NA- This chapters longer because I combined chapter 6 and 7 since they both deal with trainings. Strangely I enjoyed writing them training together.

Chapter 6 Training

Hunter crept through the dark corridors of the city. Outside, the storm had picked up but there wasn't too much electrical discharge in the atmosphere right then. It was late; no one was even up at this hour, so they shouldn't be disturbed.

Still Hunter kept an eye out for anyone as he made his way to the training room slated for renovations. He had asked Ninty-nine about it when he had gotten back after lunch. The old clone had looked at him with a question in his brown eyes but eventually told Hunter everything that he knew of the room.

It was quite a lot actually. The blaster proof tiles had begun to crack under the heavy use of training cadets. Not all the training simulations worked anymore, gears would get stuck, lifts wouldn't work right and even the blaster guns were a bit finicky.

Hoping that they wouldn't have to use anything but the lights right now Hunter used the janitorial code to enter the training area. He slipped inside and set the duffle bag down before he went to a control panel to turn on the lights. The lights flickered but after a moment the arena was lit up.

So far so good, now he just had to wait for the others to get there…

He didn't have to wait long; Hunter had been busy sorting the gear he had managed to get when he heard a quick rap on the door. He taped once in response and three taps answered. Reaching up he pressed the button and the door opened for his three brothers.

They slipped in and Hunter shut the door locking it again.

"Did anyone see you?" Hunter asked as he led them over to the gear laid out.

Crosshair snorted like that was a stupid question.

Tech however shook his head, "No, no one was awake and I hacked into the terminal earlier to make sure we cou-" Tech stopped talking when Hunter held up his hand.

"If we get caught I don't want to know what you did." Hunter shook his head, "But it sounds impressive."

Tech adjusted his goggles and smiled just a little.

"So what do we get to play with?" Wrecker asked as he looked at the gear Hunter had bought.

"Mostly just protective gear," Hunter told them, "I didn't want to bring too much in case we got caught."

"So what are we supposed to do?" Crosshair asked his arms folded his arms over his chest.

"I did bring these." Hunter said setting aside the training blasters a couple of practice knives, and protective gear. "But I thought we could start with some hand to hand combat so we get a feel of each other's skill." The protective gear would register any hit form the blaster, knife or even a punch.

"Are you worried that you lost your skills?" Wrecker asked.

"Yeah, how long has it been since you got kicked out?" Crosshair asked as he picked up the hand wrap and began twisting it around his knuckles.

Hunter pressed his lips together, "Too long." He told them, "What do you think? Will I be too rusty to take you down?"

Crosshair smirked back at him.

"Ah I'm sure he's still got it." Wrecker said.

"Then why don't we spar?" Hunter asked the bigger clone.

Wrecker rubbed the back of his head; He was the tallest of the four and while Hunter was not. He wasn't even the seconded tallest, both Tech and Crosshair were taller but only by a little. Hunter had hoped that he would gain a few inches when he reached full maturity but it didn't look good. Tech only looked shorter then Crosshair because he kept ducking his head to look at his data pad. As it was, the difference between Wrecker and Hunter was noticeable.

"You sure about that?" Crosshair asked.

Hunter snorted, "Wrecker?" he asked.

"Well, Okay." Wrecker said, "I'll try not to hurt you…"

Hunter rolled his eyes as he picked up his own gear and put it on. They each had a helmet, arm and wrist guards, shin protectors and a light chest plate.

Wrecker followed suit, "What will it be?" He asked.

Hunter picked up one of the blades and handed the other to Wrecker. "Close combat?"

"Sounds good," Wrecker said with a grin as he followed Hunter out onto the training area.

Tech pulled out his data pad; he fully intended to get a holo capture of their training. He wanted to track and document how well they work together. Crosshair stood beside him with his arms folded over his chest.

Hunter stood before Wrecker as the bigger clone held the practice blade in his hand.

"I use a bigger blade than this." Wrecker chuckled.

Hunter smiled, "Close combat, no blasters, hand or knife, first one to three hits?"

Wrecker nodded his head, "Sounds good to me." He said and pulled his training helmet down over his face.

