to us,” he pat her head, “and when we die, we don’t want you to mourn us. We’re meant to die for the Republic, and you have to let us.”

Without a word, she cupped his face, pulling him down to her eye level, “Hardwire, you are my friend. All of you are so important to me, and I’m not going to cry because I’m sad I lost a soldier. I’m going to cry because I lost someone I will never see again. Even if I’m sad, I’m not going to abandon you or any of your brothers. Do you understand me?”

Hardwire smiled, “crystal.”

She pulled him closer, and kissed his forehead, “no more fretting. I’m banishing all your fears.”

He laughed, standing back up, “I see why Fang fell for you now. Here I thought it was just you saved him from uncertain fate on Kamino.”

“You’re silly,” Juliette hopped off the desk, “clearly he fell for me for my obnoxious personality.”

****

It wasn’t intended, but Cosmos was pretty sure he just kidnapped this shiny he refused to call Lazy.

No one was looking for him, so Cosmos was taking full advantage of having a buddy.

“So, you don’t have a co-pilot yet?” He asked, almost as if plotting something.

“Afraid not,” Cosmos sighed, “with everything that happened on Kamino, we’re being delayed troops. I understand, but at the same time I’d like to not have to hope that someone lets me step in.”

He couldn’t imagine any of them dying again.

He heard Tracks lost his wingman under Merick’s time as General. Whispers when Tracks wasn’t present told of a gruesome scene.

Cosmos came into the 952nd about the same time as Juliette. Along with them, it was his deceased co-pilot, Tag and Frenzy, and another pair of pilots now dead.

They needed pilots just as much as they needed troopers.

“Is piloting full time hard?” he asked, “I’ve flown a couple ships and liked it.”

Cosmos chuckled, “you’d need training, and to be certified as a pilot. Besides, 501st doesn’t seem to be lacking pilots.”

“Oh, I forgot you’re not 501st,” he dropped his head down. “My mistake.”

Cosmos stopped walking, “were… you suggesting you’d be my co-pilot?”

The shiny turned his visor to him, “well, yeah.”

Cosmos stared him, feeling as if his helmet’s audio was messed up.

Are you kidding me? I find a willing volunteer to be my co-pilot, who listens to me, and has a personality that isn’t making fun of each other at lunch. And he’s from another Legion? Cosmos wanted to wrap the shiny in a hug, Universe, you are cruel!

Instead, Cosmos just gripped his shoulder, “if I was able to, I’d make you my co-pilot in a heartbeat.”

“Thank you, Cosmos,” the shiny said sadly. “I’d be your co-pilot in a heartbeat.”

****

Juliette sat on the sidelines, watching as Master Skywalker spoke to the Jedi council.

At the other side of the room, she could see Hardwire and Rex working on the controls, going through channels.

She kept going back and forth between the clones on the communication logs, and the Jedi meeting.

The meeting was more so a check in, and not of much interest to her.

She looked back to the clones, noting Rex’s rigid stance.

She closed her eyes, listening hard.

“They were suppose to check in by now,” Rex grumbled.

“I can assemble a squad,” Hardwire offered.

“It’s getting worse out there,” Rex sighed, “sending out another squad could get them killed.”

Juliette opened her eyes.

She got up, and approached the Commander and Captain.

“Commander,” she cooed, “you know I’m a trained tracker, right?”

Rex looked to Hardwire, then back to her, “General Trix, it is dangerous out there. Not just the cold, the inhabitants as well.”

“I can handle it,” Juliette turned to Hardwire, “you believe in me, right?”

“Of course I do,” Hardwire had a smile in his voice.

“I do as well,” Master Skywalker approached, done with his meeting. “Rex, loan her some speeders and a couple men.”

Hardwire turned to her, “may I suggest bringing Mirage, General. In case you do run into trouble, you might need his assistance.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Juliette followed Captain Rex, already contacting her ARC.

As soon as the doors shut, Rex finally looked at her.

“I heard you rescued that pilot,” Rex said, “you earned a great deal of respect from many of my brothers.”

Juliette studied him, “many, you say?”

“I’m still deciding,” Rex answered, opening his comm, “Jesse, assemble a squad, we got some missing scouts to find.”

****

Tracks and the other 952nd watched in amusement as Mirage excitedly rambled, running a comb through the shiny’s hair with gel.

“Careful, Pretty Boy,” Boomerang teased, “you’re making a clone of yourself. Which I didn’t think was possible.”

Tracks smirked, stealing a glance at Cooper.

He was sitting next to the Sergeant when he sent a request to Commander Hardwire.

If General Trix saw them right now, Tracks thought, she’d kidnap this one immediately.

“Someone has to teach our little brother important life lessons,” Mirage chuckled, “don’t you agree, kid?”

“Yes, sir,” the shiny agreed.

Boomerang and Cooper exchanged a look, acknowledging each other’s standard haircuts.

Juliette hopped on the ship, “hiya, men!”

“Hi, Juliette,” they all acknowledged.

Tracks gave her a wave, wondering why she was so smiley.

“I need my best ARC,” Juliette turned to Mirage, “a scouting group is lost, and Hardwire wants you with me.”

“Anything for you,” Mirage put on his gloves, “I’ll be back, kid.”

Juliette hopped off the ship again, “love the hair, new friend!”

Mirage followed her off, adjusting his helmet as he walked.

Probably not a good idea to walk and fix his gear, Tracks thought.

She moved next to Mirage, holding his arm as he walked.

“She’s a good General,” Goose declared, getting a hum of agreement.

“She has kind eyes,” the shiny stood up, as his comm went off. “Looks like I got to go. Thank you, for your hospitality.”

“Anytime,” Goose hummed.

“See you later, trooper,” Keks smiled.

Sooner than you realize, shiny.

****

The snow was rough.

It was hitting them hard, in icy sharp walls of sleet and snow.

She was grateful Mirage was driving, and she was in the sidecar looking over logs.

Rex gestured for them to stop, and the speeders skidded to a halt.

Juliette reread the last transcribed report. It said someone in the background screamed, then the line went dead.

“It’s going to be impossible to track them,” Jesse stated, “probably froze in the storm.”

Juliette messaged Hardwire to get her the audio.

“We can’t give up on them,” Kix argued.

Almost immediately, Hardwire sent it.

“We got to at least try,” Rex ordered.

Juliette listened to the audio in her helmet, hearing something else besides the trooper screaming.

It was a growl.

She sent another request to Hardwire.

“General Trix, are you even listening?” Rex appeared in front of her.

Hardwire sent a map of caves, and one word.

“Wampas.” Juliette stated.

“Wampas?” Rex asked.

“In the last audio message we got from your men,” Juliette explained, “there’s something in the background, and considering the inhabitants of this planet, I suspect they were taken by a Wampa.”

