Back to the cruiser, back to being useless. We came on first thing in the morning a couple days ago. Fives isn't here. Off fighting somewhere else. Tup is no where to be found either.
I tap my foot impatiently, bored to tears and feeling guilty for not doing anything. The second Rex comes into the Mess, I wave him over. He grabs his food and sits down.
"What's got you so on edge?" Is his greeting.
"Literally nothing. I've got nothing useful to do." He inspects me. This makes me fidget more.
"Do you have any specialties?"
"Fighting."
"Anything else?" I think about it.
"Sarcasm. I'm at my best on the battlefield."
"I take it you never got to pilot a ship."
"Nope. That would end in a crash."
"Hmm. Strategy courses?" I shake my head.
"I think on my feet." He pinches the bridge of his nose.
"Computer training?"
"No."
"Did you learn anything before you left or afterwards?"
"How to shoot straight and use arm-blades. I got good at making quick exits." He sighs.
"You really weren't going to be a soldier, were you." It was a statement, but I still nod. "Alright. Then we'll work with what you do know. You're a fighter, make quick exits, agile, what else? Anything that you can put to good use." I take a few moments.
"I can swim quickly, um, have a high pain tolerance, pretty much all the physical advantages of a clone. I learned how to hot wire an astromech to explode." That catches his attention.
"Any other tricks?" He prods.
"Homemade bombs using alcohol, snares, booby traps. Fun things like that." He contemplates this for a minute.
"There happens to be quite a few clones who only specialize in battle. They fight, end of story." As much as that appeals to me, I have to wonder what kind of existence that would be.
"Huh. Good to know there's something normal about me." I feel discouraged that fighting is the only thing I really show talent for.
"Nah, being normal would be too boring for you." That I can believe.
"You're probably right. Changing the subject, which planet are we heading to now?"
"Coruscant. Shore leave until further notice." I squirm with discomfort.
"Days with nothing to do. I'll be going insane until further notice."
And most likely a lab appointment for me. I do not want to be on that planet. I've got to stop complaining. Whining about it won't help.
"You'll find something to occupy yourself with." He assures me. He hands over a comlink. "You should have one. Do you know how it works?"
"Yes. Thank you."
"And Commander Cody sends his apologies for accidentally shooting you on Christophsis." He adds.
"Thanks for telling me. I'm just glad he didn't shoot to kill."
"Agreed." Just then, a haggard looking Kix walks in.
"Looks like that hangover caught with him." I say, thinking aloud. Rex twists in his seat to see who I'm referring to.
"Looks like it." Rex raises a hand slightly when the medic looks around for a seat. He joins us, looking worse up close.
"Hi." He mumbles. We exchange pleasantries, talking quietly to not provoke the headache he most likely has. When Kix pinches the bridge of his nose, I smirk.
"So what have we learned about drinking today?" I ask impishly. He gives me a withering look.
"It's an evil that shouldn't be indulged." He grumbles. This gets snorts of amusement from both me and Rex. As usual, breakfast is just small enough to keep us hungry. I scowl at my empty tray, as if glaring at it will make more food appear.
"Careful, Twitch. You might set it on fire if you keep that up." Rex jokes. I forgot how potent my frowns are.
"Now, if I could make things burst into flames by glaring at them, a lot of people would spontaneously combust." We chuckle.
"Good thing you can't, then." Kix points out.
"Amen. It'd be a pain to control all the time." I agree. My voice is a little louder than I wanted and Kix winces. "Sorry. Drinking lots of water usually helps." He takes a swig from his cup. I feel a jolt and sit straighter, wary. The other two laugh.
"Relax. We're just landing. No wonder you're called 'Twitch'." Kix says.
"I'm just a little jumpy after a battle." I mutter as my cheeks heat up. I'm also going to stay jumpy for the duration of our stay.
Crap. I don't have any credits to get food.
The Captain's comm goes off.
"Rex, have Twitch meet me on the docks." Comes Skywalker's voice.
"Yes, sir." He turns the device off. "You catch that, Twitch?" He double checks.
"Yep. See you guys around." I drop off my tray and walk quickly to the docking bay. I scan the docks and spot Anakin standing alone with crossed arms.
"You wanted to see me, General?" I say as soon as I'm close enough. We start walking.
"Yes. You're more of a big deal than you think. Chancellor Palpatine has requested to see you." I stop abruptly.