Hunter smiled and gave a nod to the other two, "Count us down."

"Oh all right." Crosshair huffed and held three fingers, "Three," He lowered his fist finger, "Two," Another finger down, leaving only his middle finger up in a rude gesture, "One!"

Wrecker lunged forwards in a fluid motion, using his long arms and legs to reach Hunter. The big man had reach and was strong but he was also fast. Hunter used his speed and flexibility to sidestep Wreckers attaches but it was only just barely.

Whipping his long reach around with the knife Wrecker caught Hunter on the back of his shoulder just as the other was ducking.

Hunter cursed silently as the armor registered the impact. He hadn't been able to practice in awhile though so he wasn't deterred.

The two stood facing each other again, Hunter switched the grip on his knife so that the blade ran the length of his arm and he could still deliver a punch if need be. Wrecker was bigger than the other clones he had faced before, but like the others he assumed that Hunter was less capable because of his stupid lack of height.

Hunter rushed forwards and Wrecker planted his legs like he was expecting Hunter to attack him full on.

At the last moment Hunter dove between Wreckers legs. As he dove, Hunter bought his blade against Wreckers shin guard. The armour registered the hit and Hunter popped up behind him and jabbed with his fist into Wreckers back just above his kidney.

Wrecker stumbled forwards and wiped around to face Hunter again. "Hey, you're quick!" He laughed.

Hunter couldn't help but grin just a little.

"Can you handle the Wrecking Ball!?" Wrecker yelled as he barreled forwards swinging his arm widely.

Hunter ducked the wild swing of Wrecker but the big man used his legs to kick out his opponent. The blow caught Hunter in the chest; he stumbled back as Wrecker charged at him again. Hunter rolled to the side and scrambled to his feet before avoiding the next blow to come his way.

Hunter went on the defensive; he focused on avoiding getting hit by the big clone. Wrecker was fast, and erratic, it took everything Hunter had to avoid getting hit. The big man was actually growling in frustration.

It could end at any moment since both had been struck by the other twice. Hunter was doing his level best to stay away but he knew all it would take was one mistake and he would be out.

He tried not to think about how much skills might have slipped.

Wrecker was growing frustrated in Hunters quick moves, but the former cadet knew that he wouldn't be able to keep avoiding the man forever, or even much longer. Wrecker reached out with his big hand to grab a hold of Hunter's blade hand, fully intending to drag him in closer.

Hunter switched his stance, jumping into the big clone's space, slamming the top of his helmet into Wreckers face. Wrecker stumbled back as Hunter switched his blade hand and scored the last point on Wreckers armor.

"That's three!" Tech yelled and Wrecker pulled off his helmet.

"Wow! That was a good move!" Wrecker laughed

Hunter winched as he saw the cut on Wreckers chin. "Sorry about that." He said as he pulled off his own helmet.

"Ah, it's nothing," Wrecker poked at his chin with his finger. "You're better then my team was at avoiding me though." He gave Hunter a thumb up, "You're fast."

"He also beat you," Crosshair said.

"Wrecker had me though." Hunter said, "If he had gotten a hit in I would have been out."

"I recorded it if you wish to review." Tech said as he came over.

Hunter gave his head shake as he pulled off the rest of the gear before he slumped to the ground, sitting on his hunches. "I need to get back into training," He said. "You really kept me on my toes Wrecker," He grinned at him.

The big man grinned and reached out tapping his shoulder lightly, but it still set Hunter off his heels onto his backside. Wrecker chuckled and sat next to Hunter as the smaller clone sprawled out on the floor.

"Right," Hunter said. "You two are up," He pointed at Tech and Crosshair as the two stared down at Hunter form the floor.

Tech nodded his head and handed the data pad over to Hunter. Pulling himself back up, Hunter folded his legs under him as he pointed the data pad to them.

"What weapons are you going to use?" He asked them.

"Blasters," Tech said as he picked two up, "We might have to change the parameters of the fight, though."

Crosshair picked up a blaster and nodded, "Well, Hunter?"

Hunter thought for a moment as he looked over the training grounds, there were low walls and hazards. "Start form opposite sides of the room and try to get to the other wall." He told them. "Again, first three shots you're out, but if one of you reaches the other wall first its over."

