I wonder how Hoyt had he survived the events of 1x13 would've felt about Coop
I think Hoyt would've had little sympathy for him. He grew up in an abusive household without direct support. The Walkers were always there for him, but he had to make that connection himself. Knowing that Coop was in a position to get Kevin out of a similar situation but didn't because he was dealing with his own low self-esteem and mental demons probably would've just pissed him off.
"You couldn't have waited until the kid was able to take care of himself before disappearing on him? You made him a promise, and you broke it. Maybe you'll get a chance to make it up to him in Hell."
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Warnings: Death, explosion, war injuries (let me know if I missed any!)
————
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.
I'm thinking about this too much but I got the sense that Cooper underestimated Cordell's feelings about him during their confrontation in the cabin. Like he seemed genuinely surprised to hear that Cordell blamed himself for Coops "death" and surprised that Cordell was so pissed at him. Like he'd expected Cordell to just move on with his life after everything.
He really did just think everyone, including Cordell, would be better off without him, huh?
Hey Caribou! Can you please describe the main squads' helmet designs? I just want to imagine them correctly ☺️
Of course, friend! 💜💜
When I think of the main squad, I typically think of Hardwire, Cooper, Keks, Mirage, Boomerang, Tracks, Fang, Coyote, and Cosmos (plus Juliette).
(This is the color palette when I think of their armor with lilac detailing, mostly the middle shade)
For Juliette, think the same typical Mandalorian helmet style of Bo Katan and Sabine Wren. Her’s, however, is completely gray (the color of mourning a lost love or family member). Her armor is mostly gray until she adds lilac to it, to match her men who she sees as her clan/family. It grows more colorful as time goes on.
Hardwire has a bold, lilac strip down the middle of his helmet, and a visor like Cody, Fox, and many other Commanders. He also has the scope, but he mostly uses it for tech work than shooting.
Cooper has a plain helmet, but has two lilac splotches on his helmet in the shape of little hands. The first is over his left eye, the second over his right ear.
Keks has double stripes like Echo, but they’re lilac zigzags.
Mirage is like Commander Colt’s. He took inspiration from his mentor, but did his full lilac instead of gray. Along with the design, he has his scope.
Boomerang’s helmet has lilac going across his helmet’s visor, and he has tallies all over the sides. He usually has an attachable macrobinocular that he wears in battle painted gray.
Tracks has the typical pilot helmet. The only difference between his armor and others is his is modified for his height, plus the painted shoulder plates; Juliette painted each pilot’s shoulder plates.
Fang and Coyote have the same helmet design of it painted lilac on one side, just opposite sides. Fang’s on the right, Coyote’s on the left.
Cosmos let Juliette give his helmet a makeover. It used to be a plain old pilot helmet, now he has dark purple around the glass visor and stars. He is the only pilot until Ace to have a unique pilot helmet.
does anyone on the squad have a special someone other than Juliette? 🥺🥺
*squeals* yes! Can you tell I’m a little bit of helpless romantic? I grew up on Disney movies, don’t judge me!!!! 😭😭
Obviously Juliette has/had romantic relationships with Fang, Digger, Fury, and one other clone I never talked about because it was two dates (but y’all can speculate), but her boys also have partners.
The most notable one is Mirage, who dates and marries Nala Phish, a Twi’lek singer and dancer from Vixnix. She is a childhood friend of Juliette’s, who radiates confidence versus Mirage’s shy, wallflower attitude when he’s not on the battlefield.
Max has a partner named Tay (they/them, but won’t get too upset if called she by accident). They’re also a Twi’lek, working at a fancy restaurant on Coruscant as a waiter. Max is 5’7” and kind of naive, and Tay is 5’11 without high heels and fiercely protective of their short pilot boyfriend and his brothers.
I do have plans to put Nala’s sister, Anneliese, with someone too, just not sure who as the original plan was Coyote and I no longer think they’ll be good fit.
Juliette’s other childhood friend, Faye, is still up in the air as well, since I’m still playing with her character.
Cosmos’s main love interest that he ends up with is a Pantoran, but he will have a few boyfriends before they’re officially together again after Order 66. And this Pantoran has two little sisters, one of which will end up with Squirrel 100%.
I got a couple more love interests I’m fleshing out, but I got to figure out where they’ll fit in the story. Most notable of which is Boomerang and Hardwire’s partners as they’ve not been introduced yet; I want them to find someone!
