Hey hey everyone! Welcome to the tie-in-collection-of-one-shots story that many of you wanted back when Aliit ori'shya tal'din ended. These won't be in any particular order, but most will take place on Kamino during training and the like. Again, the focus will be mostly on Chess Squad, but I'll probably something for the Ghost Squad as well =P
If any of you have some sort of request, or something you want to see, feel free to tell me. The next few chapters won't be requests because I have some things planned out, but if I say I'll do it, I will (eventually)
Okay then, if you have any questions ask here, or on my tumblr: Shadow-is-upon-us or brothers-all (you can also come and request there or just talk about anything)
Chess Squad (minus Rex) Ghost Squad (minus Cody) and Mortimer are my OCs along with a few trainers and other clones. If you want, I can do some special chapters with your own OCs or cannon characters (as long as it fits the story)
...I think that's all? Sorry for the long intro, just wanted to make some things clear ^^
ANYWAY! Onwards! Read, review and above all, enjoy~
Time passes quickly in war, but everyone needs to take time to recall what happened.
"Anakin, glad you could make it."
"Of course Master. What is the situation?"
"It'll all be explained in due time. Did you leave Ahsoka and Rex on the ship?"
"No, they came to Coruscant with me. Rex said something about meeting up with Cody and Ahsoka is supposed to be with Barriss."
"I see. Well, as long as they don't get themselves in trouble."
"Have a little faith in us, Master."
"That's about as much faith as I can have in all of you."
He sighed as he opened the door, hearing the booming music, loud chatter and joyful laughter hit him soon after. The alcohol in the air was thick, but not sickly so. He saw many brothers just smiling, dancing and talking… relaxing. A few nodded at him, many didn't even pay attention and a couple looked slightly feared. Those must be pretty sober, if they're worrying about a superior walking around. But his attention was at the counter, where four brothers were already waiting.
"Hey, hey! Look who made it!" Jet laughed, turning around.
"Rex! Finally came, eh?" Cody offered a handshake and a seat near him.
"Didn't realize I had to run down here," the Captain grinned, sitting down.
"Yeah well, when we heard the 501st was coming here as well, we had to invite ya," Bull nudged him in the shoulder.
"Surprised you didn't bring anyone else," Jewels just finished his drink.
"Yeah well…" Rex looked over his shoulder, spotting a few familiar faces and a few more walking in. "They get around."
"What about Ahsoka? She at the meeting?" Cody asked as Rex got his own drink.
"She's actually meeting with a friend. Barriss Offee, I think?"
"Oh, Gree's Commander?" Jet casually twirled his drink.
"He just left I think? Him and Bly didn't look too good though," they snickered, knowing those two could hardly hold their drink.
"As long as they don't blow anything up, they're good," Rex drowned the drink and set the glass back down, getting another round.
"Oh, like the time Jezdec crashed the simulator?" the blonde actually choked on the liquid, hand over his nose to try and not spill it.
"That got out?" he managed to ask, coughing and wiping away any liquid that did manage to get out of his nose.
"Oh yeah. Your boys aren't that good at keeping quiet about stuff blowing up," Jet laughed, leaning on the counter.
"I still can't believe they managed to get Bishop drunk… He never had any issues with it," Rex shook his head, before his smile started to drop and his shoulders went slack. "…They would have loved this place…"
The 212th all shared a look of guilt and sorrow, before Cody put a hand on the blonde's shoulder, getting him to look back.
"I'm sure they're having the time of their life, watching you, knowing you're still living for them," Cody said gently, seeing the Captain give a weak nod.
"I just wish they could've gotten to meet some of the boys… Fives, Jezdec and Jesse would be such a constant headache… Bishop and Echo would probably just sigh at everyone and everything… Hardcase and Turm would finally have someone to compete with… Pion and Kix would be dragging everyone three ways backwards into the infirmary…" he mused, a weak smile making its way to his lips.
There was a short pause of silence, each man recalling the good old days, when the ten of them would mess around on Kamino and get their shebs handed to them by Mortimer. Rex turned his head slightly, eyeing the scar across the Commander's face.
"Don't want to get that patched up?" he saw the man's surprised look, and the other Ghost Squad members sharing a glance.
"…None of us do. The wounds from Felucia…" Jet was staring at his drink, voice low.
"Lander gave them to us, the only way he knew how… By saving our lives," Jewels leaned back, arm swung behind the chair.
"It's kinda like he left his mark on us. We don't want to get rid of it," Bull gave a small shrug, a distant smile on his face.
"Like you'd ever get rid of the scars, Rex. They tell our stories," Cody lightly nudged him in the shoulder, getting a chuckle out of the blonde.
"Fair enough…" he shoved the older man back, shaking his head. It eased his mind, knowing he wasn't the only one who actually treasured his scars. They started chatting about some more ridiculous stuff they've all done, complained about their Generals and their crazy plans or just plain out compared their feats.
"Times like this? Really makes me wish those idiots would be back here…" it might have been the drink talking, as Rex drowned another glass.
"You'd have your hands full. At least Commander Tano would help," Jewels slid him another drink, ordering one himself.
"Ha! She's join in the fun," Rex laughed, letting out a deep breath. "It's been a year…"
"And here we all are, still alive and kicking. I'd say we're doing pretty well," Bull grinned, flipping the glass around, signaling he's had enough. They've all been here for a while now.
"We were trained by the best," Jet added, giving a nod, but the world shook with it and he had to steady himself on the counter.
"We should visit Mortimer again sometime. Who knows, maybe he'll use one of our stories as examples again," Cody got chuckles out them, but there was so much noise around them, he was starting to get a headache.