"Kind of like Dodge ball." Wrecker said with a grin.

Tech looked to Crosshair who nodded his head; they made their way to either side of the training room.

Hunter looked around the training room and spotted a taller stack of pillars. He gave Wrecker a nudge and the two headed over to it.

"Give me a boost will you?" Hunter asked.

Wrecker grinned, "No problem!"

Wrecker rubbed his hands together and chuckled as he made Hunter fold his arms across his chest. As the big clone wrapped his arms around Hunter, the smaller clone suddenly thought this might be a bad idea as he was rocketed up into the air.

Hunter overshot the target by more than he was expecting and he reached out his hands to grab the pillar on the way down. The air was knocked out of him but he managed to hang on with his hands.

"Oops!" Wrecker yelled at him, "Sorry Hunter!"

Hunter scrambled up and looked down at Wrecker, "Work on your aim!" he told the big clone.

Wrecker gave him a grin and two thumbs up. Shaking his head Hunter couldn't help but grin back at him. That would definitely have to be a move they worked on.

Sitting down with his legs dangling over the edge, Hunter unclipped the data pad and held it up to record. "Right, Tech, Crosshair, You guys ready?" Hunter called to them.

"Been ready," Crosshair yelled back at him.

"Yes, we are just waiting on you," Tech said to him from the other side of the training room.

"All right, all right," Hunter yelled back, "Count them off Wrecker." He kept his eyes on the data pad as it recorded.

"Sure thing!" Wrecker grinned and held up his hand, "One! Two!" He paused for a very long moment before yelling out "THREE!"

Just as Tech was taking the first step, blaster fire wiped by his head and hit the wall behind him. Ducking into a dive Tech hid behind a low wall and held up his blasters. He narrowed his eyes behind his goggles as he inched along behind the barrier before peeking over and firing his two blasters in rapid succession.

Crosshair ducked down and rolled to the side. He came up behind a pillar. Tech took the opportunity to rush to the next low wall, still shooting at Crosshair's hiding place.

The sharp shooter was calm as he waited for a break in the blaster fire. It was only a moment but in that moment Crosshair whipped his blaster out and shot towards Tech.

Tech gasped as the armor registered the hit. He ducked down behind the low wall. Tech, like Hunter, had not been in the battlefield simulator for awhile, since most of his training had been focused on his mind…

Frowning Tech got his brain to work as he crept to the edge of barrier and peeked around. He could just see the pillar Crosshair was hiding behind. He bought his blaster up and pulled off three rounds before ducking back and hurrying to the other end of the low wall, falling flat to his belly as he crawled to the next barrier.

Crosshair behind his pillar whipped out and fired were he thought Tech was going to be. Tech emerged from behind a different pillar and fired off a couple rounds before ducking behind the pillar again.

A curse fell from Crosshairs lips as the armor registered the shot.

Thus began a game of cat and mouse, one popping up to fire and then moving on. Tech got further then Crosshair did but he took another shot before he could get back under cover.

Crosshair frowned as he tracked Tech, trying to line up a shot as the goggled clone would dart form one position to the next, shooting his blaster with each daring leap. The silver haired clone would have to abandon his shot if he didn't want to get hit himself but as Tech got closer Crosshair got more reckless.

Giving up his cover Crosshair went over the short wall and used it to vault to the next. The silver haired clone had gone up and over the battlefield. As he climbed a pillar, Tech shot at him again and before he could get over top of the platform he lost another point.

Up above the battlefield Crosshair could see Tech. While he laid flat on his stomach Crosshair took aim as Tech made a mad dash for the wall. He pulled the trigger, the blaster hit Tech once in the ankle and he could have easily pulled off another shot but Tech had reached the wall, placing his hand flat against the gray metal.

Frowning, Crosshair took aim and fired one last time.

Techs eyes widened as he saw the blaster mark strike the wall just beside his hand that he had slap against the wall. He looked up to the pillar Crosshair was on and couldn't help but give him a nod knowing that just because Tech had touched the wall didn't mean he had actually won.

Crosshair gave Tech a smirk and a two finger salute before putting up his blaster.

