Geonosis II
Return
The past doesn't leave the present alone.
"Geonosis…"
Chopper's lips twisted into a harsh grimace at the captain's words.
For a moment Chopper was lost in the past; Slick's laughter shrill in his mind as the gunship carrying Chopper's first squad crashed and slid on the red sand, then slamming into stones of bloody brown and sunset.
Captain Rex had called in his sergeants, his ARFs, his medics and a couple of others, including Chopper, for a short briefing in one of the auxiliary mess halls of the Resolute. They were going back to Geonosis. Chopper didn't hear too much more, lost in the past, until Caber, sitting next to him, lightly touched his wrist in concern.
Chopper shook his head, just in time to hear the captain mention Kamino.
As if Geonosis wasn't bad enough.
Chopper shut his eyes in disgust. Captain Rex wouldn't make him go planetside on Kamino, would he?
No, he's promised I'll never go back. He opened his eyes slightly to see the captain continue speaking. Ah, just to pick up some more troopers; rookies and shinnies. That won't be too bad. Chopper rubbed his scarred knuckles. They'll stare but that's not too bad. To his surprise, it wasn't. He put his hand to his face, cupping his chin in thought as his thumb slowly rubbed a small, raised scar on his jawline. Mentally he smiled. Riyo used that scar as a starting point so often when she kissed him.
It had been a good visit on Coruscant. Ash and Gajer had visited each night bringing some treat. Ash played sabacc with the troopers while Gajer brought a small board game he cajoled Kru into playing. Chopper had heard Captain Rex had spoken with Krua day or so after the first visit though no one except Kru knew what he'd said. Chopper half-expected Kru to call one-on-one but he hadn't; only asked if he could speak with Kix privately. He'd seemed close to shattering.
And each night, Chopper had gone home and slipped into bed with his lady love, filling his senses with her, memorizing everything about her, from the softness of her skin to her scent and the way her body felt...
His mind shifted back to the Captain Rex and the coming assignment. Chopper's opinion was there wouldn't be enough men in the GAR to conquer an inhabited planet with the population of Geonosis.
Perhaps it's just the main cities. Mentally he shrugged. Maybe it's just to finish my fate; maybe I'm just going back to die there. Chopper frowned at the mental path he was taking. I don't want to die. It was something he'd never told himself before and he explored the newly-expressed thought, poking at it like a sore tooth or the itching of a recent wound.
Riyo. That's why. I don't want to disappoint my lady by not returning. I want to go back home to her. He nodded slightly. And Ash, she'd …miss… me. Chopper's eyes got wide with discovery. He'd never thought anyone might miss him; never thought anyone might find his absence more distressing than his presence. Jester and Sketch would be hurt, too, even though they're troopers and understand, they'd still hurt. They were new thoughts for Chopper, new emotions and new understanding he wanted to explore. The commander would cry. Captain Rex, Chopper nodded slightly. Even the captain would miss my presence.
Captain Rex gestured to him, waiting. Caber surreptitiously poked his foot against Chopper's. Chopper blinked, suddenly realizing the captain wanted an answer to some question Chopper hadn't heard. Chopper licked his lips and noticed the sudden gleam of amusement in Rex's eyes.
Ok, not terribly important in the grand scheme of things. Chopper was prepared to give his usual nod and a brisk 'yes, sir' when he saw Caber's fist working a battle sign.
Negate, negate, negate moved Caber's fingers unseen by the captain and most of the troopers.
"No sir." Chopper said, somewhat hesitantly.
"What about the sergeants?" added Coric. "They aren't going to be happy to have a trooper in charge of them." Coric, seated at Caber's other side, had been fully aware of his hand signals.
What had the captain asked? Chopper's mind whirled.
"They'll do as I command," answered Rex to Coric's question as he looked over his best men. "If they can come up with a viable reason why Chopper or Caber or some good, experienced trooper of Commander Cody's can't lead a squad of shinies, I might listen." Rex smiled but his voice was low and soft. "I doubt they'll have any reason better than living experience."
Me? In charge of a squad? That's what it sounds like, but the captain can't set me ahead of a sergeant. Chopper's eyes widened as he turned to look at Coric who smiled and gave him a lazy half-wink. Can he?
Captain Rex, his face turned from Chopper, nodded in answer to another question and continued speaking.
It's good to have friends. He gave Coric a nod and nudged Caber with his elbow.
"Caf after?" whispered Caber and Chopper gave a small nod. He definitely needed to understand what he'd missed. Not just the caf, but the small friendship and talking among equals.
