Here we are boys and girls, the last chapter of this arc but not the last Band of Brothers chapter. As I made clear way back with the first Band of Brothers chapter, this will be a ten chapter series, the same as its namesake so no Band of Brothers chapter for a while after this one.
But thanks for all the reviews and such, appreciate it as per usual.
Now, moving on, last chapter arc of Band of Brothers, moving on to tales of the Jedi after this one and then Tales of The Avengers. If you have a better arc name for Tales of the Avengers, as it's a bit hard to roll off the tongue, I am open to suggestions.
And I don't know if I addressed it or not, I probably, more than likely already did but I'm too lazy to check but WOW, the overwhelming response in the polls of Cody being with She-Hulk. Like, I know I've seen some great arguments from MK Warrior and Agent-G but damn, 89 percent of the votes went to yay for Cody and She-Hulk so guess that settles it.
So our Favorite Commander gets the Jade Amazon of the Avengers all to himself. Guess some artwork is in order.
Anywho, let's get on with it.
Rate Read and Review and As Always Have Nice Day.
Avengers Infinite Wars Chapter 120: Band of Brothers Volume 6 Commandos
Within a pod filled with a bluish liquid, eyes slowly opened, being met with the sight of a humanoid alien with an elongated neck and limbs.
"Welcome, little one. This is your first day." Spoke the alien, her voice soft yet devoid of emotion.
"Your designation will be RS-138. We expect great things from you. You have been born into dangerous times. A sharp mind will be the key to survival. But as often as not, it will be your inherent physical traits that win the day."
"And in this regard, you will be superior to your more common brethren. For you are a commando, something truly special."
Flashes of simulated training scenarios followed by taking armor and marking it with sharp orange paint.
Your weapons, your armor, and most importantly, your brothers. The aipha of our world hunt in pods to bring down much larger prey. So too, will you join your brothers and become fierce hunters for the Republic. Now, join your pod, and embrace your destiny as their leader."
The orange-clad Clone Commando now stood before three others of similar armor yet each distinct enough to stand apart from one another.
"Join Delta Squad: Delta 40, your foundation, a pure and uncomplicated soldier; 62, the heart and soul of your team; and 07, the fiercest hunter of all your brethren. You are each a piece of a whole person, and the Republic will call on you to defend, and give your lives if need be."
"Boss."
Clone Commando RC-1138 AKA Boss, opened his eyes to see RC-1262 or Scorch, as he prefers himself to be called.
The leader of Delta Squad gave his batch brother a raised brow and Scorch thumbed behind him.
"He's here."
The Clone Commando nodded, getting up from his seat, and grabbing his helmet on his way out of the room.
Walking down a corridor with Scorch by his side, the pair entered a command room with multiple screens, tables and officers all conducting their job.
In the center were the other two members of Delta Squad, Sev and Fixer and next to them was a Jedi Master with a yellow mark across his nose, running under his eyes with a woman next to him, having Magenta hair, pale skin and green eyes.
"Brothers." Boss spoke up, getting the attention of the group.
"Boss." Sev greeted, Fixer merely nodding in silence.
The leader of Delta Squad then turned his attention to the Jedi and the woman, giving them both a once-over.
"So this is him, huh?" Boss said, clearly unimpressed by who he was looking at.
The woman next to the Jedi frowned yet the man snorted, chortling to himself with a shake of his head.
"Yeah, I know I'm not much to look at." The Jedi conversationally said. "But…"
He held up his hand, lightsaber levitating a few inches above his palm.
"I'm still a Jedi."
The Commandos regarded this display impassively until the woman next to him gave one of the flattest looks any of them had ever seen.
"Really?" She sarcastically said. "That's your best introduction? The same way you met me? Tholme was right, you do need an explosion going off to meet you properly."
At that, Scorch openly guffawed and Sev snickered. Fixer remained neutral for the most part and Boss found his lip twitching upwards.
"Khaleen," The Jedi let out a faux-exasperated sigh, shooting the leader of Delta Squad a smirk, the lightsaber dropping in one hand and the other being outstretched. "Names Vos, Quinlan Vos."
"Boss." RC-1138 responded in kind, grasping the Jedi's hand and shaking it. "This is Delta Squad."
"Scorch, demolitions expert." The yellow and gray armored clone introduced himself first.
"I think you and I are gonna get along just fine." Quinlan remarked with a roguish grin, one Scorch returned.
The red-marked Commando let out a withering sigh, slapping Scorch upside the head without looking at him, getting a slight glare from his brother.
"General Vos, I implore you not to give this idiot ideas." RC-1207 stated. "Names Sev, sniper. This here is Fixer, he don't talk much."
"Fixer" rolled his eyes at his introduction.
"Pleasure to meet you boys." Vos said respectfully. "And you can drop the general title. If I'm gonna be a part of this squad, not gonna lord over my rank with you. We just met. Gonna take a while to get used to working together."
That seemed to be the right set of words as Boss nodded in approval, gesturing to the woman next to Quinlan.
"And you are, ma'am?" He said with a more polite tone this time.
"Khaleen Hentz." She introduced herself. "Republic intelligence."
"She's been helping out me and my two masters in gathering information on the Seppies behind enemy lines." Quinlan stated, placing an appreciative hand on her shoulder, making the woman have a small smile directed at the Kiffar Jedi. "And now, she'll be helping us as well."
"Appreciate the added support." Boss earnestly said, turning to Sev and Fixer. "What's our next mission? I take it us getting a new member to our squad warrants a mission as well."
Quinlan smirked at that perceptive statement and nodded.
"You'd be right about that, Boss." The Kiffar Jedi confirmed. "Fixer, if you would?"
Fixer stepped forward and began outlining a mission behind the enemy lines of the Separatists, being assisted by Khaleen Hentz with the intelligence she had gathered in her reconnaissance.
-Scene Cut-
-Several Months later-
Descending upon the world of Geonosis, countless ships spread across its surface. One of which carried Vos and Delta Squad. Whilst many were assigned for a direct frontal invasion of the forces entrenched upon the surface, the five men of Delta Squad had a more stealth-based objective.
Within their LAAT gunship, the five of them were gearing up, checking their equipment while making sure anything they missed was checked by the others.
Sev was helping Scorch load in additional munitions for his pack whilst Fixer, Boss and Vos were around a transmitter that was projecting a display of their outlined landing area.
"What's our mission parameters?" Fixer quietly asked.
Vos stepped forward, holding up his wrist to press a button on the tacpad strapped to his arm.
The transmitter changed from projecting a map to a Geonosian in far fancier armor and weaponry than the typical bug.
"Our target is one Sun Fac, a high-ranking Geonosian from what we got from our intelligence," Quinlan revealed. "At the start of the war, despite the Republic taking the planet, much of Geonosis' high-ranking authority evaded capture. The main push has their targets, one of which involves the capture of Poggle. Our goal is to find and eliminate Sun Fac, making sure there ain't no chance of a resurgence. He's hiding in a stronghold, coordinating many of his people within its walls."
"Simple enough." Scorch commented, getting a pat from Sev to signify he was done.
"Nothing is ever simple." The Sniper stated. "What are we up against?"
A projection of the one stronghold appeared within the group.
"Our scouts have estimated their numbers and armaments." Fixer went on from where Vos ended. "It'll be a bit tricky to bypass them and take out our opposition."
"They're gonna be far more prepared for us this time than our first go around." Boss emphatically said. "So remember, do not break formation. Eyes on the skies at all times. We can't solely rely on Sev to watch our six when he has to do the same for himself."
"Last time, I wasn't there to help." Quinlan pointed out with a grin. "Don't worry boys, we'll be in and out of there in no time."
"That's what you said on Felucia." Sev deadpanned.
"And Saleucami." Scorch tacked on.
"Mimban." Fixer softly said, wearing a small smirk.
"And-"
"Ok, ok, I get it." The Jedi cut them all off, a look of annoyance directed at his squad. "Stop rubbing it in."
"Like your face paint?"
"Scorch, I swear," Vos said threatened in a none threatening manner.
There was a shake of their gunship and the side doors opened. They glanced out, seeing the battle underway in the distance with other skirmishes not far from where they flew by.
