Geonosis II

Chopper's Squad

The past doesn't leave the present alone.

"Geonosis…"

Chopper's squad looked at him expectantly as their hands were busy cleaning their armor for the first time since arriving on the Resolute three days previously. Tomorrow they would be landing on Geonosis amid flak and fire and blaster and cannon, but now they would take blue pigment to the edges of each piece of virginal white armor. They were eager for the honor of colors.

It had been Echo's suggestion.

"Like Kev, Chopper," he had said. "You were right about Kev before Orto Plutonia and I think you'd be right with this squad. Give them stripes to earn."

"Geonosis," Chopper repeated as he cleared his throat. "I've been there. I don't remember much but I don't like what I do remember. It was hot. Dry. Sand-scoured. Full of bugs and droids. It's not a friendly place."

Chopper nodded and looked over the men in his squad with a heart of pride and love as ARC Sergeant Echo continued speaking about what they might expect on Geonosis.

There was Sergeant Azur with his blue eyes sitting next to Moss who had his medic's fascination with Chopper's scars. Oak was next to Moss, his brother by choice, and a heavy gunner nearly as good as Caber. Dexterity was rubbing a touch of the royal blue paint between his fingers, learning its texture. He held it to his nose and breathed experimentally. "I can make this explode," he murmured mildly, a demolitions man to his very core. Cross-legged on his bunk sat Shen, a sniper, wiping his armor with quiet deliberation as he listened to Echo. Double 2, a slicer, set down the spaulder he'd been preparing for paint and looked back into Chopper's eyes.

"Squad leader Chopper," he asked softly respectful as Echo finished speaking, "would you play some music with the harmonica?"

Moss

Moss lay on his rack with a low groan. There weren't three muscles in his body that didn't ache. Being a medic, he could name them but even his brain hurt at the moment. Their new squad leader was a hard man.

"Even my toenails hurt," complained Oak with a low murmur in the next bunk.

They had arrived on the Resolute with gear bags and weapons in hand, excitement in their hearts. He and his brother, Oak, were looking forward to some action; the whole squad looking forward to fulfilling what they'd been bred, born and trained to do. They were a good squad, maybe not the best in any single endeavor but they had diversity: medic, slicer, sniper, heavy gunner, demolitions and sergeant; about as perfectly complete as a squad could be and their overall scores reflected that. They knew they were a good squad.

Azur, Moss shook his head absently in correction and stopped as his sore shoulders let him know they disapproved. Sergeant Azur had been almost dancing, his blue eyes sparkling, as they found out their first assignment was with the 501st.

They'd been proud to present themselves to Captain Rex of the 501st, proud of their assignment. The 501st was widely held to be one of the top companies of the Grand Army of the Republic as well as one of the most traveled. The battles of the 501st were already legendary: Christophsis where by some unlucky mishap they'd lost everything except the heavy cannons, Teth where only five troopers survived, Queel, facing the Malevolence at Kaliida Medical, some civil matter on Orto Plutonia, Felucia – always outnumbered, usually outgunned and yet the 501st marched on with their heads held high.

General Skywalker and Commander Tano had also been on the hangar deck greeting new troops also but it was the captain the squads answered to. The general and commander were Jedi; rarefied beings not even subject to the same laws of physics as themselves; beings almost super-human according to everything they'd heard. They'd been fascinated by the Jedi, glancing at them surreptitiously, waiting for their barracks assignment, proud of themselves for landing this plum assignment.

Until Captain Rex had assigned them a squad leader.

Shen had thought maybe the captain didn't realize they had a sergeant, there'd been a lot of squads on the gunships that didn't. Moss saw that he knew. Captain Rex had even glanced at Azur when Shen said the word 'sergeant'. Moss sighed; Azur had probably thought it was because of his blue eyes, barely permitted under the Kaminoans, which was a ridiculous thought because the captain had the blonde mutation.

Moss remembered their dreams, what they whispered about when they'd been younger. Heroes and commanders, that's what they'd all become; a squad of commanders. His chuckle at that naiveté turned into another groan.

"Me, too," moaned Oak, head to head with Moss. Someone in the barracks moved, Moss heard the thwack of armor against one of the metal bunk supports. The squad leader even had them wearing their armor until he told them otherwise. There was a low, mumbled apology as Double 2 got out of the bunk. At least the second, Kev, appeared to be sympathetic. After the squad leader left the barracks, he had explained Chopper wanted to make sure they were all used to the armor, make sure it fit as well as it could, wanted to know what modifications would be best for each trooper and that could only be determined by time in armor.