A squad. It didn't sound finalized and the captain was going over preparations for the arrival of three more companies on the Resolute. It was going to be crowded. Chopper grunted deep in the back of his throat as he realized he'd have to share the barracks. But maybe he'd share them with…
A squad of his own. He chewed his lower lip between his teeth. Caber would make a good second, but it seemed Rex was contemplating him as a squad leader also. Kix would be with Coric and medical; too busy with those duties. Maybe he could ask Sergeant Zeer for Kev. If Commander Tano didn't ask Chopper to second her for the battle. In a battle like this promises to be, Rex won't be away from Ahsoka. He'll be her two.
Give me a squad, Captain. He caught Captain Rex's eye for a tiny moment. I'll bring them all home. I promise.
Chopper was in the hangar deck with Commander Tano as the first gunships from Kamino landed and troopers began disembarking from the smaller vessels. Lt. Loj was motioning some of the Resolute's troopers into position to move the gunships to the sides as soon as possible. There were a lot of men and a lot of ships. Loj had spent most of his last three days calculating configurations for storage of the new ships for the long jump to Geonosis. General Skywalker and Captain Rex were there as well, waiting for the new men.
Chopper glanced over the area. Already there were a lot of men; their armor new and unscratched by battle, their duffels still starchly perfect. There were a lot of weapons, a lot of gunships and starfighters; all bright and shiny, untouched by war.
Commander Tano has a soft, thoughtful look in her eyes. Chopper shook his head. He knew she was thinking the same as him; not enough men. Then he saw the flash of blue, of marked armor, in that sea of white and jerked his head up to see ARC Sergeant Echo and ARC Fives among the troopers. Chopper heard a loud, enthusiastic whoop. He glanced around, wondering who else was pleased to have the two back and noticed the Resolute's troopers on the hangar deck and the incoming rookies were staring at him.
Captain Rex didn't seem to notice his breach of decorum but the commander tilted her face in his direction and gave him a smile. General Skywalker laughed and strode up to the two leading the column. "As you can hear, we're glad to have you back, ARC Sergeant Echo, ARC Fives."
Both ARCs, in their blue trimmed ARC gear, saluted the general and, by extension, the command group. Fives, as usual, had the hint of a smile curling his lips upward but it was Echo who replied.
"It's good to be back on the Resolute again, General Skywalker, sir. Back with the five oh first."
"Captain Rex will have you and the new troopers situated and then there'll be a general briefing of everyone in the main mess."
"As formal as usual, general?" asked Fives with a wicked grin. Echo glanced upward as if asking for guidance in dealing with his brother, Ahsoka put her palm over her lips and even Captain Rex shifted as he glanced at the floor, his lips tight against a smile and chuckle. He failed to contain the smile. Again, Skywalker laughed and reached his hand to Fives' shoulder.
"About as formal as usual, Fives. About as usual."
Echo turned his head to Chopper. "Hey Chopper, do you have room in your barracks for two itinerant ARCs."
Chopper forgot about the others in the hanger, the staring troopers and gawking rookies. The only ones who mattered now were his friends – Echo, Fives, Captain Rex, Ahsoka – and he called back. "I think I can manage to find an unoccupied bunk or two.
It was good to have Echo and Fives back.
"There's only one way of doing things," said Kev, his fingers cupping his mug of caf, tapping nervously. "The way we were taught on Kamino."
"And how do you put on armor," asked Fives softly. They were at Chopper's usual table, back in the corner, and Fives was in Chopper's normal seat – his back and one side protected by walls. Fives had always known why Chopper had chosen that seat but now he emotionally realized how covered and safe a place it was. It gave a view of the entire room and Fives glanced around. Although it was late, the mess was nearing capacity with the introduction of the new troops.
Kev stared forward, worrying his lips. Fives lips quirked to see Chopper's habit on another man. At last Kev spoke. "The way Chopper told me before Orto Plutonia; the way he said you and Echo decided was the fastest way." Kev lifted one shoulder in a shrug. "Because it was faster and I could see it was better."
Fives leaned back against the wall and pushed his empty mug aside. "Kamino gave us one way because it was cost-effective. Knowing one way makes us sure and confident, Kev. That's you and me and all the rest of us clones." He paused. Chopper's secrets weren't his to give away. "For Chopper there are always other ways and he has to think of the best way; has to think through repercussions, has to try to remember what Kamino taught, has to compare them. Chopper has to think, Kev. He doesn't have the luxury of reflex anymore."
"Then what good is he as a trooper?" Kev frowned and Fives was glad to see that thoughtful frown. Kev had changed a lot since Fives had last seen him. He was steadier, more secure, more dependable. Being with Chopper and training as the commander's second had been good for Kev.