“And you expect us to take on a Wampa?“ Jesse scoffed.

“Sounds like it’ll be fun!” Hardcase laughed.

Juliette passed Rex her datapad, “I had Hardwire send a map of known cave locations. These two are the closest to their last transmission.”

Rex looked it over, humming, “Jesse, you and the kid go with the General to this location. Hardcase, Kix, you’re with me.”

Rex handed her the datapad back, and went back to his speeder.

Mirage started up the speeder again, and the teams split up.

“Are you sure about this General?“ Mirage called over the running engine. “I hear those things are dangerous.”

“If it was you, I’d come for you,” Juliette stated, “you can rely on that fact always, Mirage.”

****

Hardwire headed down to the hanger, still checking over his datapad as Juliette messaged him.

She suspects a Wampa took the men, he highlighted some caves as he walked. I hope she’ll be okay facing one.

“Well, well,” Boomerang appeared at his side, “if it isn’t my favorite Commander.”

“I hope I’m your favorite Commander,” Hardwire sent the locations.

He glance back to Fang and Coyote tailing him.

“How you all handling this cold?” Hardwire asked.

“Probably better than Mirage,” Coyote joked.

“Even with the heaters running and this extra padding I’m shivering,” Fang shuttered, “after this, don’t expect to see me without a big, warm blanket.”

“Can the next planet be tropical?” Boomerang teased. “I want to make a sandcastle.”

“If only we’d be so lucky,” Hardwire mused as he approached Keks. “All set?”

“Cooper is doing a final check,” Keks said leaning on a crate. “Kind of vish those troopers didn’t get lost. Ve could’ve been leaving with our two new shinies.”

“New what now?” Boomerang exclaimed.

“Cooper said you all took a liking to some discarded shinies,” Hardwire chuckled. “General Skywalker and Captain Rex have approved the transfer. We just need to let the troopers know.”

“Cosmos has one,” Keks stated, “the other vent vith the search party.”

“Where’s Cosmos then?” Hardwire asked.

“Wandering around,” Coyote answered, “with his pilot crew.”

“Of course,” Hardwire chuckled, “they’re a flock.”

Boomerang turned to him offended, “hey, bad jokes are my thing.”

“My bad,” Hardwire chuckled. “I’ll find him later.”

****

They approached the cave, following Mirage.

Juliette wanted to take point, but he insisted.

The ARC lowered his scope, keeping his head close to the wall as he looked in.

“You were right,” he whispered, “there’s two left, one isn’t looking too good.”

“Any sign of the Wampa?” Jesse asked quietly.

“Nope,” Mirage crept around the corner, “it appears to be out.”

“Shiny, keep watch,” Jesse ordered.

“Yes, sir,” the trooper responded.

Juliette followed Mirage in, keeping one hand at her holster as they entered the open area.

She knelt down, looking over the two troopers.

One looked like he was confused, the other was holding him trembling like a small child with his security blanket.

Juliette held out her hand, “I’m Juliette Trix, we’re here to save you.”

The trooper took her hand.

Even through their gloves, he felt like ice.

Poor darling, she removed her pack. He’s shivering.

She took out the blanket and wrapped it around the trooper’s shoulders, “can you walk?”

The trooper shook his head, teeth chattering, “I-I can’t f-feel my toes.”

Mirage helped the other trooper up, “you look like you got tossed around.”

“You have no idea,” the trooper replied groggily.

The shiny backed in, “guys… it’s back.”

Jesse aimed his blaster, “fall back, shiny.”

The trooper glided back on the ice, gracefully dropping to his knee next to Jesse.

Supporting his brother, Mirage and the discombobulated trooper aimed pistols.

Juliette waited till the giant, white furred creature with giant claws rounded the corner.

It bared its gnarly teeth, growling at them.

“What’s the plan?” Jesse asked her. “Hold our ground?”

Juliette looked to her gauntlet, tapping a few buttons, “it’s what? About three meters? A couple hundred kilograms?”

“What are you talking about?” Jesse asked.

“Screw it,” Juliette set it all the way up, “I suck at math.”

She aimed her gauntlet and fired a grapple attached to a wire.

The Wampa looked at the impalement, and cried out when she hit it with a huge shock of electricity.

As predicted, it fell.

Jesse groaned, “damn. You left no fun for us.”

“I love you,” the shivering trooper gasped.

Lucky for her, her helmet hid the rush of blood that went straight to her face.

“Gosh, you could take me out a date before you declare your love for me,” Juliette said, hoping they didn’t hear the shock in her voice.

“Come on, trooper,” Jesse helped the man up, “she’s way out of your league anyways.”

Juliette slid on the ice, “I suggest we leave before he wakes up. Assuming I didn’t kill him.”

The shiny skated on the ice, following her lead.

Jesse and the two other troopers shuffled on the ice, lacking the shiny’s confidence.

Mirage took one step, and slipped down into a painful looking forward split.

“Kriff…” Mirage whimpered as he defeatedly slumped to the side.

Jesse chuckled, then turned to Juliette, “I’ll contact Rex and get these two to the speeders.”

“Thank you,” Juliette glided back to Mirage with the shiny. “You hurt?”

Mirage groaned, “I think I pulled something.”

The shiny helped Mirage up, looping his arm over his shoulder.

“Thanks, vod.” Mirage said, wincing as he slowly limped.

“Vod?” The shiny asked.

“It’s Mando’a,” Juliette supported Mirage. “Basically means sibling, brother, or sister.”

“A bunch of early ARCs picked up bits and pieces and passed it on to us,” Mirage chuckled.

“That explains so much,” Juliette glanced down at the Wampa as they passed. “Yup, definitely didn’t kill it. I vote we never come back to this planet, ever.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Mirage picked up his pace.

They got out to the speeder bikes, greeted by Jesse.

“Mind if your little shadow rides with you?” Jesse asked, “I got the others wrapped up in my side card.”

“That’s fine with me,” Juliette said, “maybe I’ll steal his body heat.”

The shiny chuckled, “happy to be of service.”

Mirage got on his speeder bike, starting it up.

The shiny helped Juliette in, and hopped in beside her.

She kept her gaze on the cave.

“Hey, Juliette,” Mirage turned to her, “not to sound jealous, but couldn’t you have let us shoot it first?”

“Sorry,” Juliette giggled, “I had to make sure this thing still worked before a real emergency.”

“Uh huh,” Mirage chuckled, hitting the gas.

She jerked back into her seat, as she saw a shadow in the cave.

“Aren’t Wampas insanely fast?” Juliette yelled over the engine.

Mirage gunned it, and Jesse stepped on it too.

Leaving the creature crying out at its cave.

Who the heck would make a base out here?

****

Tracks sat on the ship, prepping for takeoff.

Goose popped up in the front seat of the canopy.