"What? That can't be right." I regret the words as soon as they're out. Krell's cruelty is too fresh in my mind to let words come unchecked near Jedi. But my surprise isn't met with anger. Instead, he smiles.
"It is. And we're going to be late if we don't hurry, so let's keep moving." We get into a speeder. My guns' weight is comforting. I have to admit, long range weapons are nice to have on hand. Even if I generally hit targets I don't aim for.
The city is magnificent, glowing brightly and full of life. The smell leaves something to be desired, though.
We stop at a large building. I would be hopelessly lost if it weren't for Anakin. We go to a high up office. I hesitate at the door.
"Your weapons, please." A guard asks. I hand over my guns without hesitation. I'm praying fervently that I won't have to give up my gauntlets. Of course, only Skywalker is aware of the hidden blades, but he may rat me out.
"Proceed." We're waved forward. The door opens and I can see the Supreme Chancellor. He has receding white hair, a wrinkled face, bags under his eyes, and a large, sharply bent nose. He looks at me kindly. I stand at attention, which is the traditional way for a clone to greet someone who is higher ranking.
"Stand down, young one." He gently orders. I relax, but stay alert. "What's your name?"
"CT-28-3758. I usually go by Twitch." He inspects me carefully, assessing, contemplating what he's dealing with. I hate it. So far, I've given him nothing new besides my physique. My behaviour has been portrayed as any clone's. Just because I'm different doesn't mean I always act like it.
"How did that name become yours?" When I was brought here, I didn't think he'd ask things like this.
"I can't stay still, among other things." I'm fidgeting now. I try to keep the actions discrete, but now that the subject is open, I can see his eyes flick to wherever I show movement.
"I see. Those are interesting gauntlets. Where did you get them?"
He's picking apart my past bit by bit.
"I stole them from Separatists." No one is in the room besides the three of us. That's a little strange.
"I've looked up your file. I assume that was after you left three years ago?"
"Yes, sir."
"And I've looked at your updated file as well. May I see the blades?"
If he knew, why didn't he tell his guards?
I let the sharp metal slide out. He runs a thumb along an edge, hovering over the blue paint.
"These markings portray your legion, correct?"
"Yes, sir."
"An anomaly such as yourself shouldn't be risked on the battlefield."
"With respect, sir, that's why I left in the first place."
"Desertion isn't looked on very kindly by most, yet you left anyway?"
"I never really left the Republic, sir, just fought for it in a different way."
"That is a positive way to think about it. Well, I can't prevent you from spending your life as you please, but would you consider a visit to one of our major medical facilities?"
I knew it. I knew he would ask me to go get poked and prodded.
My reaction must be in my expression, because he starts talking again.
"You do not have to if it is uncomfortable. I understand why you don't want to go."
Does he, now?
"I, uh..." I'm trying to think of a polite way to refuse.
"Just think about it. Now, if you'll excuse me." I salute, Skywalker bows. As soon as we are away from the guards, I let my emotions show on my face.
"Are you alright, young one?" I forgot Anakin was here. I decide to be open.
"No."
"What's troubling you?"
I thought Jedi were supposed to be perceptive.
"Everywhere I go, I end up as someone's little lab rat." Frustration edges my voice.
"You heard the Chancellor. You don't have to go if you don't want to."
"It's not easy to refuse when the Grand Chancellor himself asks you personally." I catch myself and clamp my teeth together.
Shut up, Twitch.
"So don't give him an answer. By the time all major medical facilities report that you didn't show, you'll be off planet again."
"Good plan. I wonder where you got it from."
SHUT UP, TWITCH, I silently yell at myself.
"Let's just say it's been tested and proven effective." I smile.
I'll bet it has.
I tell myself to shut up again, even if the thought was silent. I hop into the ship after he's boarded.
"Do you have credits or a place to stay and eat?" He asks. Embarrassment flares inside of me.
"No."
"Use this, then. Return it as soon as shore leave is over." He hands me a small hard drive.
"Thank you." I slip it inside a hidden chamber on my left gauntlet.
"There's a popular bar for clones in the south-east corner of town. 79's. You're a little young to be drinking, but it's known as a socializing point for troops on shore leave. You'll probably find someone you know there."
"Thanks for telling me. I'll give it a visit."