The only one I can confidently say will not have love interest in the story is Cooper. He doesn’t want one, he’s not interested, he’s very happy being a single dad with his adopted children and being an uncle to his nieces and nephews. Keep that romance away from him.
Also: not part of the 952nd, riot trooper Berri has a shy, bookkeeper boyfriend; a Togruta named Jaxper. Coyote played wingman for Berri—as he always does for his brothers.
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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.
“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.”
Warnings: Bullying, past trauma (let me know if I missed any!)
————
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.”
“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-“
“That’s him,” she growled, “that monster is the man who killed my buir.”
It wasn’t the fact he didn’t want to talk again openly. There was a very good reason Tracks was keeping his speaking abilities to himself and five of his brothers.
The first was the fact people trusted him enough to share their raw thoughts with him.
The second, it was cheap entertainment and an unique challenge for him. Not laughing at his brothers’ dumb jokes out loud was the biggest one.
He usually ate his food, focusing on what Juliette and Cosmos were talking about, or observing Dabbler sketch out designs for his armor while practicing his own skills.
Today was too quiet.
Juliette just picked at her breakfast, leaning on Cosmos looking tired.
“Could you not sleep last night?” Squirrel asked.
“Not really,” Juliette answered, “it was a very eventful night.”
“You did look beautiful,” Dabbler complimented, “I bet everyone wanted to talk to you.”
Ace came and sat down, “hi, Juliette.”
“Hi, Ace,” she murmured.
“Sleepyhead,” Cosmos chuckled, “you should’ve called me.”
“I’m okay,” she folded her arms on the table, “I’m just going to take a quick nap.”
Tracks smirked, and picked up his tray.
Even on a bad night, Juliette always gets her sleep. She can’t function without it. Therefore, something happened last night. And Hardwire wasn’t the last to see her. Bet this will be a good distraction for Boomerang from his own stress.
****
Boomerang bounced his leg up and down, staring at the biochip that he cut out of his brothers head. If he stared at it long enough, maybe it would give him answers. That was what he was hoping for, even though it was wishful thinking.
The medbay door opened, and Boomerang quickly swiped up the little glass slide.
“What’s your deal?” Grimm grunted as he went to the supply closest.
“Just thinking,” he answered. “Do you actually care?”
“Not really,” Grimm sifted through the different gauzes, “but I’m good at pretending.”
Boomerang rolled his eyes, “comforting words from a medic.”
Grimm found what he was looking for, and closed the supply closet.
“What are you even doing?” Boomerang asked.
“Do you actually care?” Grimm quipped.
Boomerang groaned, “I’m sorry for the attitude.”
“Don’t be, it’s less annoying than your usual wit,” Grimm stated, “and, since you asked, last night the ARFs got into a scuffle. I’m now resupplying my pack.”
Boomerang snorted, “wow, you did your job.”
“There it is,” Grimm rolled his eyes, “the annoying jokes are back. Therefore, I did my job again.”
“Ha!” Boomerang watched him leave, and then Tracks slipped in.
Once the door shut, Tracks turned to him, “the General didn’t sleep last night.”
“Okay?” Boomerang sat up straighter.
“I don’t think it was a tossing and turning kind of didn’t sleep,” Tracks explained, “I sit next to her for almost every meal, and she tells Cosmos, Dabbler, and Squirrel everything. Including nightmares.”
Boomerang grinned, “I love when you give me mysteries to solve. Should we get the gang together?”
“I already told Coyote to get Mirage,” Tracks sat down. “And I have theories.”
****
Cosmos didn’t take himself as much of a reader, but Juliette claimed this was her favorite book. When she asked if he wanted to borrow it, he couldn’t just say no.
It was like his best friend gave him a piece of her soul. He had to decipher why this one was the favorite out of all the books in the galaxy. Why this author’s words spoke to her and why this plot resonated with her.
Which is why he was sitting on the floor of her room, reading a book and snacking.
Juliette was tiredly sketching, occasionally nodding off and quickly shaking her head clear.
“Starlight,” Cosmos cooed, “just take a little nap.”
“I’m fine,” she muttered.
“We’re on Coruscant for one more day,” he said calmly, “go to bed.”
A smile crossed her face.
He knew that smile far too well.
It was the same smile she had when she was thinking about Fang, right when they began dating. The early on smiles, the giddy smiles, the crush smile.
“Talk to me, Starlight,” Cosmos shut the book, “who are you thinking about?”
“No one,” Juliette smiled bigger.
Cosmos gasped, “you stayed up all night chatting with someone. Who?”
