A/N: This is unreal i can't believe how many people have read this story from all over the world it will never stop blowing my mind. Thank you all, let me know what you think, please review
The shuttle ride to Mandalore seemed to last forever when in reality it was only ten minutes. Still in a daze from the past 24 hours Hiccup and Astrid just caught glimpses that were the domed cities of Mandalore. Not they missed much they couldn't see into the cities at all until you entered the domes. Noah walked through the shuttle to make an announcement.
"We will be landing in the capital city of Sundari and landing at Fort Cabur home to the best sniper school in the galaxy the Crosshairs." He beamed.
At the mention of the Crosshairs Hiccup's mood picked up a little. He was still reeling from having to witness the executions on board the Interdictor ship but now he would have a distraction to take his mind off of it.
Landing inside the base they gathered their bags and all the recruits began to march towards the base. Blinded by the sudden light of the outside they had to wait a few moments for their eyes to adjust. Once they did however they were met by walls as tall as some apartment complexes and massive turbo laser towers that were spread out all over the compound. All the buildings were the same shade of durasteel grey and none taller than three stories.
Noah was leading the group towards what they assumed was the barracks. Their assumptions would be correct. Noah turned to address the group.
"Alright listen up we are going to separate you all into five squads of ten and you will do everything with your squad. Classroom work, Physical Training or PT, firearm training, guard duty, eat, sleep you get the idea." He said firmly
Hiccup raised his hand with a question
"Sir when will we be able to train at the Crosshairs?"
"Not until you finish your basic training which will take about 12 weeks and during that time you will complete many tests both written and Physical along with the firearm training and be assessed as to where you will most benefit the Empire. So if you want to get into the Crosshairs you better do damn well with that rifle of yours Hiccup." Noah replied smugly.
Hiccup was starting to regret ever learning this guy's name he is starting to become a real jerk. Hiccup nodded knowing that no one on this planet could possibly be a better shot than him. He didn't worry about Astrid either he knew she was more than good enough with Toothless to get accepted into the program. They could handle this.
"Now when I call your name and squad number follow the signs that will you to your bunks." Noah called out.
Hiccup didn't care what squad he ended up in as long as Astrid was in his and Snotlout, Dagur, and Eret weren't. Hiccup was not so lucky on the latter part of his wish. While he and Astrid were both in the same squad so was Snotlout, Dagur and Eret. All was not lost though as Heather, Camicazi, Ruff, Tuff, and Fishlegs were also in their squad.
Walking off to their barracks in relative silence Hiccup was still pissed at Snotlout for threatening Astrid back on the Leviathan and sincerely hoped that neither Snotlout nor his goons would try anything. He was slightly relieved that Heather and the others were in his squad since they stood up to them so maybe that would keep them in line.
As soon as they got to their bunks they all soon settled into pairs one sleeping on the bottom bunk the other up top. Hiccup and Astrid obviously choose the same bunk. Ruff and Tuff choose the one to their right and Heather and Camicazi to their left. Fishlegs and Eret were on the bunk directly across from them and Snotlout and Dagur to the left of them.
Noah came into the room shortly afterwards just as they were unpacking their gear.
"Alright listen up you guys I know that you all don't get along the greatest but at the same time you were all a part of the mission that saved the Leviathan we would be stupid to not put you all together. That being said your squad leader will be Hiccup and your squad name will be taken from the ship that got us there and back safely. Your squad name will be Nightfury you will be part of the 22nd infantry and apart of the 501st legion. Welcome to Empire." His voice lifted towards the end.
A few whoops and yeahs could be heard through their bunk. Snotlout and his goons were irritated that Hiccup was their leader but for their own good kept quiet since Noah was still irritated with him. Settling into their bunks Astrid started up a conversation with Heather and Camicazi.
"Hey its Heather and Camicazi right?" she asked
"Yes it is but please call me Cami." Cami replied
"Very well then Cami, I was wondering where you guys are from on Coruscant and what made you guys want to join the 501st?" Astrid asked
"Well we are from around the senate building. Though we didn't live on the main level we lived in the lower levels of the city just trying to survive. One day when we were walking on the upper level to the jobs we had working in a diner when we passed a poster of a Stormtrooper fighting on some planet and all it said was 'do you have what it takes to make a difference join the 501st and find out'. Cami and I had stared at that poster for about ten minutes before we stormed into the diner we looked at the owner and told him we quit and went to the nearest recruiting center, signed up and here we are with one mission under our belt already and being led by the man who was responsible for that success." Heather replied happily.
