His ARCs had been assigned, unsurprisingly in pairs, and once again Four was alone. This time they hadn't assigned him anyone but he kept his hopes in the dark pit where they'd been since his reconditioning.
Ninety-nine slid into the seat across from him. Four slide over the mug of tea. "It's cold. I was getting worried."
Ninety-nine gestured one hand in negation as he sipped the tea. "One of the squads needed a little pep talk."
"You've been doing a lot of that lately."
"Between you and the ARCs…" He paused, a gleam in his eyes. "Let's just say I'm not as invisible and quiet as I used to be." He sat the cup on the table and faced Four with a large grin.
Four's hopes clamored to be released.
"You've been assigned."
Four leaned back, panting slightly. Hope roared in jubilation. "Do you know who?"
"You were going to CC-293 and ship duty, but I changed your assignment to Captain Silver. He'll be going out first."
"Will you get into trouble?"
"No. Shaak Ti simply alternates assignments if the captain hasn't made any particular requests." Ninety-nine moved his hands as if dealing cards. "Or if she doesn't get a hint from being a Jedi. Those she sets aside to study further." "And there aren't any notations in your file other than R, prior assignments sealed and, in the General's writing, a handwritten note saying 'not Windu'."
Four nodded, pleased. "I've trained good squads, good troopers, but I would like to move on to a field assignment."
"I thought you might, though this is simply auxiliary sergeant. Still, I'm sure Silver will give you a squad when he finds out how thorough and good a sergeant you are." Ninety-nine seemed relaxed and genuinely happy that Four was moving on.
"I've seen Silver's company. They seem good. Solid. I might have to be living up to his expectations." But Four's shoulders relaxed. He was going out to do a trooper's work; help his brothers and defend the Republic.
"You'll exceed any expectations." Ninety-nine leaned forward, his eyes filled with excitement. "Now, I've also heard… this is little more than rumor. Understand that. I'm not sure but I've heard…" His voice lowered until Four had to lean forward also even though the mess was nearly empty.
"Geonosis."
Four's breath caught and his head jerked up involuntarily. There was a flash of pride. A sense of accomplishment that faded with no memory behind it.
Ninety-nine leaned back in satisfaction. "With that reaction, I think you've been there before. When you do the prep work, go slow and see if anything seems familiar."
For a moment Four simply gazed at Ninety-nine. "If I was a captain, you'd be my second."
Ninety-nine blushed and ducked his face, pleased at the accolade.
—-
Only six more days and he'd be out in the field, assigned to Captain Silver. He was going over test scores of Silver's men, seeing how Silver liked to have the squads placed, trying to determine how his new captain fought and thought. Trying to see where he could help the company. He'd done his courtesy call on the captain and given his abbreviated records to the medics. They'd probably guess he was reconditioned but they wouldn't know for certain. Only Captain Silver had that shameful informtion.
The general sent a message for him to report to her office and Four caught his breath thinking maybe Ninety-nine's little switch had been discovered. But it wasn't that at all.
"I know you didn't want to know what happened to the squads you'd been involved with but I do need to tell you that the ARCs you trained are returning to Kamino."
An icy chill ran over his spine but before he could speak, General Ti gave a gentle wave of her hand. "Nothing bad, Sergeant. Quite the opposite, in fact. They have been so exemplary in the field, achieving so much in such a short time, they are returning to assist in training. You might see them within two or three days and I did not want you to think that you had failed them in any way."
Four blinked. Twice. "Thank you, sir." He paused. "You know, don't you? That…" He didn't want to name Ninety-nine.
"That your original assignment was changed to Captain Silver? Yes." The general tilted her head, her lekku following the movement. "I do have information on the others you have trained. If you would prefer to know, here is that chance."
"I think I would, General. I thought I wouldn't want to know becaue we're only going out to die but…" He shrugged his shoulders and opened his hands palm outward to her and his voice became a whisper. "I want to know."
Her lips tightened then she gave a sharp nod. "That bothers me as well." She opened her mouth as if to say more then closed it with a small smile as she pulled out some flimisis. "Of the squads you have trained here on Kamino, only one clonetrooper has died, posthumously awarded the Queel Honor Orb. The others are all exemplary troopers, their squads held in high esteems by their captains. Two have made sergeant and five others are in specialized training." She set her arm on the desk, the flimisis still in hand. "I am sorry to see you go, Sergeant 8644. You have proven a very apt trainer."
"Thank you, sir. I hope I prove as good in the field."
"I have no doubts, Sergeant."
It felt good to have someone believe in him.