Here's the new one, assuming people still read this...
Oakenshield34: I'm sure everyone does. They're just... bastards. No better way to put it. Everyone was feeling guilty about what happened though
So, this one features some wonderful OCs from the lovely fan-art-ic on Tumblr (check em out)
Mate, I hope I did your kids justice and all.
Read, review and enjoy
There are times, when the best one can do, is try and forget the horror around them.
Getting others to follow suit may be harder than one would think, yet it's always worth a shot. Some friendly competition never hurts, right?
"So, what's the word?" Bishop was the first to ask as they saw Rex enter the barracks.
"Well, for now, we're straying in this sector. The Generals believe there might be another attack," the Captain explained, running a hand over his head.
"Great, all alone in the middle of nowhere," Jezdec rolled his eyes, plopping back on his bed.
"What, don't we count?" Turm leaned over him, poking the man in the ribs.
"Pff, you're always around."
"I don't know, having a bit of a breather sounds good," Pion turned back to the blonde.
"Did they say anything else?" Appo asked, leaning on one of the beds.
"As a matter of fact, they did," Rex wasn't really sure how to go about this. "There's another battalion nearby – the 604th and they'll be joining us in a short while. They've been out here for a bit and are low on supplies. I expect you all to behave," the man turned his eyes to Jezdec, who made a face but didn't sit up.
"604th? Haven't heard much about them… Who's their General?" the Sergeant asked, sounding more interested than anyone else.
"General Dyra, I believe. Only saw her for a short bit on the holo-projector."
"I've heard of her. Really powerful in the Force and… blind, I think?"
"Wait, what, blind?" Jezdec jumped from his bed, almost smacking into Turm.
"A Miraka or something?" Appo shrugged, unable to remember.
"Miraluka," Pion corrected, getting the others to give him a look. "Their whole race is born without eyes," he grinned as they grimaced. At least she has the Force…
"At any rate, don't do anything stupid, alright?"
"Aye aye Captain!"
"General Dyra, welcome aboard," Anakin gave a bow of his head as the woman, along with some of her men, came onto his ship.
"Thank you for the assist General Skywalker," she returned the bow with a smile. She had short brown hair, a yellowish Jedi outfit and some sort of metal cover over where her eyes were supposed to be.
"General," Rex walked up to them, giving a salute. "You called?"
"Yes," Anakin turned to the blonde. "Show our guests to the mess would you? And show them where their supplies are."
"Right away sir," Rex already called the others on the com. link.
"Generals," the 604th Captain walked up behind the Miraluka. "The boys want to get off the ship for a bit. Would it be a bother if they came here?"
"I don't see why not," Skywalker shrugged, giving a grin.
"Just make sure Riff and Raff don't do anything…" Dyra said more quietly to her Captain.
"Of course," the man nodded and was just about to leave, when he spotted the 501st Captain looking at him.
"Yes?"
"Oh, sorry, I just-,"
"The eyes?"
"Yeah. Blue? Haven't seen someone like that. Natural mutation?"
"Indeed," there was a pause as they looked at each other. "Sorry, Captain Jewels."
"Haha," Rex laughed, taking the offered hand. "Sorry, I know someone else by the same name. I'm Captain Rex."
"Captain!" both of them turned at the call, only to see a man in purple.
"What is it Jag?" the newcomer had hair similar to Rex, but with two brown streaks from one side of the temples to the other.
"Ringer and Inquire need some help," the man gave a salute the other Captain.
"Right," Jewels gave a tired sigh. "Sorry, but I need to make sure nothing happened."
"It's fine, better safe than sorry."
"I'm leaving you in charge Sergeant Jag. Aspen and Glint should already be here, along with Riff and Raff – make sure they don't embarrass us…" Jewels said to his brother, who nodded back in assurance.
The two blondes stared at each other for a few seconds, before they both opened their mouths at the same time, only to close them again, as if letting the other man speak. But before either really could, there was some commotion happening behind them.
"Can I have look? Please!" Pion was smiling so hard some thought his face might crack in half, but it was the reason that worried Rex.