"I think we're done here Hunter." Tech said as he lowered his hand form the wall.

Looking up from the data pad Hunter nodded his head. "Okay, we should probably call it."

Clipping the data pad to his belt Hunter jumped down off the platform. Landing easily enough he hurried over to Wrecker as the other clones made their way back too.

Tech adjusted his goggles after taking off his helmet. "Well…" He said, "It's clear we all have different tactics." He said.

Hunter nodded his head agreeing, "Yeah, but I think that's a good thing." He said, "I think we could work well as a team but we have to work on our shortcomings."

"And those Are?" Crosshair asked almost hissing out.

Hunter didn't want to insult anyone, so he thought of his own skills. "I'm okay with a blaster, and fighting with the knife went better than I thought but I want to see if I can improve on that." He sighed, "I also need to try and get time in the gym if I'm gonna keep up with Wrecker." He reached out and gave the big clone a tap on the shoulder.

Wrecker grinned, "You weren't so bad." He laughed, "Got me in the end."

Hunter cocked his head to the side, "I would also like to work with you. Fighting together I mean."

"Sure." Wrecker nodded happily.

"What about you Wrecker, what do you think you can improve on?" Hunter knew this wasn't the way the trainers taught, they told you want you did wrong, loudly and full of name calling.

Wrecker scrunched up his face as he tried to think. "I donno…" he said.

Hunter waited.

Finally Wrecker rubbed the back of his head. "I should have stopped you form going under my legs." He said looking at Hunter.

Hunter nodded his head, "Yeah, but how could you have changed that?"

Wrecker thought again thinking hard, "I guess…I could have just shot you if I had my blaster, or thrown my knife."

Hunter nodded his head, "You would have easily got me then." He said, "It's not always about the strongest punch." He cocked his head to the side, "What about ordnance training? bombs or other explosives?" Hunter asked.

Wrecker rubbed the back of his head and grinned, "I always loved those classes." He said then his face fell. "But they're really hard."

"So?" Hunter asked, "Your no dummy," He smiled, "If you liked the class then you can learn, cant you?"

Wrecker blinked at him and suddenly felt a grin spread across his face. No one had told him that, they just called him big and dumb and just assumed he couldn't learn.

"Okay, okay I will!" Wrecker grinned as he reached out and lightly taped Hunter on the shoulder making him stagger a little.

Righting himself Hunter looked to Tech and Crosshair, "What about you two?"

Tech actually cocked his head to the side as he thought. He seemed to be analyzing his every move and ever action. He even picked up the data pad and reviewed what he saw.

As Tech thought over everything, Hunter looked to Crosshair who sighed, "I would have had a better shot if I was able to climb faster." He said crossing his arms over his chest, "Tech got me while I was climbing so…yeah…"

Hunter nodded his head, He was glad that Crosshair had noticed that. He was a good marksman but if he wanted to get the best shot available he needed to be able to get there first.

"So you should work on strength training, Climbing rope, scaling walls, anything." Hunter cocked his head to the side, "You're not afraid of heights are you?"

Crosshair snorted and pulled out a toothpick, "No, are you?"

Hunter shrugged, "Not that I've noticed," He grinned, "I was the one who picked the last meeting place."

"Ah yeah, about that," Wrecker said blushing, "Can we maybe pick a less, windy place?"

Hunter and Crosshair looked at big clone, "Are you afraid of heights, Wrecker?"

"Ah it's not that I'm afraid." Wrecker said rubbing the back of his head, "Just, you know gravity…"

Looking to Crosshair, Hunter raised an eyebrow at him.

"I believe I can now answer your question, Hunter." Tech said getting their attention again.

Looking back at the other clone Hunter cocked his head to the side, "Okay Tech, What do you got?" He asked.

"If I was able to focus my blaster shots better I could have gotten Crosshair out before I made it to the wall." Tech said, "I am ambidextrous but I see that my shots while standing still may be adequate, I need to be able to hit a target while running it seems."

Crosshair rolled his eyes but Hunter smiled, "And how will you propose to fix that?" He asked.

Tech cocked his head to the side thinking again, "I am going to have to run while shooting my blaster." He said, "The only way to improve is to practice."

