If you're reading this, thanks so much for sticking with the story to the third chapter! Also, a huge thank you to Bombsoldier for leaving a great review. I can promise very interesting flashbacks into the pasts of multiple characters, including Myra, are coming your way later in the story. :)
"This may be the densest kriffin' jungle in the whole universe." Tor grunted, whacking a tangle of vines out of his way. Barely six in the morning and I can already tell today is going to suck sheb.
"Hate to break your heart, vod [brother], but the whole planet's covered in it." another clone sighed from Tor's left. "At this rate," he grunted as he swiped a branch out of his helmet's visor,"we'll never make it to the R.P. on time."
Another armored figure came fighting out of the tree line. "Have a little faith, Snap. We'll make it." He pressed a few buttons his wrist com which was painted in gray-green camo, matching the patterns on the rest of his armor. "We're about 5 clicks out."
"If you say so, sir."
"It doesn't help that is hotter than Mustafar in this armor!" a fourth trooper complained as he removed his helmet, which had orange splatters painted on it, to wipe his face, revealing a bald head and multiple burn scars. "You'd think those long-necks could find a way to install some AC in this fancy commando armor."
"That armor has saved your hyper-active hide more times than I can count, Jaro." the older clone in the camo armor chuckled.
"Yeah, vod, I wouldn't curse it now. Might hurt it's feelings. We wouldn't want it to decide it doesn't want to save you next time, would we?" Tor added with a snort.
"Of course you would be worried about an armor kit having feelings." Jaro scoffed in response. "Your kit must be a girl, with those sissy purple streaks."
"Hey!"
Their camouflaged leader shook his head. "Ne'johaa, [Shut up] both of you. Let's keep moving before we really do miss the rendezvous window and Snap has a meltdown about it."
Myra extinguished her lightsaber at the repetitive chirping of her wrist comm and pressed a button. "Yes, Master? Is everything alright?"
"Yes Myra. I apologize for being unable to attend your saber practice today, we will have to catch up tomorrow." Ki-Adi Mundi rarely missed any of Myra's lightsaber practice sessions, and she sensed it must have been something very important that kept away that morning. He continued. "Would you join me in the hangar please? There are some gentlemen here that you should meet."
"On my way, master."
As soon as she ended the call, Myra dashed to her quarters and changed into a freshly laundered set of clothes. This must be the important event I sensed this morning, she thought as she dressed, I wonder what it could be about? It felt like something good earlier, but now all I can sense is my own nervousness...
"C'mon R9!" She called behind her as she sprinted out the door and down the hall toward the hangar, leaving the droid speeding behind her in a fit of startled beeps and whistling sounds.
As she stood in the elevator descending to the hangar, she took one last moment to "look" over herself.
"R9, how do I look? Mature? Jedi-like?" The astromech chirped agitatedly. "Well I'm sorry I interrupted your recharge but I needed some moral support for this. It's a big deal… at least I feel that it might be. Or will be someday… I don't know I can't focus right now."
The green and gold droid seemed to pause, then beeped in response.
"Thanks buddy, I hope so." Myra felt the elevator slow to a halt. "Oh! Almost forgot…" She mumbled and pushed her green satin eye covering over her short, wavy red hair like a headband, revealing unfocused, pale eyes. The droid whistled curiously at her as she blinked rapidly, trying to adjust to the few hazy blobs of light that she could see. "Oh no, I'm not hiding my blindness! I just… um, want them to take me seriously that's all. You only get one first impression." She answered. And as the elevator doors slid open, Myra swallowed hard and wondered if her optimistic premonitions would turn out to be right after all.
"I'm going to be picking twigs and leaves out of my armor for days. Maybe weeks." Myra heard a deep voice grumble as she walked gracefully to her Master's side.
She could sense five people besides him, one of which she recognized as Bacara, Captain of the Galactic Marines, of which her Master was General. The other four men were definitely clones from the way she could sense them standing in a formation, and first sensation she could feel was that they were all exhausted.
"Padawan, these are the Republic Commandos of the squad: Epsilon. They will be assisting us with our next mission." Master Mundi began. If her was surprised that she had chosen not to cover her eyes, he masked it well. He nodded to the four clones, indicating that they could introduce themselves.
The one with camouflaged armor in the center took a step forward and removed his helmet, revealing an older face and experienced eyes, and black regulation-crew-cut hair flecked with grey. "I'm Captain Cuyan, the leader of Epsilon. It's an honor to meet you, ma'am. We look forward to working with you."
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Captain." Myra smiled and gave a quick bow.
"These are my men," Cuyan continued, pointing to each one, "Tor, Snap, and Jaro. Tor is our sniper and recon expert, Snap is the medic, and Jaro… well, he just likes to blow up things."
Myra giggled, and noticed the clones' surprise at her reaction . "Well destruction is certainly a helpful skill too these days." She smiled. "Welcome aboard."
Master Mundi smiled fondly at his student and spoke. "Yes, I'm sure all of your individual skills will greatly aid us in the mission ahead of us. We're counting on you."
"Epsilon hasn't failed a mission yet, General." Cuyan stated proudly. "We won't let you down."
Master Mundi nodded in acknowledgement and told everyone present to meet early the next morning for the mission briefing. Captain Bacara was the first to depart, and Myra thought she could sense resentment and bitterness in his aura as he walked away, but brushed it off for the moment.
"Please, take the rest of the day to recuperate." She addressed the squad of men. "I'm sure your last mission was exhausting."
"Thank you Commander, General." Cuyan responded, nodding briefly to each of them. "We'll see you in the morning."
Master Mundi nodded to Cuyan and Myra followed him as he and Bacara turned and walked away, leaving the members of Epsilon to themselves.