Two

While Anakin and Weave worked on the alluvial dampers, Kali and Stonewall were seated across from Ahsoka and Captain Rex on the Wayfarer, holding what – she imagined – was a rather informal briefing on Shadow Squad's upcoming mission. The rest of her men were gathered around her and Stonewall at parade-rest, and she could feel their tension at being in the presence of the most powerful Jedi in existence, despite the fact that he was smudged with grease and smelled like coolant.

Had she not known him since he was Obi-Wan's Padawan, Kali might have felt the same way. As it was, she was acutely aware of the persistent limp in her left knee when she was around other Jedi like Anakin: Jedi who were whole and undamaged, Jedi who did not have to rely on blasters to support their own lack of lightsaber skills.

With a small shake of her head, Kali pushed the thought from her mind and glanced from Rex to the Togruta Padawan, both of whom looked hesitant at her next words. "It's not a bad idea, is it?" she asked with a frown. "I mean, he needs information, we're going to retrieve said information...why are you both looking at me like that?"

Before Ahsoka or Rex could reply, Anakin's voice sounded from the engine compartment. "Chopper's one of my best men, but he has...a past." There was a clanging sound, followed by the young man's swift utterance of a curse.

At these words, Kali looked at Rex, who sat up a little straighter in his seat. "General Skywalker is correct, sir. Chopper is one of the best. It's just..." Here, he faltered and frowned to himself.

"He...hurts," Ahsoka broke in, her voice quiet. "He's wounded in a way that goes past his skin." She frowned as well and shook her head.

I could sense something like that from him, Kali thought as she gave a slow nod. Something deeper than what was on his surface. "So you think he wouldn't want to?"

Rex and Ahsoka exchanged glances before the captain spoke. "It's not a question of whether or not he'd want to," Rex explained at last. "But whether or not he'd allow himself to want to."

"Well, I'd like to at least extend the offer," Kalinda replied after a pause. "And I can promise that everyone on this ship will treat him with respect and kindness." Behind her, Milo, Crest and Traxis nodded in agreement and she felt a glow of pride for her men.

From his place at her side, Stonewall cleared his throat, and she noted a flicker of apprehension from him, centered on her. "And if he's as astute as you say, it would be good to bring him along. The more eyes, the better, as far as I'm concerned."

I suppose the whole notion of 'Jedi-Killers' has him on edge, especially when we're hunting them. She nodded and regarded Rex, whose expression was thoughtful. "I think it will be fine, but you know him better than I do, Captain. If you don't think it's a good idea..."

"I think it's a great idea," Ahsoka broke in. "I think it'll be good for him. I'm a little jealous, actually. You guys always sound like you're having fun." She gave Rex a playful nudge and Kali didn't miss how the captain emanated a small bit of amusement at her teasing despite his neutral mien.

Anakin's voice sounded again, echoing within the engine compartment. "I resent that, Snips. We have plenty of fun."

"I've heard some interesting stories..." Kalinda said. "I don't know if I'd share your idea of fun, Anakin."

"Believe me," Ahsoka replied with a wry look towards her master. "You wouldn't. I'm not even sure I do all the time."

There were only a few more minutes of discussion before Anakin and Weave clambered out of the engine and the decision was made.

It wasn't an odd thing for Chopper to get a request to see the captain in his office, and he had long ago stopped feeling apprehension over such a summons. However, given his recent interaction with General Halcyon he wasn't sure what to expect, which did nothing to set him at ease. When he stepped into the room, he was greeted by Captain Rex as well as...

"Captain Stonewall," the other officer said in a genial voice, reaching for Chopper's hand. "Good to meet you, Chopper." He leaned back in his chair and glanced at his fellow captain, who waved the trooper into a seat.

Chopper sat, keeping his back straight and wondering what was going to happen. He trusted his captain, tentatively considered him a friend, but the new officer was an unknown element and he didn't want to take any chances.

"I heard about your datapad," Rex said without preamble. "And I know how much work you lost even if you won't admit it. But General Halcyon's made an offer that might interest you."

Captain Stonewall nodded. "We're en route to Milagro to investigate a new type of Separatist droid – something that Grievous has been cooking up, from what I hear."

