A Clone and A Jedi Chapter 2

Zoe sat in the transport area of the ship. Nox was with her whilst Headshot piloted the ship. She placed her head in her hands; she felt the death throughout the force. Tears filled her eyes and trickled down her red cheeks. She broke down: she was balling her eyes out.

She wrapped her arms around Nox, catching him by surprise. She paced her head on his shoulder and cried. He went rigid and held his arms around Zoe but not touching her. After a moment Nox placed his arms on her back and not knowing what to do rubbed circles on her back in a soothing manner.

Her crying slowed and her hyperventilating turned into hiccups. Her eyes were rimmed red and her cheeks were stained with tears. She knew she shouldn't feel emotions like this, it wasn't the jedi way. She wiped her eyes with her red palms and whispered "Thank you, Nox"

# # #

Headshot landed the shuttle on Shili. The trio disembarked, not at a spaceport, but on the open grass plains of Shili.

The togruta were a nomadic race, a hunter-gatherer people who never stayed one place for too long. Of course they had a few major cities: one of which being the seat of the royal family.

The trio had landed about 40 clicks east of the capital city of Corvala.

Headshot chimed: "So, this seems comfortable"

"Quiet down trooper", said Nox firmly.

She surveyed the plains of her home…10 years, 10 years since she had been here. The last time she had been here she was 16 and had completed the ritual, which earned her the headdress made of akul teeth and claws, which now adorned her montrals.

"We need to find a place to stay and the capital is to risky," murmured Zoe, More to herself than to the others.

"What are your orders general?" asked Nox. Headshot was surveying the landscape with the scopes provided to all troopers. He spotted a small clone patrol mounted on AT-RT walkers.

"I'm no longer your general, you may call me Zoe" she replied. Headshot walked over and tapped her shoulder. Zoe spun around and he said, " I spotted a patrol, they are headed towards the capital."

She nodded and placed a brick red hand to her chin thoughtfully. Her brow furrowed and her eyes were distant for a moment. She said, "I'll be back by sundown, guard the ship, don't get caught."

She used her force augmentation to run towards the city being careful not to be spotted or run into the clone patrol.

# # #

"So what are you doing helping the general?" asked headshot, sitting on the grass.

"What do you mean? She saved me countless times I'm just repaying the favor" he replied surveying the terrain with his visor.

" I know that's not true," He replied chuckling slightly, "Now tell me, honestly"

"Fine, I admire her, is that what you wanted to hear?" Snapped Nox.

"Jeez, I just wanted to know. Now see I'm out for number one. The first chance I get I'm outta here" Headshot said, chewing on a ration bar.

Nox sat down by Headshot and removed the helmet covering a face of a million men. "I wouldn't do that to the general, she is intelligent and kind. Most of all she cares about us"

"Now it sounds like you're in love with her" Teased Headshot, punching his brother's arm lightly.

Nox looked down and thought "If only knew the truth"

He laughed with his brother but deep down he knew Headshot was right.

# # #

Zoe dashed along the grassy plains; she was going over 50km an hour. She was using the force to enhance her speed and reflexes.

She skidded to a stop by the speeder. She bent down and put her hands just above her knees panting. Her breathing began to slow, as did her heart rate.

Once she had caught her breath she walked around the ship to see the two brothers grinning and joking with each other. She let out a long breath and said tiredly "We really need some speeders or something"

Nox snapped to attention when he heard his ex-generals voice. His hand was by his side and he stood tall and proud. Realizing how silly he looked he blushed and sat down and said quietly "Sorry, force of habit"

Zoe was chuckling to herself and smiled wondering if he would ever stop making her laugh. She placed a republic backpack on the ground and opened it. She tossed the clones each a jogan fruit, which they caught easily. She took a fruit for herself and bit into it as she sat by Nox.

"We should probably get you in some civvies' " she mused as she ate the fruit enjoying the calm of shili.

Nox felt the calm cool wind of shili against his face, the low light that streamed from the ship causing long almost invisible shadows to mimic their moves.

He smiled at his general who smiled back, catching his eyes, before looking away quickly.

When she finished her fruit she stood up and stretched, she said "Well I'm going to bed, ill be in the cockpit if you need me" the soldiers wished her a good night and then continued to laugh and joke with each other.

# # #

Zoe sat in the pilot's chair; it was uncomfortable but better than the floor. She closed her eyes and folded her hands over her chest and let her mind wonder as she drifted into the abyss of sleep.

# # #

N her dreams she saw a future… on with her in it and a tall, armored man with a crimson lightsaber. Then it flashed to a cones face panning out to reveal an infant girl in his arms. Suddenly a crack of thunder and the dream was gone.