"What about you guys, what made you guys want to join." Cami asked
"Well ever since Hiccup and I saw the 501st march down the Streets of Coruscant when we were nine it was all we could ever think about, joining the Empire. So we waited in the lower levels as well jumping from job to job to stay afloat until we reached the age to join and the day that I finally turned of age we walked into the nearest recruiting office and the rest is history." Astrid beamed back at them.
"By the way I know I said thank you already, but seriously thank you guys for yesterday with the… well you know." Astrid said softly not wanting to draw attention to herself.
Cami and Heather both looked at her and just smiled nothing else needed to be said. The rest of the night was spent with the four of them telling stories of their childhood and generally getting to know one another. Hiccup finally asked.
"So what do you guys want to do in Empire where do you guys want to go?" He asked.
"Well Cami and I ever since we signed up wanted to become scouts. We consider ourselves pretty stealthy ourselves and feel like that is how we can best serve the Empire what about you guys?" Heather asked.
"Well Astrid and I are very good snipers, I even have my own sniper rifle that I used in the attack on the Leviathan. I've had Toothless for almost what is it now ten years and Astrid and I were the best sharpshooters in the lower levels of Coruscant." Hiccup beamed with pride.
"So we plan on getting accepted into the Crosshairs to become the best snipers in the galaxy." Astrid followed up.
"You know they usually pair scouts with snipers to make sure the area is clear of any major obstacles maybe we will get paired with guys." Cami mentioned.
"If you guys are as good as you say you are there won't be a target in the galaxy that can hide from us." Astrid said challengingly
Heather and Cami both shot Hiccup and Astrid a grin. With both of them replying.
"You are so on Astrid."
"How about a bet Astrid if either Cami or I can manage to sneak into the armory, Command center, aaand the Crosshairs and not get 'shot' by you guys, you have to admit we are the best stealth scouts in the galaxy." Heather challenged.
"Alright game on Heather but you to have to wear these sensor pads under your guy's shirt and if Hiccup or myself manage to 'shoot' you with these laser pointers that we can attach to our guns(A/N: think of it like laser tag)you guys have to admit that you are the second best stealth scouts in the galaxy to us and that we are the best snipers in the galaxy."
Astrid retorted back playfully but with dead certain determination. She was never one to back down from a challenge and she wasn't about to start now. Shaking hands their deal was agreed upon.
Hiccup had remained quiet for the majority of their exchange with Cami and Heather not that he was annoyed by them but he still couldn't shake this feeling of helplessness that he felt of the ship, the image of those men being executed, Noah giving the order and the captain affirming it. He was staring out into nothing and Heather was the first one to notice it. She gestured to Cami and Astrid to look at him. Shifting their gaze they saw how his eyes looked glazed over and he was starting to tremble.
Astrid grabbed Hiccup by the shoulders gently and started to gently shake him out of it. Shaking his head and coming out of his stupor he noticed all three of were staring at him with concerned looks plastered on their faces. He looked down at his feet as if they were the most interesting thing in the world.
"It happened again didn't it." he stated more than asked
"Yeah it did." Astrid replied gently
"God I wish I could stop these images from popping back up in my head why can't I make them stop?" His voice started to rise in panic.
Before he could break down again Astrid stood him up and pulled him into an embrace. She gestured Cami and Heather to join her.
"Hiccup you aren't alone we were there too we know what you saw and what you are going through. Try to think of this way if the Sgt. Major hadn't ordered us to that those men might have gone on to steal even more ships from us and terrorize more citizens across the Empire." Cami said trying to calm him down.
It seemed to work as he stopped trembling. He broke the embrace and looked at the three women in front of him and smiled back at them.
"Thank you Cami I needed that. I think it will get better over time just if it happens again pull me out of it and maybe let me talk my way through it so I can come to accept it and move on?" He asked.
"Of course Hiccup what else are friends for." Heather replied smiling.
'Friends' Hiccup thought 'Sounds like something I could get used to having'