"Pion, leave the brother be," Turm was holding the medic back, who was looking at another man in purple, a shaved line above his ears and green eyes. So, that's what it was…
"But – But-! His eyes! I've only heard of brothers with different eye colors!"
"Pion, stop it, seriously," Bishop had to step in, with Jezdec looking at their Captain for help.
"…I'm so sorry," Rex said, eyes going to the Sargent who looked more confused than anything else.
"I don't think he minds too much… He's had a few rookies gawk at him too, but none quite like that," Jag's expression changed to mild amusement as they walked closer.
"Is there a problem?" another man in purple walked closer. Half of his face was burned, but he seemed on the calmer side.
"Aspen, it's alright," the green-eyed soldier stopped him, an awkward look on his face.
"Pion!" at the call, the gathered men turned towards the voice, all of them seeing their superiors and squad mates.
"…I'm sorry…" Pion said, embarrassed, and turned to the green-eyed clone. "I really didn't mean anything by it. I just… really wanted to know more."
"Glint, I was just telling the Captain here you've had shinies do the same," Jag addressed the man, who had reacted better to the 'pawn's insistence than anyone thought.
"It's true, so, no harm done," Glint turned to the medic, who still looked very much embarrassed. "It's actually a natural mutation. Our Captain has the same thing."
"That is so amazing!"
The twos' brothers shook their heads as they entered a conversation about the whole thing, though it was clear Glint was no medic about it. The others shared a quick look, almost analyzing the others, when a scream got their attention.
"Hey, the hell!" Jezdec yelled, jumping around with his hands behind his collar.
"…Oh no…" the 604th men all muttered, knowing full well what happened.
"Jez, watch out for the-!" Bishop didn't get a chance to finish as the 'knight' tripped over one of the crates, falling over and on his face.
"Riff! Raff!" Jag yelled, annoyed, as laughter could be heard near the fallen soldier. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Just having some fun," from behind the loaded crates, stepped two brothers, who were more identical than any other clone. In fact, the only difference stopped by the Chess Squad, were two tattoos on their necks – one had Aurek and the other Isk.
"Jez, you okay?" Turm helped his brother stand, who just managed to get ice out of his collar, and was glaring daggers at the two.
"I will be when I-," but the 'knight' didn't get to finish as the 'rook' put a hand over his mouth, letting out a long breath.
"I'm so sorry about these two," Jag turned to Rex who looked exhausted. "They're rookies and tubemates, which probably made them more hyper than normal."
"Tubemates?" Pion pipped up, eyes wide. "Oh my-!"
"No. Pion, no," the 'king' said, trying to contain some of the damage.
"Jez!" they heard Turm call as he slipped out of his brother's grasp and jumped on the tubemates, knocking them to the ground.
"Jokers, are ya? Ever gotten a noogie?" the two were probably in too much shock to react, but out of nowhere, two pairs of hands pulled all three of them up.
"Idiots," Aspen and Bishop muttered, each holding his brother. The two shared a look, eyes narrowing, before finally releasing their brothers.
"Nice tattoo."
"Nice scars."
"…" Jag and Rex just shared a look, watching. Jezdec had picked himself up and Turm joined him, while Riff and Raff laughed and seemed sheepish. Pion was back to gushing over with Glint, who seemed to be enjoying himself as well. And Bishop and Aspen were standing inches away, arms folded and sharing words about… something.
"This is going to be fun…" where were their Generals when they were needed…
"Jag! Sergeant!" said man took a quick breath, eyes widening slightly and shoulders tensing. Rex on the other hand, only turned, seeing a Pantoran making his way to them. He had the Jedi gear as well, so he must be a Padawan. And the yellow marks on his face reminded the Captain of something…
"Commander Xiyro," Jag turned, voice slightly higher than before. "What can I do for you?"
"I'm looking for Master Dyra. Have you seen her?"
"I think she went with General Skywalker to the mess."
"Oh, alright…" there was a pause as the Padawan hesitated. "Care to join us?"
"I'd, love to, but we have a… situation right now. Maybe later," Rex remained silent, but he was slowly putting together the pieces. He spotted the facial markings were on Jag's shoulder pads as well.
