(Authors note. This is just a connecting chapter needed to tie together loose ends so nothing really good happens here.)
"Listen up!"Mliss said to the 10 newly elite group of clone troopers."Six weeks have passed since we gathered here together and now you are all ready. As you are all extremely competent at your skills, you will scarcely go to fight as ten. Instead, you will go in groups of five."
Plank looked around the group to see how they would respond to this piece of news. As the professionals they had become, no response was visible. Plank mused briefly on how each one's armor besides his own had been modified. Most had been painted grey or at leased adapted for camouflage.
"The following will be paired up for most missions. Plank with Sly, who specializes in hand to hand combat; Crusher, specializing in heavy weaponry; Slip-up, newly named Snipe as you can guess why and Camo, the undercover expert. Calmer who specializes in droids with; Ram in ships; Camera in obscure tactics; Spec in weaponry and Data at handling information. The second group will help with a battlefront on Christophis. Mainly supplies and cleaning up a few spare droids lying around, nothing too hard. You will leave immediately."
The others turned to leave before, after a second of hesitation? Mliss said, "Your overall commanding officer will be... Plank."
Plank reeled in surprise, glad for his helmet because his jaw had dropped almost completely to the floor. What is she talking about? Why me? That must be a mistake! I'm not good enough!
The departing clones graciously nodded in acknowledgment of the new orders and, thankfully, didn't stay to wonder about the new commander. Unfortunately Sly and the rest under his command had quite the chance to gawk. Turning to look at Sly, Plank wished wholeheartedly that he had some way to know what he was thinking. Luckily Mliss sensed his discomfort and continued with her orders.
"Now we shall depart as well for our mission."
The others looked at each other wondering if they had misheard.
"We Mliss?" Sly asked questioningly.
Smiling in anticipation she replied casually," I fancy seeing how you all do on the field. Plus, "Mliss called out behind her as she made her way to her ship while the others were gathering their weapons."I think it will be fun."
If Plank hadn't been so preoccupied with the whole why-am-i-a-commander thing he would have laughed at the odd Jedi. His brothers weren't burdened with such things so were laughing there heads off inside there helmets. Plank didn't stay to ask what Sly thought of his promotion.
The five fine troopers gathered their equipment, from explosives to heavy modified artillery. Plank was the first to grab his E9's from the rack. They were otherwise useless to anyone who didn't have Mliss's confidential passcodes, no one had those, not even the Jedi council.
Plank walked confidently to the ship before the trooper Mliss called crusher, stopped him.
"Any idea," He said inquisitive, not jealous, "Why Mliss made you Commander.
"I have no idea whatsoever. She didn't even tell me before announcing it!"
"I wonder, "Snipe spoke up, "If she won't be the one to get us killed."
Mliss poked her head out of her ship and said"Come on, I'll brief you in here."
Plank began walking with Sly at his side. Plank was concerned though, Sly had yet to say anything to him. This time when he entered her Ship, he had a good chance to look at it from a tactical point of view. The entrance was small so only two people could fit in it at once but the interior was spacious. There were two rooms on each side, to the left was the cockpit and ahead of him, behind the holographic table was a turbolift.
Mliss knowing they had only been inside briefly, kindly gave them a quick tour.
"The first door on the left is the tool room for spare parts and weapons. The second a bedroom whenever I have guests, which is quite often. The first room to the left is the medical room and the second is the kitchen. Upstairs is the training room. In case your wondering it does have the same technology as the hanger bay. Now I believe it is time to get going. you can put your weapons for now in the tool room."
Plank walked into the room with Sly, Snipe, Crusher, and camo.
"So, "Plank said awkwardly, "What weapons do you carry?"
Crusher chuckled happily, "I got a recently invented rotator blaster. It is similar to the heavy DC-15A but smaller so I can hold two of them. Gonna cause some heavy damage," He grinned.
"Well, " Snipe said cheerfully." A modified 773 is my choice."
Camo, who had remained silent since Plank had met him, spoke," DC-16 stealth carbine, though modified for ten times the power."
Sly didn't reply, everyone one had heard of the training exercise so they knew he carried an EE-12. Silently, under his helmet, he groaned. Mliss did you ruin a perfectly good friendship? Before he could query on a privet comlink channel, Mliss's voice filtered through his helmet.
"Masters what can I do for you?"
Trying to look as if he couldn't hear anything Plank sat down to polish his E9's. The others followed suit clearly set for eavesdropping also. Mace Windu's voice came next.
"There is an emergency situation on Kamino. Every clone on the planet has contracted a form of virus supposedly from the ration packets. We have no idea what it could be. The Republics databanks are incomplete and the Jedi temples have faired little better."
"What do you need my assistance for my masters?"
This time Yoda spoke up.
"Stubborn was your master. Left the order did she so pass on her expertise in war she did. Imparted you with knowledge of virus's did she?" That last one was a question.
"She did master. I am trained to notice what a virus is from seeing their symptoms. I also have an expanded database."
There was a few seconds of silence in which Plank conceives that they are looking around at each other.
"Go then you shall. To Kamino to fix this mess you will. Watch your troopers to see how they do I will. Do not worry."
"I don't worry for them Master Yoda, They are more than competent. I should make preparations, May the Force be with you masters."
With a click of a button, the council was silent. Not looking up from his work, Plank tried to look as interested in it as possible. I wonder if the young cadets are alright Plank speculated. Startled out of his thoughts at a quiet clearing of the throat he whirled around.
"As you all heard what was said, I needn't repeat why I need to go, "Mliss said with a knowing and entertained smirk.
With no use denying it Plank was about to confess when Mliss held her hand up.
"Either way, I have arranged a troop carrier ship to take you to a planet on the far edge of Republic space. Some unusual activity has been recorded in the last few weeks on a planet called siccitas. Your job is to check it out and neutralize any threats."
Plank said automatically, "Sounds good, Sir."
Leaving the ship Mliss yelled after them," May the Force be with you!"
Mliss murmured to herself quietly after they had departed "I've got a bad feeling about this."