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comm-caribou · 2 years

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Chapter Nineteen: On Deaf Ears

Word Count: 2.4k

Warnings: Death, explosion, war injuries (let me know if I missed any!)

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Juliette had returned to her room, and began rummaging around in her desk.

Cosmos leaned in the doorway, “well, you really turned these quarters into your own.”

Juliette smiled to herself.

Cosmos stepped in, shutting the door.

“Okay, I got something serious to talk about with you,” Cosmos knelt down.

Serious? Juliette stopped her search, turning her full attention to her best friend.

“I’m only asking because I care about you,” Cosmos assured, “is everything between you and Fang okay? You two were acting weird all day yesterday and then suddenly you were fine again. He’s not jerking you around, right? If he is, I’ll straighten him out.”

A smile spread on her face, “I knew I made a good choice.”

“Excuse me?” Cosmos held her face, “a good choice in what?”

“My best friend!” Juliette proudly declared.

Cosmos gave her an amused smirk, “oh yeah? Well, charming me isn’t going to make me drop this.”

“I’m fine,” Juliette pat his hand, “Fang just has some bad communication skills sometimes.”

“He should work on that,” Cosmos looked up at her ceiling. “I don’t like seeing you upset.”

Juliette closed and opened another drawer, then paused.

“Talk to me, Starlight,” Cosmos ordered.

Juliette sighed, “it’s just… I feel like everyone is constantly trying to protect me, but I can handle myself. But when I try to prove that, someone always gets upset and says I was reckless.”

“To be fair, for most of us,” Cosmos said, “you’re General number six. The 952nd was originally a Legion at the beginning of the war, but we are more of a relief Battalion now. Who’s to say that if you die, we get disbanded and the 952nd dies with you?”

Juliette blinked, trying to fight tears.

Why did he have to word it like that? I know I’m important, but I didn’t think of myself as their last shot.

“Sorry,” Cosmos dabbed his thumbs under her eyes, “that came out a little too dark, huh? But seriously, Juliette, none of us want to lose you. I don’t want to lose you.”

“But what about you?” Juliette cupped his face, “if I have to hear another one of my friends call themselves expendable, I might lose it.”

Cosmos placed his forehead to her’s, “we were made to die originally, but you make us want to live. At least, you make me want to live.”

Juliette giggled, “want to hear something stupid?”

“Always.” Cosmos leaned back on his hands.

“So, there’s this thing called kov’nyn,” Juliette explained, “it’s when a mandalorian head-butts you with their helmet on, and in gentler settings it’s a kiss.”

“Okay?” Cosmos nodded along.

“When we were in my childhood room and you came in to tell us dinner was being made,” Juliette giggled, “he was doing what you just did, and I was internally trying to figure out if he was kissing me.”

Cosmos laughed, “I knew you looked flushed!”

“Now you know,” she shrugged, “your friend is an idiot.”

Cosmos held her shoulders, “my best friend may be an idiot, but she is my idiot.”

He placed a big kiss on her forehead.

What a goof.

Cosmos slapped his knees, “now, is there anymore bombshells you wants to throw at me?”

“Like what?” Juliette teased. “Like that my boyfriend told me he loves me?”

Cosmos rolled his eyes, “that one was so obvious that he didn’t even have to say it.”

“But I still haven’t said it back,” Juliette waited for his reaction.

Cosmos blinked, “oh. Now you have my full attention. Talk to me, Starlight.”

****

Mirage already knew he was due for promotion.

Commander Colt told him so, but he didn’t think he’d be promoted like this.

Sitting next to his brother, Coyote, who looked torn as Commander Hardwire and Sergeant Cooper whispered to each other.

Poor vod, Mirage studied him, he actually wants this. Maybe I should let him have it and step down.

“Alright,” Hardwire addressed them, “we have a mission today. Consider this your test.”

“Mission?” Coyote sat up straighter, “what mission?”

“We’re delivering supplies,” Cooper explained, “Separatist have been spotted in the area, so it may not be so simple.”

Mirage turned to Coyote, “you ready for this?”