“Hi,” Goose said over his shoulder.

Tracks grunted.

“So, I was thinking,” Goose began prepping, “you use to say something about getting the ship to drop points safe and sound, right?”

Tracks paused, feeling dread course though him.

“I’ll get you there safe and sound.”

That’s what he use to always tell Hardwire at takeoff, part for himself and part for Hardwire’s peace of mind.

It was his words.

He didn’t want to share them.

Not even with Goose.

But, he didn’t have his voice anymore.

Goose turned to him, “I’m right, right?”

Tracks felt his shoulders slump in defeat, and he nodded.

They were his words.

Goose crossed his arms over his chest, “safe.”

Tracks straightened up.

Held up his fists, “and.”

Tracks mirrored him.

Then slowly moved on hand over his chest, “sound.”

Tracks put it all together, ‘safe and sound.’

“I got to double check it when we get back,” Goose turned back to the controls, “but you seemed down lately. I’m guessing your therapy isn’t going well.”

Tracks blew some air out of his mouth.

“That bad, huh?” Goose sighed, “well, guess I’ll continue chatting everyone’s ear off while they all wonder how that really tall copilot of mine puts up with me.”

Tracks shook his head, clicking his tongue.

“You know,” Goose laughed, “you’ve gotten sassier since losing your voice. Or were you always like this?”

When Goose turned back to him, Tracks placed his fingertips to the chin of his helmet and extended his palm.

Goose chuckled, “you’re welcome.”

****

Seeing Juliette again was a relief, but also kind of upsetting.

“Guess you’ll be leaving now, huh?“ his shiny said sadly, “maybe we’ll meet again soon?”

Cosmos doubted it.

When the 501st needed aid, it was 212th or 104th who came running.

Still, Cosmos wouldn’t let his disappointment show through his voice as he shook the trooper’s hand.

“When we meet again,” Cosmos said, “you better have a real name by then. Got it?”

“Got it.” The shiny laughed, but there was no heart to his voice.

Cosmos sighed, “I’m going to miss you too, brother.”

The shiny backed away, weakly waving, “don’t crash.”

“Don’t get shot,” Cosmos sadly waved back, turning away first.

This sucks, he thought with every heavy footstep.

****

Hardwire approached Juliette, noting the shivering as she turned to him.

“Cold?” Hardwire teased.

“So cold,” she said, “I’m almost considering snuggling up to you.”

Jesse came up behind her, dropping a blanket over her shoulders, “here. You can have this back. The men are being warmed up now.”

“Thanks,” she said, “by the way, I do remember you.”

“You do?” Jesse sounded just as confused as Hardwire.

“General, we have never worked with the 501st,” Mirage reminded her.

“I meant at 79’s,” Juliette turned to Jesse, “I asked you where the 952nd were.”

Jesse tilted his head like a bird, “wait…”

Hardwire chuckled, “I forgot the 501st were on leave that day too.”

Jesse sputtered, then backed away hurriedly.

“I think you spooked him,” the shiny laughed.

Hardwire looked at the shiny, mirroring Mirage’s stance with his hands folded behind his back.

Boomerang came over, noticing it too, “I like your shadow.”

“He’s a good little shadow,” Mirage agreed.

“Shadow,” the shiny mused, “I like it.”

“Well, Shadow,” Hardwire stepped forward, “I think you should know you’re no longer part of the 501st.”

“I’m not?” Shadow asked.

“You’re ours now,” Juliette declared.

“Welcome to the 952nd,” Boomerang wrapped an arm around him, “our motto is ‘you call, we haul’.”

“Pretty much.” Mirage snickered, “come on, let’s get you on the ship and introduce you again.”

Hardwire chuckled, then turned to Juliette, “I sent Cooper to get the other one. Once they’re on board, we can leave.”

“Great,” Juliette wrapped her blanket tighter around her, “I want to eat something hot wrapped in my blanket.”

“Sounds like a good plan,” Hardwire chuckled.

His gaze shifted to Rex’s boys, frantically talking and gesturing towards her. Rex had joined them, just listening to them debate.

They don’t believe him, Hardwire concluded.

“Want to go say goodbye to Rex quick?” Hardwire asked.

Juliette sighed, taking off her blanket, and putting it under her arm in a ball.

He led her to the four men, and let her take lead.

“Captain Rex,” she extended her hand, “it was a pleasure, I hope to see you again soon.”

Rex took her hand, “likewise, General Trix.”

Hardcase whispered, “it’s definitely not her.”

“But how would she know that?” Jesse briskly argued.

Juliette turned to them, then turned to Hardwire passing him the blanket. She turned her attention back to the men, and placed a hand on Jesse’s arm.

“Please? I’d really love your help.”

Jesse chuckled, backing away almost bashfully.

“Is it her?” Rex teased them.

Kix snickered, “it’s her.”

Hardcase turned to Hardwire, “you’re welcome.”

Hardwire shook his head, softly laughing, “I am truly grateful you guided her to us.”

Juliette gave them a nod, and began walking.

“Good luck out there, Commander,” Rex shook Hardwire’s hand, “and don’t lose another General.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Hardwire stated, then went after her.

She turned to him, extending her hands out for her blanket.

He turned his body, keeping it away.

He could imagine her pouting her lip under her helmet.

“You flirted your way to us,” Hardwire teased.

“Only a little,” she quietly admitted.

They stepped on the ship.

“We’re clear,” he said in his comlink, then the doors shut.

He wrapped her blanket around her, then gently pushed her two steps back to Fang.

The trooper wrapped an arm around her, holding her as always.

But that’s all he did.

****

Once the ship landed, Cosmos hopped out of the canopy not waiting for the ladder.

“You know, that’s bad for your knees,” a shiny approached him.

No way.

Juliette popped up with him smiling, “we got two new recruits. You like?”

Cosmos grabbed her, wrapping her in a hug.

“I do have bad news though,” the shiny got his helmet off, “I still don’t got a name.”

“It’s okay,” Cosmos laughed, “I understand.”

Juliette turned to the shiny, “whatever you do, stay away from Radar. You don’t look like a Dipstick.”

“Absolutely not,” Cosmos agreed, “his name is definitely not Dipstick.”

The shiny awkwardly smiled, “thank you?”

Cosmos released Juliette, “we’ll explain over food. I’m thinking hot soup.”

“I’ll take hot anything,” Juliette took off her helmet, smiling as she took her hair out of a messy, lose bun.

The shiny looked at her, “huh, I see what you meant Cosmos.”

“What did you say, Cos?” Juliette turned to him with worried eyes.

“That you your smile is contagious,” Cosmos tapped her nose.

Juliette giggled, “you’re a liar.”

“Believe what you want,” Cosmos put an arm around both of them, “but that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.”

