The following morning flew around as if on swift wings. Not that it really mattered to (Y/N), she'dbeen a wake for around an a hour of so when the alarm went off. The thunder storm outside seemingly drawing her in. She was already dressed in dark robes, ready for the day ahead, almost excited for what was to come. To (Y/N) it was an honor to train the cadets, especially since they would also be serving under you, no other Jedi had such a chance, instead either Jango Fett or other hired bounty hunters would train them, while their training was overseen by Shaak Ti and the Kaminoans. In (Y/N)'s hand was cup of caf, her attempt to regain her energy ready for the meeting in less than an hour. The data-pad with the information on lay next to her on the seat near the window, the room was dimly light, if only to stop the nightmares of the war to haunt her.
As forthe four cadets, they woke with the alarm Tech had set. Wrecker complaining loudly helping to wake them up, even if he did miss the clock with the small box he'd thrown at it. Crosshair commenting with his normal snide and sarcastic comments, where as Hunter seemed far more alert than the others, as if he'd been awake for hours. Tech on the other hand seemed happy his tweaking with the clock had worked. Each of them headto the mess hall, heading for breakfast or what the Kaminoans classed as it. Upon entering the hall, the tired whispers met them, excitement from cadets of all ages. As Tech had predicted all of them knowing the young Jedi Knight was there, although none knew the true reason she was there.
Other than the tired whispers the trip to the mess hall was uneventful, the same jabs and insults thrown in their direction from the regs, the same long necked cloners walking the halls, reminding all clones of their place as their propertyand the schedule they all had to keep to, as if they could forget it. As normal the four sat on a table by themselves, the other cadets making comments as they passed the table. Getting little reaction besides Wrecker glaring at them, occasionally Tech would correct them on something they'd said wrong, effectively giving them a lesson.
"Bet the Sad Batch doesn't get special treatment with the Jedi" started a cadet about the same age as the four sat alone at the table, as the room fell into silence, the ordinary clone hadn't spotted the Jedi Knight in question enter the room to personally retrieve the four clones, most looking to her as if intrigued or curious why she would join them, when most to visit eat alone in their quarters.
"What's your name trooper?" asked (Y/N) from behind the cadet, causing him to whirl around upon hearing the feminine voice. Upon turning he come face to face with the young Jedi, learning quickly she wasn't as expected. He soon answered with his number. "That's your number, what's your name?" added the young Jedi, being sure to specify the difference between the two, yet she didn't seem bothered by the quietness of the room or that most eyes were on her. He soon looked confused at her, clearly showing he didn't have a name, to which sadness and pity could be seen shining in her eyes, clearly the lack of a name effected her, something each member of Clone Force 99 took notice of. She soon let the trooper leave, refusing to do anything further, thrust leaving her at the end of the table where her four cadets sat rather quietly. "Finish up and meet me in the corridor" added (Y/N) before swiftly leaving, the moment the black and white doors closed behind her the chatter started again. Yet this time the conversation was on the Jedi and the connection between her and the four clones she had spoke to.
"Well this is going to be interesting" spoke Tech, analyzing the information he had gathered from the simple and short encounter. Hunter and Crosshair looking to their little brother, where as Wrecker seemed happy to ignore everything and continue eating. "It appears we wont have much trouble understanding her. Although that hologramdoes her little justice" added the younger of the four, complimenting her without really realizing it, although Hunter seemed to have picked up on the change of tone.
"Perceptive" casually commented Crosshair, shifting slightly to move the tray away from him. Clearly no longer in the mood for eating and wanting to start the days training. Something that was rare for the cadet of few words. Hunter could only chuckle to the simple comment, hearing the hints of nerves and sarcasm to floor through the simple word. Wrecker simply yelling he liked her. Yet the moment the four of them had finished, they headed towards the corridor as instructed to do, curious but ready for what was to come. As expected the young knight waited for them, a trolley with several boxes hoovering at her side. It being clear she was prepared for what was to come and seemed confident. Each greeted her with the silent salute, a sign of respect she returned to each of them.
"Please tell me you have names" commented (Y/N) upon beginning the short journey to the training arena, the boxes with the things they'd be needing for the task she had in mind for them. She had reviewed previous training sessions they had, noticing they worked well as a team but hadn't been prepared for every situation. Something she was about to change, thrust giving them a better chance on the battle field.
