CT-4690 stood waiting to enter his final exam. The repulsor lift beneath his feet hummed in what some would say a melodic rhythm, to Phim though, it was just taunting him. His hands, resting comfortably on his blaster, shook relentlessly under the stress. He took a shaky breath, staring at those quaking hands with deep sorrow. Clone troopers weren't meant to feel stress. They weren't meant to feel anything! Counting down the seconds until the daunting exam began, Plank let the voices of his batchmates filter through his headset, not really listening to what was being said.

Suddenly the sharp voice of their commanding officer snapped him out of his reflections,"Plank!" He barked, sounding like it wasn't the first time he had asked, "Remember LAST time when you didn't concentrate? Well, concentrate!" Plank suppressed a sigh, nodding, not disagreeing with his commanders 'tough love'.

"Sir yes Sir," He replied, voice seeming sullen even to himself.

There was a sigh from his Commander, Licks, "Come on Plank, you could at least PRETEND to be optimistic!" He complained, waving a hand towards him.

"How's this," Plank said flatly, "Sir yes Sir, I'm prepared for ANYTHING Sir?"

"Much better soldier," Licks said in all seriousness, "Just make sure to stay on your feet this time."

"Sir Yes Sir," He replied with as much gusto as the first time. His thoughts once again drifted to their previous training session. SOMEHOW he had managed to take out three in his own team. How stupid was that?! Like- their blasters weren't even built to have the same effect as the droids blasters! It wasn't even logically possible! No one had sent him to be reconditioned but if they fail... Looking around at his brothers faces, it was clear they were thinking along the same lines.

Mentally sighing, Planks thoughts also wandered to how he got his nickname. An utterly humiliating story of how he had NO sense of Balance.

Returning to the real world Plank suffered through the all too real hunger that threatened to rip his stomach apart. Groaning lightly he thought back to possibly the most critical mistake he ever could have made. Plank was messing around with CT-4691 (or Mishap, co-figure) after hours when we caught Zalu, one of the most important and influential kaminoans, smoking spice! Livid and high on spice he cut off both of their ration packets until their graduation. That was three days ago… Three whole days that included training and lots of running with no food. Just the thought made him dizzy as the pain seemed to intensify.

Mishap had already collapsed and was in rehab. Gritting his teeth with forced determination, he powered through the waves of hunger. Glancing nervously in the general area that the control and observatory room would be, then back at his brothers, he saw that everyone couldn't help having a bad feeling. They had heard that a guest Jedi would be joining them instead of Master Shak Ti.

"So who's the new Jedi, you think?" Licks asked, nervousness leaking into his voice. Before anyone could answer they came in view of the control room.

"Kriff," Plank said, wincing, as he voiced the thought of every clone who would be taking this exam today. Jedi Master Mliss. She had assigned the first batch of clones to each legion and was notorious for being able to see past a troopers outward appearance, for good or bad and also well known not for her devotion to the Republic but to saving lives...

Plank felt panic rise in him before he had to squish it down- rather focusing on the hunger than the fear.

No- if he acted natural, she wouldn't notice a thing! Though what's she doing here? So far from the fighting.

Shaking out of his surprise first, Lick said confidently into the headset." Don't let the Jedi scare you, she's utterly harmless. Unless you guys have something to hide let's get on with it. No Jedi will stop us from passing!"

Yes," Mliss's voice said through the command centre, having heard everything that was just said." Don't allow me to stop you."

The replacement trooper for Mishap facepalmed, and so did Licks. Plank would have too but he was afraid he would lose whatever nerve he was grasping to.

Well, Mliss can watch and judge all she likes.

That is, doing it the best she could since she is blind as is characteristic of the Miraluka. Shaking out of his surprise, the starting sound echoed around his helmet.

Finally! Now he could focus on something else. Plank let out a silent prayer to the force that he messed up only himself. No one else. Blaster fire missed him by inches. Adrenaline filled his veins. The fun was about to begin.