****

“Please don’t downplay it. You could’ve gotten hurt.”

The hours had passed. From dinner to bedtime, leading to the moments she snuck with just Fang in her room.

Her head rested on his chest, listening to steady drumming of his heart beneath her ear.

His rough fingers ghosted over her, playing with her hair, brushing her cheek, tracing her arms, and running down her spine. Almost as if he memorizing her through his fingertips.

Her hand found his left, feeling the warmth of his fingers slip between her own.

She brought his knuckles to her lips, “I’m downplaying nothing. I was fine, besides I had Mirage.”

“Mirage said during dinner he slipped leaving the cave,” Fang stated, “and if that Wampa got a hold of any of those troopers, you would’ve risked yourself for them.”

“Isn’t that my job as a General?“ Juliette asked.

She could hear the annoyance in his sigh, and he said nothing.

She never seen him mad before.

Jealousy sometimes occasionally showed up, but never was he this upset.

She sat up, moving up his body to his face.

His head was turned away.

His brow furrowed and jaw clenched.

“Fang?” Juliette swept his curls off his forehead, “please look at me?”

He turned to her, eyes hard as steel.

This really upset him, she concluded as she caressed his face, “Fang, I’m sorry. I get you’re upset with me, but I have to protect you and your brothers.”

“Protecting us isn’t your job,” Fang rolled his eyes.

“Are we fighting?” Juliette asked, watching in horror as he got up.

“Obviously,” Fang hopped off the bed, gathering his armor.

He’s leaving!

Juliette scrambled off her bed, “wait, I’m sorry! I’m really sorry!”

Fang kept placing pieces of armor back over his bodysuit.

“I don’t know what I did wrong,” Juliette felt tears stinging at her eyes. “Fang, please tell me what I did.”

Fang turned to her, snapping, “you took off without saying goodbye!”

She sucked in her breath.

“You went off into a snow storm on a planet that’s temperatures are in the negative hundreds. You went in said snowstorm to rescue two troopers you didn’t even know, and when you realized it was a Wampa that might’ve took them, you went searching for the Wampa!” Fang ran his hands over his face, “you risked yourself for strangers, and I can’t tell if I love that or despise that.”

Juliette sunk down onto the bed, “I didn’t think it was that dangerous.”

“This a constant war zone,” Fang picked up his helmet, “everything you do is dangerous. I’m sorry I blew up at you, but I need to cool off.”

“Please don’t leave,” Juliette reached for him.

He stepped away, repeating, “I need to cool off.”

Juliette felt her lip trembling as he left the room, not even bothering to shut her door.

She held her face in her hands, trying to will the tears away and work up the strength to get up.

————

It had been awhile since Fang took a shower. He didn’t like the vulnerability of it, nor the way his body looked now.

Still, he felt the water would clear his head.

He had removed his arm. Even though the doctor and nurses all promised it was waterproof, he didn’t want to risk breaking it.

Juliette would end up buying him a new one without questioning it. He knew this fact all too well.

Everyone else was in bed, so he was all alone.

He always found it weird that the showers were in stalls rather than an open floor plan.

We all look the same. Why waste money putting up these walls?

He turned on the water, getting off the rest of his clothes before testing the water, making sure it was lukewarm.

He stepped under the water, letting it run over his face and scarred body.

Maybe it was so troopers like me could disappear.

****

Juliette held Cooper’s helmet in her hands, looking at the splotchy designs closer.

“I never realized they were hands,” Juliette said tracing tiny fingers on the side of his helmet. “You painted them for the little girl who named you.”

Cooper sat at her desk, flipping though her sketchbooks, “she wanted me to pick her up, so I did. Her mother told her I’m a clone trooper, but she just keep merging the two words.”

She placed her hand over a hand, “they’re so small. How old was she?”

“Three.” Cooper paused on a page, “is that Fang?”

Juliette looked over, “yeah, I doodled a bunch of you.”

“Why did you draw him so small and cu-“ Cooper did a double take, “is that grumpy one suppose to be me?”

“It’s not suppose to look realistic,” Juliette giggled, “they’re just little doodles.”

Cooper chuckled a little, “hmm, that must be Keks then.”

She drew the Corporal hugging a cookie bigger than him.

“And that’s Mirage.”

She drew the ARC standing proud showing off his hair, adding sparkles around his head for emphasis.

“Boomerang.”

The medic was wrapped in bandages, arms extended out like a mummy.

“Coyote.”

The blue eyed trooper was wrapped in his blanket happily eating noodles like at dinner that night.

“That’s Tracks and Goose.”

The silver haired pilot was holding something over Goose’s head just out of his mustached, shorter brother’s reach.

“And that must be Hardwire.”

The Commander was simply just standing hands folded behind his back, looking all authoritative, but she gave him a little smile.

“That’s what I got so far,” Juliette said, “I got some ideas for the rest of pilots.”

Cooper set her sketchbook down on the desk, “you’re very talented.”

“Thank you,” she said, but something was still bothering her.

The Sergeant lazily spun in her chair, staring up at her ceiling.

“Cooper, not that I’m not grateful you’re here,” Juliette treaded carefully, “why didn’t you just shut the door and keep walking?”

Cooper’s dark eyes shifted to her, “because you were crying. I couldn’t just walk away knowing you were in here crying over something my brother probably said. No offense, but Fang is kind of impulsive, so whatever he said you shouldn’t take to heart.”

“He was mad I went off to find those missing troops and took on a Wampa,” Juliette hugged her knees. “I thought that’s what I’m suppose to do. Keep you all safe, I mean.”

“I guess that is part of your job,” Cooper agreed, “but I guess we’re just not use to a General who treats us like you do. Our last one certainly didn’t.”

Juliette only heard mentions and whispers of her predecessor, and it was nothing nice.

The Jedi who cost Fang his arm, Coyote his squad, Tracks his voice, and Hardwire his face, Juliette studied Cooper’s relaxed face. I wonder… would Cooper tell me?

“Cooper, what exactly did the Jedi do to you all?” Juliette asked.

Cooper turned to her, “has no one told you?”

“I didn’t think it was something Hardwire would want to talk about,” Juliette admitted, “and I tried asking Fang once, but he turned it to talking about a rock cave he once saw.”

Cooper nodded thoughtfully, “I guess, the best I can say is, this Jedi didn’t like clones. Specifically, individualized clones. He wanted us to be exactly alike.”

“That’s so stupid,” Juliette shook her head disgusted.

“I know,” Cooper agreed, “he claims he was weeding out imperfects, to make the army stronger.”

“I think your individuality makes you stronger,” Juliette said, “I like that none of you are alike.”

“I appreciate that,” Cooper smiled. “I need to get to bed, and as do you. Who knows what our next mission will be.”

“Thank you, Sergeant,” Juliette said, “I appreciate you visiting me.”