An explosion went off from above and they witnessed a gunship from above erupt into a fireball, plummeting to the ground.
"Approaching the LZ!" The Clone Pilot of their gunship announced and Delta Squad tensed up.
They conducted one final checkup, making sure they were set and ready, each giving their brother a pat on the shoulder to signify they were good to go.
Upon arriving at the LZ, the gunship hovered above the ground.
They were about to jump out when a Geonosian swooped in, grabbing Fixer by the shoulders.
Instantly, Vos threw up his hand, using the Force to get his saber into his hand and ignited the blade, the green laser piercing the head of the Geonosian.
Fixer shrugged off the now dead bug, nodding ever so slightly at Quinlan, the man simply nodding back.
Without another word being said, the five men descended to the ground, immediately getting back to back as they covered their blind spots. The Gunship overhead flew off, leaving the men to their objective.
"Let's move, brothers." Boss said.
Delta Squad broke into a run, sprinting down a craggy path between elevated hills.
It didn't take long for them to encounter Geonosians who flew out from unseen holes in the ground and rained down fire upon them.
The Commandos scattered whilst Quinlan stayed where he was, using his lightsaber to deflect several shots directed at him. Despite the unusual nature of Geonosian weaponry, Quinlan Vos had trained himself on how to handle such blasters, something Delta Squad had emulated in kind after their own first mission at the onset of the war.
With a quick coordinated counter, the Geonosians who thought they had the jump on them were eliminated in seconds.
"Through that trench." Fixer shouted, pointing ahead. "It should take us to the rear of the enemy lines."
"Double time it, boys." Quinlan added, Delta already back to running.
They ran through a number of trenches, going from cover to cover, pushing deeper into Separatist territory as they mowed down their enemies.
The squad had halted for a time, running across a particularly large garrison of droids and Geonosians that held them back.
"How far are we from our target?" Boss shouted over the blaster fire, ignoring the whoops and hollers of Scorch who was unloading his explosive ordnance on the enemy.
Sev sniped a Geonosian out of the sky, eyeing a large structure in the distance.
"Not far, Boss." The marksman of Delta Squad stated. "Eyes on enemy fortress up ahead."
"We've still got a ways to go." Fixer noted. "Multiple enemy camps likely from here to that fortress. Most of which we won't see until it's too late."
"That's what I'm here for." Quinlan said aloud. "Come on boys, let's go."
With a quick Force Push of the surrounding enemies, that was the opening the squad needed, quickly gunning down the droids and Geonosians and breaking into a run once more.
Time passed as they fought their way across the barren wasteland of the planet, battling against the Separatist forces until they had at last slipped inside the stronghold.
And by slipping in, they blew a hole in the side of the structure, courtesy of Scorch.
They ran in and quite literally froze on the spot upon seeing dozens, if not hundreds of droids and Geonosians all turning their heads in their direction.
Vos unleashed a quick Force push of the nearest enemies and chaos practically ensued as Delta squad dove for cover, their position being hammered by blaster bolts.
"Ok, yeah, this is much worse than last time." Sev casually said, popping out to gun down several nearby B1s before getting back down.
"Scorch." Boss calmly said, picking up a sharp rock and throwing it, landing a direct hit in the head on a Geonosian.
"Sir." The demolitions expert was adjusting his DC-17m blaster and glanced over at his leader with an expectant gaze beneath his helmet.
"Think you can bring the house down for us?"
Scorch idly looked up and saw a few cracks lining the ceiling and nodded, loading several sticky detonators into his rifle.
"Vos, if you would." Scorch said as he got into position.
"I got ya." Quinlan said, getting ready, feeling the Force flow through him.
Scorch aimed up and fired repeatedly and with Quinlan's help, the Force propelled the detonators to embed themselves deep into the openings of the ceiling.
Boss then pressed a button on his wrist armor and explosions went off from above. Rubble fell down from on high, burying the Geonosians and droids whilst Delta Squad made a hasty retreat outside from their self-made entrance until the collapse subsided.
The five glanced back inside, saw the hall of enemies were all dead and buried and rushed back in.
"Our target is likely at the top of this structure." Fixer quickly chimed in.
"Not beneath?" Sev asked for clarity.
"There's a hive under here but it was the same one that we collapsed the first go around." Fixer answered. "They may be fast but to clear that amount of debris would take years."
"He's up there." Quinlan spoke up, hands gliding over a nearby wall.
Through his unique ability of Psychometry or Force Echo, he was able to get a brief vision of the place prior to its abrupt demolition. Within his vision, he spotted their target, Sun Fac, ordering Geonosians and droids before taking flight and heading upwards.
"Then let's not waste any more time." Boss said, moving forward with the squad following suit. "After our explosive entrance, they undoubtedly know we're here. We need to move fast to get to him before he has a chance to escape."
Wordlessly, Delta Squad continued their fight through the structure, encountering dozens of droids and Geonosians along the way.
"We're getting closer now. There's more Super Battle Droids here." Sev noted, blasting away at several of said supers.
"Keep at it. We can't let Sun Fac get away." Boss ordered.
Quinlan took point, entering into a standard Form I stance before blitzing forward, cutting through multiple droids and bugs down the corridor they were fighting in.
They eventually reached the door to the main chambers of Sun Fac, Fixer moving to splice the door open. In response, a second set of metal doors enclosed in front of him before he could finish breaking in, prompting Scorch to place several charges that blew the doors open.
Delta Squad ran into the large room and was greeted by an Advanced Dwarf Spider-droid aiming its cannon right at them.
"That's just not fair." Fixer plainly admitted.
Quinlan reacted immediately, Force pushing the Commandos away from him and jumping away just as the Spider-Droid fired. The shell struck where they all once stood, resulting in an explosion that sent the Jedi hurtling into the wall, crashing hard against it.
"VOS!" Scorch called out to him.
"Where's Sun Fac?" Fixer said, knowing they still had a mission to accomplish. And in his mind, the sooner they got the mission done, the sooner they could get Quinlan out of here and to a medic because that clearly injured him.
"Sev." Boss said, coughing slightly as he got back to his feet.
Their sniper's eyes looked around rapidly until spotting a Geonosian garbed in armor and equipment that made him stand out like a beacon.
"Target acquired." The Marksman said.
"Fixer, Sev, get on him." Boss ordered. "Scorch, come on, let's get Quinlan outta there."
"Copy that." Scorch said with a growl, priming an explosive.
The Commandos broke off into their pairs, the splicer and sniper going after the Geonosian while the exploder and leader ran to aid their Jedi brother. Scorch fired several explosive rounds at the Spider-droid, making jerk with each one, causing it to slowly turn in his direction.
Boss rushed in, sliding next to a barely conscious Vos, grabbing one of his arms and throwing him over his shoulder.
"B-Boss." The Kiffar Jedi blearily said, tapping on the Commando's helmet with something metallic.
Curious, he reached up to take a cylindrical device out from Quinlan's hand, seeing that it was his lightsaber.
He glanced at the sideways face of his Jedi brother, seeing an encouraging smirk from the man.
Nodding at the Jedi, Boss turned back to the Spider-Droid that was trying to get a proper aim on the demolitions Commando running in circles around it.
"Keep at it, Scorch." Boss commanded, running forward despite Quinlan being draped over his shoulders.
Scorch did just that, keeping the Spider-droid distracted for Delta Squads leader who ran at one of its legs, igniting Vos' lightsaber. With a heavy jump, Boss sliced cleanly through the front right leg of the droid, causing it to slam down on the ground.
Quinlan released a pained groan, causing Boss to cringe at this.
"Sorry, Quin."
"Yeah, yeah," He hazily waved off. "Just finish the clanker off, would you?"
Boss adjusted the Jedi on his shoulders and glanced over to his Commando brother.
"Scorch." He said, tossing him Quinlan's lightsaber.
The Commando caught it, turning it on and let out a giddy laugh.
"I never get to use this." He happily cried out, running forward and stabbing the emerald blade into the central piece of the droid.
"With good reason." Boss dryly said. "Here, patch up Quin."
