#ct 411

"Yes sir." There is the clacking of training sticks for a few minutes before a loud thump, and a score buzzer rang out through the training room.

"Improvement, but you can do better."

"Yes sir." 7567 sighed, getting up to his feet with a wince. Sweat is dripping off his brow as the cadet stands, and he has barely a moment to breathe before his opponent strikes, deflecting the blow as he stepped back. He doesn't move as fast as the man he's facing, but 7567 does his best to not waver as he dodges and strikes the few chances he can, but eventually is once again tripped onto his back.

"Much better." Commander Neyo offers his hand, and helps the younger clone up and onto his feet. "You've earned a rest, go get a drink." 7567 nodded and went to fetch his canteen, sitting down on the floor with a relieved sigh. His muscles are all aching as he sips his water, but 7567 is proud that he's becoming stronger and stronger with his training.

It had been a little over two months since Kamino had been taken over by his fellow ori'vod, and the facilities had begun to feel akin to a home. It wasn't uncommon to see Jetti more and more these days, and there were rumors that some of the unfinished living areas were being converted into a mini Temple for them, which was quite exciting for the younger clones. Battalions and squads from all over made it a point to try and swing by when they could, often acting as couriers from other groups to bring things that could be used to decorate the facilities or bring a view of the universe to awestruck cadets and the eager shinies. 7567 watched it all happen in the background, or as much as he could with everyone knowing he'd become close with the various commanders that visited when they could.

"Come, another half hour, and then you're free to go." Neyo had been the one allowed to stay the longest so far, and while he wasn't affection as Bly, or gentle as Monnk, 7567 could see early on the commander's own way he showed his care. He knew a lot of the deployed troopers would mutter comments about how cold and uncaring the commander was, but he had never really felt that Neyo was like that.

By the end of the half-hour, 7567 is exhausted, but pleased to have remained upright this round, grinning as he gathered up his canteen and a small towel to wipe away his sweat.

"Would you like to join me for dinner ori'vod?" 7567 hoped he wasn't being too direct, waiting until the duo had left the training room to ask. "I have an area where the others won't be able to watch us eat."

"If you wish." 7567 smiled, and darted off to go shower, leaving the commander to break off and do the same in his temporary officers' quarters. It had been one of Lama Su's random conference rooms that were never used, Neyo taking a small joy from throwing out the furniture into the hallway. Said room was half of a construction site, as he was in the process of hand-building a bathroom and kitchenette for use when he would rotate in and out.

He despised the clinical way the Kaminoians insisted on decorating everything from equipment to clothing.

7567 is waiting patiently for him outside of Neyo's room when the commander steps out, holding a tray of food for both of them.

"You remembered what I enjoy." The cadet nods as Neyo takes his tray, and begins to follow 7567 through the halls.

"Commander Fox said he would teach me how to cook when he comes back." The cadet is practically beaming at the idea. "I hope he's okay, he hasn't been really answering my comms lately, but I know he's busy."

"Mhm." Neyo made a note to check in on Fox later on, trailing 7567 as he takes the other up to the highest level of the facility, setting his tray down to pull open a door that had been locked up at some point.

"Come on, this has one of the best views." Picking his tray back up, 7567 leads Neyo into the dark room and towards the giant window that spanned one side of the room. The commander can see there are some cots littered around what must have been a storage room at one time, and realizes it was most likely a batches hiding spot from the longnecks, of which he knew there were quite a few around Tipoca. The window did overlook quite a bit of the landing platforms of Tipoca, and can picture eager eyes watching ships taking on and off day after day.

"Nice view." 7567 nodded as he took a seat at a table right up against the window, and Neyo joins him after nudging some cushions aside.

"One of my batchmates found it, took us weeks to get all this stuff in here." The younger hummed as he bit into a fruit, glancing up at some writing scratched into the glass. "We used to come whenever we had our free day, but got caught near...near the end."

"I see." Neyo leans forward, and gives 7567 a gentle pat to the top of his head that he was growing used to. "They did well."

"Yea, didn't they?" The younger smiles weakly, and for a few minutes, they eat in silence, listening to the landing and departure of a few ships below.

"What does this mean?" 7567 glances over when Neyo speaks, and sees he's pointing at something etched into the glass.

"The R E X S I? They were the initials of some ARC troopers we earned some lessons from." The younger smiled fondly at the memory, and Neyo continues to stare at the initials for a spell before looking at the cadet.

"I will call you Rex. While...not what they inferred, your batchmates left a name for you."

"...what?" Neyo watches as 7567 stares, wide eyes trained on him as he disgests the information. "Are..you're serious?"

"Yes."

"Rex...Rex." The name sounds foreign at first, almost seeming fit for some other clone that hadn't grown into his namesake. "Rex...I like it."

"Thought as much. Now the others can stop bickering." 75-no, Rex, looked up in confusion, as Neyo sips his drink.

"They were fighting about my name?" Rex can't help the grin that breaks out, and Neyo rolled his eyes. "Who was winning?"

"No one, though Cody went to speak with the Jedi for an idea. He most likely would have succeeded." Rex grinned, a smile that didn't leave his face until the two separated for the evening. Neyo could hear Rex excitedly sharing his name as he walked away with any clone in sight, and a faint smirk pulls at his lips as he pulls out his data pad.

<Neyo>: Kid has a name now.

<Cody>: What???

<Wolffe>: You DID NoT

<Wolffe>: NEYO

<Fox>: It better be good.

<Cody>: I agree

<Bly>: What is it??? I want to know!

<Neyo>: Rex

<multiple CC's are typing>

<Ponds>: I like it, where's it from?

<Fox>: Rex?

<Cody>: Rex, suits him.

<Wolffe>: ......it's good

<Bly>: I can't wait when the others log in :]

<Gree>: A name???

Neyo watches as the others continue to banter, but none of them seemed to dislike the name.