Juliette turned to him, her face all rosy and glowing.
Cosmos got up, presenting his pinky, “tell me who.”
She looped her pinky with his, “we’re just talking.”
“Who?” Cosmos urged.
“It’s…” she moved closer to his ear, “Commander Fox.”
Cosmos gasped, “wait, when? How?”
“Last night he called me after my panic attack,” Juliette gushed, “it was so sweet. He was checking in on me, and we started talking, and talking, and… I don’t know, I just like talking to him. It’s just a crush, I think. It’ll pass. We’re not going to get together.”
I mean, I did tell her to consider moving on soon. Fox is pretty safe on Coruscant, and he’s not too bad a vod. She could do way worse than the Commander who barely sleeps. Besides, I know this will be a fling. My choice still has a chance. But, for now…
Cosmos thought for a moment, “If you want, I happen to know his caf order.”
****
“I have connected the dots.”
“You connected nothing, Pretty Boy.”
“Yes I have, because I connected the dots.”
Boomerang groaned, “Juliette loves her beauty sleep. She doesn’t have insomnia now.”
“She might,” Coyote shrugged. “Maybe she took advice from Squirrel.”
“The reason Squirrel doesn’t sleep is because he has bad nightmares,” Tracks stated. “Real bad.”
“Maybe she has bad nightmares too,” Mirage stated.
Boomerang rubbed his temples, “let’s go back to the facts.”
“She had a panic attack last night, she didn’t sleep, she didn’t talk today but was in a good mood,” Tracks stated, “and she didn’t talk openly about it.”
“So what could it be?” Coyote asked, “an act?”
The medbay door opened, and Tracks went dead quiet. If it wasn’t Ace or Hardwire, he wasn’t going to speak a word and blow his cover.
Instead, it was Shadow that entered.
He stood there for a minute, then went over and sat on the bed with them.
“Hey, Shadow,” Mirage said, “what’s—“
“I’m an excellent observer,” Shadow stated.
“Okay…?” Boomerang raised an eyebrow.
Shadow turned to Mirage, “I know you had brain surgery. I know Boomerang found something.”
Mirage’s eyes widened, and Boomerang opened his mouth and closed it like a stunned fish.
“I know Coyote buries himself in work,” then he fixed his gaze on Tracks, “and I know you can talk.”
Tracks felt a corner of his lip tug upwards, “damn, you’re direct.”
Shadow looked at all of them, “I was ostracized in the 501st, and you all wanted me. Specifically you vods wanted me here. I don’t want to be ostracized by you guys, but I feel like you’re forgetting me.”
“Shadow,” Mirage frowned, “we’re sorry.”
“Yeah, it’s just…” Coyote trailed off.
“We kind of are doing some secret stuff that no one can know about,” Tracks explained, “we were trying to keep it on the down low.”
“Like gossiping about the General’s crush?” Shadow put his chin to his fist, “they may have been whispering, but the door to her quarters were open when she was telling Cosmos about him.”
Tracks blinked.
Coyote’s jaw dropped.
“Wait,” Mirage shook his head, “she has a crush?”
“On who?” Boomerang pressed.
Shadow pretended to zip his lip, “I can keep secrets too.”
Boomerang went over, shaking Shadow’s shoulders, “tell us!”
“You can be part of the group,” Mirage coaxed.
“You’re clearly the smartest one here,” Tracks nudged Shadow.
Boomerang fixed him a look, “I will hurt you, Too Tall.”
Shadow grinned, “if Cosmos finds out I found out, you all got to protect me.”
“Deal!” Coyote stated, “just tell me it’s someone who won’t hurt her. I promised Fang I’d watch out for her on his deathbed.”
“Okay, okay,” Shadow held up his hands. “It’s not that bad. Keep in mind it’s merely a crush, they’re not dating.”
****
Cosmos stood with Juliette outside the Republic Military base just looking at the big complex while she gathered her bearings.
In her hands, she held a fresh caf in a warm cup.
“It’s just a thank you gift.” Cosmos reminded her, “it’s not a big, grand gesture or declaration of love. He’s probably going take it, say thank you, make some small talk, and send you on your merry way.”
Cosmos gently placed his hand on her back, giving her a little push to get her feet going.
“There’s nothing to be scared of,” Cosmos assured, “if he hurts your feelings, I’ll go in there and straighten him out.”
“Won’t you get in trouble?” Juliette asked over her shoulder.
“Hardwire will bail me out,” Cosmos assured, after he straightens Fox out a second time.