"Got it sir," Scorch hastily moved to get the Jedi off his squad leader's shoulders, easing him to the ground while Boss ran off to catch up with Sev and Fixer.
The pair were fighting their way to Sun Fac, the Geonosian rapidly crying out in his native tongue to kill the Clones. He had tried to fly off several times but Sev's superb sniper skills constantly had him grounded, even with additional Geonosians in the air to protect him.
"Sun Fac's keeps making a break for it." Fixer dryly commented.
"Yes, I can see that." Sev blandly retorted.
"Then get on it." Boss' voice abruptly came in, the Clone Commando moving to assist Fixer whilst Sev remained behind, covering the rear. "Sev, covering fire, Fixer, on me."
"Vos alright?" Sev asked.
"Scorch has him."
"You sure he knows where to inject the bacta needle?" The Sniper rhetorically asked.
"He's gotten this far, hasn't he?" Boss shot back.
"Only because you always have to remind him."
1138 chortled beneath his breath, tensing up before making a break for it, Fixer right on his tail.
They saw Sun Fac fleeing now, even with three Commandos firing at him.
"He's trying to get to that transport." Fixer noted.
"Sev."
"Can't get a clear shot of the engine." The Sniper responded. "Moving position."
Boss and Fixer spotted Sun Fac getting close to his transport and hastily got in.
"He's getting away." Fixer gritted out.
The pair fired their weapons at the ship just as its engines flared.
It slowly lifted itself up off the ground, the engines priming for takeoff when suddenly, the ship violently jerked to the side, the bottom portion of it scraping across the ground. The three Commandos stopped in their firing and pursuit, looking around wildly until spotting Quinlan and Scorch from the entrance to the top of the structure, the latter supporting the former whose hand dropped and the body slumped.
Not taking another chance, Sev aimed for the two engines, switching out his rifle ammo and fired at the ship. The blaster bolt pierced through the metallic back of the transport, a loud pinging noise echoing off the walls.
There was an audible groan from the ship that sputtered in the air for a moment before it fell and without prompt needed, Fixer and Boss tossed their remaining detonators just as Sun Fac stumbled out of the ship.
The Geonosian looked down in a daze at the half-dozen spheres lying at his feet. He looked up in time to see Fixer and Boss standing a few yards away, looking nonplussed by their deed.
He could only slump in defeat just as the detonators went off.
The explosion was quite grand.
One Scorch approved of with his cheer down below.
"Target eliminated." Fixer casually said, making Boss snort who turned and walked past the splicer bumping his fist on his brother's shoulder.
They moved to rejoin Vos and Scorch, the former looking like he was about to collapse.
"Whoo-Hoo!" Scorch cheered, despite the injured Jedi he's helping stay up. "Yeah, I love that smell!"
"All I smell is burnt Geonosian." Quinlan groaned out, hanging his head.
"Scans confirm there are no survivors." Fixer announced in satisfaction. "Mission accomplished."
"Really?" Sev sarcastically said. "Are you absolutely certain?"
Boss shook his head, smirking at their banter. "Come on, let's call it in and get outta here. Quin looks like he's about to collapse."
"How badly do you think Khaleen will have our hide for the state he's in?" Scorch jokingly asked.
"Won't be as half as bad as the new one she'll tear into him once we tell her." Fixer drably said, a hint of amusement gracing his tone, already picturing the sight.
"You guys are Poodoo heads, you know that, right?"
"Leave him alone, boys." Boss chided lightly. "Masters Tholme and Saa know how to do it better."
"Yeah, but they're not Khaleen. She can make it way more personal." Sev pointed out.
"How?"
"How else? He won't see her naked for a good month."
"I hate you all. So much right now. And stop talking about my girl like that."
The Commandos all laughed at the expense of the Jedi, Quinlan being unable to help himself as he joined in, despite his pain.
-Scene cut-
The war dragged on with Delta squad undergoing mission after mission with few respites in between. From taking out a renegade Separatist Warlord in the mid-rim to pursuing a Hutt criminal to assisting in the search and rescue of Captain Steve Rogers of the Avengers, the Commandos and Maverik Jedi were never short of assignments.
Whatever time they did have to rest and relax was done so by order of Quinlan himself, the few times he pulled his rank on his Commando brothers.
It was in those moments where the Commandos would learn more about the Jedi order and more particularly, how Quinlan and his two masters adhered to it. And by adhere, they thumbed their noses at many of the practices and regiments of the Order, specifically those involving the notion of attachments.
To the Commandos, despite not ever experiencing intimate relationships, they were intelligent enough to quickly pick up on the clearly loving couple of their Jedi brother and his "intelligence operative". And Masters Tholme and Saa made no bones about hiding their own apparent love.
They had even encouraged Delta to aspire to perhaps finding something of their own one day.
The squad had brushed it off naturally but T'ra Saa appeared adamant. The Netti Jedi Master spoke of how love is one of the most powerful forces in the universe, between lovers, brothers in arms and friends. And to deny the chance of such a thing, one misses the opportunity to learn more about themselves.
It was amusing for the Jedi to see such bewildered and thrown-off expressions of such hardened men like the Commandos of Delta Squad. But it made their camaraderie all the more unique and strong.
After dealing with the rescue of Captain Rogers, they were assigned to the outskirts of Separatist space for their next mission.
The Republic Acclamator Assault ship, Prosecutor, was meant to patrol the Corellian sector, however it missed its check-in time two weeks ago. Thus they are sent to investigate its present happenings once they located it in the Corbantis system.
Hearing about the Prosecutor's unknown status, the Commandos were a bit on edge.
It was a bit personal for Delta Squad, due to them being stationed on the Prosecutor for quite some time until they were reassigned.
This time, however, they wouldn't be going alone.
Joining Delta Squad was Squad 99, otherwise known as the Bad Batch.
Some might say that a commando squad as reputable as Delta, a Jedi Maverik like Quinlan and four enhanced Commandos might seem a bit much for this mission. But after Ultron's arrival into the war and what these nine men witnessed on the Citadel… they may still be at war with the Separatists but the mad AI has thrown things into chaos so they would prefer to take fewer chances than usual.
Aboard the personalized ship of the Bad Batch, the Marauder, the nine men spotted the Prosecutor floating aimlessly through space.
"That's a welcoming sight." Vos commented. "Tech?"
The intelligent clone began typing away at the consoles, getting a reading on the ship.
"I can still detect power in the ship and nothing seems to be amiss. At least, what we can see and detect."
"Can't pick up on any life forms." Fixer idly said, frowning in thought. "Then again, our scanners are on the fritz."
"So there's probably enemies inside." Hunter surmised.
"Let's hope we can find survivors." Quinlan grimly said. "Gear up, boys."
The Commandos all prepped themselves in rapid succession while Tech piloted the Marauder to hover behind the engines the Acclamator. Putting the ship on auto-pilot, the side ramp opened up with the Commandos sealing their suits for low-gravity infiltration with Quinlan putting on a breathing apparatus.
They all jumped out of the ship, floating through space until reaching a side door within the engine they all landed in.
Upon breaching through the door, the two teams were met with an eerie silence that echoed all around them. Rather unsettling, given the original amount of volume the ship bore with its occupants. All sorts of clatter and activity was utterly vacant.
"What happened here?" Wrecker asked, a bit anxiously.
"Where is the crew?" Scorch brought up, looking around. "You don't think-?"
"Is this Ultron's work?" Sev noted.
Hunter was on his knees, fingers trailing the ground with some amount of material sticking to his gloves. He ran his thumb over the tips of his fingers, the material falling away and he rested his hand on his knee.
"I don't believe so." The leader of the Bad Batch declared.
"Vos?" Boss spoke up. "What do you feel?"
"Bad?" He rhetorically said, removing the breathing apparatus once the door behind them was sealed, with breathable air returning in the ship. "This whole place is off. It's like the Force is on edge here."
"Regardless, we need to have radio silence." Hunter stated. "I don't trust things as they are."
As such, the groups ventured forth but stayed together. Given past circumstances as of late, it's better to be a unified group than many.