“I know,” he said smugly. “Goodnight, General.”

He left her.

She was alone again.

She got up, and went to her desk.

Looking at the open sketchbook, her eyes were drawn to her little doodle of Fang.

It was just a cute little version of him in a heart.

She flipped to the next page, and sat down as she began sketching out Cosmos.

****

While the men were use to waking up suddenly, it had been awhile since it was an alarm.

The noise dragged Keks and his brothers out of their restless sleep, and they all went scrambling in organized chaos to prepare for the new trouble that plagued their lives.

“What’s going on?” Mirage turned to Cooper, already on his holo pad.

“We’ve been requested for immediate aid,” Cooper stated. “Hopefully everyone including the General got some sleep.”

“She had a big day,” Keks laughed, “I’m sure she fell asleep right in Fang’s arms.”

Cooper gave him a look.

Keks chocked it up to Cooper just being grumpy, and carried on to get his weapons.

When he saw Fang heading to the hanger alone without Juliette or Coyote, that raised more questions in his mind.

****

She checked her gauntlets, making sure the safety was activated as she stood next to Hardwire.

The last of the men scrambled onto the gunships, and they boarded.

“You know who General Grievous is, correct?” Hardwire quietly asked her.

“He’s a Jedi Hunter,” she stated, “basically Count Dooku’s most feared lackey.”

“And he should never be faced alone,” Hardwire said it like an order. “He killed our first General.”

Juliette understood, but still felt annoyed.

I was trained to fight since I could walk, she thought. A Jedi hunter doesn’t scare me.

Hardwire put on a holo projection, and began explaining the plan of how they were going to be aiding the 41st Elite Corps until General Luminara returned.

Their mission wasn’t suppose to involve danger, which is why the Jedi Master let them go alone.

The idea of ever leaving her men alone—even with minimal risks—was something Juliette couldn’t fathom. Not only because she wanted to protect them from the cruel galaxy, because she couldn’t picture living her life without them in it.

Even if it meant having Mirage tailing her.

She could feel the presence of his hand, already hovering behind her back ready to catch her if she fell.

She turned her head slightly, catching Fang in the corner of her visor. The usually sweet trooper was stiff, rigid, like he was ready to snap at any second.

Maybe when they got back to base, she’d find a moment alone with just him. She’d hold Fang close and assure him he’s enough, that she’s still right here, and she wasn’t going to disappear on him despite how much he hurt her when he left earlier that night.

The booming of explosives brought her back to reality, reminding her she’s in a battle zone as they touched down.

Hardwire turned to her, “stay with me, we have to get to Commander Gree.”

She looked for Fang again, but he was gone.

Mirage’s hand pressed on her lower back, “one foot in front of the other, General.”

She stepped off, and followed Hardwire despite the pull of the men’s cries of anguish as they were shot down by countless droids.

****

Wherever Coyote went, Fang went.

It seemed his former squad leader was following Keks, Mick, and Buck.

He would ask what the Corporal’s plan was, but the comm channel was being flooded with his brothers crying out for aid.

“Man down!”

“Man down!”

“We need a medic!”

“Medic!”

“There’s too many of them!”

“Medic!”

“Keep firing!”

He heard Commander Gree was safe at some temporary base, which meant Juliette was safe.

Last thing he needed to hear was she engaged that monstrous Separatist General.

Keks slid down a hill, and they all followed.

“Corporal?” Buck finally spoke, “what’s our current objective?”

“Retrieving one of our down scouts.” Keks stated, “reports say one of our ARFs is still alive, and ve are going to get him home.”

“So a rescue then?” Mick confirmed.

“Affirmative.” Keks fired on a couple droids, then moved forward.

“Sounds like a plan the General would be all over,” Buck laughed, “she loves rescue missions!”

Coyote sighed, “stay focused, Buck.”

“Yes, sir,” Buck responded as if talking to an officer.

Fang turned to him, “sir?”

“I do outrank them by experience,” Coyote shrugged, “although he’s not wrong, Juliette is always jumping on these types of missions.”

“It’s risky.” Fang mumbled.

“You okay?” Coyote asked, “you seem… off.”

“I’m fine.” Fang barked.

“No you’re not.” Coyote sighed, “you better not let it get in the way of the mission. It will get you killed if you’re not focused, and we can’t have that.”

Fang sighed, “I just don’t like her risking herself like she did on Hoth. She could’ve died.”

“Fang,” Coyote softened his voice, “she was a skilled fighter before she found us. She is still a skilled fighter now, and there’s so much we don’t know yet.”

Fang had to agree.

As always, Coyote was right. Coyote always was the wisest out of all of Pack Squad, and the most in tune to their individual problems.

“Look,” Coyote sighed, “let’s focus on getting that ARF, then we can talk this out. Okay?”

Fang nodded, and hurried ahead blasting two droids as they slipped into the tree-line.

****

It was driving her crazy.

She felt like a caged animal in this makeshift base, going over battle plans on screens instead of executing them.

Juliette wanted to be with her men.

Fighting by their side.

Hardwire must’ve known this. His arm was looped into her’s, keeping her in place at the table as Gree and other officers argued.

“Let me go,” she whispered to Hardwire.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered back, “but I won’t.”

“We just got to keep holding this position,” one officer stated.

“Well obviously!” Cooper exclaimed, “that’s all we’re doing, and we’re getting slaughtered.”

The word felt like knife in her gut being twisted.

She tugged on Hardwire’s arm, but he stood firm like a mountain.

She hissed, “let me go.”

“Just wait.” Hardwire’s hand gripped her’s, “not until we have a plan.”

“Do you have a plan, General Trix?” Gree turned to her, “or is your plan just to run into danger, guns blazing, and no regard to anyone’s safety?”

Cooper placed his hand to his helmet, as if pinching the bridge of nose, “why did you say that?”

“No regard to anyone’s safety?” Juliette repeated. “Seriously, Commander Gree? Are you really asking me if my plan is to put any one of you in danger?”

“I doubt you have any plan in facing a lightsaber manic like Grievous,” Gree’s sergeant stated. “Just because you held your own in a few battles doesn’t mean you can fight real threats.”

Juliette clenched her fists, “better out there fighting with the men, than talking in circles in here.”

“We’re not talking in circles.” Gree waved his hand dismissively.

“I’ve heard the phrase ‘we need a plan’ eleven times already,” Juliette turned to Hardwire, “let me go out there.”

“And do what exactly?” Gree demanded, “if you think you’re so smart, what’s your plan?“

Juliette sighed, dragging Hardwire, “we’re going to go push back. Cooper, stay here and keep radio contact with me.”

“Yes, General,” Cooper acknowledged.

“Wait!” Gree chased them out of the tent.

“Juliette,” Hardwire warned, “this is technically Gree’s mission.”