Coyote nodded, “we got this.”

May the best man win.

****

In her room with just Fang, Juliette listened to him talk about possibly sneaking into market to get supplies. For what, he wouldn’t say, but he promised her investment would be worth it.

As she listened, she gathered her gear and scratched at her wrist where her faded scar was.

Rolling up her sleeve, Juliette traced her old burns.

“Are you ever going to tell me where this is from?” Fang asked taking her hand.

Juliette giggled, “it’s not a big deal.”

Fang ran his hand up her forearm, then drew her in closer. She felt the heat rise to her face as his right hand rested on her hip, and his left hand caressed her forearm.

“You mean everything to me,” Fang kissed her wrist.

Juliette turned her head away, covering her face.

Fang chuckled, “blushing?”

Juliette nodded, I’m so pathetic.

Fang pulled her down onto his leg, and kissed her cheek, “sweetheart, you’re beautiful.”

“Are you trying to make me blush?” Juliette hid her face in the crook of his neck.

“Yes,” Fang hugged her, “I love you.”

I’m a horrible girlfriend, Juliette wrapped her arms around his neck, why can’t I say that back? How can he be okay with me not saying it back?

Fang softly hummed, “so, it was suggested I take a break. But I’m not fond of sitting on the sidelines, so I’m coming along. Okay?”

Fang brushed his cheek against her head, snuggling her close.

“I would love to have you there,” Juliette traced his cheek, “but only if you’re up for it.”

“I want to go with you,” Fang kissed her forehead. “Please?”

“Okay, cyar’ika,” Juliette giggled, as he kissed her cheek.

Fang brushed his nose against her’s, “I love you.”

Juliette opened her mouth to say it, but it didn’t feel right to say out loud yet.

“We should get going,” she said instead.

Fang smiled, kissing her nose, “I’ll meet you at the gunship.”

He let her up off his knee, and got off her bed.

His fingers traced her jaw, and lifted her chin.

She could feel the love radiating in his eyes.

Then his hand left her face, and he was heading to the door. Smiling to himself as his finger hovered over the button to the automatic door.

“It was a grenade,” Juliette blurted out, “I was trying to prove to my buir that I could disable it on my own. It backfired, and I learned my lesson.”

Fang looked back, smiled, then left.

She went back to getting ready, listening to the muffled voices she loved outside her door go by.

****

Even though he knew she was fine, Mirage still had his hand out behind Juliette’s back.

In his head, he knew one day she’ll need him to catch her.

Across from him was Shadow, white armor now dawning their purple with a stripe of the light color going down one of his pecs, just like Mirage.

Mirage couldn’t help but smile, he’s copying me. Never thought I’d have someone look up to me like I did Colt.

Then his gaze shifted to Coyote and Fang, both ready to go as soon as those doors opened.

Act like a Corporal, Mirage told himself. Show some initiative, trooper. Colt didn’t train you to stay a Strategist forever.

Outside, he heard heavy fire.

There are Separatist here, Mirage watched as everyone shifted from relaxed to fight mode.

Mirage closed his eyes, feeling it course through him.

The calm before the storm.

As soon as those doors opened, he heard it and snapped right into it like a rubber band.

He waited for Juliette’s move, then followed her right off that ship. Even though he knew it was not his job anymore, he felt compelled to follow her everywhere on the battlefield. If she went down, he’d be right there to pick her up again.

****

Just as the reports said, there was Separatists who began invasion on this Republic planet.

Those droids waited for them, thinking they wouldn’t be prepared to fight.

Clone troopers—as Juliette had learned—are always prepared to fight.

While she could imagine their training was not the same, the lesson to always be on their toes was just as engraved in their blood as it was in her’s. Days and days of training, preparing for something that would come along one day. The day they’d put on their armor, hide their recognizable faces, and take on the Galaxy.

Only difference was, Juliette didn’t know her training was for a war. She doubted her father knew it either, because he might’ve trained her even harder; If that was even possible to do.

The comm chatter was going nuts.