Upon investigating through certain corridors, the teams found signs of fighting. Scorch marks, blast dents… and certain kinds of stains, both oil and blood of different coloration.
Along the way, Fixer and Tech got to work retrieving data files and other information that would be vital to the Republic and hopefully, give them an inclination as to what was the cause of the Prosecutor's absence.
"Seriously, is no one here?" Wrecker complained.
"What's the matter, Wrecker?" Scorch joked. "Ya gettin' tired of us already?"
"That would make two of us." Crosshairs deadpanned.
"He does have a point." Boss noted. "Where is everyone?"
"Maybe this was Ultron." Sev murmured.
"Unlikely." Vos said with a shake of his head. "Why would he leave a ship like this behind? He's been buildin' an armada with ships from all corners of the galaxy. This one is intact."
"Unless it was a trap or strategic maneuver."
"I don't think so either." Quinlan remarked. "We saw what he's doing on the Citadel. And he just takes people without even needing to spring a trap. He has the numbers for it."
"So it's something else." Hunter surmised.
"But who or what could it be then?" Sev asked.
"That's what we're here to find out." Boss stated.
"We may not have to look for long." Crosshairs spoke up, looking ahead.
The others turned to where he was staring at and all had a mixture of negative reactions at the sight of blood stains and a dead clone in the hallway.
"Lovely." Boss murmured, the group going over to inspect the body.
Tech and Hunter went to work, turning the body over and the first sign of what they might be dealing with was revealed upon seeing the front of the Clone.
Claw marks that ripped through the armor of the clone and left deep gashes in the body.
"What could have caused that?"
Hunter patted around the area of the claw marks and paused, squinting his eyes slightly before slowly pulling out some translucent material from the gashes.
"What's that?" Scorch asked.
After looking at it from both sides, Hunter then crushed it and held his fist closed for several seconds.
"It's… skin…" He said after a moment. "Rather… leathery."
It was at that moment did Quinlan perked up and instantly whirled around, igniting his lightsaber and all the Commandos heard movement followed by a hiss.
With a quick swing of his lightsaber, the Commandos saw two halves of a body skid to a halt.
"Trandoshans." Hunter said, grimacing at the sight.
"Trandoshans?" Fixer parroted, completely bewildered. "Why in the galaxy would Trandoshans target a Republic Ship?"
"Least we know what happened to the crew here." Tech guessed. "Or at least and idea of it."
The initial crew was dead. Now it was staffed by Trandoshans and droids.
"But how did Trandoshans take over this ship?" Scorch inquired. "They're hunters and scavengers, not elite like us."
"We can find out once we find the current captain." Quinlan stated. "They always have someone in charge of all this."
Just as the Kiffar Jedi finished his statement did the sound of movement and hissing began echoing all around them.
"Guess they know we're here now." Sev dryly said.
Rounding a hallway were almost a dozen Trandoshans and the team took note of their drastically altered appearance.
They appeared to be the usual type of Trandoshan yet the metallic limbs, headpieces, all of it, certainly gave them a distinct look compared to their usual species appearance. And they weren't alone as there appeared to be droids- no, drones; Ultron's drones.
"Let's get to it, boys." Quinlan shouted, twirling his lightsaber while the Commandos all raised their weapons and opened fire.
It didn't take long for them to take out the Trandoshans and droids but they now knew that the new crew of the Acclamator were aware of their presence. That meant the fight would be coming to them.
"Should we split up?" Scorch suggested, shooting a Trandoshan in the chest, the hallway momentarily cleared.
"Why would we do that?" Sev asked in disbelief.
"I mean…" Scorch frowned, mulling it over in his head. "These scaly bastards know where we are. They know we're all in one place. What's to stop them from attacking us with all their might in one go?"
"No, no, we need to stick together." Vos shot down the idea. "Good on paper Scorch, but these are Trandoshans. They live to hunt and divide, it's in their culture. Better we stay together, otherwise they'd start pickin' us off one by one."
"Still doesn't explain why these sleemos took this ship." Crosshairs gritted out, kicking the body of a Trandoshan.
Boss noticed Hunter kneeling at the body of another Trandoshan, turning it over and placing a hand atop a metal shoulder.
"Hunter?" RC-1138 said aloud, getting the attention of the others, who were now staring at Hunter.
"Do you have something?" Tech asked.
Hunter didn't respond at first, hands tapping on the metal shoulder.
"This… isn't the usual artificial replacement." Hunter slowly said. "This is…"
The Clone Commando slowly looked up at the others. "Oh god."
The others were at a loss until they realized something about the metal plating, the make of it on top of how each Trandoshan had one.
"Ultron." Said Vos, spitting out the name. "He's modifying them."
The horrors that were experienced at the Citadel came in hard to the minds of the Bad Batch and Delta squad. While the latter only saw the end results, the former bore witness to his modifications firsthand and still remained deeply disturbed by the evil AI's modifications to their Clone brothers.
Even if they stood apart from the usual Clone, they still were brothers.
"These sick freaks." Sev hissed out. "What in the name of all that is holy in this galaxy compelled them to let Ultron modify them?"
"It could've been done unwillingly-"
"Don't know, don't care." Boss shook his head, clutching his rifle tighter. "These lizards attacked a Republic vessel. We now know what happened to the crew here."
"Bastards." Wrecker snarled, punting a Trandoshan body away.
Now it was clear. These Trandoshans commandeered the Prosecutor in order to further appease Ultron.
Regardless, sad to say, the clones would need to take out the new crew and reclaim the Prosecutor. If not, then they need to destroy it so it won't fall into enemy hands.
It was a bloody path the eight Commandos and one Jedi went through, tearing into the Trandoshans and droids that assisted them until they reached the bridge of the ship.
It was difficult but they pushed themselves to persevere.
Once the charges were set, they got ready for the coming assault.
"Knock knock." Wrecker gleefully said, pressing down on the detonator.
*KABOOM*
The door was breached, giving way to the clones and Jedi. The Trandoshans inside scrambled to try to defend themselves yet the Commandos and Kiffar Jedi came in like a tidal wave, eliminating them all with deadly efficiency.
Once the room was cleared, the team relaxed.
"Fixer, Tech," Boss said, and wordlessly, both men went over to the consoles of the bridge.
"The ship seems to be in stable condition." Tech said aloud.
"But information has been taken." Fixer gritted out. "Practically emptied."
"Can't do anything about it now." Quinlan said. "Let's power this girl up and call it in. This report is gonna be long."
-Scene Cut-
"Ah Kashyyyk." Said Hunter. "Looks well this time of year."
"If only we were here for a proper shore leave." Tech idly noted.
"Next time, my friends." An accented voice promised.
Both men nodded in the direction of Prince T'Challa, otherwise known as the Avenger Black Panther. Nearby, Crosshairs sat atop a munitions crate, making some adjustments to his rifle whilst Wrecker was nearby, an enlarged Porg drumstick in one hand and in the other, Gonky the Gonk droid being used as a workout for the super strong clone.
And on said Gonk Droid was Grandmaster of the Jedi Order, Yoda. The little Green Jedi appeared completely unphased by the motion of the Gonk droid, undisturbed as he meditated in the unusual manner.
Presently, the Avenger and Grandmaster were assisting them on this mission. Something which the former had requested for the people who took him in when he arrived in this galaxy.
Recently, the Padawan of Anakin Skywalker was taken by these Trandoshans who had allowed themselves to be modified by Ultron. Even one Chewbacca, who was amongst the clan T'Challa was allied with, was among the witnesses. This was apparently a growing trend among the more zealous class of bounty hunters and mercenaries, particularly those of a more bloodthirsty nature.
The Bad Batch, having dealt with their own encounter with the modified Trandoshans with Delta Squad back on the Prosecutor as well as having their own apparent connection to Kashyyyk had been called in to root out a Trandoshan presence that remains on the Wookie homeworld.
"Gentlemen, I believe we are ready." T'Challa announced making Wrecker set Gonky down with the Grandmaster casually jumping off the droid just before it touched the ground.
The six individuals gathered around a holo-table for a quick debriefing of the mission.