"Are you going there right now, or later?"
"I'm probably going now. Got nothing else to do. How far is it?"
"Seven miles, give or take. I'll drop you off."
"Are you sure? I could walk." Jedi aren't here for chaperoning.
"You're not the only one with time to spare. It's only a few minutes."
"Alright. Thank you, sir." The wind teasing my hair feels good, the night air sweet after so long on a cruiser. True to the General's words, we get there in five minutes.
"Thanks for the ride." I say.
"Any time. Enjoy yourself." He zips off as soon as I'm on the platform. A group of extremely drunk soldiers are guzzling from bottles nearby, courting disaster and gravity near the edge. They laugh loudly at nothing in particular. I promise myself that I'll never, EVER get drunk.
Inside the building, lights flash and music plays, barely heard over the racket. A few clones are in very close quarters with women. I am so glad most everyone is too out of it or busy with their drinks to notice me. If I thought I was conspicuous in the mess halls, I hate thinking about now.
I look for anyone recognizable. A bald head with lightning bolts shaved into the short hair catches my eye. Kix. He looks alert enough to talk to. I join him.
"About that evil that shouldn't be indulged." I say when he knocks back a shot.
"You're probably right. Save the teasing for after the hangover."
"Yes, sir." I have to wonder if the others secretly think of me as a tag along and simply tolerate my presence. If so, they hide it very well.
"Seen any other familiar faces?" It's kind of a joke to us since all clones, me aside, have the same features.
"Fives and Tup were here. Not sure if they still are."
"Thanks for telling me. I'll spare you more of my rambling and look for them."
"Alright, then." I weave around; it's crowded in here. I finally notice the very sober Tup and Fives. They don't say anything, just sip from the cups in their hands. I smile. No one can cheer me up like those two.
Fives sees me first. He tips his head back to ask me over without words. I am about to move when a couple of laughing men walk in front of me. When I finally maneuver my way to them, I notice that they still look rather serious.
"Something went very wrong." I say when no one says anything.
"Yeah, something went wrong." Tup's usual cheer is gone.
"What happened?" I haven't seen these two so glum since Umbara.
"Nothing." Fives answers dejectedly. I start wearing him down with looks until Tup breaks in.
"Echo was reassigned. Not going to see him for a while. He's a friend of ours. You don't know him." From the way Fives's expression darkens, I can guess he's closer to Echo than Tup is.
"Sorry to hear that." They both grunt halfheartedly. "If it would make you feel better, we could always build an obstacle course." I point out. Unfortunately, I don't have Tup's talent for cheering people up. They try smiling, but it ends in grimaces.
Shut up, Twitch.
I stay quiet, knowing when talk has no chance to help. My discomfort at my friends' unhappiness gets my hand tapping. A peeved looking Trandoshan stalks to the counter. I watch as he rudely shoulders Kix aside and growls at the bartender.
The medic tries to get his spot back and the reptile shoves him. I shift and take a step forward, waiting to see what their next move will be. They exchange most likely harsh words. The scaly intruder snaps something at Kix in his own language.
The two words I understand from listening in off world bars gets my blood boiling. I start towards them. I can sense Fives and Tup following. The Trandoshan suddenly grabs Kix's head and smacks it against the counter.
That snaps the last of my tolerance. I shove past anyone in my way and tap his shoulder. The reptile turns right into my punch. He hisses and lets the field medic go. My still healing knuckles are bleeding, but I'm too furious to notice.
"Say that to my face." I order him.
"Jetar madle." He growls, moving so our faces are centimetres apart. "Now what are you going to do about it, little girl?" His tongue flicks out. I smile.
"Nothing. I just wanted to distract you so they could get behind you." He whips around, only to get hit by the closed fists of Fives and Tup simultaneously. He falls back towards me, but gets another blow out of it. Now I'm starting to feel the pain in my hand.
He stands, towering over us before grabbing my neck, only to pull away when my arm-blade cut his wrist open. Kix has recovered and grabs one large arm. Fives and Tup get ahold of the other.
I move to help the medic, but this gator isn't going to give up. He closes his mouth over my shoulder, biting down hard. I yell in pain as he tosses me several feet away with nothing but the strength of his neck. I land at the feet of another 501st soldier. He bends down, clearly sober.