“Exactly, General, and I-“

“You said you want those ships down, correct? Rocket launchers will do that.”

“Juliette, I understand you’re frustrated but we don’t have rocket launchers.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, Hardwire. Trust me, my Commander. I can do this.”

Juliette released his hand, and he let her go.

****

It was quiet now.

Buck and Mick were up ahead, keeping a lookout for both droids and the wounded ARF they got reports about.

Keks knew he didn’t have to worry about them. While Buck had a tendency to get shot, he always managed to push though the pain until danger was gone. Mick was alert, it was like the trooper had sixth sense for when someone took aim on him.

What Keks had to worry about was Coyote and Fang.

The unbreakable pair bonded by both training and the events that took place in the cave.

Coyote was an excellent soldier, a fine leader, but once Fang was present his ability to focus would dissipate. Fang was impulsive, almost always getting stuck on a thought and having to follow it though.

“You two hanging in back there?” Keks called over his shoulder.

“Yes, sir,” Coyote answered.

Fang didn’t say a word.

That’s not promising, Keks waited for them to catch up, “talk to me, Fang. Vhat’s on your mind?”

“It’s nothing,” Fang grumbled.

“Seems like something,” Keks stated. “Is it about vhy you aren’t speaking vith the General?”

“You two aren’t talking?” Coyote turned to Fang.

“It’s nothing,” Fang assured, “I just don’t like how she always risks herself for us. Yes, I love that she cares so much she’d do anything to protect us, however not at the cost of her life. We are suppose to fight and die for the Republic.”

“Just because ve are meant to die, that doesn’t mean I vant to die,” Keks said, “I vould love to live to see the end of this var, go drinking vith my brothers every leave, and just have a real life.”

Fang stayed quiet, then said lowly, “what about her life?”

“She chose to be a General,” Coyote cut in, “this is her choice.”

“I feel like it’s in her training,” Fang argued, “she told me her father use to train everyday for hours on end to protect others.”

“I don’t really see vhat’s vrong vith that,” Keks admitted.

“She could…” Fang trailed off, shaking his head.

Keks knew what he meant, “she could die.”

Fang made a broken noise, and pushed past them to get out of this confrontation.

“Did you have to make him cry?” Coyote sighed.

“I think he vas going to anyways,” Keks said quietly. “It’d be easier if he just told her.”

“Told her what?” Coyote stepped over some down tree trunks.

Keks ran his hands over the scorch marks of a lightsaber, already dreading what they were going to find soon.

“That he loves her,” Keks stated.

****

The missile hit one vulture droid, and it crashed into the other. They collided into the ground, explosively wiping out a chunk of the droids while illuminating the unscathed to be slotted.

“Why didn’t you just say you had a missile launcher?” Gree asked Juliette as the men cheered.

“You wouldn’t let me get a word in,” Juliette stated, “not to mention, it’s attached to my back.”

“I thought that was your jet pack.” Hardwire admitted.

“It’s both.” Juliette corrected.

Mirage chuckled, carrying another wounded to the medical tent they were guarding.

“Just throwing it out there,” Boomerang said, “please never give Mirage a jet pack.”

“I’m sure I’d be a good flyer,” Mirage set his injured brother down, ruffling his hair.

“You can barely walk,” Boomerang argued.

“Looks like you pushed them back some.” Gree said, looking through his binoculars. “They’re either regrouping or preparing to cover Grievous’s escape.”

“I’m thinking the second option,” Hardwire stated.

“Should we go hunt him down then?” Juliette asked. After seeing so many men come back clinging to life die from lightsaber sustained injuries, she’d happily attempt to take that heartless monster down.

“I’d advise against it,” Gree pat her shoulder, “not until the Jedi arrives through that blockade.”

Juliette turned to Hardwire, “how’s Captain Stickler?”

“Last I heard he said the shields are still up,” Hardwire said, “just focus on the ground assault for now.”

But what about Cosmos? My pilots? It’s the most dangerous job in the Republic. I’ve seen the casualty numbers…

She had to shake it off.

Somewhere out there on the ground was Fang.

As upset with him she was, she wanted her boyfriend to be okay too.

****

That explosion was caused by Juliette.

Fang knew it in his heart that that was the doing of his girl.

So full of surprises, he thought as they came to last reported sighting of the ARF.

“The report said that they found the General here,” Keks explained, “he engaged the squad and they had to retreat.”

“So, we’re here why?“ Buck asked.

“Because one vas hurt,” Keks stood on top of the mess of broken trees. “He’s here.”

“Not to sound like a downer, but…” Mick trailed off, “you know?”

What if he’s dead?

Fang turned to Coyote.

His brother who ran back into the cave because he had to be sure he wasn’t leaving his Pack behind.

We’re here to be sure.

Keks knelt down, surveying the mess, “Hound? Are you in there, vod?”

Nothing.

“Hound?” Keks carefully moved though the mess, “Hound?”

Fang looked around, but nothing caught his eye.

“Hound?” Coyote called, “where are you?”

“Hound?” Buck moved some wood with his boot.

Mick was off ahead when he jumped back, falling on his back and scrambling away.

“What?” Buck ran to him.

“I found a leg…”

Fang stopped, feeling a tingling in his arm.

Burning, crushing, excruciating tingling in his whole right side like his body was being lit on fire again.

Coyote came over to him, softly whispering, “hey, you okay?”

Fang focused on his breathing, sinking down to the ground.

Coyote knelt down, lifting off his helmet, “it’s okay. I’m right here, look at me. Focus on me.”

He didn’t fight Coyote when he removed Fang’s helmet, and he tried to focus on his brother’s ice blue eyes.

Coyote took his hands, “you’re not in danger. I’m right here, Fang, I’m not going anywhere.”

Fang’s gaze shifted to behind him, to a white mass.

“Hound.” Fang refocused.

Coyote turned, “Keks! Over here!”

Fang crawled over, moving the branches and taking his brother’s arm.

He felt limp, but he dragged him out.

The scout had wrapped his leg and tied it off at his knee.

Like Fang, his missing limb was on his right side.

Coyote leaned down, listening closely.

Keks approached, “is he…?”

Coyote let out a sigh of relief, “he’s alive.”

****

Keks knelt down, lifting off the ARF trooper’s helmet.

The young scout must’ve passed out he concluded, and he lightly tapped his filthy cheek.

Hound stirred, whimpering as he cracked his eyes open.

“Sergeant Digger reported you missing,” Keks smiled under his helmet, “ready to go home, kid?”

“Corporal?” Hound weakly smiled, “hi, brother.”

Mick stepped around them, “I’m going to throw you over my shoulder, okay?”

Hound nodded, sitting up very vaguely looking over his missing limb.

Keks helped steady him, “you seem a little loopy, Hound. Did you take a sedative?”