"You tell me, Kev. What good is he? What has Chopper done?" Fives held up his hand. "What has Chopper done that no other trooper could have done?"
"He saved the commander in the river cave. No one else would have thought of sharing their body glove, going skin to skin. He does the droid reports. Good enough for General Halcyon to request his help on a mission." Kev glanced down. "He's friends with civilians; with Ash. And he's including others in that friendship." Kev ran his fingers over the table. "I'd like to think any of us would have noticed and understood the implications of the droids shattering." He shook his head. "But I don't think we would have. Not until it was too late to do anything about."
"Could you do those things now? Or at least recognize that a different way of doing something may give better results?"
Slowly Kev nodded, his fingers absently turning the mug.
Fives leaned forward, his elbows on the table. "Because that's part of the ARC training we received. Echo and I got top marks, the highest ever, in that particular training because we'd been with Chopper; because we experienced it with him and thinking of three or four alternatives wasn't difficult. Because sometimes in the barracks, Chopper would talk through his thinking and both Echo and I listened." Fives observed Kev a moment longer. "It's one of the requisites. If you don't catch on, if you don't understand and learn to think forward, back and sideways then you wash out of ARC training. A lot of brothers wash out there. Over half. "
"Then why do the Kaminoans enforce the single-thought mode? Why all the drilling and flash-training in the one way to do something?" Kev spread his hands then glanced around for eavesdroppers. Although it was late, the mess was crowded mostly with new men and he had asked for a private discussion with Fives. Fortunately, Fives was ARC and no one new was willing to disturb them.
Fives chuckled. "Do you want three different answers for that?"
Kev blinked then laughed. "Like you said; cost effective. Never mind. I'm sure I can figure out two more reasons."
"Kru probably can't." Fives returned to the original subject of the discussion, the reason Kev has quietly asked him for some time. "He probably sees Chopper's way of thinking as defective."
Kev nodded. "He's said that before. Used to call him 'three quarters' like Boomer and a couple of other guys." Kev paused. "It's not as many as Chopper thinks but their," Kev's hand moved as if searching for something. "Scorn? Derision? Their fear…" Kev's eyes widened as he realized it was fear and Fives nodded. "They're not quiet. At least Kru isn't vocal about it very much anymore. Captain Rex had a talk with him" Kev's brows drew down. "He said it was about an assignment and nothing to do with Chopper. But I don't know, he's been very... quiet. He won't even tell me what the captain said."
Fives shrugged. He'd seen Kru and had suspicions the captain had pointed out that he trusted Chopper implicitly and Kru only to the extent of his ability to follow orders. "If Chopper doesn't call one-on-one for the insult, then all we can do is express our distaste."
"Why doesn't Chopper call one-on-one, Fives?" Kev glanced down at his hand around the duraplast mug. "I had to push him into it and at first he simply ignored what we were saying." He swallowed, ashamed of what he'd done then. "I've learned that Chopper is not a coward and that not everything is worth fighting for. I've learned to pick my fights," he snorted. "I haven't had a fight since. But the things I said about Chopper then…"
Those were definitely Chopper's secrets and Fives shook his head. "I don't know totally, Kev. But I do know that when he has the data pad in his hands and he's thinking about the best way to take down a clanker," Fives shook his head with a wry grin. "He doesn't even hear people."
Kev chuckled. "That's true."
ARC Fives stood and looked around the mess with a contented sigh as he picked up his mug. "I never thought I'd miss this place. But I did." He looked down at Kev. "The people mostly. The caf. The talks." He paused. "Chopper said he's asked for you as his two when they assign him a squad."
Kev nodded. "He's told me and I'm honored. Zeer will release me from his squad, he's got Marker. Captain Rex has to approve it and said he needs to go over the squads again to make sure he can spare me."
"He wants some of the squads to be the same; to be what he's use to so he doesn't have to think about some new trooper's sub-skills or who was assigned where in the middle of battle." Fives tilted his head. "I bet he's doing some re-arranging. I suspect Zeer's squad was one he expected wouldn't change."
Kev frowned. "Should I tell the captain I've changed my mind? If he's counting of me being with Sergeant Zeer perhaps I should stay there."
"No, Kev," Fives chuckled. "I expect Captain Rex is quite pleased to give Chopper a squad and the two of his choice. Just a warning though, Kev.
Kev looked up into Fives' face with attentive concern.
"After this, Captain Rex will expect you to be someone he can count on without thinking about it. He'll expect you to be one of the best in Torrent Company."
Read, enjoy, review, anticipate... and, as much as I love you folks (and the reviews, hint, hint) I think I'm going to take a break tomorrow and the next day. So don't expect anything until next year.