At least their new squad leader had let them chose their own sleeping arrangements. After he'd been 'killed' by a ball of light and was catching his breath in the gym, Moss had heard that some of the sergeants and squad leaders had assigned bunks. There had been more talk behind him and he would have listened because it seemed to be about their new squad leader but then the training machine had been turned to full and Moss could only watch with wide eyes; amazed that the human body could move as quickly and agilely as the two ARCs and two squad leaders were moving.

Afterwards, the commander spoke a few words with each trooper, commenting on some move or giving advice. She called Sergeant Azur by his rank as well as his name and the thin line of his lips had softened for the first time since they'd been assigned to Squad leader Chopper. She'd told Moss he should see the main medical unit; there were some modification that one of the Resolute's medics – Coric or Kix, would be best – would explain and he should know the capabilities of the ship. She touched them as well, softly on the arm or the hand, in greeting, and saying she would see them again, probably in the mess. They were welcome to ask questions of her. It wasn't exactly Jedi behavior as it had been explained to them on Kamino and Double 2 had even mentioned that.

Squad leader Caber and the ARC had laughed, Captain Rex and the ARC sergeant smiled and Squad leader Chopper looked down at the floor.

"Lots of things are different than on Kamino," he said in a low, husky voice.

"This is real life," added the ARC with a grin.

After the amazingly strenuous practice with the light balls and learning to stay with the commander, the squad leader took them to the mess. They'd been ravenous and the squad leader had given them… soup. Moss and the others in the squad had been disappointed. It had been a hot, spicy soup with a few small strips of meat. It was good, delicious even, but the squad leader had restricted them to two bowls each; no bread, no caf. Simply the soup and water or tea. Considering that he next took them to the hangar deck and had them run a makeshift obstacle course around the over-crowded gunships until their legs ached, Moss thought that, in retrospect, the soup had been a good idea. No one had puked up their meal.

Chopper had moved them along then, back to the mess and another bowl of the spicy soup, this time limited to one bowl. Again, nothing beyond the soup was permitted to assuage their hunger but it had been sufficient. Exercise cut down on the appetite. After a few moments of rest, squad leader said they'd go next to the gym.

Oak had groaned upon hearing where they were going then his squad brothers stiffened in anxiety as they wondered how the squad leader might react to that implied criticism. Squad leader Chopper had simply glanced back at Oak. Moss was worried he might have Oak do extra… whatever they were going to do next, but he hadn't. It was sparring and that, while tiring, was enjoyable as each man pitted himself against another, with the added benefit of removing their armor for the first time since arriving on the Resolute. Of course, the squad leader had them take a lap around the gym each after each fall but, compare to earlier, sparring was actually relaxing and enjoyable.

As they sparred, Moss watched the squad leader as he observed their fighting styles. Moss found Squad leader Chopper's scars interesting; they curved around his head, like the rips of explosive damage, yet they also had the burning swirls of blast plasma arc. Mentally, he cataloged what he would do if he found those wounds on a trooper. He shook his head, not knowing beyond 'stabalize'. Moss decided he'd asked the medics later what they had done. How they had handled that damage.

He'd been mesmerized with the scars until the squad leader had noticed the stare and frowned; working his jaw in angry motions that twisted his lips. Then squad leader Chopper stood, his turn on the mat with Dexterity, and pulled off his shirt. The squad was suddenly respectfully quiet. Some brothers thought scars made you weak but Shen had pointed out that their best live trainers and teachers were usually scarred. Moss continued looking at the scars on the squad leader. He could identify high speed shrapnel by the thin-cut lines, burn by roughened skin, plasma blaster arc by the characteristic whorls. His eyes widened as squad leader turned and Moss saw turret crossbeam outlined under his left arm and reaching around to his chest. He definitely had to talk to the medics.

Moss smiled as he drifted into restful sleep, he could learn some new techniques with these guys.

Sergeant Azur

"Your squad leader will be Chopper." Captain Rex had said as he introduced the scarred trooper with mismatched eyes, standing at his side in parade rest. Sergeant Azur had drawn his eyebrows down in a frown. He was the squad leader of these men. He'd grown up with them. He was their sergeant.

"Perhaps you didn't realize it, sir, but our squad has a sergeant," explained Shen respectfully. The captain had looked at Chopper then the sergeant then the questioning trooper.