All those similar voices talking over each other, it was overwhelming. First chance she got, she ducked undercover and adjusted the volume.

“Okay, General?” Mirage asked from beside her.

“It’s loud,” she called, “have to tune you all out or I’m going to overstimulate.”

“Gotcha,” Mirage pat her shoulder.

As obnoxious as she found it, it was comforting knowing she had someone following her.

The comm chatter quieted down after a few clicks, all that was left was the battle.

She turned her attention to Mirage. He was holding their position, poking around the wall and firing his blaster.

She lifted up her duo pistols, and tapped his back, “right behind you.”

“Ready?” Mirage ducked back into cover.

She nodded.

Mirage checked again, then gestured for her to move.

She moved around him, and ran into the battle unafraid with her ARC trooper right behind her.

While she didn’t need him, she still wanted him close. Battle zones still occasionally confused her, and who better to have than her ARC who always wanted to be with her?

They ducked undercover with Buck and Mick behind another crumbling building.

“Civilians are safe, General,” Buck reported. “We’re trying to do minimal damage.”

“Tell that to the clankers,” Mick quipped.

“I would, but they’d never listen,” Buck laughed.

Juliette did a scan, seeing everyone scattered in hiding places, including Fang with the Commander and a couple others across from them.

Her gaze fell on a trooper clutching his side out in the open.

Mirage noticed as well, and shook his head at her, “no, no risks. I’ll get him.”

Juliette sighed, I’m indestructible as long as I’m fully geared up.

However, she could figure, the brothers talked. Fang probably voiced his fears to a few of them, about not wanting to lose her. His worries, she imagined, planted seeds in their minds to also worry about her safety.

Juliette twirled her guns, then got back to firing.

Out of the corner of her visor, she saw Mirage grab the trooper quick and fall into the Commander’s barrier.

He tripped, she smiled, but he got him there safe.

She ducked behind the sturdy building, as plasma bolts wizzed by.

“Relax, General,” Buck reloaded his gun. “We’re fine.”

As soon as he said that, there was a flash and she felt like she was flying. Her helmet flew off, the back of her head hit the ground hard, and her ears were filled with a loud ringing.

Immediately, her hands went to ears to block out the white noise.

****

This is all my fault.

“Juliette!”

A yelp of pain, and Fang was down holding his shoulder.

Coyote grabbed the lovesick trooper by his ankle, pulling him back to cover as a hail of red bolts landed where his head just was.

Boomerang crawled over to Fang, “you okay?”

“Juliette…” Fang pushed him away, “she’s hurt!”

“She seems fine,” Cooper said, but his tone was laced with concern.

Mirage stood motionless, looking at the General and two troopers left behind.

Juliette’s face, twisted in excruciating pain as she held her ears. Cooper was half right, she did look fine minus the noise. It was his brothers who looked worse, as Buck laid motionless under the rubble and Mick held his busted hand, quickly scooting to cover.

“Fang, stay still!” Boomerang order, snapping Mirage back.

Mirage turned back to Fang, still shaking his brothers off trying to blindly bolt over to her. He knelt down, and held Fang down firmly to the ground.

“You getting killed isn’t going to help her,” Mirage stated sharply.

Fang stopped, but his panting showed he still had fight in him.

“Fang,” Hardwire pat his helmet, “she’s covered, she’s safe for now. We just got to push these guys back, and then we can get her.”

“They’ll need evac,” Boomerang turned his focus back to Juliette across the way. “Must’ve blew out her hearing.”

“That’s not good,” Hardwire whispered. “Not good at all.”

“Obviously,” Cooper muttered.

“No!” Hardwire barked, “remember when she rescued Cosmos. She was several klicks away and still heard him.”

“She probably heard someone else…” Cooper quietly correctly.

Fang kicked his ankle, “her hearing is better than all of ours!”

Mirage turned back to her, “I’ll get her.”

“No.” Hardwire grabbed his arm, “just wait.”

“Keep firing!” Coyote ordered, “get those droids out of the city!”

Mirage shook his head, but aimed his blaster.

Something bumped his back, and a trooper zipped right past them.