"As you know, Ultron has been on a mission to take as many sentient beings as possible, converting them into his army." T'Challa said, the holo-table displaying holograms of the AI's gruesome transformations of living beings. "We've been trying to counter his efforts on all fronts but it's proving to be far more difficult due to how widespread it is and now, we know he's being assisted by more unsavory allies."
"To uproot this practice, we must." Yoda spoke up. "Familiar, with the jungles of Kashyyyk, all five of you are."
"Maybe we can stop by and see our old friends." Hunter said, getting a happy laugh out of Wrecker.
"Yeah, It'd be great to see Zeekis and his tribe again." Wrecker excitedly said.
"Ah yes, you've been here before." T'Challa remarked. "What led you to coming here?"
"We encountered a slaving rig in the outer rim during one of our earlier missions and freed a family of Wookiees that we helped return home." Tech elaborated. "Afterwards, they told us we were free to stop by their homes at any time, always being welcomed there."
"Acts of kindness, always returned they are." Yoda said with approval. "To give allows for the notion to spread."
"Then I hope they're ready for our biggest act of kindness." Crosshairs drawled out.
"Ha, you know they'll love to see you too, Crosshairs." The largest of the Clones boisterously said, much to the sharpshooter's annoyance.
T'Challa smiled at their interaction before becoming serious.
"Now, since we are aware of the Trandoshan's purpose, our objective is simple. Find their encampments and destroy them all, rescuing any Wookiees we find."
"It's gonna be difficult to uproot the Trandoshan's placement here." Hunter noted, leaning on the table. "These Jungles might be known by the Wookiees but these Trandoshans have also been raiding this planet for decades, maybe even centuries. There could be areas that the Wookiees have never been too."
"Or do not venture to, thus allowing for the Trandoshans to have encampments." Tech pointed out. "Remember, some of the trees and areas are sacred ground for the Wookiees therefore, it is considered trespassing unless they are undertaking a spiritual or warrior's journey."
"They fester like weeds." Says the Avenger. "For years, this issue had grown. But now it's become truly problematic. Ultron's augmentations have only galvanized their resolve and desire."
"Several villages have reported Wookiees getting kidnapped," Tech revealed, frowning at his datapad that gave him the information as to the current issues plaguing the planet.
Hunter turned to the Prince of Wakanda. "You know this place better than the rest of us. Have someplace in mind to start?"
"We need to find Tarfful, an influential member of the Wookiee people." T'Challa states. "While on patrol, he and his party were attacked two days ago with him turning up missing."
"They greatly hope he wasn't slain, or worse." Tech idly said.
"Tarfful is a powerful and resilient warrior." Black Panther assured, his Vibranium suit materializing around him. "He shall care more for his people than himself."
"Follow your lead, we shall, Prince T'Challa." Yoda respectfully said.
The Marauder soon flew down to the surface of the Wookiee homeworld, landing in a clearing between the tall trees of the planet.
The group exited the ship, Wrecker carrying Yoda upon his shoulders and no sooner did they step out did several Wookiees come out from the trees, either on the ground or from above.
"Raf, Chewbacca." T'Challa happily greeted, going over to hug the first one he called out to. "It is good to see you both."
The Wookiees all growled and warbled happily, greeting their friend and new chieftain since they had long since sworn their allegiance to the Prince.
"Hey~ Zeekis!" Wrecker jovially said, spotting a gray-furred Wookiee who roared back happily, going over to embrace the large clone, being mindful of the Grandmaster on Wrecker's back.
"It is good to see you all, my friends." T'Challa graciously said. "I only wish it was under more pleasant circumstances."
That seemed to dampen the mood slightly, making the Wookiees more serious as they gestured for the six of them to follow.
They were taken to a campfire where many armed Wookiees stood with large, feline quadrupedal beasts with enlarged ears that dwarfed the size of the Wookiees.
"Whoa." Wrecker muttered, seeing the large beasts. "What are they supposed to be?"
"Mylaya's," Yoda spoke up, clearly intrigued and even seemingly in wonder at the sight of the creatures. "Sacred, magnificent beings, long since assisted the people of Kashyyyk."
One in particular, with fur as jet black as the vibranium suit of the Panther moved forward, padding itself over to T'Challa. The Prince smiled, raising a hand as the Mylaya came right up to him, nuzzling against the Avenger.
"Ah, Bast, it is good to see you as well, my friend." The Wakandan greeted, stroking the felines fur, eliciting a rumbling purr from it.
"Why are they here?" Hunter queried, raising to stroke the fur of one that was close by as it appeared to have taken a liking to him.
Rafwarren let out some warbles and growls, pointing in the direction of the deep jungle they were encamped in front of.
Tech's goggles quickly translated what the Wookiee said.
"Due to the severity of the situation involving the Trandoshan incursions upon the planet and the affront to their home as well as to life itself, the Wookiees have called upon the herd of Mylaya's to assist them in locating and eliminating the Trandoshan encampments."
"Time is of the essence." T'Challa said. "These animals are the only ones capable of traversing through the dense jungles faster than the Wookiees or any other creature or vehicle on the planet. Raf, if you would."
The Wookiee nodded at the Prince, directing the Bad Batch to partner up with a Wookiee whilst T'Challa hopped up on his own, Bast stretching out as they readied themselves.
"Alrighty then, let's ride!"
The large troupe of Wookiees, clones, the Grandmaster and Avenger entered the jungle a moment later, the feline beasts jumping into the trees, jumping from branch to branch.
With the cover of darkness, and knowing the relative territory, they had a slight advantage. Yet it's counteracted with these Trandoshans having Ultron tech in their possession. Thus, they were thrown into the fire of uncertainty.
It didn't take long for them to find an encampment of Trandoshans.
T'Challa held up a hand, halting the group. He gestured for several to go right and for the Bad Batch to go right. Once the three groups were positioned where the Avenger directed them, Black Panther chopped forward and they all came down like a thunderstorm.
The Trandoshans barely had time to register the attack, the Wookiees, Clones, Jedi and Avenger overwhelming them in a matter of seconds.
"Well done everyone." T'Challa praised. "Check for survivors and prisoners."
The group spread out and found several bound and caged Wookiees, a few that were unfortunately dead. The rest were alive and well despite some injuries.
A Wookiee broke off, being instructed by T'Challa to take the rescued prisoners to safety.
Just as the liberated Wookiees left the area, the group resumed their objective, going further into the jungle.
More and more compounds and slave camps were destroyed as the nightly hours came and went.
They kept moving through until Crosshairs saw something up ahead.
"We've got movement." The Sniper called out and the group halted in their tracks.
"What do you see, Crosshairs?" Hunter called out to him, watching as Crosshairs slid off the Mylaya he was riding and kneeled on the large branch, holding up his sniper rifle. He peered through the scope and saw a shadowy figure scaling a tree.
"A lot of legs." Crosshairs warily said.
Before they knew it, the source of the movement came into view.
"Netcasters." T'Challa exclaimed and the spider-like creatures with flower-shaped organs on their heads.
"Oh, lovely, giant spiders." Hunter wryly said.
"Avoid the webs, we must." Yoda advised, holding up a hand in time to stop a glob of web in midair that was shot at him. Using the Force, he sent it back, entrapping the sender against a tree bark.
It let out a shrill cry, causing more Netcasters to appear.
"Oh man, they move so weird." Wrecker noted with a shudder.
Chewie warbled out a warning.
"Careful, Wrecker." Tech called out to the super-strong Clone. "If they catch you, you'll be strung up and drained of your fluids."
"Oh for-really, Tech?!" Wrecker irritably yelled out.
Crosshairs snorted beneath his helmet, picking off any Netcaster that tried to sneak up on the group whilst Hunter assisted Grandmaster Yoda, keeping an eye on his six.
Some Wookiees were unfortunately caught but Black Panther quickly moved to rescue them, able to avoid the webbing and pincers with ease due to his acrobatics.
They were beaten back after a few moments, Wrecker grumbling to himself as he pried off the webbing that got stuck to him.
"I hate spiders."
"Technically, arachnid is the more official term."
"Tech, not now."
"Is it too late to have Peter brought with us?" Asked Wrecker.
