Hey guys it's Able, been a minute yeah? Army life got in the way and I've been writing these on and off for a bit. Hope ya'll are alright, as personal news I have just a few months left of service. Transitioning back to civvie life is going to take more of my time up, but I'll update when I can :)

Thanks for reading.

The Valkyrie.

In transit to Coruscant.

The morning after.

Asher awoke with a groan and shook his head, a trail of his fatigues leading all the way to his bunk.

His temples throbbed, and as he sat up the clock mocked him with a 0500 time. The transit to Coruscant was going to be slow he knew, a day or two or at least. A purposely slow endeavor to max out some time off. Asher knew they needed to be at least at ninety percent strength for mission capability.

A day off, perfect to nurse an ale borne hangover

He stood, pulling out a drawer for his PT uniform. Best way to get rid of the alcohol lingering in his system was a workout. On his way out he snagged his comm.

The on ship track was deserted, naturally. Most of his brothers would be sleeping in, nursing the same hangover. He downed a few tablets of potassium for the deficit the drinks had made and some painkillers right behind.

He got started sluggishly, maintaining a good warmup stride before bringing it up to an adequate seven minute mile pace.

Sweat beaded his forehead, toxins being flushed out of his pores. He burped by his second mile and it stank of ale and last night's meal.

He was a panting mess by the fourth mile, and figured that would do.

The Captain stretched, legs on fire and the blaster wound on his chest screaming in protest as he wiped the sweat away with a forearm.

He gathered his things and moved for the chow hall, passing Cutter who did pull-ups as if the First Sergeant hadn't been drinking the night before. A chain belt around his waist, a forty-five pound weight clipped to it.

"Brother." The Captain greeted.

"Sir." Cutter said as he dismounted the bar with a heavy thud.

"Working off last night?" Asher asked.

"Gotta stay fit for a fight, you know how it goes sir. How was the run?"

"Not bad for a dehydrated di'kut." Asher jested.

With that he said his farewells and left the gym area.

He showed up to breakfast early enough that the cooking staff made him an omelette with fresh eggs, unlike the tubs of powdered eggs they kept in storage.

As he ate his breakfast, Commander Sul and General Nema came into view. The Zeltron Padawan hobbling along sluggishly as they both grabbed trays.

"Good morning Captain, may we sit?" General Nema greeted with a lovely smile.

"Of course ma'am."

Reha awkwardly joined him, her bad leg extending outward.

"I have a bit of news you might find interesting Captain." General Nema said as she spooned some of her fruit.

"Do tell General."

Asher grabbed his cup of caff, blew on it and sipped.

"The Chancellor wishes to award the unit."

He almost spat it out.

With all the decorum of an officer of the Grand Army of the Republic, he gently set the cup down and neatly folded his hands.

"I believe you just told me that Chancellor Palpatine wishes to award the unit?"

"I did."

"For?"

"Our actions on Arantara."

For Asher that had been another op, nothing special in the slightest.

"I'm not in it for the medals ma'am. But if the Chancellor wishes to recognize the unit, I'll get them ready."

Just then, the losers of his bet lead by Showtime, pushed carts of freshly washed dishes to the entrances of the dining area. They stank of old food, and their fatigues were stained with grease. Showtime himself looked like death, the alcohol lingering in his system made his usual grin sour into a grimace.

"I'll have to spend a little extra on some of them." He chuckled, sipping the brew.

"This is a great honor Captain, but I fear there's political motivations behind it." General Nema intoned as she spooned more of her fruit, "Chancellor Palpatine wants your men and Skywalker's to march to the Senate building, there will be quite the crowd."

Asher took a generous gulp of his caff.

"We'll be in orbit in an hour, and docked before long. When does the Chancellor want to do this?" He asked.

"Tomorrow morning."

Asher sighed and leaned back, so little time to get his band of ruffians up to snuff.

He stood, grabbing his caff and tray.

"I gotta get the Command Team together, Cutter is going to lose it. Can you forward me the message with the details?"

General Nema withdrew her datapad and got to tapping at it.

He strode to the dish line and handed his tray to Showtime with a smirk, who took it with a displeased frown.

"Asher to command team." He droned into his commlink as he left the dining hall.

He got a series of responses, from every Platoon Leader and Sergeant as well as from his Executive Officer and First Sergeant.

"Meeting in ten minutes at the bridge, bring caff. It's gonna be heavy."

Acknowledgement went through the comm, and he moved to the meeting spot.

Asher strode in, Cutter and Jace already there. Cups of steaming Caff held in their hands. Before long the rest of the senior leadership arrived and encircled the holo-table.