"Give me one good reason why he should lead instead of Chopper. And length of time together is not a good reason." At least the captain hadn't been angry at Shen who'd only been trying to correct what he thought was a misinterpretation.

"I know my men, Captain. Their strengths and how best to partner them," explained Sergeant Azur to the captain's order and Captain Rex had nodded. Azur relaxed but then the captain spoke up.

"Then you'll give Chopper the benefit of your experience." Captain Rex, in his blue trimmed, battered armor, merely watched their confusion with a hint of a smile.

The men looked at each other in consternation and, after several moments of silence, their new squad leader grunted deep in his throat. "Come on."

He took them to their barracks and pointed out the sergeant's room and office at the end. "Sergeant, you can bunk in there; I'm used to my bunk." He gestured and they had all noticed a bunk head to head with his chosen bunk.

"We'll bring in another rack for the extra man," the squad leader continued speaking. "We also have two ARCs in the barracks. ARC Sergeant Echo and ARC Fives. They've chosen their bunks." He nodded toward two bunks, also head to head and inspection-ready but obviously occupied, by the items on the shelves. "They have their own duties but when they're here, they're good to talk with. About anything." Their new squad leader stood staring into the air as if brain deficient; worrying his lips then he continued speaking. "I encourage you to talk with them. It's a rare opportunity."

Sergeant Azur had never talked to an ARC, though he'd seen them in practice. He saw the squad leader looking at him with those mismatched eyes of brown and yellow-green as he suddenly realized the squad leader knew that none of the squad had ever really talked with an ARC. There was a moment of something like understanding between the two men as Azur realized Squad leader Chopper wanted them to ask, to learn. Then the feeling was gone and Squad leader Chopper gestured to the trooper at the console, just closing down a holo-message. "My second, Kev."

Sergeant Azur only blinked as his lips drew into a tight line. He wasn't even the second-ranked man of the squad.

The trooper at the console gave a nod and a gentle, welcoming smile to the new squad then turned back to Squad leader Chopper. "I've checked with Admiral Yularen bridge crew, Chopper. As you expected, the hangar decks are unavailable for training."

Again their squad leader made a thoughtful noise and nodded. "I was pretty sure it would be with all the new ships. We'll make do in the gym." He looked at the troopers. "Maybe reserve one of the bolo courts." He rubbed a finger along a scar on his jawline. "You do that; show them the best way to armor up and get practice gear. I'll check if the commander can make an appearance. Meet me in the gym."

"What if they're all booked up?"

The squad leader grunted as he looked down at the deck then at the new men. "Today? With all the new troopers?" He shook his head. "Won't be."

Kev nodded his head sharply and turned back to the console. Sergeant Azur noticed that the second hadn't 'sir'ed the squad leader. He wondered if that applied to him or the squad. Azur glanced at his… no, Chopper's… squad. They'd also noted the lack of formality. Azur gave a tiny shake of his head. They'd continued to call the squad leader 'sir'.

"Regulations state we have a quarter day before any…" began Double 2 but Chopper broke into his sentence.

"I'll give you your quarter day after battle." He murmured as he chewed his lips in thought. "Survive it and I'll give you a full day." Chopper turned toward the door then back to the men frozen by indecision in the room. "Sergeant, you're with me. The rest of you, settle in but do not unpack anything unnecessary. This is not a long-term arrangement. Any questions, ask Kev."

Then he was out the door of his barracks toward the commander's quarters, trailed by Sergeant Azur whose lips were a thin line of distress and anger.

Commander Tano

Chopper tapped his fingertips against his thumb as they stood by the commander's door. He knew he'd forgotten something but as long as it wasn't mortally important he'd worry about it later. It seemed he had decided he would worry about everything later. Right now, he had to make sure the squad Rex had entrusted to him would be battle ready; would make it through the fighting on Geonosis. He had four days.

He bit the inside of his cheek. It wasn't time for her duty hours. Chopper glanced at the new sergeant in parade rest, all crisp and perfect. Chopper felt messily unfinished. He pressed the door tone.

She'd been napping or meditating. Chopper could see the soft relaxation in her face, the tension brought by war dissolved by habitual practice. She smiled and he could feel his own face relax. "Commander, I'm sorry to have disturbed you."

She waved her hand in a gesture. "If I'd been undisturbable, I wouldn't have answered the door."

