Chapter 7: 79's
"Our ship repairs should take two rotations. My men could use the break." Plo told the present members of the council. His Padawan and clone commander stood behind him to form a triangle formation. He could feel the tension that formed during his short cover in a fighter. He would've been concerned if it wasn't such a relief that she felt something. He knew that Wolffe was prone to getting into disagreements while away from direct conflict for periods longer than 5 minutes. He'd rather hoped that the conflict would spark something but hadn't expected it to work so quickly.
"Commanders, you are both free to leave. General, we need to speak further." Master Windu said. Masters Ti, Fisto and Mundi turned their attention to Master Plo. Doryn noticed Master Windu's small inhale and Master Yoda's eyes move to her. She had made the request before and couldn't stand aside even for a small thing. Yoda's eyes gave her permission, so she stepped forward and gave a gentle, deep, nod. "Master, forgive me, but I still refuse that title."
"Ah yes, Padawan Ror. Your objection on the grounds of being a peacekeeper." Master Windu said it like he was refreshing the limited present council members.
"As keepers of the peace, you understand that we cannot object against protecting others in this war?" Master Mundi seemed to be being antagonistic without cause. His arm's gestures and tone of voice were both things that would've earned him a slap. Doryn knew he was twisting the words purposely as punishment for not blindly agreeing to everything. "I understand, Master. What I object to is the title when I am no soldier." Her voice stayed steady as she gave another, slower, nod. She took a step back before Yoda spoke. "Peacekeepers, we are, hm? Padawan, you may remain." With that she and Wolffe left the room.
"So, Padawan, what's your problem with soldiers?" Wolffe held his helmet on his left, the same side of him that Doryn walked next to. He leaned into the nouns to make them jab a little into her. "I have none, but I am a peacekeeper, not a warrior." She spoke so evenly, as if she hadn't wanted to slap him earlier. He turned his head to her and made the look up and down obvious. "I can tell from how gently you dismantle clankers." He smirked to himself as he looked away, back down the hallway. She simply sighed and kept walking.
As instructed to by her Master, she made herself presentable. She certainly found comfort in her final reunion with the refresher after having to go without. She knew in the barracks they had to share a communal refresher and she tried to not imagine the chaos they caused together in there. The outfit ended up being a dress that she had acquired on an extended diplomatic mission. The planet's dignitaries had had a daughter the same age as Doryn and the girl became overly excited at the idea of the Padawan becoming her friend. The girl had been willfully ignorant of the fact that, outside of maintaining her planet's sovereignty and keeping the heir breathing, Doryn had no interest in her company. Master Tassu had guided his Padawan to act as the girl's doll to allow her access and trust other protectors could not obtain from the girl.
Doryn had been further instructed to wait for the clones at their barracks. So many squads took residence there that she reckoned that the closest to finding the 104th she'd get was spotting them as they exited. She had time to kill. She thought that practising old routines she'd been taught as a youngling would've been a good idea, with the location being the only issue. She didn't care what the clones or other workers thought. What she did take into account was how a Jedi was meant to conduct herself. Masters Mundi and Windu would've almost enjoyed themselves if she gave them another opportunity to remind her that practise was only to be done in 'an appropriate venue, capable of withstanding the practise and void of non-Jedi'. Obviously, the clones didn't count as 'non-Jedi' under that specific rule but she'd already been told it enough times before Master Kenobi first went to Kamino.
