"And this is the command centre." Lip explained with a wide gesture.

Weela forced herself not to groan. Never mind that the base was built according to a standard plan that she'd seen a hundred times by now, the door to the place was marked 'HQ' and the interior was filled with electronic maps! Did the clone expect her to believe it was the lavatories or something?

A quick glance to her left told her her master still wore that polite smile of his, meaning that interrupting the waste of time would be foolish. He probably intended to teach her something again, though of course he didn't say what...as always Weela found herself suppressing a wave of irritation. That was his way of teaching, she just had to accept it and wait for the lesson to hit her, if it did...

Lip pointed over to one of the many computers lining the wall of the building, or more specifically the trooper standing by it, back bent as he worked over some gauges. "And that's CC-7951, or Ned, he's our advisor." At the sound of his name the clone turned. As everyone in the room he wore the stark white armour of a clone trooper, even the helmet was on. How the troopers told each other apart in those things without force powers was beyond her...but they apparently did.

"Lip, all is well I trust?" The clone inclined his head. "And this must be Boc Fac and Weela Mern, it's an honour to meet jedi, though surprising considering where we are." He spoke in the usual rough clone voice, perhaps enunciating his words a little clearer, as if afraid his words wouldn't be received, no doubt a result of using the radio too much.

Heh, at least this one acted properly. Next to her Boc bowed slightly, apparently set on giving a good impression in this less than welcoming place, Weela couldn't bring herself to following his example though. They were clones dammit! "Ned, good to meet you, I trust you will aid us during our mission."

"Ye-"

"Are you kidding?" Lip chuckled as he interrupted the other clone, could they glare though those visors? "Ned here is the best advisor I've ever had, never lets you down when you need a little help. Though I wouldn't mind him grabbing a blaster and physically helping us."

"Then who would pull your asses out of the fire?" Ned asked, folding his arms in front of him. "Now if there's nothing else I am fine-tuning the equipment from the last mission. In fact I'd like Fourth to turn in his communicator, a stray sniper shot has frazzled it too much for my liking."

"I'll tell him." Lip sighed, turning to the two jedi. "Have to excuse Ned, he's a boring guy."

"Hey!"

"You must excuse me." Boc inclined his head slightly. "I need to speak with Ned here about the mission we were sent to execute, but Weela would be pleased to continue the tour." He shot her a look that brook no arguing. "Right padawan?"

Realising that any protest would probably mean a harsher lecture then the one she was already in for Weela bowed her head. "Of course master, Lip, please lead me on." Her master probably had some damn plan too...wanted her to report what she found out or something. Was that part of him teaching her? Or was it simply a wish to learn more before the mission ahead? Maybe both?

Or maybe she was just over thinking the whole thing? Lip seemed not to see any hidden agenda in the whole thing though, cheerfully saluting. "Yes sir, this way ma'am." Ma'am...she knew it was automatic, it was annoying though, damn clones... She followed the clone out into the sunlight, struggling not to stand downwind of him. Force...why wasn't anyone else being bothered by the smell of rot coming off him!? Was it just her still being grumpy or something? Or maybe the others had lost all ability to smell after a year stuck in this place...

Ignoring the glances of a few nearby clones, no doubt surprised at seeing anything but their own kind, she followed Lip towards what looked to be the mess hall. Why he would wish to put his fellow clones through the horror of eating and smelling him at the same time was beyond her. But the order had been for a full tour...perhaps he had no choice? Ugh, one never knew with these things. "So...Ned? Why that name?"

Weela didn't really care, but small talk would probably distract her from the lousy day. Lip chuckled though, apparently delighted by the question. "Oh we saved a couple of civilians from a downed transport a good while ago, they hung out in our barrack for quite a while, apparently they thought CC-7951 as a 'Ned'."

"A Ned?" Weela arched an eyebrow.

"Yeah, they always found him using his downtime reading and working by the computer funny...called him a 'Ned', so that's how he got the name." Lip shrugged. "Still don't know what a Ned is...though I suspect it's some sort of bat, or a rodent at least."