Mirage snapped his head to the side, “Shadow?“

He’s fast…

The trooper dodged plasma like it was a regular old food fight on Kamino, and slid across the ground to behind the wall with Mick.

“Remind me to tell him he did a good job,” Hardwire ordered, “after I discipline him.”

Boomerang let out a sigh of relief, “Shadow has her, Fang.”

Shadow dragged her to Mick—who held her against him—then got low. Slowly, crawling close to the ground, Shadow inched his way back to Buck.

Mirage sighed, as Shadow shook his head and went back to them.

Buck was dead.

****

The ringing continued despite how tightly Juliette covered her ears.

Mick held her to his chest, his hand over her’s to help block out every other noise.

But it did nothing for whatever was wrong with her ears now.

Shadow slid her helmet over. Gently, Mick placed it over her head and sealing her back into the soundproof casing.

It did nothing to help.

She closed her eyes, and just shut down.

#caribou stories #caribou ocs #caribou originals #star wars #star wars the clone wars #952nd #juliette trix #commander hardwire #fang #coyote #cosmos #tracks #sergeant cooper #boomerang #arc trooper mirage

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comm-caribou · 2 years

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Hey Caribou! Can you please describe the main squads' helmet designs? I just want to imagine them correctly ☺️

Of course, friend! 💜💜

When I think of the main squad, I typically think of Hardwire, Cooper, Keks, Mirage, Boomerang, Tracks, Fang, Coyote, and Cosmos (plus Juliette).

(This is the color palette when I think of their armor with lilac detailing, mostly the middle shade)

For Juliette, think the same typical Mandalorian helmet style of Bo Katan and Sabine Wren. Her’s, however, is completely gray (the color of mourning a lost love or family member). Her armor is mostly gray until she adds lilac to it, to match her men who she sees as her clan/family. It grows more colorful as time goes on.

Hardwire has a bold, lilac strip down the middle of his helmet, and a visor like Cody, Fox, and many other Commanders. He also has the scope, but he mostly uses it for tech work than shooting.

Cooper has a plain helmet, but has two lilac splotches on his helmet in the shape of little hands. The first is over his left eye, the second over his right ear.

Keks has double stripes like Echo, but they’re lilac zigzags.

Mirage is like Commander Colt’s. He took inspiration from his mentor, but did his full lilac instead of gray. Along with the design, he has his scope.

Boomerang’s helmet has lilac going across his helmet’s visor, and he has tallies all over the sides. He usually has an attachable macrobinocular that he wears in battle painted gray.

Tracks has the typical pilot helmet. The only difference between his armor and others is his is modified for his height, plus the painted shoulder plates; Juliette painted each pilot’s shoulder plates.

Fang and Coyote have the same helmet design of it painted lilac on one side, just opposite sides. Fang’s on the right, Coyote’s on the left.

Cosmos let Juliette give his helmet a makeover. It used to be a plain old pilot helmet, now he has dark purple around the glass visor and stars. He is the only pilot until Ace to have a unique pilot helmet.

#caribou speaks #caribou ocs #star wars #star wars the clone wars #juliette trix #commander hardwire #sergeant cooper #corporal keks #arc trooper mirage #boomerang #tracks #fang #coyote #cosmos

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cc-cobalt-1043 · 2 years

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First off the line:

Omega: *when she first meets Trix* you're a generation 1

Trix: now how did you know that

Omega: *grinning broadly* from the lines on your face

Trix: .....

