Chapter 2: Our New Squad Member Is A WHAT?!

Clone Force 99 and every other trooper who followed SAC-1's movements stared at the female clone with wide eyes. With all the bulky armor on it was hard to tell she was a woman, except if one had been paying closer attention to her appearance, they would have noticed the now pretty obvious slightly more cinched waist exposed between the chest plate and codpiece instead of the usual stockiness of regular clone troopers, though she was still sturdily built. SAC-1 was shorter than regular clone troopers too, standing at 5'6". Once her helmet was off, it was seen that she had longish wavy jet-black hair that's length was just past her shoulders, a diamond shaped face, button nose, full lips and wide, very expressive silver eyes.

The first three seconds SAC-1 was fine with the silence and staring az she knew this would be a big shock to the clone troopers, seeing a female clone and all, but after ten seconds of no one saying anything, she became greatly uncomfortable with all the eyes on her (being so innocent to the ways of the galaxy, she had no idea that her impressive display in the arena and her not-to-shabby looks were even more reason for these deprived men to gape at her).

She tucked a piece of loose hair behind her ear that came undone from her bun self-consciously, a red tint appearing on her cheeks as she addressed the Nala Se. "Soooo... I passed, right?"

"Yes, and you will be joining Clone Force 99."

Bystanders began whispering at (to them) this unfortunate revelation, which confused SAC-1, but she smiled brightly at her new bewildered squad and saluted at Hunter. "It's an honor to serve under you, Sergeant!" Hunter merely blinked, his face incredulous, and her smile faltered as she lowered her hand after a second and awkwardly tapped her fingers against the helmet tucked under her arm.

As clones began walking away and spreading the news around the city, Wrecker snapped out of his stupor. "Uh, let me see if I understand this right," Wrecker said, pointing at the female clone. "You're a girl."

Surprisingly, Crosshair gave no sarcastic remark to Wrecker's lack of brains, but that was probably because his own brain had stopped working.

SAC-1 gave a short laugh and a nod of affirmation. "I am."

Wrecker scratched his head, still very much confused. "I've never seen a girl clone before."

"That's because I'm the first successful experiment." SAC-1 informed him factually.

Wrecker nodded slowly, then shrugged, not knowing what else to say and stepped back in line with his uneasy brothers.

SAC-1's broad smile faltered again as awkward silence took over again, so she cleared her throat and looked up at Nala Se excitedly. "Um, I was promised a tour of Tipoca after my test."

Nala Se set her datapad down. "Of course. I have many things to attend to, but I trust your new squad can show you the city." Again this was more of an order than a suggestion. "And tomorrow morning we will discuss the new arrangements for Clone Force 99." After SAC-1 promised they would be there, she parted ways with Nala Se and Lama Su and was left to trust that her new squad would help her become the soldier she was meant to be.

SAC-1 felt the excitement bubble up within her and let it show through another wide grin and stepped up to the squad. "So, where to first?"

Hunter still wasn't processing this whole situation and his short circuiting brain gave him a dumb expression on his face. "Uh -"

"Can I make a suggestion?" SAC-1 interrupted, not very well versed in human interaction. "I have a great desire to see the Ha Zurh Library and Records Office."

Tech, of course, perked up despite the shock - not one of his brothers in Clone Force 99 ever wanted to go to the place of infinite knowledge. "The Library is the perfect place to start!" He eagerly stepped up to SAC-1 and began leading her in the right direction, and the rest of the Bad Batch had no choice but to look at each other uneasily and blindly follow. "They have an extraordinary scientific collection, and though the Kaminoans keep to themselves I'm told this library rivals the Jedi Archives - rumored to hold the sum total of all galactic knowledge (I'd give anything to see it in person and read every bit of information there). The Library has maps of the entire galaxy, in addition to scientific holobooks, mathematical and astronomical holobooks, engineering and technology documents, detailed geography and cultures of various planets and species across the galaxy, as well as their botany and zoology."

SAC-1 listened intently as Tech eagerly began telling her about his favorite scientific holobooks in the library while the rest of the squad's ears rang from their brothers babbling in addition to the lightheadedness from the strange situation thrust upon them that they couldn't seem to process.

They got a new squad member, which was enough in itself to deal with - it'd been the four of them their whole lives - but this new member had all their enhancements combined, and if that wasn't enough, the new member was a woman. This was a lot to take in, and then Nala Se mentioned even more changes would take place tomorrow.

They'd never admit it out loud, but they were terrified about this whole thing... well Hunter, Wrecker and Crosshair were, because Tech on the other hand seemed to have made a new best friend, who to his immense joy listened to his rambling and also asked questions, a truly rare but welcome occurrence for the brainiac clone commando.

It didn't help ease the others nerves that every clone trooper stared at them and whispered as the squad passed. This had happened a lot when they were cadets due to their differences in appearance, but they let it roll off their backs because they knew their worth, and as they got older they just decided to keep to themselves and avoid all confrontation (most of the time). Now that there was this strange woman with them, it seemed that their days at trying to be inconspicuous were over.

