Original Chapter Title: Overheard Conversations Can Change Everything

(Note: This Chapter is solely centered on the Guard Tower Scene from Freezing Zero Chapter 13, "28th Generation West Genetics III". Next chapter will be focused on the rest of it.)

Five days after the events of last chapter..

Cameron was out training once again, this by himself at night. He was still unaware and oblivious to what was building up inside of his body at the moment, and he had no inclinations to suspect that something was happening inside of him at the moment. So he just jogged by himself through the woods that night, deep in thought about a lot of things, mainly fighting Nova. As it had in the very recent past till now, the threat to humanity had dominated much of his thinking and actions. But it would take a backseat for a little while after tonight, for as he paused underneath a guard tower to catch his breath, he heard Arnett and Dolly talking above him. And what he heard would only be the catalyst for his part in a chain of events that would culminate in that surreal graduation weekend.

"Why'd you do it? You should have known covering for me would have ended up like that. Cameron should have known too" Dolly started.

"Oh. So you can talk. Pretty crappy topic to talk about, and besides, Cameron isn't here. No need to get antsy about him" Arnett replied.

Below, Cameron felt like speaking up, but decided not to. He didn't know why, but he just felt like not talking.

"I don't care if you or Cameron want to play the hero here.. but you're both way too naive. The label stuck on me.. is way worse than you both could possibly imagine."

As a Sith fighting in a war alongside a Confederacy Of Independent Systems and a powerful droid army against clone troopers, allied Republic non-clone forces, and Jedi, I could personally say that I probably understand that label more than probably anyone else on this planet, with the exception of Abyss and the droids under my command, ever could, Cameron thought to himself as the conversation dragged on.

"Sheesh, another boring ass topic to talk about huh?" Arnett responded. "Guess I'll ask then.. about your sister.. is it true she was a deserter?"

Well shit, way to be a complete dunce and ask them about the most sensitive fucking thing in their whole lives, Arnett, Cameron thought. What are you thinking?

Dolly was silent for more than a couple dozen seconds, which felt like forever to Cameron for some reason.

"Hate me if you want, I'm ready for it" Dolly said finally, and something about it just made Cameron's heart break. It was beyond comprehension for him, to hear a girl who was trying to prove she wasn't a coward have to even say that.. what her sister did really must have did a number on her life.

"You're so damn negative" Arnett said back. "I just don't get it. Even if that rumor is true, what the heck's that got to do with you? It's not like you did anything wrong, right?"

Cameron felt conflicted. On the one hand, Arnett did have a point, but on the other hand, he had already seen the consequences of droids failing their commanders in crucial assignments for the C.I.S and then those commanders also getting punished, whether they deserved it or not, for their subordinates' failings too many times to know that Dolly also had a point, even if she hadn't responded to what Arnett said.

"Eh..?" Dolly started, but Arnett went on.

"I don't know any of the details but it happened in live combat, right? You gotta face death out there head-on, I'm sure it's way worse than any of the little rich girls whining about the training here could ever imagine. Having someone who wasn't there at all, let alone involved, constantly blame even that person's relatives is something I can't forgive."

And here I thought Arnett was being naive, Cameron thought as he continued to listen to the conversation, because she definitely had a major point about that. The only exceptions to the rule, at this point, was both Dolly and Elizabeth, who as of two days ago thanks to Abyss' hacking skills and manipulations and much to Kim's shock and chagrin, the droid has successfully managed to transfer the Mably heiress from Kim's platoon over to the one Cameron, Arnett, and Dolly were in.

"You're about as weird as Spears, you know that?" Dolly said after another awkward silence, causing Cameron to clamp his hand over his mouth and then emit a muffled screech. Hey, I object to that remark!

"What?" Arnett said back. "Any normal person would have said the same thing. Trust me. I would know since I traveled all over the world because of my dad's job!"

The only exception to that being me, since I'm not normal at all, and she traveled all over the world with her dad until she met those two Pandora and then she met me, who saved her life, Cameron thought to himself. And if you thought about it for a while, you would have to admit that he wasn't wrong. He was a walking anomaly in the Pandora project at the moment, having somehow managed back in his own galaxy through force knows how to get stigma implanted on his back even as a guy and still not notice until he came here to their world. It was in many ways, similar to his adopted father, General Grievous.

If his adopted dad could see him now, the words out of his mouth, or lack there of, would be.. pretty interesting.

"I wish.. that I could shrug it off like you do.." Dolly said, and before Cameron could form a thought, the next words out of Arnett's mouth.. changed everything.

"Then just do it, it's not har.."
A few seconds of silence ensued.
"Wh.. hey, Dolly, are you crying?"

Everything fell into place for Cameron. That's why Dolly joined the Pandora project.. not just because she wanted to prove everybody wrong about her just being like her sister, but because it hurt her that much that she cried over it. The revelation changed a bit about his plans for the near future. Whether directly or indirectly, he was going to help Dolly prove them wrong, and nothing would stand in his way. At the same time, he would help Elizabeth as well become a better recruit, and keep Arnett safe. Three separate tasks, yet knowing himself very well, three tasks he knew he could handle despite his lack of knowledge with handling relations with girls, thanks to his training and the force.

"My sister.. was not a cowardly traitor, not even close.." Dolly sputtered out. "I just know it.."

And then came the bombshell that changed everything still further.

"After the 8th Nova Clash, my sister barely managed to make it back alive, but.. her mind had been broken beyond repair. She was labeled as a traitor who let her comrades die so she could survive. It was because I believe in her, because I wanted to prove her innocence, that I came here. But.." she was now crying, even as Cameron was silently climbing up to them, being as quiet as possible. "The reality of things was far too cool.. I feel like I might give up and run away any day now.. and that's what makes me so scared. I-I.."

That's when Cameron, poking his head up over the opening in the back of the guard tower, spoke. His words, and his sudden presence, immediately caused both girls to jump. "The world is a cruel place sometimes. And believe me, even at nearly 6 1/2 months into a war in another galaxy before I came here, I've already seen plenty like you, Dolly. So I know how you feel."

"Cameron?! What the hell?" Arnett asked, surprised at his sudden appearance. "How much of what we said did you hear?"

"Every. Single. Word."

He stepped up into the guard tower, and placed a hand on Dolly's shoulder. "Look, like Arnett, I never heard the story of your sister before, but after hearing it, I feel both so sorry for what you and her went through - and also totally determined to help you prove she wasn't a traitor, because let me be real here, I don't judge people based on how much wealth they have. War is a leveler of all distinctions, so I have to judge by potential and ability. And right now.. I see plenty of both in you.." Cameron said, honestly meaning every word he said. He didn't really notice Arnett have a bit of a jealous look on her face.

God? Why do I feel like taking him away from her? I'm so confused! Arnett thought to herself as Dolly stopped crying. "Y-You mean that?" she asked.

"With every fibre of my being" Cameron responded. Dolly started to smile. "T-Thank you for b-believing in me.. I think I'll stay.. and try my hardest" she said, causing Cameron to chuckle. "Now that's the spirit. You think like that, kid, and you'll go a long way." He then climbed back down the ladder, but not before giving Arnett a few pets on her head, which she genuinely seemed happy and slightly blushed from.

Watching him jog off into the woods, Arnett and Dolly both felt better.. because of him. And both thought the same thing.

You do have a way with words, Cameron Spears. Not that I mind at all at how nice it is.