"99 would probably find some more chocolate to smuggle in. Where does he find it?" Jewels rubbed his chin in thought, missing the grab for his drink and giving up on it.
"Think the trainers are helping him?" Bull yawned, leaning on the counter, running a hand over his face.
"Maybe… There are some good ones left, right?" Jet rubbed his eyes, trying to clear the fog but it did little to help.
"You boys are getting wasted," Rex laughed into his drink, finishing it soon after as he himself started to feel the effects.
"Some of us only get to drink here, Rex ol' boy," Cody smirked, missing the man shoulders and almost falling down the chair.
"It happened twice, Cody ol' boy," the blonde laughed, hitting his shoulder with his own.
"Still more times than us," the Commander steadied himself, blinking.
"Yeah, and it clearly shows. Now c'mon, someone needs to drive you back," Rex shook his head at how quickly they got drunk. But then again, these idiots were here before him, so they probably drank more.
"Fives, Echo, Jesse – any of you able to stand?" he called casually, throwing Cody's arm over his shoulder.
"S-Sir?" the three sat by a table, looking rather scared. They weren't expecting him to see them so quickly.
"These fine gents need some help. Looks like they forgot how to walk," the blonde smiled as the trio walked over. Fives managed to get Bull to his feet, Echo helped Jet stand and Jesse almost tripped when Jewels leaned on him.
"The 501st to the rescue again," Jesse smirked, seeing the 212th looked more green than before. Did they really drink so much, or were they just weak against alcohol? Then again, Kenobi must not have any of it on the Negotiator… Or at least none that he shares.
It took only a few minutes, but they managed to get the 212th men to the cab area. Cody had managed to sober up slightly, but still leaned on the blonde.
"You should drink more Cody – might hold your own better," Rex chuckled when he heard Bull had thrown up in a corner.
"Maybe we'll drop by the Resolute for a party," the Commander grumbled, sitting down in the back of the cab.
"We'll be waiting," Rex smirked and made way for the other Ghost Squad member.
"Thanks," Echo had said to the driver, giving him a bit of credits.
"Man, they really are bad at drinking," Fives whistled as he watched the cab drive away.
"…They were probably just drinking the strong stuff," Rex sighed, the cold breeze clearing away his own fogginess.
"What for?" Echo turned to the Captain and saw Jesse glance at the man, as if knowing something.
"…Trying to forget most likely… Probably why they invited me," Rex sighed, stretched his arms and cracked his neck.
The trio shared a look. Jesse knew of the Chess Squad, but Echo and Fives have only heard rumors from their brothers. Maybe, one day, the man would tell them what really happened…
"Remember boys, don't drink too much, but enjoy it while you can," Rex hated the sudden silence and had to break it.
"You're already leaving?" Fives raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, I need to… visit a few friends," the Captain looked at the sky, a ghost of a smile on his face.
"Tell 'em 'Hi' for the rest, eh?" Jesse lightly nudged him in the shoulder.
"Haha, sure."
He walked as night fell, nodding in greetings to the City Guard or smiling at kids as they and their parents walked home. He purposely took the long way there, letting the cool air breeze past him. He could soon see what he came for – an enormous slab of Geonosian rock, dead center in the military base. It marked the names of all troopers who died in the first battle of Geonosis. No guard gave him more than a passing look as he walked up to it, scanning the many names.
He gave a weak smile, knowing their names weren't here but… it was the closest thing clones had to a place of mourning. He's heard and seen a few brothers come here, remembering their fallen and trusting the old ones, the first ones, to watch over them.
"Hope you're all doing well…" he whispered, carefully resting a hand on the stone. "And I'm doing alright, despite what you di'kute did…" he bowed his head, eyes closing. "A lot more have died, but I try and do as I promised – save as many as I can… But this war- this cursed war…" he looked up again. "I don't know if it's worth surviving… Because, what happens when it's over?" a humorless chuckle escaped him as he looked back down.
All was silent for a few minutes, until he felt a hand on his shoulder. He at first through he was imagining it, maybe thinking it was one his fallen brothers, but looking over his shoulder, he spotted a familiar Togruta and a young Mirialan.
"Commander?" he was so shocked; he didn't even believe it at first.
"Sorry, I – I didn't mean to invade but…" Ahsoka bit her lip. "But the Force around you was weeping… I just- I wanted to make sure you were alright."
"…I am. Thank you, Commander Tano," he swallowed, nodding and giving a forced smile.
"Please, just Ahsoka. Like you said, I don't really outrank you just yet," she winked, her smile truer than his. "Oh, right! Rex, this is my friend – Barriss Offee. Barris, meet the 501st Captain, Rex."
"I have heard a great many things about you, Captain," the Jedi gave a bow of her head.
"Likewise sir," he saluted, his previous tension leaving.
"I won't even ask why you're here," Ahsoka laughed, and he abruptly looked away. "But c'mon, let's go. It's getting cold and I don't want to get sick."
"I'm guessing the General doesn't know you're here either?" he raised an eyebrow and she returned a sheepish grin.
"Let's keep it between us, okay?"
"As you say, Ahsoka."
He might tell her, one day. If she asks. Or maybe he won't. He… isn't really sure yet. Maybe it's better if the kid never knows… But he figured he'll cross that bridge when he gets to it.
Cut! Well, that was the start and that's why it's kinda of a special chapter. The rest will (mostly) be set during training and everything
I won't rant here as well because I did enough of that above so...
Hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading! If you fancy a review, do that! I'd love to hear what you think about it!
Till next time~