Hunter chuckled softly, "You both should come to the gym with me." He told them, "Anything to help."

Tech nodded his head and looked to Crosshair who rolled his eyes but nodded.

Wrecker grinned, "I'll come too." He said, "I can show you how to lift things without hurting yourself."

Hunter nodded feeling good about everything, "Then we should work on what we can alone and meet back here in two days…" He looked to Tech, "what time is it?"

Tech checked his data pad, "It is currently 03:24." He told him.

Hunter nodded his head, "I still have to get the gear back." He began stuffing the gear back into the duffle bag. The others helped him get it all stowed away, "Next time I think we should try working on teams against each other." He said as he lifted the duffle bag on his shoulder.

Wrecker grinned at him while Tech adjusted his glasses but even Crosshair had a little smirk on his face as they shut down the training room and locked the doors.

Hunter couldn't wait.

Cody shook his head and tried to keep the amusement from his face as he watched the half grown clone Hunter rush through his assigned duties. It had been a few weeks since he had fist met the young clone. As a Commander Cody had more responsibilities then just checking up on one clone, still Cody was glad to see Hunter, even if he was still pushing a broom around and not handling a blaster.

He had never liked seeing brothers demoted, not when they were made to be soldiers. After being demoted to the support janitorial staff, the clones seemed resigned to their fate. They lost that spark in their eyes.

But not Hunter, the young clone had his wild hair tied back with a scrap of red fabric, as he hurried to do his job. It wasn't that he was doing it with enthusiasm; it seemed to Cody that he was just in a rush to get things done.

In his gray uniform no one paid Hunter the slightest bit of attention. Cody hoped to change that, He had gone over Hunters reviews and the brother showed promise, natural skills that had not been recognized by the instructors.

When he had fist met the clone on the gun range he had been sympathetic to his demotion and impressed with his skills with a blaster. But he had not promised anything without looking further into the situation.

As Hunter pushed the cart down the hallway Cody fell into step beside him.

"Morning Cody." Hunter said and cocked his head to the side as he smiled at the Commander. Unlike the cadets in training Hunter wasn't afraid of Cody. He would need to learn to some respect but for now Cody just returned the smile.

"Hunter." Cody said, "It's been a wail, how are you holding up?"

Hunter blinked at him, "Oh, um fine…" He ducked his head but Cody could see the bruise on his cheek and the healing black eye.

Before Hunter could duck his head and hid the bruise Cody reached out griped his chin tipping his head up to see the injury better.

"Were did you get that?" Cody frowned and let go of Hunters chin. "Have you been fighting with others?"

Hunter bit his lip before looking up at Cody, "No, I've been training."

Cody pressed his lips together, "With your brothers?"

Hunter gave him a quick node of the head, "After hours," He sighed softly, "I asked them to, its my fault."

"And you didn't tell anyone?" Cody asked.

Hunter shook his head, "No," He looked guilty, "I know you said not to do anything …stupid, but I couldn't sit still either, not when I could get back in."

Cody sighed, "You wanted back in the game." He said and gave Hunter a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Come on Brother,"

Hunter looked at the cart he had been pushing, "Um…"

"Leave it." Cody said, "I have to say, you don't do things half way," He led Hunter down the hallway. "If they had a metal for stubbornness you would have it."

Hunter tried not to look pleased at Cody's words, Stubbornness could be both good or bad in a clone.

"Wail I'm back on Kaminon I wanted to put you threw some tests, to see where your skills stand. "Cody told him, "I can't do anything to get you reinstated yet but I was able to pull some strings and got you some training time."

"Really?" He asked, "You're going to train me?"

The Commander cocked his head to the side, "I don't know if you're happy or disappointed," He told Hunter, "But you sound like you don't believe me."

"I'm sorry sir." Hunter told him. "It's just that you're the Commander, you have other duties."

"You know, most cadets would jump at the chance to be trained by me." Cody told him as they walked down the hallway.

Hunter raised an eyebrow at the commoner. "Most cadets who got booted out, wouldn't be given a seconded chance," He said, "I'm just wondering what you are planning for me."