"Yes General" spoke Hunter, noticing quickly how she seemed uneasy with the title. "I'm Hunter, there's Tech, Wrecker and Crosshair" added the soon to be Sargentof the four, noticing how shetook notice of them, being sure to remember each of their names. "What shall we call you?" forwardly asked Hunter, he picked up on how uncomfortable shewaswith being called General. As well as attempting to know you as the person you were rather than the war hero you'd quickly become, in a similar way to how you were determined to know each of them as individuals rather than numbers. It that retrospect the five of your had a mutualunderstanding.
"Most call me (Y/L/N) or Princess. Which ever you prefer" calmly responded (Y/N), allowing them to choose which they called her, taking no offense to either, but also showing how many actually used your first name. It was almost as if it had been forgotten by those whom surrounded her on a daily basis, or it was forbidden to speak it. That alone causing the small team of cadets to look at each other with questions. Shaak Ti was a General to them, occasionally she would allow them to call her by her name but yet again you were different, as if you'd be taught speaking your name was some sort of crime against those whom you called family. Yet the silent confession also allowed each of them to connect with you further. You'd made it clear by that simple answer you would always be truthful with them, no matter the situation. Yet for a Jedi you also displayed emotion, something that was discouraged within the Jedi, just as love was forbidden.
"Cyar'ika" commented Crosshair, his voice barely above a whisper, as if he didn't want you to hear the word he was finding himself wanting to call you. Something in him telling him it was right, even through his cold exterior he seemed to want to know you, something new to him and something he was unsureabout. It confused him. (Y/N) turned upon catching apart of the comment, seemingly confused by it. Sherecognized it as Mando'a but didn't recognize the name or phrase, yet shesensed the uncertainty radiating from the silver haired cadet. Thrust she only nodded as if accepting the unknown title he'd given her.
"What's in the boxes?" almost yelled Wrecker, causing a chuckle to escape from (Y/N). Only now did they notice their number on four of the five boxes. The same boxes they soon realized were actually footlockers. Yet confusion passed over each again, clearly not understanding why they would be getting their footlockers so soon, they still had training to complete, yet here she was skipping steps or so it appeared.
"Your armor" (Y/N) happily responded, almost being overwhelmed by the feelings to escape each of them. She could feel the excitement, nervousness and uncertainty, even the confusion on why they were getting it so early. She didn't have to be a mind reader to know they questioned their own abilities and the decision to get their armor earlier than normal. "If you're gonna be in the battlefield then you've got to get used to moving in the armor. Better here in a safe environment than on the battlefield. Where a moment's distraction can cause injury or death" explained the young Jedi, revealing the reason why shehad gifted them with what they soon found out was personalized armor. Suited to their particular mutations or gifts asshe called them.
"Hmm magnetic can easily be attached to our blacks. Not the regular armor, more of those for the Commandos. Each with a specific design to help with our abilities" mumbled Tech as he carefully looked over the armor, to have been carefully placed into the footlockers, it being clear their General had placed them in with care. Including the weapons they'd eventually become accustom to.
"Shaak Ti took notice of the weapons you favor. She put in a request for them to be altered to your needs and liking" calmly spoke (Y/N), showing just how much thought had gone into their training. They weren't like other clones so they wouldn't be taught like them. "So Bad Batch. Suit up and show me what you got" she added, giving them freedom to show her what they could do, allowing them to choose how they showed her their skills and team work. At least so she could gauge what she was working with. Yet as she walked away to the position above, where the controls were hidden, she couldn't help but notice the instant connection she felt towards them. Even she couldn't deny they were special, only now did she begin to silently thank both the Chancellor and Shaak Ti for giving her the chance, for believing she could handle this.
When the four cadets gave her the signal they were ready, she began the prepared trial. Almost instantly she noticed other cadets stop and watch what was going on. How the four in the arena assessed the threat and used hand signals to communicate. The four went their separate ways the moment they each understood the plan. Hunter drawing the main fire while Tech used the weapons provided and the controls linked to his com-link, almost testing them. Wrecker on the other handran head on at droids firing stunners at him, dodging each one with confidence, knowing his younger brothers had his back. Crosshair quietly climbed one of the gun towers, sneaking on to the terrace of the tower beneath the guns, taking out each one with his rifle. As well as the guns on the walls allowing one of his brothers safe passage to the top of the towering structure. From his spot he covered each who ran, while avoiding being fired at.