"Stop the lizard." I order. My left shoulder is bleeding in at least a dozen places where teeth punctured my skin. He jumps over me as I get up. They manage to get the Trandoshan's arms, but he's thrashing like a cornered animal.
Other clones are joining in, until the reptile can't move unless they let him. We get him on the platform, where he's let go. I keep my arm-blades out. The Trandoshan hisses at us one more time before stalking away.
"I hate wildlife." The 501st soldier who had checked on me growls.
"Hear, hear." I mutter. Kix looks my shoulder over.
"You're going to want some antibiotics on that." He says. "And a bandage."
"I'll do that." I promise. We go back in, our group consisting of me, Fives, Tup, Kix, and the other Legion member.
"Good to see you, Jesse." Kix says. Jesse has an Emblem tattoo over the left side of his head and face.
"Likewise. How is it I always find you in the middle of a fight?"
"Because you only find me when there is a fight." The bartender looks ruffled from his encounter with the Trandoshan when I get his attention.
"You're too young to be drinking." The 'tender says snappily.
"I'm not going to be drinking it." I say, pointing at my bloody shoulder. He looks at me distrustfully, deciding wether to believe me or not.
"Hey, she won't drink anything. I'll keep an eye on her." Tup says. I'm handed a cup and I take a couple of napkins, moving to a less crowded corner. I wet the napkins and dab them against the wound, biting my cheek from the sting. Once I've washed away and cleaned my shoulder, I rejoin the group.
"Bandages will have to come later. " Kix says, critically examining my work.
"I'll get some more napkins." I start towards them, but he stops me.
"They're more likely to get your cuts infected than if you don't use them. You just have to wait until you can get some real ones."
"Okay, then." I'm having difficulty determining the overall mood of our group. Jesse and Kix seem happy, most likely old friends, Fives is still quiet, though not as sullen anymore, while Tup has a look in his eyes that's asking for more action. Me, well, I'm just tired. I haven't slept much lately.
"I'm going to call it a night. I'll see you guys later." I say.
"You know where you're going?" Fives double checks.
"Yeah." I say, intending to return to the Resolute. There are muttered goodbyes before I leave. As soon as I'm outside, I look for a way further into the centre of the city. I want to explore before going to bed.
I walk away on a glass side path. Every time I look down, I can see the fifty foot drop below. I love the sensation. I get a strange feeling and look over my shoulder. No one is there, which in this city, is strange.
My fingers drum against my legs as I walk. A couple miles further along, I hear something off. It's coming from an alleyway I'm standing next to. I let my arm-blades come out as I walk in. This is screaming 'trap' to me, but I tell myself it's paranoia.
Further inside, I can hear a groan. But there's something in that groan that is way too familiar. That sound came from the throat of a clone. I walk swiftly around a corner and spot a figure lying on the ground.
Beneath all the blood on his face, I can see the familiar brown eyes and firm mouth. Suddenly, the area we're in is lit up by multiple flashlights.
Stupid. I am so stupid. I forgot that my paranoia has kept me alive for the past ten months.
The large Trandoshan steps forward. He gives the clone a hard kick, sending him closer to me. I can see now that closely cut, yellow hair adorns his head. Rex.
"You'll pay for that." I growl.
"I was hoping you would show. After all, the price on your head is a pretty one." I step over Rex, barricading myself between him and the reptile.
"Guess what. It's a good thing you can regrow your limbs." I'm seething right now. He shoots at me with a gun I hadn't noticed. I send the laser bolt at his head, but leans to the side, dodging the deadly projectile.
"It's too bad for you yours don't."
"Who put a bounty on my head?" I demand. He lunges at me. I crouch and jump at his stomach, blades angled out. He howls and grabs my neck, throwing me at a wall. My side and left shoulder start hurting. I'm about to attack again when he aims his gun at the Captain. I freeze.
"You Republic scum are so predictable. On your knees, or the fake Fett dies."
I swear, he's going to lose his tongue.
I kneel, putting my hands on my head. He circles behind me.
"Jetar madle." I spit. A hard blow knocks me over.
Shut up, Twitch.
A.N. ~ Chapter Eleven might be a while. That thing called 'sleep' is apparently necessary to my functionality. I might k'atini and post Eleven in the next couple hours or so, but no promises. As always, negative and positive reviews, please. I want to hear your opinions and ideas so I know if there are things I should change or missed.