“Uh huh,” Hound blinked lazily. “Mutt gave it to me for emergencies.”

“That’s good then,” Keks placed Hound’s helmet back on, “come on, lads. Ve need to get back to safety.”

Mick began walking with Buck beside him, and Hound just hung off without a care in the universe.

Keks wondered if it was the pain killers, their training, or just Hound’s attitude that was leaving him so at eased.

“I still don’t quite understand why we came out here, sir,” Fang admitted, “but I’m glad we found him.”

“You’ll understand,” Keks said, as they began moving again. “Soon ve vill be home, eating dinner, and you’ll be back to your old self. That is, once you make up vith Juliette.”

Fang sighed, “I doubt it. After what I did, she’s probably still mad at me for walking out like that.”

“Just talk to her.” Coyote sighed, “get that through your thick skull, will you?”

Keks chuckled, then went up ahead to catch up with Buck and Mick.

He pat Hound’s helmet, and went off ahead with his gun ready.

“Keep alert,” Keks reminded them, “that explosion probably pushed them back towards us.”

“Yes, sir,” they all answered, except Fang.

He’s stuck in his head. Keks switched to his private comm frequency with Coyote, “keep an eye on Fang. He’s not himself today.”

“I agree,” Coyote answered.

Fang finally spoke up, “droids. Up ahead.”

“Wonderful.” Keks said, “get into the trees, before they see us.”

Buck and Mick ducked down, letting Hound down easy. Coyote pulled Fang to behind a tree trunk. Keks lowered down behind a shrub.

The droids came running by, bickering and yelling about retreating.

“Run for it!” One of the battle droids bellowed.

Typical of them, they all began repeating, “roger roger.”

There’s too many, Keks looked around.

He carefully moved, staying close to the ground.

“Men,” he said in the private comm, “there’s a path that vay. You need to follow it back to the base.”

“What about you?” Coyote asked.

“I’ll be right behind you.” Keks said, “after I cover you.”

Mick noticed the twist of trees, and took a quick dive down the pathway.

Buck double-checked, then followed him.

“Wait,” a droid called. “I heard something.”

Several droids stopped, approaching the tree Coyote and Fang were hidden behind.

The droids clicked their blasters, prepared to take aim.

Not on my watch, Keks stood up.

He fired on the droids, blasting a few heads off.

“Come and get me.” Keks taunted, running the opposite way.

“Keks! What are you doing?” Coyote’s voice filled his helmet.

“Get out of here,” Keks ordered, “I’ll lead them away!”

“Keks, you can’t face them alone!“ Fang argued, “let-“

“Coyote, there’s a file in my bunk,” Keks heard a bolt of plasma whoosh by his head, “give it to Cooper. He’ll know what to do with it.”

Keks ducked behind a tree, firing on the perusing droids.

“Yes, sir,” Coyote said, “goodbye, Keks.”

A bolt pierced his shoulder, and knocked his blaster from his hand.

Another through his chest.

Keks felt his body giving up, as he pulled himself behind the tree, taking out his thermal detonator.

They surrounded him, blasters aimed right at him.

Keks squeezed his eyes shut, I didn’t want to die.

————

Juliette gently scooped up the primarily white plush with long limbs and black detailing.

“Hardwire, is this a doll?”

Hardwire hopped out of his desk chair, blushing crimson as he shut his door.

He turned to her, and awkwardly smiled.

“So… that’s Snugs,” Hardwire explained, “my… first General gave him to me.”

Juliette smiled, cradling the small plush clone trooper in her arms, “and you keep him under your pillow?”

Hardwire sat down on the edge of the bed, “please don’t judge me.”

“I don’t think I can judge,” Juliette held up her baby blanket.

“That’s different,” Hardwire smiled, “if you didn’t tell me that was your baby blanket, I’d assume it was just any old blanket.”

“So, what’s the story behind Snugs?” Juliette handed the toy back to him. “Why did a Jedi give you a little plush clone trooper?”

Hardwire brushed the trooper’s helmet, “where do I begin to tell you about Master Kip?”

****

“The General gave you a pastry?”

Hardwire hurried away as his Corporal chased after him.

“Vhere did he get it? Is it fresh?” Keks questioned, “vhat type of frosting?”

“Medic!” Hardwire laughed, “I need assistance!”

Laughing, CT-3396 got up from Hardwire’s desk, hopping on Kek’s back.

“Hide in the closet!” Tracks instructed.

“You all are so mean,” Cooper smiled. “But he is a glutton.”

Hardwire ducked into his practically empty closet, “exactly.”

Keks whined outside the closet, “no fair…”

“You didn’t share any of your burnt cookies with us,” Chaser reminded him.

“I tried,” Keks reminded. “You all said they were like rocks!”

Happily, Hardwire unraveled his pastry, and ripped it in half. Putting the bigger half back in the bag, he cracked the door open, sticking it out.

Like a gremlin, it was snatched away.

“Say thank you,” he heard Cooper scold.

“Thank you,” Keks said, with a mouthful already.

****

Juliette cuddled into his side, “so, I wasn’t the first General who bought you all presents?”

“No, you weren’t,” Hardwire wrapped an arm around her, “although, most gifts were bought more for me than the others.”

“Why’s that?” Juliette yawned into her fist.

“I kind of was a loner,” Hardwire wrapped her blanket around her, “and I was the first clone he ever met. Therefore, he worried about me.”

****

A salmon colored Quarren with kind turquoise eyes hobbled with a cane around the Stormrider, listening to Hardwire give his report.

He liked the old Jedi. While some found him odd—maybe even a bit annoying—Hardwire looked forward to these patrols.

“Very good, Commander,” Master Kip would say at the end, in that voice that sounded too high and bouncy for an old man from Mon Cala.

It always felt like a pat on the head, and Hardwire found himself walking a little taller.

“Tell me though, Commander,” Master Kip stroked his tentacle beard, “have you eaten today?“

“I’ll be heading to the mess now, sir,” he assured, “meeting some of the men there.”

“Excellent, can’t face the day on an empty stomach,” he chuckled to himself. “And we have a battle today. Not that I am looking forward to it.”

Hardwire turned to his General, his gaze now to the floor.

“So many lives lost,” Kip sighed, “I wish I could protect you all.”

****

Hardwire laid beside Juliette, facing her in his bed.

She looked tired, but her eyes remained opened, “you still haven’t answered my question.”

Hardwire smiled, “do you want me to skip ahead? I was going to tell you about how Boomerang got his name. Or how Mirage came to be his best brother.”

“I know both those stories,” Juliette pouted, “you’re stalling.”

Hardwire chuckled, “fine, I’ll tell you about Snugs now.”

****

It had been a hundred days since boots hit the ground, and a hundred days of being under Master Kip’s care.