"Alright, good luck then," Xiyro grinned, looked past the two at the others and laughed. "They seem to be having fun."
"…We'll handle it," Jag turned to the Captain, who gave a nod. With a bow from the Padawan, the blue man left and headed to the mess.
"I just have no idea how…" the Sergeant said afterwards.
"I got an idea," Rex smirked. "I just hope your boys are up to it."
"I have to say, it's not the worst idea I've ever heard…" Jag mumbled as he stood with his team, looking towards his opponents.
"It's one of his better ideas," Jezdec smirked, while Rex just rolled his eyes.
"Why am I here?" Aspen frowned, eyes going from the Sergeant to the Captain.
"Because they needed as fifth man and you were there," Bishop answered, a hint of challenge in his voice.
"So long as I get to strangle those two, I don't care," Jezdec grinned at the tubemates, Turm cracking his knuckles, as Riff and Raff accepted their challenge.
"The things we do…" Pion sighed, shoulders dropping.
"Hey, c'mon, this might be fun!" Glint tried to lighten it up as the rest gathered.
The ten of them were in the training area, as their brothers came in and settled around the area, anticipating the show. Captain Jewels was still back on the ship, something the 604th was grateful for, and the Jedi were doing their own thing. Although Xiyro had come, cheering on his own men.
"Come now Sergeant, focus."
"I will murder you two."
"Hey, we never caught your Squad name!" the 501st men grinned, standing in a line.
"Flow Squad," Jag answered, his own brothers in ready position.
"Heh, then just go with the flow, huh?"
"Ignore him – he won't ever let it go again…"
"Maybe he will when we kick his sheb."
"Oh, I think that was a threat."
"Don't push us, kid."
"What kind of name is Aspen anyway?"
"What kind of name is Jezdec?"
"What are you called then?"
"Chess Squad."
"Hah, then this will be check mate for you."
"Come and get some."
It was hours later, that Anakin and Dyra finally left the mess hall. They actually had a really nice conversation about a lot of stuff, and the 604th General was planning to check on her men. Something about 'feeling a disturbance' but Skywalker didn't sense anything out of the ordinary. Mostly because what they found, was ordinary for him…
The hanger was mostly empty, but they both sensed a lot of concentration in the training area. Nothing good could come out of that… Making their way there, the two were treated to a rare sight between the boys.
Turm was holding Riff over his head, Raff was trying to knock the big man down with Pion aiming a low kick for his legs. Glint just jumped over Jezdec, causing him to crash into the ground and skid on the ground. Aspen and Bishop were dodging and firing stun blasters, set on very low, while trying to cover for their brothers, as Rex and Jag moved to hand-to-hand exchanging blows and kicks. The soldiers, plus the Padawan were cheering on pretty much everyone, happy when either team was winning. They haven't even noticed the Generals.
"…What's going on?" Dyra asked, turning her head to the man.
"Oh, they're having a friendly match," Anakin said in short, wondering how this must seem to someone without eyes and only the Force to guide them.
"Friendly? They're fighting…"
"Stress relief. My men do it often enough. As long as no one gets really hurt, there's no reason to worry."
"If you say so," there was a pause before she spoke again. "Who's winning?"
"…Well, one of yours is rolling on the ground with one of mine. The Captain and Sergeant just punched each other in the chest. A big guy from our side just dropped on his back with one of yours on it, while our medic took a breather with another one on the younger side. The last two just lost their ammo and are going hand-to-hand as well…"
"Sounds like fun… Where's my Padawan? I sense he's here but-,"
"He's really close to where your Sergeant is. Looks eager to join in though."
"Ah, yeah, he usually does."
"They'll stop soon… All of them are exhausted."
"Good. It means they let the stress out."
"Any idea how long you'll stay here?"
"We're under orders to wait for further orders. So, I think as long as you are, given there's supposed to be another attack."
"Maybe next time, we can come visit your ship."
"Haha! That would be interesting indeed…"
Cut! So, this was fun to do and I enjoyed it. Hope ya'll did as well. Thanks again to fan-art-ic for letting me use their OCs and if you wanna learn more about them, check out their Tumblr.
Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed. Feel free to review
Till next time