"I had to go through ARC training before I was promoted to Commander." Cody told him.

"You went from Cadet Straight to Commander?" Hunter asked with a smirk.

Cody rolled his eyes, "Smart mouth." He chuckled.

Hunter grinned.

He flicked Hunters ear, "I need to see if you can actually be trained to use your senses in a battle situation. Do you know what Clone Commando does?"

Hunter nodded, "Yes sir." He waited a moment before he elaborating, "Commandos are a specialize unite, they have similar training to ARC Troopers but instead of being assigned to a Garrison they are an independent unite, usually sent in to dangerous situations that are considered to delicate for a platoon of men."

"So you've been reading up have you?" Cody asked.

Hunter grinned, "I didn't think I would be assigned with regular clones again, not if you're taking an interests."

Cody rolled his eyes just a little, "You already act like all the ARC troopers I know,"

"Which one?"

Cody looked at him and Hunter who had a keen look in his eyes. Hunter reminded him of Caption Rex, eager to lean, and prove himself, ready to take on anything and do something crazy at the same time.

Sighing Cody placed hand on Hunters shoulder, "One of the best men I know." He said.

Hunter blushed and Cody cleared his throat.

"Do you have any questions?" He tried not to be gruff; Hunter was not a full grown trooper after all.

Hunter was confused, "The instructors didn't like us asking questions," He bit his lip, "At least not the ones training the squad I was on."

The commander didn't comment, he had see Hunters file. He had also dug deeper and looked into his former teams flies too. It was mostly the comments made by the bounty hunter instructors that had angered the older clone. The Instructors only wanted to make them efficient soldiers. Fallow orders to the letter.

Hunter was already a free thinker; he looked at a situation and adapted. He took risks but they had often been successful. He offered options, strategies and even took on the risks himself. Not many soldiers who took on the roll of decoy were able to come out unscathed.

Cody could not fathom how no one else saw the clone's potential. All they saw was the incident that had marred his record. The trainers all said it was 'nerves', that Hunter had froze in the middle of shoot out or became unresponsive during a training session.

Sadly it wasn't a onetime thing with Hunter, the simulations always looked to be going well but then something would stop Hunter in his tracks.

After seeing what Tech had uncovered, Cody was positive there was much more going on than just nerves. It was frustrating that no one saw it. No one even considered it. They just blamed him and moved on.

Hunter had skills, and Cody intended to put his skills to good use. So what if Hunter was young, he had a will to go for what he wanted. It was clear with the way he was secretly training, Hunter wasn't about to be defeated.

Now if he could work past the overloaded of sensations…

"To be a successful Commando you have to think outside the box. That box that all Clones are made to think inside to follow orders." He led Hunter into a training room.

Unlike the one Hunter and the others had snuck into this one was fully operational.

"Sir?" Hunter looked at him.

Cody smirked and led him over to the storage room off to the side. He pulled out a black body glove and tossed it to the younger clone.

"Go change into that, I'll set up the training scenario." Cody told him.

Nodding Hunter took the body glove and hurried to the changing room. Cody shook his head seeing the enthusiasm in Hunters hurried steps. Going over to the controls Cody set up the scenery he wanted to test Hunter on and looked out through the glass to see the training room transform as it adjusted to the parameters he had set.

Hunter came out of the changing room in the form-fitting garment; Cadets didn't get to wear the specialized material until after they graduated, it came with the standard white armor. Hunter tugged at the neckline and elbows.

"It takes getting used to," Cody told him, as he passed Hunter the cadet issue helmet. "Don't need you going blind either." He gave Hunter a wink.

"What's the objective?" Hunter asked the commander.

Cody grinned as he pulled on his own helmet. "The objective is to get past the obstacles." He said as he led the way out into the training room.

The training room was set up with low walls, obstacles, and pillars much the same as any other challenge. Security lasers in green blue and red streaked across the landscape as Cody set himself up in the center of the room next to a pillar.

"Use all your skills to get past the obstacles and if you can get past me to the pillar you pass." Cody told him as he pulled out a remote and the different coloured lasers began to move.

Hunter eyed the lasers as he stood at the edge of the mat. He narrowed his eyes for a moment.