Hunter felt Crosshair lean in. "Are we just going to go along with this?" He asked in a low tone as they walked a couple paces behind the brainiacs.

Hunter shook his head in bewilderment and muttered back, "The Prime Minister didn't really give us much of a choice."

"But Hunter, we don't need another squad member, especially one like her." Crosshair spat.

Hunter shrugged indifferently. "You saw how she handled those droids - she seems like a good soldier." He said that more to convince himself than his brother.

"A simulation is different from a real battle." Crosshair intoned knowingly, "She's too... wide-eyed and innocent. We'll be babysitters if nothing else."

"Honestly, there's nothing I can do about this, Crosshair." Hunter hissed, tired of arguing. "An order is an order."

"Since when?" Crosshair challenged, and Hunter didn't reply because really, his brother was right.

They eventually reached the library, and SAC-1 was in awe at the bookcases upon bookcases full of holo-books and data-tapes she was dying to read.

She plopped her helmet on a random table and strided up to one of the nearby bookcases, feeling its contents and looking up at its tallness and hugeness. "They don't have these where I came from." Was her breathless observation while the rest of the crew sat down at the round table she set her helmet on, watching the new recruit get so excited over something that was trivial to most people.

"Where exactly do you come from?" Tech wondered, taking out his datapad and typing in her number. "There is no mention of you in the records."

She pulled out a random holobook. "Type in the code name Beta."

Tech did as she said and a file he'd never seen came up, which he clicked on and began reading. "You were created four years ago in a remote facility two hundred miles from Tipoca City... and have a different host for your genetic structure - a female host." He said in surprise, then continued reading. "And since you have passed the Citadel Challenge with flying colors, you are considered by the Kaminoans one of their greatest scientific accomplishments."

SAC-1 hummed in agreement while seating herself at the table next to Hunter. "And since I turned out so well, they plan on creating more Special Agent Clones, though not in the large numbers like the clone troopers for the Republic Army." The holobooks screen lit up and revealed hundreds of files and maps of the planet Coruscant's cities, to which she eagerly began reading.

Tech sat down next to her, still reading her file on his datapad. "I can see why - it takes more money to create and train a specialized clone like you than it takes to create an entire company of regular clones."

"You get what you pay for." SAC-1 agreed distractedly, her eyes lit up from the screen which intensified the curious glint in her eyes. "I'm designed to succeed in all types of missions."

"The name of your female human donor is An'Ya Tyree and... that's all the information on her." Tech looked at her expectantly, wishing her to elaborate.

"She's a rogue Mandalorian like your host - Jango Fett - and she was responsible for my training, then left Kamino after I proved ready for the Citadel Challenge." SAC-1 explained before turning to her screen again.

"I'd love to scan you." Tech said enthusiastically.

SAC-1 nodded absent-mindedly, then looked at him oddly once she processed his odd request. "Um, excuse me?"

"Your DNA." He clarified, adjusting his specs. "To analyze it."

SAC-1 relaxed. "Oh. I suppose that's okay, just as long as I'm not hooked up to any machines or wires. I've had enough of that in my life."

Hunter felt a pit in his stomach form, hoping that didn't mean what he thought it meant, but

Wrecker spoke up and diffused the awkward silence that followed... With more awkwardness. "Alright, I'm just gonna say it," He glanced at each of his brothers with a bewildered look on his face, and gestured erratically to back up his equally bewildered statement, "This is weird, right? All of... this?"

SAC-1's eyebrows furrowed while Crosshair crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair with a scowl on his face. "I never thought I'd agree with anything Wrecker said."

Hunter rubbed a hand over his face, exasperated at their lack of subtlety. Couldn't they have waited until we were alone?

"You should work on getting over your shock." Tech advised with no regret in his tone for this new situation. "SAC-1 has proven she will be a good addition to our squad."

"You just like her because she's an egghead like you." Crosshair retorted coarsely.

Tech was about to retort haughtily himself and SAC-1 was about to ask what an egghead was when Hunter abruptly stood, cutting them both off. "SAC-1, are you ready to continue the tour?"

SAC-1's forehead creased in confusion at his behavior. "Um..." She brightened, wanting to not cause any trouble, "Sure!"


The tour ended at the cafeteria, where after many hours of walking Clone Force 99 was happy to finally eat something after all the walking.

Since SAC-1 wasn't engaged in conversation with Tech or reading through holobooks, she was able to observe all of the clones in the area as she went down the food line, then glanced to her left at burly Wrecker and to her right at slightly stick-like Crosshair with a puzzled expression on her face.

"What are you staring at?" Crosshair asked with derision.

She squinted at him. "Are you sure you guys are clones? You don't look anything like the others."

Crosshair rolled his eyes and didn't answer her, just rudely turned his back on her anger marched away with his tray, making the young woman frown.

Did I do something wrong?

Tech, who was behind Crosshair, stepped up to her. "Our genetic mutations altered our appearance." He explained as he put food on his tray, then kindly put food on hers to make up for Crosshair's rudeness.

