It was all body language. Even when all he could see were dark shapes in the mist, it was enough. The silhouettes of his many brothers shifting through the trees relayed to him messages, orders, and even the most minute troop movements. The forests of Felucia became exceptionally unwelcoming at night, and it was comforting to see the rest of the legion bolstering the trees rather than a pack of hungry Acklay.

Through the shadows of the jungle, a trooper stopped and made a quick hand gesture. CT-4646 replied with his own and tapped at the edge of his visor to activate the heat sensor. His heads up display became awash in a rainbow of colors, dividing his vision into pools of blue, each of his brothers ahead encircled in fluorescent yellow and orange. Other spots of orange flitted through the trees. The countless creatures of Felucia moved in waves away from the invasive troops. Eight years ago 4646 had been stationed here on Felucia with the 247th Legion. Most of them had made it back. Not enough, but most. The 247th hadn't been the same since though. Once the Chancellor reformed the Republic, the clone facilities were shut down, and non-clone recruiting began. Even through the trees in the dead of night, 4646 could tell the new blood from the old. It was all the same training he supposed, but there was just something absent from the way those troopers moved.

As the land beneath him pulled into a steep slope, 46 checked his rifle again. They were coming up on the ridge - rally point echo for Dire Squad. As his shin-plates dropped into the mud at the top of the rally point, he glanced to his sides to see if his squad mates were in place. A-8724 made the same look from his position, giving 4646 a quick nod. CT-6501 was already in his scopes, and beside him CL-4682 was on the rifle, barrel aimed squarely at their target. Ahead of them was what appeared to be a tree, strangely shaped maybe, but not so different from the other fauna coating Felucia. However, imperial intelligence suggested this tree was home to a rogue listening post, and seeds of rebellion were to be eliminated at all costs. It was the task of Dire Squad to provide overwatch and quietly remove any stragglers left by the main assault force. The goal was to be quick and quiet. On missions like this, 4646 had noticed, the Empire tended to favor legions that had the most clones left over from the war with the Seps. Seemed the brass felt the same way 46 did about new blood. Through the scope of his blaster, 46 could just barely make out the movements of the troopers in the primary assault force. The secondary were nowhere to be seen. That squad was led by CC-5040. If anyone could see him coming, even an ally, he considered it a personal slight.

What 4646 wouldn't give to be front line on this one. He hadn't seen proper action since the Empire, and even though a rogue listening post wasn't exactly top tier excitement, at least he could pull the trigger once or twice. Outside of a range his blaster probably hadn't been fired in half a year. Two taps came from his left. 6501 knocked a fist against his armor plate to get the squad's attention, and lingered a moment on his scope before pulling out and making rapid hand gestures. Something was wrong. 01 signaled that he saw movement in the tree well before the assault force had reached it. Halfway through his last motion, a light flashed from within the tree, and a couple seconds later the sound of an explosion and a small shockwave ripped through the forest around them. Suddenly, radio silence was broken.

"Dire Squad! Break position! Down the ridge, move it move it!"

The four troopers hopped over the ridge in sync, sliding down the muddy shrub-covered slope on the other side. Suddenly the squad was in the dark of the forest again. 46 could barely make out the tip of the listening post through the foliage, but the firelight coming from its center certainly indicated its position clearly. With his boots tapping through the jungle floor and his brothers beside him, 46 could almost see the droids through the trees. The massive feet of an AT-TE… The glow of a lightsaber ahead.

His thoughts were shaken from him as a second detonation sent a ripple through the underbrush, and the fire ahead burned brighter. 46 had to turn off his heat sensor as the firelight began to burn at his retinas. A-8724 held up a fist and Dire Squad stopped dead.

"4682, you and 6501 sweep left and dig a hole on that outcrop over there. I want eyes and blaster fire on any sonofabitch dumb enough to set foot outside of that post without Imperial armor." He turned to 46 and gestured to follow. "46, you're with me. Let's make a slow approach."

"Yes sir!"