"Undisturbable?" He asked to her smile. "Is that even a word?" He teased gently and saw the sergeant's consternation at his informality from the corner of one eye. He suddenly remembered what he'd forgotten; they didn't need to salute him or call him sir. He was just a trooper like them. He'd tell them... later. After the important stuff that would contribute to their survival.

Ahsoka laughed softly. "I guess it is now." She tilted her head and her smile brightened. For an instant Chopper basked in the light of her expression, wanting to close his eyes and simply give up his heart in perfect trust. She'd been his first real friend.

"How can I be of service, Squad leader Chopper?" The corners of her lips twitched as she called him by his title.

"I'm taking my squad for practice, commander."

Her eyes widened in pleasure. They had discussed the importance of a trooper's practice with the Jedi. "I thought Admiral Yularen said there wouldn't be room."

"There isn't. Not on the hangar decks. I've told Kev to reserve the bolo court and we'll set up practice for my squad and Caber's there. Maybe the ARCs."

"That is wonderful, Chopper."

Chopper ducked his head to hide his smile. He didn't need to hide anymore and raised his face slightly to watch her expressions. He had spoken with her after Rex's briefing; explaining his fears that his incompetency would kill the squad Rex would give him. Together with her and then later with Caber, Chopper decided what and how he would approach the situation, what work the squad would need to survive.

She understood his intent. "You'll want me there?"

"Yes, commander. Without the light saber marks, without a Jedi, they won't really understand. It won't be as effective."

Ahsoka chuckled and glanced at the sergeant. "Effective and efficient; that describes our Chopper." The sergeant stiffened under his commander's gaze but she smiled at him, almost friendly then turned back to his new squad leader. "When? I'll be there if the general doesn't have other plans for me. Maybe even if he does; this is important."

"We're heading to the gym now. The sergeant and I will set up the equipment. When Kev and the squad arrive, we'll explain the justifications and boundaries." He sucked in his cheeks slightly. "I took the liberty of checking your schedule." He leaned forward. "It's during your free time. Now."

Ahsoka nodded. "I'll be right there Chopper." She turned back to her quarters then turned again to Chopper. "It's a good idea, Chopper. If you see Rex, suggest it to him. Otherwise, I'll do so."

"After my squad's practice, commander." Chopper replied and heard the commander's departing chuckle.

Captain Rex

Chopper didn't have to suggest it. Captain Rex had dropped by to watch the sweating men dodging balls of light as they moved; ducking and weaving, trying to stay within the commander's zone of protection as her light saber reflected back the light spheres.

One of the men hit by a sphere was sitting on the bench, leaning tiredly against the wall. At the captain's appearance, he tried to stand and salute.

"At ease, trooper. Moss, isn't it? Medic?"

"Yes, sir." Moss did stand, it didn't seem right to sit while his superior officer stood watching the men. "Squad leader Chopper says you do this about once every four days?" His voice was tentative; surely Chopper had been exaggerating for his men.

"Not quite like this," said Rex as he looked over the two squads. Over half of the new troopers had already been tagged out. But not Chopper, nor Caber; not the two ARCs.

"Ha." Moss's voice was a low whisper, mostly to himself. "Knew it. No one could be that…"

"Chopper doesn't have it at capacity or speed." Rex stood and glanced around. The practice had drawn other troopers; some of them were rookies or General Adi-Mundi's men, but others were his regulars or men of General Kenobi 212th. Troopers who, he knew, had regular practice with their Jedi.

"Squad leader Chopper," Rex called out above the ambient noise.

"Sir?" came the reply even as Chopper fired into the targets.

"With Commander Tano's permission, go to full capacity and speed. Show them what practice is really like."

Ahsoka laughed as did Caber and several more men around the gym; men who'd been in practice with their Jedi. "Permission," she called out.

Chopper must have had the machine programed from his helmet because there was no audible order given; simply the balls of light speeding up and doubling in number, Ahsoka's light-saber whisking faster, only a blur of vibrant light; Caber firing the Z6 and Chopper firing his blaster. Fives, always improvising, was trying out double blasters and not doing badly while Sergeant Echo was using his standard blaster and doing excellent. The new men, from Caber and Chopper's squads, dropped quickly, stung by the spheres, their armor and practice weapons deadened by the light. One man from Caber's squad, grimly determined, lasted far longer than Rex thought a new trooper might.

"Ok, Chopper. Turn it off." Rex then turned to the remainder of the men in the gym. "I'll be giving out the order as soon as I get back to my office, everyone will go through practice before we get to Geonosis."