Cody chuckled, "This always reminded me of disco night club on Corucsant."

Hunter blinked. "What's a disco?"

Cody shook his head grinning, "Don't get distracted." He said, "And Try not to get hit by the red ones."

Hunter nodded as he readied himself.

Cody watched the younger clone with narrowed eyes. "Any time you're ready."

Hunter jumped into motion, hopping over the first set of low green beams of light and twisting around the red ones. Cody had been joking earlier about the night clubs on Coruscant, but watching the younger clone dance past the lasers, he thought the comparison was more apt then he realized.

Ducking behind a low wall Hunter narrowly missed a blue laser that shot past his ear. Cody watched as the first mistake was made and Hunter's thigh got zapped by the green light.

Hunter stumbled back and stood as if his leg was a dead weight.

"The lasers are different intensities." Cody called to him. "But I'm sure you figure that out by now."

Hunter hissed as he rubbed a gloved hand across his numb thigh. Feeling the difference between the lasers, Hunter knew he didn't want to get hit again. Narrowing his eyes Hunter knew he could feel the power coming off the lasers, he just had to focus his body in avoiding them.

But getting through the lasers was only part of the challenge. The Commander was in an open area about twenty feet from the edge to the center were the pillar stood. He had to get out of the laser field and to Cody.

Closing his eyes from the distractions Hunter focused on the feeling of the energy around him. He had been practicing what the Jedi Shaak Ti had tried to teach him and now it was time to put it to use.

Cody watched as Hunter shot out from behind the low wall and dodged the lasers. He moved faster than before, ducking and jumping the lasers making what seemed to be a mad dash. But he would side step or back track out of the way.

As good as the young clone was, Hunter wasn't perfect, he got hit twice more by a blue and green beam. Once in the shoulder, and again in the leg that had already been hit once, but still Hunter did not slow down as he skidded into the open area were Cody waited.

Breathing heavily Hunter tried to get his legs under him and Cody thought about how numb his leg was.

"You're stubborn." Cody told him.

Hunter rolled his shoulders back, "Go forwards or go back." Hunter said, "I prefer to go forwards."

"You're not done yet." Cody stood waiting for him. He could have let the young clone recover, he could have waited but he wanted to push Hunter. To see how he handled himself with the stresses. His evaluations had not been kind, but if he could push through…

Hunter tried to block Cody as his fists came in hard and fast. The younger clone was going to be black and blue if he didn't get himself sorted soon.

Stumbling back Hunter began to dodge the commander's oncoming fits, as Cody advanced. It didn't take the pain in his lower arm where he had blocked the oncoming fist to realize that the commander was not letting him off easy.

Pulling his form in Hunter tried to bring the fight back to Cody. With the years of training under his belt Cody was far superior then the younger Hunter.

Still, as Hunter began to bring the fight back on Cody the Commander felt himself grin. Hunter was relentless as any of the ART Troopers Cody had worked with. Using his hands and legs, Hunter began to push Cody onto the defensive.

Hunter had raw talent, instinct that took him further just training.

Cody stepped up his skills however, thinking if he let a young clone that had washed out, beat him…

Cody grabbed a hold of Hunters wrist and twisted the arm behind his back and pushed him to the floor. Cody had more weight in musicales on the younger clone but even as Hunter struggled the commander was impressed with his tenacity. In a few short rotations he was sure this fight would turn out differently…

Hunter gasped for breath underneath him.

"You're good kid, But I couldn't let you beat me."

"Your rep can't handle it?" Hunter asked as he squirmed under him.

Cody chuckled. "We learn when we fail." He said, "Now I have you pinned to the floor and you cannot reach your goal." Cody cocked his head to the side. "What would you do differently?"

"I'm not done yet."

"Sure about that?" Cody asked.

Hunter squirmed and twisted underneath him, but Cody was confident in his grip. With one hand pinning Hunters arm behind his back, while the other was around his neck and shoulders as Cody used his weight to pin him to the floor.

Gritting his teeth Hunter, shifted his body as Cody pinned him.

"Stubborn." Cody said as Hunter struggled.