The squad split. 82 and 01 disappeared into the trees. 46 followed Alpha 24 at jogging pace through to the edge of a clearing. Through the spaces of the trees, the rebel listening post stood, ablaze. Stormtroopers ran from the entrance, some had made a clean exit just in time. Others were already burning and too far gone. Two of the troopers' paths of retreat led to 24 and 46's position.

"Halt trooper! Report! What happened in there?"

The trooper stopped rigid as soon as Alpha spoke. Clone. Thought 46.

The trooper hesitated in his reply. "-I…don't know, sir. The whole place went up as soon as we breached the door. No one's come out except us as far as I can tell, sir."

"Regroup with your squad and set the perimeter, soldier. I'll radio for fire crews."

The trooper nodded and continued forward to catch up with the other troops.

"46, we're approaching the site. Stay close and keep eyes up on that tree."

"Roger that, sir."

Dire Squad made a dash across the clearing and dropped down behind a large root extending from the structure. Small chunks of burning branches and embers rained down around the radius of the station. As 46 got closer to the tree, it became increasingly clear the thing had been molded around some kind of building. Through the cracks in the tree, he could see the undeniable grey of metallic walls. Where the other troopers had retreated from, a doorway clearly stood. After the initial fireball, the flames had died down, but the walls were blackened and the tree surrounding the door was still fully engulfed. Between the edges of the fire, there was barely enough room to enter without being torched.

"Are we headed in, sir?"

"Someone's got to, 46. The assault squads are scattered. Command has given us the go ahead to scout." Alpha raised his blaster and tapped his thigh-plate, indicating he was prepped to breach. 46 tapped his own and locked his eyes forward.

"Ready when you are, sir."

"Breach!"

The two clones swept in, 46 on the left, Alpha-24 on the right. The room was filled with black, choking smoke. His helmet took care of most of it, but the smell still wafted through. Both clones reactivated their heat sensors and scanned the rooms of the first section. It was a fairly small floor plan, but 46 suspected the base was towered quite high, and likely extended just as much downward. Alpha radioed out to the other two Dires and moments later 82 and 01 filed through the door.

"Any rebels, sir?" 01 asked as soon as he crossed the threshold.

"No, this floor seems abandoned. I've just been informed CC-5040 is somewhere within the facility, or was when the explosives went off. There's no evidence he's been K.I.A'd, so command says we are to follow the original intelligence and push downward into the lower levels until we can extract 5040 and his men. Do you all understand?"

"Solid copy, sir. Sweep to extraction." 82 looked to the stair at the far corner of the room. "Permission to take point, sir?"

"Granted. I'm on second. 46 and 01 on rear guard. Move out."

The lower corridors were dark, but the smoke became less dense the deeper Dire Squad delved. Each room they cleared was just as empty as the first. There were rooms of cots that seemed recently used, but other than that, it seemed most of the facility had been entirely cleaned out. 46 followed in second to last the whole way down and felt himself growing increasingly on edge. Why would the rebels leave a corridor as long and defendable as this one? If they were going to make a proper retreat, this would be where 46 would have barricaded, maybe laid down some mines or traps. But so far, the hallway remained entirely clear. 82 stepped out of a room to 46's right and glanced around behind the squad. His hand knocked against 46's shoulder.

"Hey, where's Longhand?"

46 felt a pang of memory and cleared his throat to rid himself of it. Names hadn't been permitted since the Imperial reformation, but sometimes in the heat of a combat zone clones would forget – drift back to the old days. "You mean 6501? I uh…" Suddenly he realized the trooper was absent from their line. "Shit."

4682 sighed and turned to catch up with Alpha's advance. "I swear that clone's a bad batcher."

Alpha turned as 82 approached and 46 could see Alpha's shoulders drop. "Where the hell is 6501?"

Suddenly 01 emerged from the room ahead. "Here! Didn't realize I'd be so dearly missed."

"What the hell are you doing at the front, 01?" Alpha growled.

"46's got a good handle the rear, sir. Thought I'd join you and 82 in the room clearing."

"Without notifying? I could have shot you, trooper!"

6501 lowered his head. "Y-yes, sir. Sorry, sir. Won't happen again."