Trix: *thoughts* did this kid just call me old

A few weeks later after Omega does the same to Rex:

Rex: do we really look that old

Trix: *sighs* kids can be brutally honest sometimes

Later at bracca:

Rex: this cruiser here is first off the line

Wrecker: *laughs* Just like you and Trix Rex

When Crosshair does it:

Crosshair: *smirking at Trix* keep up old man

Trix: *aiming a blaster at Crosshair* nobody would know, nobody *lowers his blaster* to bad I know his ghost would haunt me

#he's old #the bad batch #clone force 99 #star wars #arc trooper trix (oc)#captian rex #bad batch omega #omega calls rex old #she literally looked at him and said #same with trix #bad batch crosshair #bad batch wrecker

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cc-cobalt-1043 · 2 years

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Tech's pet:

*the bad batch are talking when a zombie coloured commando droid shows up*

Droid: *in a murderous voice* clooones

Trix: WHAT THE- where'd that come from

Tech: ah there you are fluffy

The bad batch: O-O

Crosshair: F-FLUFFY

#the bad batch #clone force 99 #star wars #bad batch crosshair #bad batch tech #arc trooper trix (oc)#zombie droids #as in zombie coloured droids #tech being a mad scientist

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comm-caribou · 2 years

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Was tagged by @voidika to play with this adorable picrew!!!! It kind of gave me baby/toddler vibes, so…

Here’s Juliette, Fury, and I bet you can’t guess who that last one is 😋😋

Tagging: @ghastlyrider @leon-anna @muguathepapaya and anyone else, you’re tagged by me! 💜💜

#caribou speaks #caribou ocs #picrew #star wars #star wars the clone wars #juliette trix #arc trooper fury

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cc-cobalt-1043 · 2 years

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Bad batch chores list:

Crosshair: alright, Hunter is having a day off and he's left me this chores list on these datapads for the ship's maintenance check this afternoon, Tech, carry out the daily maintenance check on the ship

*Tech nodded and left*

Tech: Wrecker, make sure all your fitness equipment is put away properly and then make sure Gonky is charged

Wrecker: do I get candy after

Crosshair: no

Wrecker: awww *he walked away*

Crosshair: Cobalt, check the on-board systems in the ship are working

Cobalt: okay *he left*

Crosshair: okay last, and least in my opinion, Trix

Trix: *sarcastically* what is thy bidding my master

Crosshair: *not amused* go into the forest and never come back

Trix: HEY, what does it actually say

Crosshair: help Tech with the maintenance check and make sure we're fully stocked with the right supplies

Trix: it will be done my lord *he quickly left*

Crosshair: *rolling his eyes* no wonder Hunter enjoys his days off, everybody here is impossible

#clone force 99 #the bad batch #star wars #bad batch crosshair #bad batch hunter #bad batch cobalt (oc)#bad batch tech #bad batch wrecker #arc trooper trix (oc)#crosshair leading the bad batch #he's only been doing it a minute and noe he knows how hunter feels #he's going to kill hunter after this

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comm-caribou · 2 years

Note

does anyone on the squad have a special someone other than Juliette? 🥺🥺

*squeals* yes! Can you tell I’m a little bit of helpless romantic? I grew up on Disney movies, don’t judge me!!!! 😭😭

Obviously Juliette has/had romantic relationships with Fang, Digger, Fury, and one other clone I never talked about because it was two dates (but y’all can speculate), but her boys also have partners.

The most notable one is Mirage, who dates and marries Nala Phish, a Twi’lek singer and dancer from Vixnix. She is a childhood friend of Juliette’s, who radiates confidence versus Mirage’s shy, wallflower attitude when he’s not on the battlefield.

Max has a partner named Tay (they/them, but won’t get too upset if called she by accident). They’re also a Twi’lek, working at a fancy restaurant on Coruscant as a waiter. Max is 5’7” and kind of naive, and Tay is 5’11 without high heels and fiercely protective of their short pilot boyfriend and his brothers.

I do have plans to put Nala’s sister, Anneliese, with someone too, just not sure who as the original plan was Coyote and I no longer think they’ll be good fit.

Juliette’s other childhood friend, Faye, is still up in the air as well, since I’m still playing with her character.

Cosmos’s main love interest that he ends up with is a Pantoran, but he will have a few boyfriends before they’re officially together again after Order 66. And this Pantoran has two little sisters, one of which will end up with Squirrel 100%.

I got a couple more love interests I’m fleshing out, but I got to figure out where they’ll fit in the story. Most notable of which is Boomerang and Hardwire’s partners as they’ve not been introduced yet; I want them to find someone!