At this, Chopper leaned forward, the motion so small that it would have been easy to miss if he weren't in the company of other clones. "The MagnaGuards, sir?"

"Exactly. The Jedi-Killers." A shadow crossed Stonewall's face, though it was fleeting and indirect, before he continued. "I hear that you've been doing some research into the droids, sussing out weaknesses, attack patterns, that kind of thing?" He paused for confirmation and Chopper gave a careful nod. The new captain met his gaze. "Would you be interested in accompanying us to Milagro?"

Chopper hesitated.

"You don't have to," Rex added after a moment. "It was General Halcyon's idea, but it's only a suggestion, Chopper. It's not an order."

"She feels responsible for ruining your research," Stonewall added, a tinge of hopefulness coloring his words. "But she thinks this might make it up to you."

Chopper gave a mental shake of his head and considered. Getting a first-hand look at the Magnas in action would be incredibly useful, especially if he could create his own helmet vids; he knew which angles were more conducive to assessing the droids' abilities and which were best for simple destruction.

But it would mean getting to know a whole new squad. Trying to fit in with an established group of brothers. That was not one of his strengths. He hadn't seen their ship, but Fives said it was small, which meant that he'd have to share a bunk with new-to-him troopers, men who might look at him with disgust or revulsion or any number of unpleasant emotions that he tried to ignore, for all that they were infrequent on the Resolutenow. Here he was more accepted; or maybe he always had been – if Echo was right – and he was only just starting to realize it.

And there was also the matter of the Jedi. He couldn't imagine being stuck in close quarters with a strange female; in some small, tight corner of his brain he heard Slick describing the exact way in which she would cringe away with revulsion, reiterating to him that women hated scars. Now he was able to push the thoughts to the side – for the time being – but it all boiled down to the fact that General Halcyon was yet another unknown element, and that he still wasn't that great with females. Especially ones who could essentially read your mind.

No, he thought. No, it would be too strange, for all of us.

The decision brought a bit of remorse, as he really would have liked to see the Magnas in action firsthand, but in the end he was sure that he was making the right choice.

So Chopper shook his head. "Thank you, sir. But I don't think I could." Despite his certainty, Chopper heard his voice trail to a whisper at the last word.

There was a pause before Stonewall nodded and reached forward to shake his hand again. "I'm sorry to hear that, Chopper, but I understand. We'll try to get some good vids for you, at any rate." There was remorse in the officer's voice, Chopper was certain, but he didn't think about it too hard as he rose and made his way out of the door.

He could have gone back to his bunk, but he felt odd and restless, so he made his way to the mess to grab a cup of caf and see if he could try to salvage any bits of vid from the 'pad. About half an hour later he was seated in his preferred location, the still-deceased datapad in front of him when someone approached.

"Chopper?"

"General Halcyon." He was on his feet in an instant, saluting her for all he was worth and anticipating something, though he couldn't have said what. There must be some reason for her to seek me out. He recalled her expression when she'd spilled the caf, then her captain's obvious disappointment when he declined her offer. She's angry. Or at least annoyed. He settled in for a chewing-out, and was thankful that no one else was about at this hour.

After a beat of silence she met his eyes. "Didn't feel like coming along?"

"No, sir." Of course he wanted to look at his feet, at the ceiling, anywhere but her face.

The Jedi's shoulders sank a bit as she nodded. After a pause she tilted her head at him. "Can I ask why?"

Chopper paused, considering. His eyes tried to drop of their own accord but she held his gaze, refusing to let him look away, which was more unsettling than anything else about her at the moment. Finally he continued. "I'm not...it's just..." Pausing to take a quick breath to collect himself, he tried not to frown as he looked back at her. "It's very kind of you, sir. But it isn't necessary."

"It's okay, Chopper. But after I heard nothing but glowing praise about you and your work, I was looking forward to working with you; Captain Rex, Ahsoka and Anakin were all very adamant that you were the best man for this job." Her expression softened, and she gave him a sad smile. "But it's okay. Maybe next time."