When the old Jedi came to his private quarters at the end of the day, he expected the present he hinted at to be food. All his brothers loved food, and Hardwire did like the occasional treat.

What Master Kip was so excited to give him, was not edible at all. In fact, it was quite an odd gift in Hardwire’s opinion.

The item was less than a foot in height, and consisted of loose, lanky arms attached to its plush body. It was white and black, resembling a standard clone trooper with his helmet on.

“I could not resist,” Master Kip smiled, “you may find it silly, but I wanted you to have a least one item that is truly just yours. Consider a symbol of your brothers perhaps.”

Honestly, Hardwire didn’t know what he’d do with a toy. He was a soldier, not a child. Nor did he know the purpose of toys other than giving them to children on relief missions for comfort.

Still, he traced the troopers soft helmet, “thank you, sir.”

****

Juliette’s eyes were now closed, but she still tiredly murmured, “that’s sweet…”

Hardwire took Snugs, and placed him in her arms, whispering, “he’s very good at scaring away nightmares.”

Juliette softly sighed, hugging Snugs close as she started drifting off.

Hardwire got up, and crossed the cold, metal floor to the light switch. He flipped it off, and returned to his bed, getting under his blanket and pulling her closer to him.

Her head laid on his chest, snuggling in closer to him.

He wrapped his arms around her, and ran his fingers lazily up and down her back. He closed his eyes, and fell asleep alongside his best friend.

****

Besides a little bit of chatter, the gunship was quiet.

Master Kip was sadden to hear that he was given this very big, dangerous mission. The last thing he wanted to do was put his troops into more danger than they already were in.

From the moment the war began on Geonosis, Master Kip wanted to walk away. From the war he didn’t want to be apart of, the bloodshed he didn’t wish to bare, and the Jedi Order that he known his living years.

However, as he was about to go tell Master Yoda his plans to leave, he met a curious young man who left the impression of a child in the Force.

He was tall, muscular, and wore the same armor as the men who rescued them from the Battle of Geonosis.

The trooper turned to him, his helmet tucked under his armor revealing a face of twenty year old Jango Fett. Yet, this wasn’t Jango.

He smiled, and gave a respectful nod like a gentleman and returned his gaze forward with a half smile.

As Master Kip studied the mysterious figure in lilac painted armor and a kama on his belt, the familiar presence of Master Yoda approached.

He turned, seeing his dear friend approaching with Mace Windu and Master Ki-Adi-Mundi.

The small, green Jedi chuckled to himself, “Master Kip, see you met your Commander, you have.”

My Commander?

Master Kip turned back to the trooper, he was watching him from the corner of his dark, brown eyes.

“The 952nd will primarily be doing relief and rescue missions. Commander CC-0143 will be your right hand man,” Master Windu explained.

“Nine hundred fifty… CC-10… this a lot of numbers,” Master Kip stroked his tentacle beard, I’m an old man who’d be lucky to have ten more years left in him. I can’t possibly be apart of this.

“Permission to speak, sir?” asked a man with Jango’s accent, but not quite his voice.

He turned back to the Commander, now facing him.

Was that him? Is asking permission to speak really a thing?

“Yes?” Master Kip said unsurely.

“My brothers call me Hardwire,” he said, “you may also call me that, therefore you have one less number to remember.”

Master Mundi said quietly, “I was not informed they have names.”

Master Kip’s thoughts of leaving got pushed back into the deep crevasses of his mind. All the upset that plagued him of losing both his own Master and his former Padawan on Geonosis was replace with a need to protect this little boy who looked like a grown man.

Now here he was, over a hundred days later, with a Commander who he looked at like a son.

The Jedi Code forbid attachment, but he couldn’t help himself. This soldier had went from child to an adult in a matter of days in the Force, and Master Kip felt a nagging need to protect him the same way a parent coddled their own flesh and blood.

“We’re approaching the coordinates,” Tracks announced over the gunship’s speakers.

Master Kip looked at the men he brought with him for this assignment to locate General Grievous.

Sergeant Cooper had Corporal Keks were a pair.

Boomerang the medic was tight knit with his ARC brother, Mirage.

The pilots—Tracks and Chaser—had each other to keep company.

Then there was his Commander.

The first clone trooper he ever met would just drift from brother-to-brother. No one in particular stood out as someone he was close to more than the others.

Who is your person, Hardwire? Who do you reach out for when you are scared?

The ship softly landed, and the doors opened up.

His five brave troops exited the ship, helmets on and ready to face danger.

If this war never happened, these boys never would have existed. I would’ve continued on with my life, and these amazing young men would’ve remained unmade. They don’t even realize the change they made. The good they brought into my dull life.

“All good, General?” Hardwire asked quietly, “you’ve been quiet today.”

“Oh, it’s nothing for you to worry about, lad,” he replied tiredly. “Just been thinking about this war and where we’ll all be after it’s over.”

The clones remained quiet, not saying a word.

He knew what they were thinking.

Their purpose is to die fighting.

The next few minutes blurred together, all Master Kip could put together was they found Grievous—or he found them—and they were going to die.

“Tracks! Chaser!” Cooper barked, “get the ship ready for retreat!”

“Swinging back for you now,” Chaser responded.

As the only one with a lightsaber, Kip was engaged with the metal monster.

He could hear the gunship arrive, the men running aboard… all but one.

“General!”

Hardwire!

“General, come on!”

Using the Force, Master Kip pushed General Grievous back enough to look back at the ship. He could’ve made it, but he had grown too tired from this fight to run.

Hardwire took a step towards him, and then another.

This soldier was too loyal to leave him behind.

Master Kip pushed him back with the Force, but the Commander got back up again.

General Grievous also got up, and was charging at him.

Master Kip held both of them back, arms extended out holding them both away. With all his strength, he pushed back Grievous again.

Then, tiredly turned back to his troops.

He still had Hardwire pushed back, keeping him at bay. Yet, he now had his answer.

The clones—as Master Kip had noticed—always reached for each other. In the face of danger, their hands always extended out to their brothers both to receive strength and share it. The closest bond any of the clone soldiers had was with each other.

Cooper to Keks, Tracks to Chaser, Boomerang to Mirage.

Then there was Hardwire, who didn’t reach for any of his brothers. With both hands extended out, his Commander was reaching out to him.

It was forbidden to form attachment, and maybe this was why. For when Jedi Master Kip looked at that one soldier, he saw a child.

His child, willing to die for him.

Master Kip couldn’t help but love and admire Hardwire for that loyalty, and he hoped the next General valued his Commander just as much.

General Grievous got up again, coughing and hacking with four lightsabers ignited.

Soon, his own lightsaber would be his.

Master Kip was okay with that…

“General!” Hardwire cried out as he was lifted to the air. “Don’t do this! Wait!”