Just beyond it, Coruscant sat close. The Valkyrie entering low orbit as she prepared to dock.

"What's going on brother?" Jace asked.

Asher looked at his men and shrugged.

"The Chancellor wants to recognize the unit for our success on Arantara. We are going to parade to the Senate building."

The word came down like a shell, at first they barely reacted until grins broke, Cutter sighed and crossed his arms and Jace raised a brow.

"For real sir? Chancellor Palpatine wants to see us?" Kincaid asked.

"That is correct." Asher intoned as he pulled up the ConOp, "Us and the Five-oh-first." (ConOp: Concept of operations)

The parade began at 0700 sharp. They'd march about two miles to the Senate building.

The command team agreed that a 0500 rendezvous at Republic Center for Military operations would be sufficient.

"Inform your men, let them know their armor is to be clean of the grit from our mission. But I do not care if it's scuffed up." Asher commanded.

"You don't want us looking like shinies?" Jace chuckled.

"I don't want us looking like some Coruscant Guard, rear echelon pukes. We are ground pounders, we're going to look like it." Asher said disdainfully.

That caused a few hollers and more than enough smiles.

Asher fist bumped Jace as they strode off the bridge, moving to bring their gear to the wash racks.

The Republic Center for Military Operations.

Coruscant: 0500

The shuttle ride to the Republic Center for Military Operations was uneventful, he could barely make out the sprawl of Coruscant through the viewport. They'd arrived a solid hour before the agreed time, to touch base with their Coruscant guard escort.

As he stepped off the craft, he was greeted by a trio of brothers, their Phase I armor painted red.

"Good morning." The lead of the trio greeted, "Commander Fox."

"Captain Asher, how are you brother?" He asked extending his hand.

The Coruscant guard Commander shook it and the Medic Captain frowned at the coldness of the gesture.

"Could be better all considering, this is a very public event. Security has been a pain in my shebs."

"And these are?" He asked, gesturing to the two clones behind him.

"Lieutenant Thire and Commander Thorn."

Asher shook hands with Thire and as he moved to shake Thorn's the Commander shook his head.

"Not like that ner vod!" Thorn boomed raising a hand which Asher grasped, the two embraced with a clatter of armor and Asher chuckled at the first bit of warmth he'd received from a Coruscant Clone.

"I like this one." Jace jested as he stepped off the shuttle, Cutter at his side.

"You want one too?" Thorn said bombastically, offering the same gesture that Jace took immediately.

Asher smiled, now that was a brother.

Cutter did his greetings and the final occupants of the shuttle emerged.

General Nema and Commander Sul stepped off, and the Coruscant guards snapped to. Rex and General Skywalker trailed behind, the hotshot Jedi smiling as he breathed in the Coruscant air.

"At ease gentlemen." She smiled.

"Good morning General." The trio greeted all at once to Skywalker and Nema.

The three Jedi gave their smiles in greeting.

"How's the leg?" Cutter asked, "It going to handle a parade?"

"It's stiff, but I'm hoping a good walk will help it loosen up." She smiled.

"A Jedi being wounded? Never thought I'd see the day." Fox said ruefully.

"New kinda clanker, Commando Droids." Asher explained.

"We heard, got briefed broadly on the helmet cam footage from your op. You really HALO into a droid factory sir?" Thire asked.

"Yes we did." Asher grinned behind his helmet.

Asher pulled the Kama to the side and got a thunderclap of a laugh from Thorn.

"The Mile-high club." Was painted alongside an emblem of a parachute on his armored thigh, every man that was on that drop had it. Showtime had gleefully painted the insignia the night prior.

The rest of the transports touched down and the four platoons that comprised the First MSC clustered near their leadership. The 501st touched down shortly after, blue painted armor congregating to Skywalker and Rex.

"Commander Fox, while the men are assembling I'd like to take the Captain to the monument we discussed over comm." General Nema said.

Asher raised a brow.

"Of course ma'am if you follow Commander Thorn he can take you to it."

"Right this way." The easier going Commander said.

"Captain Asher, I suggest you call your brothers that were on Geonosis." The General intoned.

"Battered Nine on me!" Captain Asher shouted, "Walker, Trace, you as well."

Nero, Kincaid, Sixes, Gee, Cutter, Jace, Dice and Kidd flocked to their Captain.

"What's going on sir?" Nero asked.

"I don't know, but the General asked for everyone with me on Geonosis."

"I'll control the rabble brother, go take care of whatever it is." Rex nodded.

Asher clapped his gloved hand against Rex's and gave a grateful nod.

Asher's men exchanged confused glances and shrugs, as they neared the main building. Their confusion was palpable as Thorn lead the way, flanked by the two Jedi. Just before they entered General Nema turned and addressed them all.