Weela couldn't help herself, she laughed. "I think you mean they found him to be a nerd, you know, sort of like a narrow-minded geek."

"You mean we got his name wrong?" Lip looked at her blankly, then cracked a wide grin. "Can't wait until I tell him that! Wonder what he'll give me not to reveal it?"

"Beats me." Weela answered, stopping in her track she frowned at the sight of half a dozen clone troopers lying around some scattered boxes, a slight snoring escaping their prone bodies. Behind her Lip chuckled. "Erm...rather then ask why these guys are sleeping here instead of in their beds...what's with Lip?"

"They are taking a break from their work shift." The clone smiled. "As for my name...haven't you noticed I've been talking a lot? Well at least more then necessary, it's sort of unique for a trooper like me. Well I guess the famous Delta squad talks a lot too judging by their video logs...but still."

Not wanting to show she didn't actually know of these 'famous' clones...she found the term a little odd for something like them actually...Weela kept a smile up while asking: "Ah, what are the other guys names then? The ones in your pod I mean?"

"Well...it feels sort of wrong calling it my pod since all but Cutter is a replacement in the pod." Lip looked a little nervous for a moment. Replacement...as in losses? Should she apologise or something? This was easier with normal people... "But you got RC-1587, also known as Wrench."

Ah, better, quickly move to a safer subject... "Wrench eh? Bet he's a good mechanic?"

"Well...yes." Lip admitted, grimacing slightly. "Knows it too if you know what I mean. But the funny thing is that he got it from trying to brag when he first got here...and forgetting the name of the tool!" They shared a small laugh. "Never did live that down...poor sod."

"Ah, and...?"

"Cutter? He's really RC-1180...his name is easy. He's been here the longest of us all, and if you'd seen his video logs you would know why he got the name. That vibroknife of his has killed a small army by now." Lip laughed, apparently finding something amusing with it.

Weela just frowned. "Guess all names can't have a funny story, what about Fourth?"

"Erm..." Lip scratched his head, grimacing. "I don't think you'll like it...but if you want I guess I must answer." Force, what was with these clones!? Angry but friendly, obedient but complaining, taking their own initiative and then saying they had no choice in the matter...odd creatures.

"Go on." Weela found her shoulders tensing up, the mere thought of that disrespectful cretin irking her, and there was something in Lip's tone...

The clone grimaced, but at least he spoke: "We both joined Panther squad at the same time as replacement. While I simply told them my name and designation he asked how many sergeants the squad had had before him..."

"You can't be..."

Lip nodded, not smiling anymore. "Yep, so now he's Fourth...no idea what his name was before that." He shrugged. "Meh, he's a good sergeant though, don't you worry, he'll get you wherever you want."

Weela frowned. "If he doesn't kill me first."

Lip actually had the audacity to look shocked. "What!? Excuse me ma'am but that's a stupid thing to even hint at! We're clone troopers, our programming would never allow us to hurt you."

Programming...as if they were droids. Did no one but her find that creepy!? Having an army that essentially looked and acted alike...just like droids...but look human...that was creepy! It was unnatural, especially as she felt their emotions, yet found herself doubting that they really were there, they seemed so warped...different from that of a normal human.

Who's idea had it been to create a tool with emotions anyway?

"Yeah, I bet you are." She grimaced, realising her tone wasn't very jedi-like. "Erm, sorry, a little tired..." Great, now she was apologising to a product. "...actually I'd like to freshen up and rest, bet you're tired too. So where do me and my master sleep?"

"You are in luck." The clone smiled, apparently not having caught her less than polite tone. "With our losses we've managed to move things around a little...both you and your master has a whole barrack for yourselves." He pointed towards one of the larger buildings. "Just don't rifle through the lockers there, some of the dead people's possessions have yet to be moved to the supply sheds."

Weela nodded even as she forced herself not to snort. People...that's a laugh.