Caber laughed. "I've never made it through practice standing before." He watched, with a grin, as Captain Rex made his way towards the rookie from his squad, the only rookie who survived full speed practice.

Chopper grunted as he reached for some water. "That's because we usually go until the last trooper drops." He moved toward his men. "Stand up, walk around a bit as soon as you catch your breath. We'll be doing standard 'duck and cover' next."

The men groaned.

Kev

They were rookies and shinnies, including the sergeant, and by the day before the scheduled attack on Geonosis, they were sure that Chopper hated them.

They came by their dislike of Chopper honestly; they hadn't heard any of the re-emerging talk about Chopper, rumor-worthy because he'd been given a squad of men. They hadn't heard Boomer's disparaging words about Chopper or his dire predictions of their rapid and messy demise once they hit Geonosis. Of course, Boomer made those prognostications for all of the non-sergeant squad leaders but Chopper's squad had been too busy to hear those dire pronouncements.

Caber's squad felt the same about Caber; but only because they didn't know it had been Chopper's idea for them to train together. Most of the other squads had been getting used to the ships rules and regulations; getting use to their new squad mates and sergeants, 'learning the ropes' according to the 'regs' while Chopper and Caber had their squad practicing on the bolo court even before all of the new troopers had arrived.

His squad hated Chopper because he did the same training exercises and followed the same restrictions he imposed on them and always came out ahead. They hated him because he had looked at them and didn't bother to learn their names. Or, if he did, he didn't call them by their names, but by their specialties. "Medic," he'd call out. "Speed it up, you're holding back the squad." Or "Slicer, that wasn't good enough; do it again." They hated him because when they sparred he didn't hold back; and he was good, better than anyone they'd seen until he took the mat with ARC Fives. Kev had heard they later decided in the secrecy of the shower that had been a draw.

Double 2

The day before the scheduled attack on Geonosis, Double 2 had woken up to an odd noise; melodious, raspy and whispery. Musical.

He was sharing the sergeant's room, his portable bunk pushed against the wall. Carefully and quietly, he'd made his way to the barracks of the men, a glance at the chron showing him they'd slept in today. It was an hour past the 0400 that Chopper had been waking them since they'd been assigned to the hard squad leader and Double 2 was oddly pleased that Chopper must have overslept.

But he hadn't.

The sergeant was also awake, sitting up in his bunk, listening. He nodded as Double 2 made his way toward the door in curious silence. When Double 2 came to the partially-opened door to the main barracks, he saw one of the ARCs – Sergeant Echo – leaning against the wall with his feet pushed against the bunk's frame bar watching Squad leader Chopper who was seated cross-legged on his own rack.

Inspection ready, Double 2 noted and glanced back to his own unmade bed. He decided he'd make it before he left the room, but for the moment, he was too consumed with curiosity. He stood listening at the doorway and the odd music stopped after a few moments.

Chopper lowered his hands from his mouth, a glint of metal showing some sort of instrument. He was dressed only in his night-shorts and cruel scars laced across his body. Double 2 had seen some of the scars when they sparred but he suddenly understood why the squad leader didn't shower with them.

The squad leader was a hard man, but he wasn't harsh. He pushed them, but followed the same strict regime. He woke them early, but with a hand on their shoulder and a low voice instead of yelling or throwing something metal on the floor like he'd heard some of the other sergeants or squad leaders did. He outlasted them in everything they did. Double 2 wasn't sure he liked the squad leader but he had decided that he'd follow him to the ends of Geonosis and back.

"Play the new one, Chopper." That came from the other ARC, Fives, from where he lay on his bunk, his arms folded back and his head resting on his palms. His voice was respectful in requesting the music. Squad leader's second, Kev, lay on his side in his inspection-ready bunk with head on his hand, freshly showered and dressed, simply listening.

Squad leader Chopper gave a chuckle, his face relaxed and open. Double 2 jerked in shock. The squad leader hadn't worn any expression on his face the past three days except grim determination. Chopper raised his hands holding the instrument to his mouth.

Again the soft music began; this time a lighter tune, happy and sweet. Double 2 glanced at his squad brothers. They were all feigning sleep; they were too quiet, too still in their bunks. They were enjoying not only the unusual occurrence of music, but the fact that Squad leader Chopper didn't have them running obstacle laps in the hangar deck around the gunships yet or have them target practicing with live ammo for the day or practice helping Dexterity set demolitions or aid Moss; or that dreaded practice with the sweetly laughing Jedi commander.