The only one I can confidently say will not have love interest in the story is Cooper. He doesn’t want one, he’s not interested, he’s very happy being a single dad with his adopted children and being an uncle to his nieces and nephews. Keep that romance away from him.

Also: not part of the 952nd, riot trooper Berri has a shy, bookkeeper boyfriend; a Togruta named Jaxper. Coyote played wingman for Berri—as he always does for his brothers.

#caribou speaks #caribou ocs #star wars #star wars the clone wars #juliette trix #fang #sergeant digger #arc trooper fury #arc trooper mirage #max #squirrel #coyote #cosmos #sergeant cooper

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comm-caribou · 1 year

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Chapter Six: One Day on the Other Side:

Word Count: 4.0k

Warnings: PTSD, anxiety attacks (let me know if I missed any)

————

The town was buzzing with whispers of her arrival, and soon Juliette found people she avoided last time seeking her out as she ate her food. She began to feel self conscious more and more as every time she took a bite, someone new would come see her.

It wasn’t that they thought of her as celebrity, it was that the last time they truly saw her, she was depressed over her father’s passing and running away.

Now, she was back and keeping her most recent loss close to her chest. Nobody knew but her the pain she was feeling, and she was trying hard to keep it bottled up.

As people spoke to her, her hand found the purple stone hanging around her neck. The lepidolite on a silver chain, her only remaining piece of Fang left to offer her comfort now that he couldn’t hold her when she was anxious.

It was getting harder to breathe, and she jumped up hurriedly.

“Juliette?” Cosmos stood up, “you look—“

She didn’t let him finish.

She just ran off outside, only thinking of fresh air.

Even in the cooling evening, the air wasn’t enough. There was too many people, too many blurry faces watching her.

All eyes, watching her fall apart.

She stumbled backwards behind the cantina, clinging to the wall like she’d float away despite her feet feeling too heavy to lift.

She took a labored breath, and sunk down the wall, desperately trying to calm down.

What is happening to me?

“It’s okay,” Boomerang appeared out of nowhere.

Her medic lowered down in front of her, taking her hands and holding them reassuringly.

“Repeat after me,” he instructed, “this will past.”

She shook her head, wheezing on air.

“Please?” Boomerang played with her hands, “how about, I am safe? Can you say that one?”

She wanted to, but she already felt she had no air.

She squeezed her eyes shut, shaking her head.

I can’t breathe! Why can’t I breathe? Am I dying?

A scent brushed under her nose, and lingered beneath her nostrils.

Lavender?

She focused on that, and her breathing calmed.

“How’d you know that’d work?” Boomerang asked.

She opened her watery eyes, seeing Fury putting something back in one of his pouches.

“I helped comfort troopers after the Battle of Kamino,” Fury explained, “the survivors were really shaken up, especially the young cadets.”

Juliette lowered her head, unable to suppress a shaky whimper.

Boomerang moved to her other side, rubbing her back, “I’m sorry, Juliette.”

“I thought we’d have a little longer,” Juliette cried, “I didn’t want to say goodbye yet.”

Boomerang mumbled something, unable to find the right words.

Fury—on the other hand—moved in and hugged her.

He muttered in her ear, “I have an idea.”

****

Cosmos looked at his comm, “Fury and Boomerang are taking her for a walk to clear her head.”

Mirage nodded, but Cosmos could see the tinge of annoyance on his face.

Sighing, Cosmos pushed his tray aside, “talk to me, Mirage. What did Fury do that you hold so much resentment towards him.”

Mirage stopped chewing, then swallowed hard.

“When I was a cadet, I really wanted to be an ARC,” Mirage began. “It’s the typical dream of every white job trooper, but I really wanted to be more than just one in a million. I’m not saying troopers like Fang, Buck, Ghost, and every other brother on the frontlines are beneath me or I wanted to be above them. I just wanted to feel like I’m worth something. I worked everyday, perfecting every training exercise and beating every record. Then this rumor spreads that this quiet cadet punched his trainer and is now Commander Havoc’s protégé. I did all this work to even be considered, and he got in after breaking the rules. I don’t remember much of after he got there, it’s all blank. From what I’ve been told by the other ARC trainees, Fury started a fight with Stark and it got crazy. I got caught in the crossfire, and banged my head so hard I had I had a violent seizure and was puking up blood.”