"Back of the line!"

"Yes, sir!"

A shout rang down from the dark end of the hallway, ending Dire's chatter in an instant.

"Designation CC-5040 approaching! Hold your fire!"

Alpha breathed a sigh of relief and lowered his weapon with the rest of Dire Squad. "Solid copy, Sir! You are free to approach!"

From the shadows a trooper took shape, and another five followed behind him. Alpha saluted, as did the rest of Dire.

"What happened down here sir?"

CC-5040 paused for a moment then gestured back the way they came. "Small rebel unit. Scouts. Likely sent to rig those explosives on the main floor. We've cleaned up the rubbish."

"Why wasn't the rest of the base manned?" CT-6501 asked, fiddling with his helmet.

"They must have caught wind of our attack in advance." CC-5040 replied, stepping past 6501 and the rest of Dire. "And I expect a 'sir' at the end of every sentence, trooper."

"Sir. Yes, sir." 6501 stood back at attention as the commander passed.

5040 slid his officer's pistol back into its holster and strode up the hallway until face to face with a looming figure the troopers of Dire had only just now noticed standing behind them. "The bodies are just ahead, my lord - should you wish to examine them."

"Thank you commander, you've done well. Take your men to the surface and keep the base clear." The figure took long rigid strides along the hallway. His armor shone even in the dim light of the hallway, and the shoulder cloak that hung from his right side held the emblem of the elite. The emblem of the inquisitor. A lightsaber tapped at his side and 46's eyes couldn't help but follow it as he walked past. The inquisitor shifted a cursory gaze at Dire Squad. As he disappeared into the darkness ahead he continued speaking to 5040. "And leave these rooms untouched. I wish to search them myself."

CC-5040 nodded even though the inquisitor couldn't see it. "Alright boys, you heard him. Let's move it to the surface! You too Dire Squad!"

Alpha-24 gestured to the Dire and they followed the rest of 5040's squad in quick march towards the surface. Alpha dropped back in the march and knocked on the side of 6501's helmet. "I have a few words for you about your conduct today, trooper. I expect you'll be pulling cleaning duties for the whole squad until we leave orbit."

"Sir. Understood, sir."

The Void Walker; home sweet home. 4646 stepped into the squad's bunk room and felt himself begin to relax. He dwelled on the day's events even now, but at least here he had the luxury of those thoughts. The battlefield was no place for a wandering mind. Alpha still hadn't returned from the debrief but that was usual. 6501 and 4682 were both seated and removing their plate armor to hand off to the cleaning droids. 46 did the same until the bots rolled in. The troopers dumped their gear unceremoniously in the bin but 6501 kept his helmet tucked beneath his arm. 4646 gazed down at it questioningly. 01 shrugged as he noticed 46's stare.

"It's clean enough already."

Clone troopers were terrible at lying to one another. "We both know that aint the case, Longhand."

The trooper grimaced and took a nervous glance towards the door. 46 could see the look in his eye quite clearly. Fear. Real fear. That was an emotion he hadn't seen in quite a while.

Longhand nodded to 46 and 82. "Alright. Quick before Alpha gets back. I wanted to run this by you two anyhow." The clone suddenly tugged out the padded lining of his helmet and pulled a small cube out of the ear divot.

"Haar'chak, Longhand did you bring contraband off planet!?" 4682 said. 4646 glanced up at him. He hadn't heard any clone speak Mandalorian since…

Longhand sighed. "It's worse than that ner vod. I'm… I'm sorry." He turned the object over and the clones stared at two small words scratched into the side of the object.

Jacken Cabos.

4646's eyes widened and he was struck dumb. Jacken Cabos, the clone wars, the Jedi… Memories ripped through his mind.

82 turned to Longhand and clocked him full in the jaw. "Di'kuut! Di'Kuutla dinii! Why would you take something like that!? Treasonous piece of-"

"Attention!"

The three troopers were tugged roughly back to reality. 6501 knocked his helmet and the cube under his bunk in a flash and stood to attention with the other two.