She hadn't been sure how long she'd been meditating before she heard two clones. "Fives, don't." One of them said. He was obviously done with his brother's antics, and she didn't even need to be a Jedi to tell that. "Doesn't one of your regulations say something about helping girls that get lost on our barracks?" He sounded so pleased with himself for that and didn't even seem to pause in his path that deviated from the direct route into the barracks. "Fives, move along." She hadn't even opened her eyes whilst addressing him. She didn't need to open her eyes to tell how shocked he was. "How did you know my name?" Doryn hadn't spent much time with those that weren't Jedi or republic diplomats, both groups had excellent educations. Her week of fighting alongside the clones made her truly notice how much the education did to carry their intelligence when compared to smart clones that had only ever been taught to kill. "I also have ears." She opened her eyes to look up at the clone from her comfy position on the floor. She cupped a hand behind her ear to make it obvious it was what she referred to. "They may not look like yours but they are actually much more effective than human ears." He was very obviously embarrassed. Somehow, this embarrassment wasn't a deterrent for his next move. If anything, it encouraged him. "My human ears seemed to've missed your name." If anything, he threw himself further into embarrassing himself. It was almost as if he thought it would make him seem like a better mate. This confused Doryn. "Don't be concerned about your inadequate ears, I didn't tell you." Even his brother started to snicker.
Wolffe grumbled behind his brothers as they exited the building. Two of Skywalker's men were there and had their attention on something. He looked down and noticed the furry Padawan sitting on the floor in a dress. It looked like something he'd seen a senator wear but apart from that and the tiny skirts the clone bunnies wore in 79's, he hadn't seen many dresses. Outside of them giving him easy access, he didn't actually know much about dresses. "I see you met our home-girl Doryn." Sinker called out. Fives' head snapped to the pack. The first thought through his head was that she must've been the girlfriend of one of them. That's the only thing that would make him that fearful. "O-oh, your girl?" That confirmed to Wolffe what he'd assumed Fives' impression was. He thought to himself how stupid they were. She was a beautiful woman and in Wolffe's opinion much too good for his brothers to think they had a shot with. "I'm an adult, so you calling me a girl isn't accurate or appropriate." She sighed whilst standing up. The skirt of her dress wasn't as long as it had seemed when she was sitting. It came to her knee instead of being one that would pool on the ground around the wearer. That would be much better for 79's and he wouldn't have to spend the whole night getting brothers to back off. Wolffe reminded himself that he was doing it because he'd been asked to look after her. He had an idea of why the General wanted her to get to know his men more but why he thought her going to 79's was a good idea was beyond Wolffe. He questioned if Jedi were even allowed to drink and go to bars. Still, they went in two taxis. He ended up with Doryn, Sinker and Comet. He wasn't sure if it was him or her that was more unfortunate in hearing his brothers' attempts.
As they arrived, the taxi driver said the price. The Padawan was quick to reach into a pocket to pull out credits. Wolffe noticed this and put his hand over hers to stop her. "I've got this." She looked at him confused and he gestured with his head for her to get out. She did as she was 'told' and so did Sinker and Comet. Wolffe handed the credits over and the taxi driver said something that he didn't know how to react to. "You should put those two out of their misery and just tell them." It was said as a joke which he assumed Wolffe was in on. When he asked for clarification the driver simply said, "Get out my taxi and have a good time with your girlfriend." Without thinking, Wolffe stepped out and didn't give himself a chance to process what he'd said. Wildfire was ahead, shooting his shot with the Padawan. It didn't seem to phase any of them that she was practically a commanding officer or that she was a Jedi. They didn't even think to consider it. He caught up with Boost and Comet who were traipsing behind, pretending to be heartbroken by facing rejection which they knew was coming. "You pups done or do you want to embarrass yourselves again?" He really laid it on thick with his 'Commander' voice and silent movements to give them no warning that he was coming up on them. "I'm taking a break until Boost screws himself over again." Sinker snickered. It was almost as if he wasn't a Sergeant and she wasn't a Jedi. Wolffe caught the last word. "Again? Do I want to know?" He slowly questioned. Comet burst out laughing, forgetting about his supposed heartbreak quickly. "He called her nose freakish." Wolffe had no idea how that was a joke to his brother. He was suddenly disgusted by Boost. He didn't need to hear anymore. He made his steps a little quicker and caught up with Doryn and Wildfire as they entered the bar.