Some of the clones looked at the heavy hitter with slight bewilderment.
"Why? Cuz you think he speaks spider?"
"...Shut up."
T'Challa chuckled, patting the large clone on the back.
"Come along. I know we do not wish to face these creatures more than once."
"You can say that again." Wrecker grumbled, the group remounting their Mylaya's and resuming their trek through the jungle.
After some time navigating, eliminating more camps with rescuing other Wookiees, they found the Trandoshan camp. It was fortified, given the amount of armaments lining the walls and had far more of the scaly invaders than anticipated.
"They're really encamped here." Wrecker observed.
"It seems they've been here for far longer than we had estimated." Tech stated.
"They've been here for months." Hunter noted, taking a feel of the air and getting a closer look with his helmet visor zooming in on the front of the base.
"How was it that this wasn't noticed beforehand?"
Rafwarren warbled angrily and remorsefully. This was a sacred ground for the Wookiees thus traversing through this place was strictly forbidden unless for cultural and religious reasons. The Trandoshans were aware of these practices and took advantage of them, establishing an unseen base deep within the Wookiee homeworld.
"Not one for religious fanaticism." Crosshairs casually said. "But I say it's high time a proper crusade is enacted upon these heretics."
This got the Wookiees to roar in agreement, practically pumping themselves for the upcoming scuffles.
"Where'd that come from?" Hunter asked in amusement.
"You can blame the Avengers with all their films and entertainment."
"I thought you hated them." Wrecker humorously said.
"A few caught my eye."
"Ha, eye."
"Grow up, Wrecker."
"Ready, you are?" Yoda said aloud, garnering everyone's attention.
T'Challa nodded and the Bad Batch made their own statements of acknowledgement.
The Grandmaster stood, moving to stand atop the head of the Mylaya he rode. Igniting his lightsaber, Yoda jumped high into the air, plummeting down like a green rocket and landed smack dab in the middle of the base.
The Trandoshans all let out shrieks and hisses of surprise just as Yoda engaged them, an emerald blur that took out nearly a half dozen of them. No sooner did some Trandoshans grab their weapons did blaster fire come down from on high, followed by a black and purple blur that slammed down hard atop the entryway of the base.
A purple dome of kinetic energy erupted from Black Panther, collapsing the entrance, and burying several Trandoshans beneath it.
The Bad Batch landed soon after and Wrecker was the first to draw blood, picking up a Trandoshan and tossing him into an exploding barrel.
"Well now, that's just poor decor." Tech commented, attaching an elongated cylinder to his pistol. "Rather haphazard on their placements."
He pointed it at several Trandoshans that charged at them and fired an electric current that latched itself to the Ultron-enhanced parts of their body. The Trandoshans began to writhe and jerk about in pain until the metallic body parts exploded and they all fell over.
Hunter pulled out his Vibro-blade and pistol, moving into melee combat, taking out Trandoshans in rapid succession.
"I'm reading multiple signatures coming our way." Tech reported.
"Seems like someone called in their scouts and camps and called them back here." Hunter surmised. "Crosshairs."
"On it." The Sniper quickly ran back to his Mylaya and it assisted him in getting up to higher ground.
Once reaching the perfect spot, Crosshairs pulled out his sniper rifle whilst releasing a probe droid that made scans of the area, picking up on multiple motion signatures headed their way from all sides.
"We've got a lot of company." Crosshairs said.
"I shall cover the entrance." T'Challa yelled out, running at full speed. "Grandmaster, cover the rear with Chewbacca's group. Raf, the East, Hunter, you and your boys have the west. Hit them hard, gentlemen."
"With pleasure, Prince T'Challa." Hunter declared, switching to his rifle, slapping in a fresh clip.
"The rest of you, get to freeing the prisoners." T'Challa ordered a group of young Wookiees in their team.
They found many Wookiees and freed them from their cages. Some were sent back to safer lands while the rest volunteered in joining the fight.
The fighting was harsh, not taking long for the area to turn into a free-for-all on all ends as dozens upon dozens of Trandoshans arrived at the base with the intent to reclaim and re-enslave all those inside.
"Kriffing sake!" Wrecker roared, bashing the bottom of his fist into the metal head of a Trandoshan, crumpling it. "How many of these bastards do we gotta kill?!"
"All of them." Crosshairs grunted out from on high, his Mylaya jumping from tree to tree to avoid getting shot at as he rode atop it.
"Well, think about it like this, Wrecker." Hunter casually said, booting a Trandoshan in the face. "This is as close as we will get to our own Helm's Deep."
The large clone froze upon hearing this, completely ignoring the lizard he had in his hand, finger curled around its neck as it tried prying itself free. It took a moment and a few ticking clocks in Wrecker's mind to snap into place until he held up the Trandoshan with a boisterous, laughing war cry as he threw the Trandoshan down the wall he stood upon and jumped off of it.
He crashed down on the Trandoshans below, popping up a second later and began reciting every quote he could think of.
Tech peered out at his brother and gave his team leader a pointed look. "...You should've kept quiet on that."
Hunter sighed, wanting to pinch the bridge of his nose. "It's the Citadel all over again."
"You think?" Came Crosshair's remark.
"At least he's not a giant this time." Hunter rebuked.
Black Panther and Yoda bore witness and overheard all this and couldn't deny the laughter that escaped them.
"He's… rather enthusiastic."
"Hmmm, as Samwise the Brave said, good in this galaxy there is, yes. And fight for it, we shall."
"With pleasure, Grandmaster."
The fighting intensified yet the forces of the Republic held strong. It was strenuous but they persevered with the goal of liberation.
By the end of the battle, the Trandoshans had been cleared out and most of all, in a secret chamber beneath the base, they located Chieftain Tarfful.
The Wookiee greeted his rescuers with grace and respect, thanking them profusely for coming to the aid of his people.
"We were doing our job, old friend." T'Challa said with a smile, grateful to see the Chieftain alive and well.
Tarfful let out several warbles and grumbles, sounding unusually grim suddenly with many of the Wookiees tensing up.
"What? Are there other scaly bastards we gotta take out?" Wrecker inquired.
"No… it's something else." Tech translated. "Something of an egregious action that the Trandoshans have done to the people of this planet."
Coming across a particular location of the vicinity, the Wookiees reacted in a furious uproar.
The reason being was simple once realizing where they exactly were.
"A power generator within a tree?" Hunter noted aloud.
"A sacred tree." Yoda spoke up, eyes closed, head inclined forward. "The Force… powerful it is here, yes. Disturbed, many here, most terribly. Brazen they are in action and intent."
"This is an affront to the Wookiee's very spiritual way of life." T'Challa angrily said, fists clenched tightly.
It wasn't hard to understand nor empathize with the anger the Wookiees currently possessed. Many decades ago, in his youth, the one known as Klaue managed to get into Wakanda and not only make off with the Vibranium of his people but also desecrated several holy monuments to Bast in his raid on his kingdom.
"Can we fix it?" Tech inquired yet it was Wrecker that seemed to know the answer.
"No… the damage is too deep." Wrecker muttered quietly yet was still heard by all. "Whatever they did, it can't be undone."
"Then what can we do?" Hunter asked, looking at the Wookiees with Tarfful unclipping a device from his belt and pouring a green liquid, turning to walk towards the base.
The rest of the Wookiees quickly mirrored their chieftain's actions, getting out small canisters of the same liquid that they too poured out on the ground, leading back to the base.
Eventually, they all finished after making large circles around the base, the bodies of the Trandoshans all piled in the center of the structure. Confusion blanketed the others until realization hit them once one of the Wookies carried over an exploding barrel… from somewhere.
"...Oh…"
"Leave from this facility, we must."
Tarfful growled in agreement, looking at Black Panther.
T'Challa nodded and with a quick swipe of his Vibranium claws upon rocks where the liquid was created a spark that ignited the very flammable substance, it seemed. The fire spread in a matter of seconds, engulfing not only the tree that had been modified by the Trandoshans but also the base and several other trees nearby.
The group quickly departed from the burning area, the desecrated land no longer holy.
The mission was over. A relative success. Many of the captured had been rescued and returned home but the cost of a sight sacred to the species of this planet had been lost.