When she turned to leave, her words reverberated in his head. I've heard nothing but glowing praise about you..the best man for this job. As he wondered if it was possible to physically feel one's mind change, Chopper sighed to himself. At least I'll have something to tell Fives and Echo, for once. "General Halcyon..."

While she spoke with Chopper, or rather, spoke to him, as he didn't participate all that much in the conversation, Kali tried to get a better sense of the man through the Force. Ahsoka was right, he has many scars, most of which aren't visible. When he'd refused the offer, she let her disappointment show, thinking that perhaps he felt as though he wouldn't be welcome, and she was irrationally pleased when he changed his mind. They arranged for him to come to the Wayfarer the next morning, when they were scheduled to leave, then parted ways.

Lifting her comm, Kali called Stonewall as she made her way out of the mess hall. "He said yes." She couldn't keep the happiness from her voice and heard Stone's reply in kind.

"Good. Er..." There was a pause, then he cleared his throat. "Meet me at the ship?"

It was just him, as the other members of her squad were with several of the 501st clones; he was standing at parade-rest when she approached, but he saluted her once she came close. Kali glanced around, noted the presence of a deck officer and sighed inwardly. I hate sneaking around like this, but it won't do to advertise our relationship. We can't let the gossip get too out of hand.Once they were on board, he took a deep breath.

"I'm glad that he's coming, but we'll need to sort out our...sleeping arrangements."

Osik. Should have thought of that first. She nodded and glanced around at the crew cabins. Normally she and Stone shared the officer's bunk and the others stayed within the remaining two rooms. "I can give up my room to three of you and take one of the smaller cabins," she offered as she looked back at him.

But Stonewall shook his head. "No, Kali. You're the ranking officer, therefore you get the officer's cabin. But I appreciate the thought." He gave her a smile, which she returned. "I'll throw in with Crest and Traxis, and Chopper can bunk with Mi and Weave."

"I'd rather have it the other way around," she replied, thinking of her conversations with the trooper. "I think Crest and Traxis might be better for him. Crest has a..." She sighed to herself. "A way with people, you know? I think he'd be good with Chopper."

"You've spoken to him more than I have," he replied. After a moment he exhaled and took her hands in his own. "I'm glad he's coming. Those droids have been bothering me."

Kali studied him. "What in the stars could bother you about a 'Jedi-Killer' droid?" Her smile was wide and he chuckled as he bent to kiss her. After several more moments she looked at him again. "I will miss you, you know. Even if it's just for a week."

He didn't reply at first, but she got the definite notion that the feeling was mutual.

The day of departure came with alarming speed. General Halcyon's ship, the Wayfarer, was resupplied and ready to go at 0700 that morning, which was when Chopper found himself at the hangar, duffel bag slung over his shoulder, helmet on, nerves twisting. He could see the members of Shadow loading up the very last of the supplies, as well as General Halcyon and Captain Stonewall speaking to Rex at the base of the ramp. As he approached, he caught the edges of their words.

"We'll be in contact," the Jedi was saying. "I don't imagine this taking more than four days – a week at the very most – and then we'll rendezvous back with you."

Rex nodded; Chopper noted that the captain seemed somewhat more at ease with the Jedi than he'd imagined, and remembered hearing something about General Halcyon and her captain working with Rex and a few of the 501st on some Outer-Rim world several months ago – the name of the planet escaped him at the moment. He stepped forward and dropped the bag to his feet, lifting his arm in a salute as he did so. The moment he did, the other members of the squad appeared in the doorway and regarded him, and he was thankful that he'd worn his bucket.

"At ease, Chopper," the Jedi said with a smile. While he lowered his arm to stand at parade rest he examined her expression and found that it was not sarcastic or mocking. As he did so, he thought that Rex might have given him an odd look, but it may have just been a trick of the light. The Jedi indicated the ship. "Welcome to the new-and-improved Wayfarer."

A bald clone on the ramp of the little transport chuckled. "Now with a working 'fresher! Will wonders never cease?"

General Halcyon grinned and nodded to Rex. "Thanks for everything, Rex. And please thank Anakin again for me, will you?"