"I know the first combat action you experienced is not something shared by all of your brothers nor myself or my Padawan. You lost brothers, you bled and fought hard. What you are about to see is a tribute to not just your sacrifice, but the Company you honor."

Commander Thorn opened the door and beckoned them in.

Asher strode in, and was almost floored by the site. Shakily he moved to remove his helmet, he wanted, no needed to see this with his own eyes.

Geonosian rock, there was no mistake there, and engraved in the stone was the simple script, "Battle of Geonosis."

"I believe they're here." Rig Nema gestured to a panel.

"Bravo Company Rancor Battalion." Sat somberly engraved towards the center.

Asher blinked and reached out, fingers tracing polished stone as he read and recognized every single serial number.

At the very top was Captain Aldane.

"Maker this… these weren't their names but… this…" He whispered.

Thousands of them etched into the stone, he remember despising the very same rock on that forsaken scab of a planet. The unforgiving sun, the sand and the spires that dotted the landscape. But this? This was the most beautiful thing to ever come from Geonosis he wagered.

His eyes stung, his hand lingered on the stone as he dropped his bucket. He couldn't hide it anymore, a rough sob racking through his body as he pressed his forehead against the monument. His nostrils flared, his lips shook as the small choked cry rang through the building.

The Battered Nine of Bravo encircled Asher, Jace's hand familiar on his left shoulder, the strong grip of Cutter's on his right as they bowed all their heads.

They stood like that encircling the panel, sobs and rough chuckles as they read a serial number and remembered a brother long gone.

Reha felt the cloud of pain that gloomed over the clones, and felt her own mood change with it. Her eyes grew heavy, a hole in her heart tore its way into existence and a stray tear rolled down her face.

"I miss you brother." Was whispered by Cutter as he touched a serial number.

Cutter was the toughest Clone that Reha had ever known, and that simple phrase caused more tears to fall. Was this what they lived with every day?

Off to the side, Walker and Trace gathered around a panel dedicated to their old unit. Walker's arm draped over Trace's shoulders as their shoulders shook with sobs.

Commander Thorn joined the Jedi awkwardly.

"Were you on Geonosis Commander Thorn?" Reha asked.

"No ma'am… and honestly… I don't envy them for having done so. I couldn't imagine what they're going through. I didn't know the men on this stone but… they are still my brothers, and I miss them almost as much as they do."

Before long the same emotional embrace that Asher received from her directed to Walker and Trace. So that they wouldn't be alone in their grief.

"Brothers… I'd like to say something, let's join up." Jace announced.

They formed a line in front of the memorial, arms draping over each other's shoulders as they formed a chain.

"Oya'ce… Kyr'am… Mare'cye…Darasuum… Oya… Oya."

Every word that Jace said was repeated somberly by the clones, Master Rig Nema and Reha both noticed Thorn bowing his head and whispering the words.

"What does that mean?" Reha asked.

"It's a Mandalorian battle chant, it's the closest thing to a prayer we have." He explained, "It means Life, death, revelation, eternity, let us live and let us hunt."

The chain broke, and Asher stood at attention.

"Group atten-tion!" Asher barked, and every Clone snapped to, "Present arms!"

They saluted the stone, but it was really for the brothers they'd lost, now immortal in a way.

"Order…. Arms!"

They dropped the salute.

Asher knelt to pick up his fallen helmet and once more ran his fingers over a serial number nestled at the very top of Bravo Company.

General Nema and Commander Sul joined him.

"Thank you." He whispered, "I… needed to see this."

"I think you all did." Commander Sul smiled.

Her hand gently traced the topmost serial that Asher had grazed over again and again.

"Will you tell me about him?" She asked.

"One day… one day." He whispered.

He gently touched his forehead to the stone, shut his eyes tight and muttered the prayer again. Once he was finished he sniffled hard, thumbed the tears away and put his helmet back on.

"Let's rally the men." He said, voice as firm as the stone in front of him.

"Dress right…. Dress!" Cutter roared.

Their arms snapped up in a thunderclap of armor, spacing between each man equal.

"Arms downward… move!"

Arms snapped down.

"Right…. Face!"

Each man pivoted perfectly in unison.

"Cover!"

Arms snapped forward at shoulder level, Cutter scanned each spacing.

Perfection.

"Recover!"

The arms snapped down.

Blaster rifles were hefted on their shoulders, Jesse and Jace who held their charge, each holding a Republic banner with their unit designation.

Cutter shouldered his rifle, and executed a left face.