It was bitter for the Wookiees, given what happened to their land. But in due time, they'll recover.
-Scene Cut-
-Current day-
It's been hard as of late.
Not the kind of hard they have been used to. The battle. The strife. The survival.
No, the kind of hard they're feeling right now was that of a peculiar loss.
They've lost Kamino, their home.
They've lost millions upon hundreds of millions of their brothers in one fell swoop.
The fighting had gone on, yes and in the end, they had achieved victory.
Ultron was dead and gone now, but his actions left deep scars across the galaxy.
As such, the clones felt lost. Not really knowing where their paths will take them.
They were still part of the Grand Army of the Republic and if needed, they would still fight for the Republic when called upon.
But that hollow feeling was still there.
And now… it became that much more complicated after a certain revelation.
"I just want this blasted thing out of me already." Commander Wolffe of the 104th snarled, scratching his head erratically when Commander Bly grabbed his wrist and pulled it away from his head.
"Easy, Wolffe, no need to claw off your head." The 327th Commander calmly advised.
"I can't help it." Wolffe grumbled, shaking Bly's hand off. "There's a damned chip in our heads that basically can turn us into mindless drones and turn on the Republic, on the Jedi. We need to get these blasted chips out of there."
"Knowing that it's there now, it's gonna be like trying to pry out a tick without the proper equipment." Commander Cody sternly said. "Let's not make any rash decisions. We're better than that."
"You seem more bothered by this than most, Wolffe." Commander Gree noted.
"I've just been told that there is something in our heads that would make us turn on our Jedi Generals, on General Plo without a second thought." Wolffe rebuked. "General Plo saved my life multiple times, it's with him we rebuilt the 104th to what it is now. And you're telling me my free will would be taken away and I'd put a blaster bolt in his back? No thank you."
"Have they figured out how to get rid of them?" Bly inquired.
It was here that Hunter spoke up, having been also informed of the inhibitor chips. "Some people are already going under medical procedures. However, some of the Avengers want to systematically get rid of them at once."
"That'll take too long."
"We can't risk going overboard." Cody emphatically said. "And we cannot allow our emotions to cloud our judgment. Stop and think brothers, this is for the sake of all of us. All our remaining brothers, the cadets that are still alive and training and for our future."
"Future?" Keeli repeated with a disbelieving snort. "Where'd that come from?"
Cody opted to remain silent for a few moments until speaking once more.
"I had spoken with General Kenobi about this and… well… he will always have the Jedi Order." The other clones were confused by this but remained silent all the same, opting to listen first. "At the end of the day, that's what he knows, what he grew up to be a part of. And we… we're clones. We're soldiers. We were born and bred for this but… that doesn't mean we don't have a choice. Yes, these chips will be removed from our heads but that doesn't change anything about who and what we are. We're clones of the Republic but also, we are now people of this galaxy. We don't have to just relegate ourselves to one facet of our life. I've seen and learned that we can do and even be more."
The other clones were certainly surprised by this speech, especially coming from Cody of all people.
Amongst the listeners was Captain Rex, who had been pondering to himself for the duration of this meeting.
There were many questions that ran through the mind of the 501st Captain, questions that have only increased in repetition these past few weeks.
When the fighting was done, where would he go? Where would the others go? What would they even do? What could they even do?
He's heard a number of clones discussing the idea of possibly going to Earth. A great number taking up security roles across various planets in the galaxy. Some admitted that they would rather just stick to the army as this was what they were good at. A few had a more daring idea of exploring the galaxy and finding a new purpose somewhere in the stars. Others perhaps wanted a simpler life, given they were tired from the fighting.
'A simpler life.' Rex muses to himself.
Rex thought back to a previous mission when hunting down Grievous. How he was injured and was recovering at a peculiar farm where he came across a runaway trooper.
Cut Lawquane met his future wife and step-children on that planet. He grew close to them and instead of moving elsewhere, he stayed and became a farmer.
The man was happy. He found another purpose which he said gave him meaning.
'Would I have something similar if I chose that path?'
These questions had been swirling about in his mind for so long that he didn't even realize the meeting had ended and Cody was calling for his name.
"Huh?" Rex felt dumb in his response to the 212th Commander.
Cody gave him a skewed look, somewhat concerned by the prolonged silence the usually assertive and observant Captain had for most of the meeting.
"I've been asking if you were alright, Rex but it feels like I already know the answer." Cody stated, causing Rex to grimace apologetically.
"Sorry, brother, just… a lot on my mind."
"I can see that." Cody remarked. "And you're not alone in that regard. We all have a lot to think about."
Rex snorted, standing up from his seat and exited the meeting room with Cody.
"Have you spoken with the Jedi and Avengers about the chips?" The Captain inquired.
"They already have several methods established." Cody revealed. "I volunteered for one involving a simple surgical procedure that would just yank the chip out."
"How would that work?"
Cody shrugged. "Not sure, truthfully, but I don't care. I want these things out of our heads. At the very least, the high-ranking officers of our brothers would be free of these blasted things. Gree told us he'd be willing to try the whole sorcerer's method."
"Really?" Rex said in surprise.
"He was pegged to join the chosen clones for training on Earth with the rest of them." Cody reminded him.
"Oh right, Echo told me about that." Rex shook his head. "I really don't understand any of it really. The Force is one thing but outright magic?"
"If it works in getting the chips out of our heads, that's all that matters." The Commander firmly said, then turning back to Rex. "But come on Rex, I know you. What's really on your mind?"
The Clone Captain turned his gaze downwards, a frown of deep contemplation as he mulled over the thoughts plaguing his mind.
"I just… was wondering… what would it be like? To just have a simple life? One outside all this?"
Cody didn't respond right away, instead giving Rex a bemused look.
"Well, I know you better than most Rex and… well, I think you won't ever really leave the fight."
Rex turned his gaze at his brother, expression conveying a want for clarity.
"It's not that you can't, I just feel like you won't. You can't. Not because you're told to but because you wouldn't allow yourself to do so. You're a man that's not just a solider. You want to fight because if you see something you believe in, you'll fight for it. It's no longer about the Republic anymore, frankly. It's about our brothers and our Jedi brothers and sisters who we fight for. For the people of this galaxy. We fight for them now."
Rex was certainly not expecting such an answer from Cody. One so open-minded and all.
"Where did that come from?" He couldn't help but ask in amusement.
"Hey, you're not the only one capable of deep reflection." Cody retorted with a small smirk.
Rex chuckled aloud, humming to himself. "Maybe you're right. Maybe you're wrong. I won't know for sure unless I try."
"Then good luck with you on that."
Being left alone, Rex occupied himself with his thoughts which will now resume the plague it had upon his mind for some time.
Until…
"Rex?"
Hearing the familiar voice, Rex found himself smiling suddenly and he turned to see Deliah Blue.
The Zeltron was covered in splotches, a white towel with many black stains that likely came from her that was rubbing her arms clean.
"Hey Captain," She greeted coyly, going over to him. "What are you doing out here all by your lonesome?"
"Meeting with Cody and the others." Rex answered, going over to her. "You've been busy."
"Like you wouldn't believe." Deliah said in good-natured exasperation. "Honestly, I don't know what Spidey and the rest of Thorn and his boys do on their little patrols but half the time, the ships come back without a scratch and other times, it's like they're being held together by tape."
"Hmmm." Rex casually hummed, going over to her.
She gave him a weird look, trying to gauge at his expression and not understanding his intentions.
"What?" She says.
He pointed to her body. "Seems like you need a cleanup. A serious one at that."
She paused in her "cleaning" with her towel, taking a look at her stained suit and skin.
"Yeah, well, you're not wrong." The Zeltron sheepishly said. "Kriff, I didn't even realize it was that bad. I need a shower."
There was a gleam now in Rex's eyes, a primal instinct that clawed its way up to the surface as he suddenly hefted her up in his arms in a bridal carry.
"Rex!" She shrieked out in surprise, flailing about before placing her hands around his shoulders. "What in the galaxy are you doing?"