The captain gave her an easy salute, shook Captain Stonewall's hand and turned to Chopper, slapping him on the shoulder once before giving him a nod. "Have fun."

Before Chopper could ask him what he meant, Rex exited the hangar, leaving Chopper with his new – temporary – squad. Captain Stonewall glanced at him. "Let's go through the introductions on board...I'm ready go get underway." A look at the Jedi; she nodded and turned to step aboard the ship, the captain and Chopper following in her wake. Once everyone was aboard, another clone – who looked a bit younger than the others – sealed the door and then bounded for the helm where he began to prep the engines.

Chopper stood for a moment with h is bag slung over his shoulder, unsure of what to do. He didn't have to wait long.

General Halcyon cleared her throat. "Guys...this is Chopper. He's going to help us investigate those MagnaDroids."

"MagnaGuards," the captain said. "How many times have we been over this, Ka...General?"

She had the look of someone trying not to roll her eyes. "You know what I meant, Captain."

Chopper resisted the urge to gape at Stonewall, even though he knew that no one could see him beneath his bucket. Did he almost call her by her first name? Perhaps Fives was right. But he had little desire to root out truth from speculation, so he tried to ignore the moment as the others stepped forward to introduce themselves.

A quiet clone with twin strips of hair shaved into his head reached for Chopper's hand. "I'm Weave, the medic. Nice to meet you." Chopper felt his shoulders relax at the even tone of the trooper's voice, and his calm expression.

The next clone, completely bald, gave him a grin and a firm handshake. "Crest. Ordnance." He pointed his thumb toward his face. "I'm also the funny one."

"In your own mind, maybe," spoke up another, a clone with a jagged, pink scar that ran across his face and down past the edge of his body-glove, which Chopper ran his eyes over, thinking of how it must have happened, how old it was, how much it had hurt to get. "Traxis," he said as he shook Chopper's hand. "Weapons."

The younger clone who'd taken the helm twisted in his seat. "I'd get up, but I don't want us to crash. I'm Milo." He waved and Chopper felt his hand lift in return, as if on its own accord. Milo nodded at him through the reflection of the viewscreen and then shook his head. "Oh yeah...sniper. That's what I do, anyway." He gave a quiet chuckle.

"And you've met Stone and I, so I think that's that," the Jedi said.

The captain indicated a corridor off to one side. "You'll be bunking with Crest and Traxis. Hope you don't mind the smell."

Crest rolled his eyes and muttered as he waved Chopper along. "Suddenly everyone's a comedian."

They walked through the rear section of the ship and he paused before a small cabin door; when it opened, Chopper's brows lifted beneath his bucket. The room was a jumbled mess of armor, old clothing and various bits and pieces of weaponry. However, there was a small cot in the corner, the area around it clear of debris. Chopper noted how the cot was against the wall and wondered if Rex had said something.

"You can toss your stuff down anywhere," Crest said. "As you can tell, we're not too strict on protocol around here. And the smell's gone...Trax and I figured out what it was." His brows lifted and he grinned as Chopper placed his duffel on the cot. "Namana pudding doesn't age well, as it turns out."

Having no response to that, Chopper nodded. As he turned to leave the room, the bald clone paused; when he spoke again, his voice was deliberate. "You don't have to leave your helmet on, Chopper," he said, meeting the place on the visor where Chopper's eyes were. "Whatever you prefer."

The Chopper from months ago, the Chopper that still heard Slick's voice in the back of his mind, cringed at the idea. But the Chopper who had friends, the Chopper who had the commander's trust and the captain's respect...he gave a nod and popped the seal of his bucket, lifted it and set it down on the cot beside his duffel. When he turned back to Crest, the bald clone gave him a wide grin.

"Don't blame you," he said, and Chopper frowned. But Crest only shook his head and thumbed the discarded helmet. "Those things are a bit cumbersome inside this tiny ship, is all. I figured it out the first time I smacked my forehead on a door-frame that it's better to go bucket-less in here. Come on," he added with a causal motion of his hand that indicated they should head back to the common area of the ship. "You can vouch for me about the smell...or lack thereof."

Reviews and comments are all appreciated!

Next week: music lessons!