"Attention on deck!" A voice rang out in the mess hall. Everyone stood up in the mess hall. No one dared to look around as their training prevented it. Here stood the men of the 501st Legion, the best of the best. It had been several days after the Battle of Geonosis, and the 501st took a major role in securing a Republic victory. Four figures strolled down the center of rows of clones standing at attention; one of them being their Jedi Commander Aayla Secura. She walked down the rows and turned around slowly.
"Captain." She spoke and many of the men dared to breathe. She was the most beautiful twi'lek they've ever seen, especially for one of the men; Sergeant Tythorns, or CT-2956. He stood at attention trying to look at her with his peripheral vision. His lungs began to tighten, yet he couldn't bring himself to breathe. Finally his boy reflexes kicked in, and he took a breath. She continued to speak, "I think we are ready to begin the briefing. Get your best men and meet me in the Command Center."
She looked over the men again and walked off. Another figure stepped up, it was Captain Volkes. "Alright men, at ease. Sergeant Tythorns, bring your squad with me."
"Yes, sir!" His response crisply rung out as he motioned for his squad to follow Volkes to the Command Center to see General Secura. As the men began to move, Tythorns quickened his pace to catch up with Volkes. He caught up with the Captain and continued walking with his men. Finally after walking throughout the base, the column had reached the Command Post. Volkes opened the door, and motioned for Tythorns to enter first. Tythorns took a step into the dark dim room only to be greeted by his Jedi General. "Sergeant." She nodded.
"Ma'am." He greeted her as he moved into the room as the rest of his squad came in. She starred at Tythorns as the rest of the squad moved into the room and she began, "I am Jedi Knight Aayla Secura, or General Aayla Secura to the Army of the Republic. I have been assigned to take over this legion. I have been told by your Captain here that Thorn Squad has been repeatedly the best." She paused and starred at the other clones before eyeing Tythorns. "We will not have a break. We are to move onto another area that deems our attention. I need our best to make sure we are ready. I want to have a report by tomorrow." She looked at Volkes and down at the holo-map. "Dismissed." She spoke crisply and Tythorns began to turn around when he heard her voice, "Sergeant Tythorns. We need to speak."
Tythorns turned back around to come face to face with her. He was surprised, he didn't think she'd move that fast around the room. "I have a question for you.. " She paused and looked up into Tythorn's eyes. "Captain Volkes may claim we're ready, but I want to hear it from an NCO like yourself."
"We're set General. Give the word, and I'll destroy a Separatist base myself." He added a grin to bolster his confidence.
"Good. Your squad will be accompanying me from now on whenever I need your men." Aayla grinned, "We'll be departing tomorrow. Get some rest, and be here by 05:30."
"Yes, General." Tythorns said without hesitation.
"Dismissed." Her voice carried a musical tone that left Tythorns breathless. He saluted and turned around to walk out the room.
Tythorns continued towards the barracks and laid down in his section after breaking the news to his men. He looked over at his Phase I Armor with green stripping representing his rank. One of his men, Frame, walked over to his bunker right next to Tythorns. "One fine mess we're getting into, huh Sergeant?"
Tythorns grinned, "Just like Geonosis. Keep your eyes open where ever we're going. She didn't exactly tell me that either." Frame nodded and climbed into his bunk slowly going to sleep. Tythorns looked up and fell asleep dreaming. His general now has inspired his dreams.
Tythorns woke up, and swung out of his bunk. He reached down for his body suit slowly putting it on. He began to put on the rest of his Phase I Armor and reached for his helmet. He pulled it close and reached for his blaster, the DC-15S, he preferred the counter part to the model, the DC-15A, but he accepted the S model anyways for his role as Sergeant in the company, or former company since he was re-assigned. He looked at his helmet with numerous battle marks inscribed into the helmet. Battle memories of Geonosis flooded his mind. He slipped on the helmet and stood up watching the rest of Thorn Squad heading to meet their General. He quickly fell in line behind them as they walked in a single file formation to the Command Post.
As Tythorns opened the door, Aalya looked up at the men. "All here and accounted for General." Tythorns sounded off as he walked through the door. His green stripes more apparent as Aayla looked at the men. She moved closer and began pacing in front of the squad.
"Good. We will be traveling to Abregado-Rae system to work annoyances out." Her face soured as she finished her sentence. The men looked at eachother, and quickly looked back. "Our transport should be here shortly." She said and looked at the men, "You're all that'll be going with me. If Thorn Squad is the best, then I'll assign you personally to me."
"With all due respect, General." Spoke up Private Vets, who stood next to Frame. She looked over at him, "We are the best. Our scores have been the best in the legion. We fought well in Geonosis, and secured multiple objectives under General Windu's command. We didn't take a scratch while other squads took punches. I'm sure I speak for everyone here, but we're damned ready for these missions."
Tythorns eyed Vets through his visor, and Vets knew it was time to step down. Under Tythorn's glare he spoke calmly, "No issue however General..." Aayla looked at Tythorns and back at Vets.
"You may be the best in the legion, but you may not be the best for me." She spoke calmly. Vets nodded and stayed silent, even on the inner coms. "Enough waiting. Let's go." She decreed as she walked passed Tythorns opening the door. The squad followed her as the group passed the mess hall as Flamer, another private, groaned on the inner coms, "And as we leave, they start serving breakfast."
Jupiner laughed, "You're always thinking about your stomach before missions."
Erie looked up. "If he doesn't think about food before missions, it's during missions."
"Go to hell both of you." Flamer growled.
"Knock it off." Tythorn commanded and the coms went silent. A few clones awoke from the barracks and passed the squad as the stood to the side. One looked at Tythorn, it was his friend Razor who nodded as a sign of good luck. Tythorns slightly nodded and walked outside the compound where their transport waited for them. It was a Republic Consular-class cruiser. The crew waited outside the ship, and greeted the Aayla aboard, the clones soon followed.