The younger clone managed to get one of his legs underneath him. Soon he was in a kneeling with Cody pinning his upper half to the floor. With his leg under him Hunter kicked off the ground sending them both tumbling sideways. Hunters head snapped back and their helmets connected with a crack, Hunters went flying off his head.

Cody saw stars but he kept his grip on the boy even when he felt a swift kick to his knee and an elbow to his chest breaking his hold. Hunter scrambled away and grabbed a hold of the pillar, he began to climb. But Cody reached out and grabbed his ankle and pulled Hunter back down. This time when Cody pinned Hunter, he lifted Hunter's whole body off the floor.

"You don't know when to quit do you?" Cody asked his mouth right beside Hunters ear. He had a hold of both of Hunters writs, and had twisted them around his chest while his legs dangled.

Cody felt Hunters body tense under him and the Commander dropped his hold, also dropping Hunter to the floor.

"You're done, stand down."

"You said," Hunter gasped out, as he got shakily to his feet. "The objective…."

"Your objective yes," Cody told him. "But my objective was more to see how determined you were to achieve your goal rather then if you actually succeeded."

Hunter cocked his head to the side, "And?"

Cody gave him a stern look, "Determined even when faced with defeat." He told Hunter and the young clones shoulders fell. "If you had the strength and stamina of an adult clone you could have bested me."

Hunter grinned just a little and Cody flicked his nose. "Don't get ahead of yourself."

"Yes sir." Hunter said rubbing his nose.

"What I want to know is why didn't you pull back when you were struck with the beam?" Cody asked as he got up and held his hand out to Hunter.

Hunter rubbed his leg were he got struck, "It Hurt," He said, "But going back wasn't an option, not if I wanted to succeed." He looked up at Cody, "What would have happened if I got hit by the red laser?"

"We would have had this conversation much later." Cody told him as he, "They are meant to incapacitate. The green ones to cause pain and the blue ones will make your body go numb."

Hunter nodded his head and rubbed at his leg again, "They do more than that." He said.

Cody nodded, "You're stubborn, I'll give you that." He said, "But stubbornness won't serve you if you don't have the skills."

"It was almost easier to not look at the lasers." Hunter said. "Next time I won't let that happen."

"Sometimes the eyes can trick you…" Cody said as Hunter grinned just a little before hiding it

Cody looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me…" He said and Hunter rubbed the back of his head. Cody shook his head and sighed, "Only a Jedi would do something so stupid." He told Hunter. "You need to keep your eyes open and see what is going around you."

"Yes sir," Hunter said.

Cody cocked his head to the side and chuckled. "Still, Eyes closed… impressive if stupid."

"I won't do it again." Hunter promised.

Cody smirked just a little, "You will be trained to use all your senses Hunter, to trust what you know, and your team will also have to trust in your skills."

Hunters head perked up as he mentioned a Team.

"The others?"

"Since two of the three are basically without a squad themselves there was no problem in transferring them. The last one CT-9902, Wrecker was a bit more problematic." Cody told him.

Hunter frowned, "But his team doesn't like or even put him to good use." He said. "And we fight well together."

Cody raised an eyebrow at him. "So you Have been training together." He smirked, "All four of you?"

Hunter nodded his head, "Just every seconded night and when we can get time in the gym together, which isn't often."

Cody tried not to smirk, it was clear that Hunter was more a leader than any other clone was at his age. "I'm going to have to see you work together." Cody told him, "Now, I'm sure Ninty-Nine is waiting for you somewhere, Get changed and if your leg doesn't lose the numbness go and see the medic."

Hunter smiled, "Yes sir."

Cody shook his head as he watched Hunter hurry away. He had plans for Hunter and his team. Working with a Jedi he had been amazed at the skills they possessed. There were plenty of places the Jedi just couldn't go because of their own high moral codes.

How many times had he and other received distress signals and been unable to act on or send help for one reason or another? Cody wanted to change that, and he thought Hunter and his squad might be the ones to do it.

TBC…

NA- Okay hopefully that wasn't too long for all you guys out there, but I wanted to show both the boys trainings and Cody testing out Hunter.

Up next brotherly bonding and a food fight, what fun.