"I think I'm due for my own shower." Rex casually said, locking eyes with her, his intensity catching her off guard and making her already colorful pink cheeks darken a shade or two.
"Rex~" She shyly and playfully said. "Where is this coming from?"
"A lot on my mind." He truthfully said, now giving her a mischievous smirk. "Didn't you once promise to uncomplicate my thoughts whenever I needed it?"
Deliah gaped slightly until she gained a more sensual, lustful smirk, with one hand rubbing his cheek, leaving an oily stain on his face from her fingers.
"Oh no~" She playfully said. "Now it seems you're dirty too, my captain. Whatever shall we do?"
"Naturally, we have to keep our equipment and ourselves clean and shiny. How else are we supposed to look for the boys?"
Deliah bit her lip, heat building in her body as she pulled Rex down for a lustful and loving kiss that took her breath away as her lover quickly overpowered her.
He pulled away, leaving a frazzled and happily dazed Zeltron.
"R-Rex." She giddily said.
"Come on, I know just the place to get you cleaned up."
She giggled as though she were a young schoolgirl, clinging happily to her man.
"Do lead on, oh Captain, my captain."
The Clone Captain ran off to the nearest room that would have a shower just for the two of them.
During his little run, Rex wondered to himself about life outside the Grand Army of the Republic. And maybe, just maybe, if the universe allows it, he has his chance for a better future in his arms.
-Scene Cut-
-Omake-
The call was sudden.
The trip was sudden.
Against part of his better judgment, Skywalker answered and took it.
He went alone, but told the others he will return in due time. After all, it was something personal, but he didn't know the reason why until reaching his destination.
To his surprise, it led him to Tatooine.
Upon his arrival, he felt the Force guide him to a pair of locations.
The first was a place he hadn't been to since his childhood when his life changed forever.
His childhood home.
He dared not enter it, for Anakin believed someone else would've taken up residence there. But even then, he could practically recall its layout clearly.
Memories flashed in Anakin's vision. A life he shared with his mother. The good and bad experiences, but they were all a part of him. Part of the foundation of his very being.
But why here, of all places?
Soon enough, the Force called to him to move elsewhere.
After some time traveling, Anakin found himself in front of the home of his step-brother, Owen and his wife Beru. But more specifically standing before the graves of his mother Shuri and step-father, Cliegg Lars.
Curiosity washed over him as he once again wondered why he came here.
It was shortly after did he feel a presence. One which was familiar. One which was dark and corrupted.
Turning around, the Jedi Knight saw his dark counterpart. His alternate future of falling to the Dark Side.
Darth Vader.
Immediately, Anakin reached for his lightsaber on his belt and was ready to fight yet the Dark Lord raised a placating hand, moving no further and kept his gaze fixed on the horizon.
"Calm yourself, Skywalker. I am not here to fight."
"Oh really?" Retorts the Jedi Knight. "Every time we meet, we clash."
Vader didn't verbally respond; instead, he unclipped his lightsaber from his belt and sent it forward, settling it on the sand.
Anakin raised a brow at this, looking between the lightsaber and its owner, still tense and at the ready for a fight when Vader spoke once more.
"I too answered the call."
The Jedi Knight's eyes widened and his form slackened slightly.
"You… You what?"
"I need not repeat myself." Vader calmly said, now tilting his head in his direction.
Anakin slowly moved his hand away from his lightsaber, standing a bit straighter yet remaining on guard.
"So…" He awkwardly said, trying to find the words to respond with. He shifted about uncomfortably while his dark counterpart remained unmoving and unbothered, gaze focused solely ahead. Anakin coughed into his hand, turning to gaze at the horizon as well, sending occasional side-eye glances to the Darth.
There was a glint in his eye and he saw the lightsaber on the ground a few feet in front of the Sith Lord. Hesitant at first, Anakin slowly unclipped his own lightsaber and levitated it down to the ground, parallel to Vader's.
The air between them remained tense and silent.
Just as Anakin was about to muster up the courage to speak, Vader beat him to it.
"You can say this place, this residence, is the start of something grand." Vader's intimidating voice was rather subdued, relaxed. It didn't hold the edge and biting nature that he usually had. "Where it is part of a beginning which neither of us would truly understand."
Anakin didn't respond at first, instead frowning as he pondered on his words.
"What… did it feel like to you?" He found himself asking.
Vader said nothing at first, the binary sunset gleaming upon his helmet, his usually loud breathing is far quieter.
"A presence greatly tied to us has perished." He spoke after several seconds of prolonged silence. "The presence which has now been lost, its roots run deep in the cosmos."
Anakin was quiet in all this, feeling his words would only add unnecessary filler.
The Dark Lord's shoulders slouched slightly.
"Even then, the presence's light burned brightly and all so intensely where it cleared a path for many." Vader's head tilted up. "Now it has joined the Force, the Cycle of Life and Death. Being with legends far and wide, who will never be forgotten."
The younger Force-User now held a more pensive expression.
He then saw his dark counterpart move. Not towards him, but to a different direction entirely. Anakin felt compelled to follow soon after.
Coming towards a particular hill of the Lars property, the pair looked upon the binary sunset of Tatooine. Even in their twilight hours, the two suns of Tatooine greatly washed upon the land in its magnificence.
It was from there that something happened in the sky. Either as a hallucination, a trick of the eye, or the Will of the Force.
Clouds, actual clouds in the Tatooine sky appeared. They began to take the shape of a number of figures. One was a majestic Targon, a species of giant cat with a great furry mane. Another appeared to shift between a king, a servant, a worker and countless others but all bore a striking similarity to one another. However, the last was oddly surprising where Darth Vader appeared to be amongst the cloud formations.
Yet, as soon as they had formed did they get blown away by the winds of the desert.
"Remember." Spoke a deep, soft but powerful voice that washed over the Jedi Knight. "Remember who you are…"
Anakin breathed in heavily, awash with emotions. Tears peeked out from the corners of his eyes. He reached up to touch his face, holding his hand out to see the liquid trail down his fingers. Skywalker slowly clenched his hand into a fist, placing it over his heart. He closed his eyes as silent tears streamed down his face.
Feeling an emptiness around him now, turning over to his side, Anakin saw Vader was no longer there.
Rather than be startled or alarmed or show any surprised reaction of any kind, Anakin simply stood there, gazing at the spot where his dark future once stood before looking back at the binary suns of his homeworld.
"Remember who I am…" He muttered to himself as he continued looking at the sunset. "That's easy enough." He chuckled to himself. "I'm Anakin Skywalker, Knight of the Jedi Order." His vision shifted slightly as he could picture a great number of people within the twilight. "Husband to Padme Amidala. Friend of the Avengers. Master of Ahsoka Tano. Rex's crazy general. Obi-Wan's annoying brother. And… hell, there's my whole life ahead of me to find out more."
AN
Jeb and FMW: This one's for you, James Earl Jones. Rest in Peace with the vast legends who greatly affected us all.
FMW: And with that out of the way, we have completed the Band of Brothers arc.
This one was relatively quick and easy as it was basically Republic Commandos just shortened, compacted and changed and altered to better fit this story. Remember, this is an AU. So even though Sun Fac was the Geonosian killed in the game, in this story, Delta Squad didn't accomplish this mission until Quinlan joined the team.
This was the three missions of Commando stripped down cuz if we did it exactly or close to what was done in the games, this chapter would have been 30 to 40k words long. Maybe even 50k. Rather not do that.
Now, though this is the last chapter of this arc, it's not the last Band of Brothers arc. I just wanted to do this clone-focused arc for more expansion on the clones and changes that are happening and hopefully, I did them justice.
Remember, as this is an homage and tribute to the Band of Brothers miniseries and all things army-related like the Pacific, Saving Private Ryan and so on and so forth, there will be a total of ten of these chapters so four more are left.
Other than that, hope we did the tribute to our Dark Lord and King of Pride Rock justice, is it canon is it not, we'll never tell (insert obnoxious coy laugh here).
Next up, it's time for the Jedi to have their tales be told and these are around the same time as each other and in the current day with some flashbacks that will occur.
Till next time folks.
Rate Read and Review and as Always Have Nice Day.