Double 2 had thought they were in shape right off Kamino. Squad leader Chopper had laughed. Well, more like grunted; but the second had snickered and the ARC had laughed. ARC Sergeant Echo had explained that their bodies were used to exercise and not this kind of activity, but only Moss listened to the entire explanation.

Double 2 leaned against the wall next to the door, his side of the wall. Ostensibly out of sight of the three brothers, but he had no doubt they'd noticed him. Two of them were ARCs and squad leader Chopper had shown himself pretty much their equal. He wanted to ask why Chopper wasn't a sergeant with his own squad. Maybe he'd ask after Geonosis when he was no longer a shiny.

The music came to a graceful end and Double 2 waited for another tune.

"Ok, gentlemen." Squad leader spoke as he stood and tucked the musical instrument in his locker case. "I know you're awake. Shower and dress. Garrison fatigues today unless you want to armor up. Then back here for the day's activities." It was an order from the squad leader and Double 2 opened the door fully to let them know he and Sergeant Azur were awake before heading back to make his rack inspection ready. Behind him, he heard the others move and begin preparing for the morning.

"Sir," asked Dexterity. "Will we get breakfast?" They'd heard that one of the squads had done badly enough that the sergeant or squad leader had shorted their breakfast time. Of course, they knew that they'd hear more rumor than truth with three companies crowded onto the ship. They'd realized by now that Squad leader Chopper had reasons behind his actions that were explainable even though they weren't always explained to the troopers. They also realized that Squad leader Chopper didn't punish. He allowed Oak to complain to his face, Moss to stare at his scars.

There was a moment's pause, as if the squad leader was contemplating Dexterity's words as a suggestion.

ARC Fives laughed. "Of course, you'll get breakfast. We'll just have some new exercises for you today. And briefings."

Oak didn't hide the groan. One thing they had all learned was that the squad leader didn't mind their groans and complaints. He seemed to take them as verbal marks of honor.

Shen looked up at ARC Fives with surprise on his face. "We? Are you and ARC Sergeant Echo going to be there also, sir?"

"I'll be giving most of the briefing," grumbled the ARC sergeant, but the grumble was only in his words. The gestures of his body, of his hands, the sound of his voice and the expression of his face told them he enjoyed giving briefings.

"Informal," spoke Chopper. "During breakfast, a long breakfast, and caf."

"Will we have to arm wrestle you for the caf?" asked Double 2 with longing on his face. Squad leader hadn't permitted caf since they'd arrived three days earlier.

"Ssst," hissed Shen. "Don't give him any ideas."

"Tomorrow we go to Geonosis." Kev spoke. "Physical training today will be minimal; just a couple hours warm-up running, light sparring. Nothing in armor." Kev smiled as he glanced at the squad leader who gave him a small nod. "We'll need to let it dry."

"Dry?" Dexterity's voice was almost a squeak. What those words implied was an honor given and a promise made.

Sergeant Azur froze as did the men at those words. Their squad leader didn't have marked armor; it was as plain as any rookies' armor if battle-worn; but the ARCs had nice half-hand stripes and squad leader's second had the most amazing armor markings they'd seen; like a blazing sun hiding behind thick, white clouds.

"Mark our armor? But we're rookies. Armor doesn't get marked until after first batt …" Oak's voice trailed into the quiet as Squad leader Chopper pulled out three bottles of the 501st's royal blue and set them on the holoconsole.

"Armor gets marked when the squad leader determines. Reg oh seven eight, sub paragragh 32 slash 2," cited ARC sergeant Echo with a soft smile.

"I think we'll be on Geonosis for a while," began their battle-worn squad leader. "A siege. Skirmishes and wait. Hard fighting and then chasing the enemy." He nodded to himself, his face once again harsh and grim, his scars white lines against his face. "No fancy marks or paintings, simply a beginning. We'll grey the cheeks then seam the edges so everyone will know you belong to General Skywalker and Captain Rex's 501st."

He stared at the bottles while his lips bent and twisted around the words he would say in a moment. "I was thinking of a touch mark, maybe as long on my thumb, on helmet or the spaulders to mark you as a squad." Chopper dragged his hand over his lips slowly. "I thought maybe you'd have suggestions. Something you might like."

"We can't begin though, until after breakfast." ARC Fives had a wicked grin.

There was a sudden rush to the showers.

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