She gave him a fond smile. "So you're unique, like me."

"That's one way of putting it." She heard Hunter mutter darkly to himself, but she picked it up with her enhanced hearing.

SAC-1 didn't know what he meant until they were careening to the table Crosshair claimed, the boys' eyes scanning their surroundings shrewdly and entire frames tense as they expected to be attacked or something.

In the home stretch, just as they were beginning think there was no danger, a trio of regular clones walked by the group, and the one closest to Tech sneakily reached out and flipped Tech's tray, making the contents of the bowl of soup spill all over his front, surprising SAC-1.

Tech grimaced while Wrecker's eyes became ablaze. "Hey!" He protested.

"Oh what? Can't take a joke?" One of the other clones taunted, then them and other clones who watched the whole scene began snickering.

Wrecker scowled, then began to size up the clone who played the prank on his younger brother, but Hunter put his free hand out to stop him. "Just let it go, Wrecker." He ordered tiredly.

"Yeah, just let it go Wrecker." The third clone said in a snide manner that made Hunter shoot a glare at him before the squad continued their skulk to Crosshair's table, Tech trying to wipe the mess off of his armor.

The clones then finally realized SAC-1's presence as she attempted to follow them while looking astutely at the clone who did this mean thing to Tech, and the third clone held out an arm to stop her. "Well, if it isn't the new recruit everyone's talking about." His honeyed tone that made her feel uncomfortable. "I must say, you're hotter than the flames on Mustafar."

Clueless SAC-1 didn't quite understand pick up lines yet, and her voice was flat as she recited facts she knew about the volcanic. "That's impossible - the average human body temperature is between 97.7-98.6 Fahrenheit and Mustafar is full of lava which can reach a temperature of 2,000 Fahrenheit."

Her squad stopped and looked back at her in utter disbelief while the clone trooper stared at her, his smirk faltering.

"What?" She wondered innocently.

"I - I wasn't saying that you were actually hotter than the planet, it was a... figure of speech." The clone explained, shocked that he had to in the first place.

"Meaning?" SAC-1 again wondered innocently.

He chuckled awkwardly. "You're not very people smart, are you?"

The second clone snickered. "Of course she isn't - look who she's with. Any smart person wouldn't be hanging with the Sad Batch."

SAC-1's eyebrows snapped together. "They're called the Bad Batch."

The clone stepped into her personal space bubble. "I know what I said." He reached out and tucked a piece of stray hair behind her ear in a way that was supposed to be flirtatious and make her giggle like an idiot at such close contact, but she just flinched while her squad tensed at his movements. "Little word of advice, sweetheart," His fingers brushed her soft cheek. "I wouldn't be hanging around the likes of them."

Her eyes narrowed and she smacked his hand away and backed up. "And why not? They've all been nothing but kind to me... well, all except Crosshair."

He didn't appreciate being smacked and he frowned distastefully. "Because unlike normal clones, they're not meant to be here. They're just mistakes."

Now it was her turn for her to become angry, for she wasn't dumb enough to not know what an insult was, and those 'explosive tendencies' AZI warned her to suppress started to bubble up within her. "Mistakes?" She sneered. "Unlike 'normal' clones, Clone Force 99 has a 100% success rate on missions."

"Yeah, well they also have a 100% success rate on being freaks of nature."

SAC-1 now understood why Wrecker seemed to want to pummel these guys. Her face contorting in anger, she flung her tray to the ground. "That's it!" She launched herself at the unsuspecting man and tackled him to the ground with such strength that surprised him.

"Agent!" Hunter exclaimed.

"I don't appreciate you insulting my new squad!" She shouted as she pinned his shoulders to the ground with her knees and raised her fist to sucker punch him.

Before her fist connected with his face though, a set of arms enclosed around her and yanked SAC-1 off of the clone. "Oh no you don't, girly!" The first clone protested.

Survival instincts kicked in, and SAC-1 rammed her head backwards into the clones' face, making him cry out and release her as his nose gave a sickening 'CRUNCH!', then she locked her hands onto his shoulders and hurled him several feet away at a pillar, the sharp impact knocking him out instantly, and he crumpled to the ground.

SAC-1 whipped around at the two remaining clones and stalked up to them. "Any more insults about my squad?!" She taunted rhetorically.

The clones held up their hands in surrender, then scurried to their brother to honestly see if he was still breathing while SAC-1 glared at anyone who dared look at her.

A hand was laid on her shoulder from behind, and she was about to throw another punch but the person expected it and caught her fist. "Easy, soldier." Hunter said out of habit, releasing her hand when she realized who it was and her demeanor softened slightly as she turned to look up at him with regret. "Why don't you go get a new tray?" He suggested.

SAC-1 was still breathing heavily though, and figured she should go cool off somewhere. "You know what, I'm not hungry anymore. I think I'll just go to my assigned quarters before I break some more bones."

Hunter nodded in agreement. "I think that'd be best."

As she stalked off, her anger turned into fearful regret as a terrible thought came to mind: What if the mistress finds about this?

This question made her blood run cold.