Discussion

In the mess, Chopper couldn't take his regular table. The generals and commanders had taken it, but he expected that. They always took that table for post-practice discussion because they could look out and see the entire room. Jester had grabbed a wall-side table and was gesturing for him. There were two other men from the 212th with Jester as well as the rookie, Caber. Jester had pulled him a hot cup of caf. With a nod, Chopper strode to the table. There were several congratulatory pats on the back and Chopper steeled himself not to flinch as those hands touched him on his covered scars. He sat next to Jester, his back to the wall and the scarred portion of his face to Jester.

It wasn't as bad as Chopper imagined; wasn't as bad as it could have been. One of Jester's friends had looked at Chopper with scorn touching his hard face. Some troopers were like that; thinking that scars made you a failure; that you hadn't been fast enough or strong enough. Chopper had been like that right out of Kamino. Sometimes he still though his scars made him less than a perfect trooper. But he was a less than perfect trooper anyway. Slick had told him that often enough. That was before, he reminded himself, angrily. He was working hard in the 501st and his captain both knew and appreciated it.

But the trooper from the 212th said nothing about scars, only congratulating Chopper on his quick reactions during practice. "I'd ask how you did it, but I think General Kenobi will be asking. No need for you to explain it twice."

There was the hum and buzz of several hundred voices, the soft clatter of men getting caf as the mess filled to capacity and beyond with nearly a thousand troopers. General Kenobi stood and softly cleared his throat. The mess quieted.

"I want to say I thoroughly enjoyed that demonstration. It has never occurred to me, and very likely to very few other Jedi, to actually practice our skills from the point of view of the battlefield and with our troops. The Jedi are few and not trained to act in concert." He smiled slightly. "Much to the chagrin of the 212th, I will begin incorporating my training exercises with the troops. Beginning tomorrow. In the Resolute hangar." General Kenobi gave them all a smile. "The 501st is invited to watch."

Commander Cody gave Captain Rex a look that clearly stated what have you gotten me into? Rex's response was a satisfied smirk. Commander Tano covered her smile with her fingers and General Skywalker leaned against the wall with a satisfied grin. General Kenobi continued speaking.

"However, I was most impressed with Chopper's display of agility and recovery in reaction to a Force push, particularly at the end of a long exercise when everyone was exhausted."

Chopper stiffened, remembering that gentle, patient voice interviewing him after Slick turned traitor. He remembered the questioning. Some questions so devious Chopper hadn't understood their intent until hours after the interview; some questions such obvious traps a child could spot them and some questions he still didn't understand because they still didn't appear to be relevant.

Chopper didn't have to wonder if General Kenobi remembered him; remembered him as the one who took droid fingers. That was evident to Chopper in the General's blue eyes, sharp and clear like blue crystal. General Kenobi remembered and his patient voice once again turned in Chopper's direction.

"Can you explain from your point of view, Chopper?"

Chopper stood, his forehead wrinkled in thought as his jaw worked saliva in his dry mouth so his voice wouldn't stutter, shake or squeek. It was the same gentle, patient voice but a question so far removed from everything that had happened before.

Chopper waited until he was fairly sure he could speak clearly and coherently then he nodded. "It was similar to free space or jetpack training, General Kenobi, sir. In freefall. Keeping your movement coming from your hips. That's why I pulled up my legs; both to maintain momentum as well as presenting a smaller target. I tried to take advantage of the rear view HUD."

"How did you react so quickly?" General Kenobi nodded slightly, tacit approval and Chopper only had to swallow once to get out his next words.

"I wasn't expecting you to use the Force but when it came, it was like gravity had cut out. That's one of the common drills for jetpack, so I immediately reacted." He glanced around. There were nods from a few other troopers; troopers trained in null-gravity or jet pack. There was a big grin on Caber's face as he sat next to Chopper, though Chopper couldn't understand why. He knew the grin on Jester's face was for surviving Slick.

"What about Captain Rex or Coric? Why didn't they react the way you did?" General Kenobi had leaned forward slightly, his eyebrows like wing above his eyes. Chopper knew those - interest and... curiosity. Could Jedi actually be curious about ... things? It was a question for a different day.

Chopper thought a moment. "In battle, the captain has to think about the objectives, about the men, about the commander and the general. He has to come up with alternatives if something doesn't go right. Coric also has to pay attention to a lot of external factors, because he's the next in command as well as chief medic. Me, I just follow orders, usually very simple ones like 'shoot until all the droids are in pieces."

There was laughter and Chopper felt a moment's remembered shame. No, they weren't laughing at him; he'd made the joke. He glanced toward the command table with a small smile on his face. Rex caught it and nodded slightly.

General Kenobi was nodding, his arms folded over each other; one hand stroking his beard in contemplation. "I see." Chopper began to sit. That hadn't been too bad.

"One more question, if I may?"

Chopper stood at parade rest waiting for the question then astonishment bloomed in him. The general was waiting for permission. Chopper nodded, hoping he hadn't taken too long to figure that out, hoping General Kenobi wasn't upset.

"How did you know it was me who used the Force?" The general didn't appear angry, simply curious; his eyebrows again like the wings of aiwhas.

That wasn't too bad either; it was a question he could answer.

"We've practiced with Force pushes before but this felt different. General Skywalker has a Force push that's all turbulent and away. Commander Tano has more stickiness to her Force push. When she pushes, it's like moving in bacta gel. I would have had a harder time aiming but I wouldn't have moved as quickly upside down."

General Kenobi was startled, his lips slightly open and his hands slightly raised but saw several other men from the 501st nod their heads. "Fascinating." His eyes glittered and Chopper knew that Jedi could be curious. The General started to ask another question, but General Skywalker touched his arm.

"Later." Skywalker's voice was so quiet, Chopper didn't hear it; but he saw the form of the word and an amused smile on Skywalker's lips.

Chopper sat. He glanced at Jester's friends. The hard one nodded at him briefly, then turned to hear the remainder of the post-practice commentary. He'd be good at the practice, precise. Chopper decided he'd watch the practice of the 212th tomorrow. He'd be there with water and electrolytes for Jester. Chopper glanced at Caber who still had the grin on his face and gave Chopper a quick nod before turning his attention back to the command table. Maybe Caber would sit next to him with water and electrolytes for the hard man and his partner; Chopper could point out good and bad moves.

It wouldn't be bad at all.

Next week - is the aftermath of the Battle of Queel (I'm pretty sure).

Please read and enjoy.

Reviews are nice.