Yet as he looked around him, he felt a wave of confidence rush through him. This wasn't like any normal test. Yes (Y/N) was testing them but to understand them and their individual skills rather than to berate them as the other bounty hunters do. She was far different, relaxed, determined even. She was assessing them to help them rather than pull them down, like a friend who was trying to help another out. Yet more than that she had faith in them. She wanted them to succeed where as the long necked Kaminoans didn't seem to care either way, they were a source of income, the reason they had an expensive and lavish lives. The Kaminoans had made it clear they were expendable, they were meant to die on the battlefield, they were nothing but products. The bounty hunters hadn't made much difference, adding on they were a burden and some of them were useless.
But (Y/N) was different. None of them got the sense she was burdened by them, none of them got the sense she seen they as property or just the numbers they given. No, she gave off an aura of kindness and understanding, like she knew what it was like to be judged for being different. She wanted to help them, prepare them for the war they faced, she knew it wasn't glorious but the opposite. She cared if they lived or died, she'd made it clear by her silent begging and hopefulness they had their own individual names.
"The data-pad vastly understated your skills both as individuals and as a team. Although you could brush up the skills a little more" spoke (Y/N) upon joining the four in the arena, waving for Crosshair to join themfrom the tower he used as a snipers nest. "Keep the unpredictability and adaptability you have a team. Its useful and quite a spectacle to see. I don't think there is much I need to do in terms of training, but there is a few individual tasks to do" she commented, being sure to treat them as the human beings theywere rather than the soldiers they were being trained to be. Each nodded as they took off their helmets. Shelead them from the arena, allowing the next group to take up positions. She was proud of them and was sure to let them know it.
"What'd you have in mind?" questioned Hunter, knowing he'd have to get used to answering her. After all he would be her second in command. Something he now look forward to, you offered them each trust and care, you were friendly rather than cold, even when you could clearly sense Crosshair's coldness towards outsiders or just others in general. On the walk back towards the barracks you stopped off at what you knew to be the supply room. Finding the paint, yet only finding black and red, settling on it you returned moments later. Seeing each confused as they tucked their different helmets under one of their arms.
"All of you will be going through the basic medic training. Tech I will put you forward for the advanced program as well" started (Y/N) being sure they knew what shehad planned to prepare them although not explaining the paint just yet. "Hunter, as the Sargent, I hope you could come up with a number of strategies, you all have my chain code, bounce any ideas you have off me. As for you Wrecker, your apt for destroying things will be handy on the battle field, I suggest acquainting yourself with the various forms of explosives and polish up the skills to disarm them" added their general, ensuring they knew what they were doing and their overall roles. "And Crosshair, I recommend training to use other weapons with your impressive skills. There maybe a time where guns are not an option or you've been disarmed for whatever reason. Knives, detonators, anything you can think of. The more your capable of using the less chance of being caught of guard. Although I suspect it will be the droids whom will have that problem" explained (Y/N), watching as each nodded, noticing how shedidn't criticize any of them, but instead recommended things they could do, preparing them for every situation shecould think of.
"And the paint?" asked Crosshair, seemingly amused by your recommendation, yet he also seemed excited to try out the task she placed before him. You soon held out a gold plated knife to each of them, suggesting it would be theirs to keep, train with or whatever they desired to do. Engraved on each was the number 99. Although they noticed she too had one strapped to her utility belt. Yet at the mention of the paint, a soft smile appeared on her lips, clearly showing she had something in mind, again they found themselves curious, only those of a certain unit had different colors on their armor but that was only to distinguish who was apart of which legion. The cadets didn't get that until they were incorporated into the legions and graduated from the training academy.
"Personalisation" responded (Y/N), seeing confusion radiation over each of them one by one. Clearly they didn't understand how they were supposed to do that when they were still cadets, yet to graduate from the training academy. "You four know where you're going when you graduate, you know who your general will be. Only right you should get to personalize your armor and your barracks. Since red and black was all I could find, that will be our colors" she explained, speaking the truth, they did know she would be their general, they were her small unit. They did know where they would be going when they left the academy. They knew what their roles would be, yet they would also have more freedom than most troops. The Jedi known as the Princess had told them a lot through her actions, she had allowed them to know her through them, because of that each had quickly began to trust her, they could relate to her on a level they couldn't with anyone else.