Asher shoulder to shoulder with Rex. Jace and Jesse behind them. Bedlam stood in front of them, carrying the flag of the Republic.

Generals Nema and Skywalker and Commander Sul would lead the formations at the very head.

The First MSC and the entirety of the 501st Legion stood at the ready, Denal in an identical spot to Cutter.

The gates slowly lurched open.

"Forward!" Cutter barked over his shoulder.

"Forward!" Denal echoed.

There was a slight pause and every clone readied themselves.

"March!" Cutter and Denal commanded.

They started off in step, both Cutter and Denal calling cadence.

"Left, left, left right, right left!" They said in perfect sync.

Hundreds of booted feet clacked against the ground, the sound made Asher smirk behind his helmet as they advanced.

As they taxied out, they were tailed in procession by a civilian unit. The Coruscant Marching band began to fall in as the Clones marched by, and as they moved into the parade route the music began.

Flanked on either side were hundreds of civilians who cheered and clapped as the Jedi lead the way with the boys in white. The Republic Anthem, and other popular songs being played on traditional instruments.

Streamers, confetti and flower petals gently fluttered around them as they marched. Children held signs they'd made, poorly drawn clone troopers and heartwarming words Asher chuckled lightly as he saw a cartoon Battle droid with an X over each eye.

The clapping and jubilation was unlike anything any of the Clones had ever experienced. The starry eyed civilians clapped as they marched, so many species from so many walks of life.

This is the Republic they fought for, that his brothers had died for.

Every smiling child, cheering woman and clapping man.

Camera droids tailed them the entire way, news crews filming and broadcasting them to the entire galaxy.

The Senate Building loomed ever closer, the Coruscant sun angling higher and higher and bathing the plaza in golden light.

A soft breeze flowed through the buildings, the clapping continued between the thunder of thousands of GAR boots.

In front of the Senate building, a small stage had been erected, a podium at the ready. Commander Fox stood like a statue in front of their stopping point, he would report their presence to the Chancellor. A cadre of Republic Naval officers sat rigidly on the stage.

"Route step, march!" Cutter barked which Denal echoed.

They angled right before swooping left, to center themselves perfectly in front of the stage.

"Company… halt!" Cutter commanded, Denal echoing the same for his Legion.

The boots came to a sudden stop, and Cutter gave one more command.

"Right… face!"

Hundreds of troopers pivoted right, the stage right before them.

Cutter and Denal jogged to the front of their units, the guide on bearers taking their spots next to them.

"Post!" Commander Fox roared.

Cutter and Denal each stepped back, about faced and ran to the back. Asher and Rex taking their positions.

The Jedi moved to the apex of the formation.

The band began to play the Republic Anthem once more as Chancellor Palpatine landed in a up armored speeder, Senate commandoes lining the path he walked down.

Jovially he waved to the cheering crowd, his smile grandfatherly and warm.

The Naval officers stood at attention almost in unison.

Asher swallowed dryly, he never thought he'd ever be this close to the man.

"Present… arms!"

Asher and Rex saluted, the Clones hefted their weapons to do the same. Naval Officers snapping to as the Chancellor claimed the podium.

A few moments went by before The Coruscant Guard commander made his next command, turning to the parade group.

"Order…. arms!" Fox announced.

They lowered the salute, Fox executed an about face and saluted the Chancellor.

"Sir! First Medical support company and the Five-oh-first legion reporting as ordered sir!"

"Thank you commander." The Chancellor smiled warmly.

Fox turned again to the Clone formations.

"Parade!" He barked.

"Parade!" Asher and Rex echoed.

"Rest!"

They echoed it once more, Asher joining his hands at the small of his back.

Around them, the civilians had congregated in bleachers that had been set, or stood all around them. The Coruscant guard kept any zealous ones from crossing the caution barriers erected around the stage.

At the snappy, crisp unison of their movement their cheers grew before they died down to let the Chancellor speak.

"Good morning citizens of the Republic!" Chancellor Palpatine said with the same kind smile.

The crowd cheered and clapped, and the Chancellor maintained his kind smile as they cheered. He raised a hand and they quieted down.

"These are trying times and I must keep this brief. But it is with great pride that I bring you the brave men who have struck a mighty blow against the Trade Federation and the droid army."

Asher flexed his knees just enough to not be noticed, if he stood even more stiffly he'd cut off circulation to his head and would eat the pavement. Nervousness ebbed through him, forming a pit in his stomach.

"I present to you all, the First Medical Support Company lead by Jedi General Rig Nema and Commander Reha Sul, as well as General Anakin Skywalker. They and their men have taken the first steps to the reunification of the galaxy and of peace in our Republic."