Alpha strode past them, strutting around in the strict angered way only a commanding officer could.

"What is the meaning of this!? 82, 01? Care to offer me insight?"

Both remained silent. Lips trapped shut by the weight of the decision whether to speak. This was a reaction Alpha was not used to.

"Speak! Up! That is an order! 46?" He turned to the one who had not been fighting. "Do you have any light to shed on this situation?"

4646 took a deep breath. "Heated argument sir. Battle stress. Won't happen again."

Alpha leaned in close to 46 and gritted his teeth. "That is not good enough, soldier. I asked for an explanation. Explanation demands cause. Now I want to know why my troopers are clocking each other in the damned bunkhouse."

6501 snapped his upright stance to get the commanders attention once again.

"You finally have an answer for me, trooper?" Alpha asked staring the clone down.

"Sir, Yes sir." 6501 knelt down and reached beneath his bunk to retrieve the cube. Both the other troopers shared a sharp intake of breath.

Longhand lifted up the cube hesitantly, flipping it to the side with the writing and presenting it to Alpha's outstretched hand.

6501 sighed but held his gaze on the commanders twisting face. "I'm sorry, sir. I saw the name and I just…"

Alpha turned to 82. "Now I understand why you hit him, ner vod." He looked back into 6501's stare and continued. "I take it this lapse in judgment has implications as to your loyalties, trooper? You realize the Jedi were and still are dangerous traitors?"

"My loyalty lies with my brothers, sir. As it always has." Longhand paused glancing once more at the open door to the bunk, nervous that someone might pass. "But it was the Jedi who named us, they let us be brothers. Here we're surrounded by new-blood generals and numeric names and…" He trailed off for a moment, lowering his head. "I'm sorry, sir. It was a mistake."

"It surely was." Alpha said closing his fist around the small Jedi holocron. "But there are consequences that-"

A black suited figure stepped into the room and Dire Squad was suddenly turned to address it. Alpha's fist closed tightly around the cube and stood at attention with the rest. Their superior officer was new-blood. He was pale skinned like the rest of the commanding force, human obviously, and male. His posture was stiff and his step was long as he strode across the room between the divided squad. His height didn't send him any higher than the physically perfected clone troopers, but his air of superiority rocketed him above them, and his voice was full and commanding.

"It seems I have stepped into a situation, gentlemen." He began, hands clasped securely behind him. "Unforeseen situations are not permitted under my command. Perhaps you would like to bring your conflicts to the rest of the command crew…" He cleared his throat pointedly. "… And the inquisitor that currently sits at its head."

4682. Birgaan, 46 suddenly found himself thinking. That was what they'd used to call 82...Birgaan.

The clone stepped forward. His feet tapped to attention in what seemed like slow motion. The rest of the squad stood rigid as their superior whirled on heel and gazed down on 82. Longhand's eyes looked a thousand miles off into the black, his breath caught midway up his throat just as 4646's was. 82 looked ahead of himself, daring not to look into the black-suited officer's eyes, and especially not into Longhand's. He began to speak, his voice cracking briefly on his first word before pushing himself forward.

"CT-6501 has brought contraband from the surface sir. We were debating whether we should bring the object to you or directly to the inquisitor, sir."

4646's heart dropped into his feet. 6501 was as good as dead now. New-blood officers would never cover something like this. Longhand was gone. The officer turned to Alpha who opened his hand, forcing himself to nod to the Sergeant and affirm 82's claim. Sergeant Ghedus took the cube, rolling it over in his hand before dropping his eyes to the forward facing, shaking expression of 6501.

"These are serious crimes, CT-6501. You will come with me."

"Sir, yes sir." 6501 exchanged a brief look with each member of Dire squad as he strode at attention behind the officer. Sergeant Ghedus radioed the MP's as he stepped from the room and soon the Void Walker was abuzz in activity. Dire squad sat in silence for a long time. Soon enough the MP's came for them too, and they were brought to the command council. 6501 was nowhere to be seen. He was likely already being tortured. Longhand would be dead in some deep pit of the detention block within the hour, and there was nothing they could do about it.