Asher's mind was at a mile a minute, he could barely process what the Chancellor was saying, it didn't feel real, standing here now.

"In enduring under great danger, and for upholding the highest traditions of military service within the Republic, I hereby award each of these exemplary organizations the Distinguished unit citation."

The crowd clapped and Republic Naval officers each stepped forward to add the streamer to their banners, each labeled Arantara.

Asher shook the officer's hand, and saluted him which was returned in kind.

"The men and women before you are the finest example of what a united Republic can accomplish, with the support you as citizens grant, I believe wholeheartedly that we will know peace, security and prosperity. Thank you all."

The crowd clapped and cheered, and The Chancellor descended the stage and advanced to the Jedi Command. Asher couldn't hear it but the look that he gave General Skywalker was… odd to say the least.

He shared kind words and smiles with the Jedi before moving toward Asher, flanked by Senate Commandoes. A human Naval officer and a Pantoran trailing behind.

"You must be Captain Asher." The Chancellor greeted softly.

Asher came to attention and saluted.

"Sir."

"Please Captain, I am the one who is honored. I heard tell of the heroism of you and your men, and I extend my sincere gratitude."

"My men will appreciate the words sir, it was a hard fought battle."

The Chancellor nodded, his hands linked as his smile never abated.

"As a reward for your efforts, I have seen fit to accommodate your men with whatever equipment you deem necessary for the completion of your missions. As well as… an expansion of sorts." The Chancellor explained.

"An expansion sir?"

"Yes, you stand at a Company's strength yes?"

"Yes sir."

"I would see it enlarged, the Jedi's theory in the effectiveness of your unit has proven most fruitful. You will now be the First Medical Support Battalion."

The words hit Asher harder than any blow he'd endured. He'd see a double in his manpower, as well as a double in responsibility. The wound that was still healing on his chest burned, his palms began to sweat and he swallowed dryly.

He choked back the nervousness the latter factor brought and composed himself.

"T-thank you sir, it's an honor."

"The honor is all mine Captain." The Chancellor said warmly as he waved the Pantoran woman forward.

A crisp, unblemished uniform and a ramrod straight demeanor. Her face was passive but the light in her eyes conveyed her excitement.

"This is Captain Seya Atomus, a remarkable example of the newly organized Republic Navy. She will be assigned as the Valkyrie's captain, I believe you and her will accomplish great things alongside your Jedi Officers." The Chancellor explained.

"Captain Asher." She greeted cooly, extending a hand.

He shook it.

"Pleasure to meet you ma'am."

She gave a small smile, the gold markings on her cheeks accenting it well.

"Your efforts to this war have been noted Captain, use these endowments well in the battles to come." The Chancellor said as he stepped to speak to Rex.

"I will sir."

He was left alone now, the Pantoran Officer to his front, his men behind him. She took a spot behind him, adjacent to Jace who stood to Asher's left.

Chancellor Palpatine spoke to Rex out of the corner of his eye, Rex's body language just as nervous as Asher's.

Before long the Chancellor was aboard his shuttle and flying off.

"Troopers!" Commander Fox blared, "Attention!"

Hundreds of boots snapped together in unison, the sound was like music to Asher.

"Fall out!"

Asher took a step back and the formations dissolved. The civilians lingered to watch the soldiers that fought for their Republic.

"Battered Nine on me!" Asher called.

His boys flocked to him, all his company commanders and senior NCO's. As well as Jace and Cutter.

They formed a half circle around him and Captain Atomus, standing at attention.

"Gentlemen, this is Captain Seya Atomus, she will be the Captain of the Valkyrie from here on out. Respect her word as if it came from myself, understood?"

"Yes sir."

The Medic Captain was glad for her presence, for too long they'd run a skeleton crew. Naval Clones and a few junior naval officers. An actual true blue Captain was a welcome change.

"Well Captain Atomus, come and meet the boys." Asher smiled behind his helmet.

As she made introductions, Jace stood next to his brother.

"Did something seem… I don't know, off? About the Chancellor?" He said.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know brother, something just didn't feel right. I can't explain it."

"Probably just being paranoid." Asher shrugged.

"Yeah… probably."

Asher glanced at the Senate building, and back at the crowd.

"This is what we're fighting for." He whispered to himself.

Just like the Kaminoans said every single day, hammering it in every day and every night.

LAAT/I's came down to pick them up and as they lifted off he glanced out the narrow slit on the bay doors.

The city never looked so precious to him before.

In the Army, memorials sit all over bases for past endeavors. The names written on the stone tell a story, every one of them I've been to it's been quiet, in a way a name honored on such things has made the person it belonged to immortal and I think that's beautiful.