Cosmos bit his tongue.

“Stark says that Fury picked up a helmet and was about to kill me, something about how he was putting me out of my misery,” Mirage put down his fork, “if it weren’t for Stark dragging me away, they all think he would’ve killed me without remorse.”

“That’s bogus.” Cosmos couldn’t contain himself.

“Well it happened,” Mirage stated, “and all the ARCs who were there haven’t contacted me with otherwise.”

“But everything you told me about this accident is all hearsay,” Cosmos explained, “Stark said this, Stark said that. Is this ARC-3000?”

“Yeah?“ Mirage blinked, “how did you know?”

“Because Stickler is buddies with Commander Doom and his boys, and there’s a rumor that Stark got demoted.”

“What?“ Mirage stood up, “hang on, I got to call Blitz.”

“Mirage,” Cosmos called, “seriously?”

The ARC rushed out of the cantina, already bringing Blitz up on his holo communicator.

“Seriously.” Cosmos rubbed his eyes. “So kriffin’ dramatic.”

“Well, you look stressed.”

Cosmos peeked out between his fingers, meeting a Pantoran with golden eyes leaning on the edge of his booth.

“I’m a little stressed,” Cosmos admitted. “It’s been rough these past few days.”

“I could tell Juliette was stressed too, that’s why I told my sisters not to approach her yet,” he ran a hand through his pastel yellow hair. “May I sit with you?”

“Sure, but I think you’ll find I’m lousy company right now.” Cosmos picked at his scraps.

“Perhaps, but I still would love to get to know you,” he smiled, “I’m Baz, by the way.”

“I’m Cosmos,” he answered, relieved to have some company away from the war.

****

“Why didn’t you tell me he was demoted?”

Mirage couldn’t believe his ears, Cosmos was right.

Stark wasn’t an ARC anymore. He’d been demoted and kicked off of Doom Patrol, sent off to Commander Bacara as just CT-3000 again.

“He was causing a lot of infighting,” Blitz explained, “and in every occurrence, Stark was spinning up far fetch stories that were always debunked.”

Mirage touched the side of his head, did he lie about my accident?

Blitz crossed his arms, “are you still treating him like a freak? I’ll have you know that despite the name, Fury is incredibly nice. After the battle here, he’s been guarding the cadets every night. Hammer and I went to check on him and he was comforting one of the kids that was helping defend the barracks. He’s a good man.”

But… Stark said…

Mirage held his head, “what happened the day I hit my head? Do you know?”

Blitz sighed, “you’re going to have to ask Hammer that one. I wasn’t there when it happened, all I know is Fury ran you across the facility and wouldn’t leave your side until you woke up.”

“That’s not what I was told,” Mirage leaned on the wall. “I was told Stark rescued me.”

“And you believed him?” Blitz clicked his tongue. “Stark didn’t even visit you, vod.”

Stupid. I was so stupid. Of course the quiet guy always shuffling his cards wouldn’t try to end his brother’s life.

Blitz sighed, “talk to Hammer. He was there for the aftermath.”

Then he hung up before Mirage could press him for more information.

Stark lied, and I believed every bit of it.

He held his head, groaning.

The door opened, and Anneliese came out clicking her tongue as she walked.

“Do you need help?” Mirage asked.

“I’m alright, I’m not as feeble as I look,” she smiled, “but you may still walk with me, Mirage.”

“How’d you know it was me?” Mirage went to her side.

“Your voice is deeper,” she said. “Cosmos is soft, Boomerang is bouncy, and Fury is gruff.”

“Huh,” Mirage chuckled, “I never realized our voices could be different.”

“Believe it or not, you’re not as perfectly alike as you think,” Anneliese grew quiet.

“Something on your mind?” Mirage asked.

“What are your thoughts on my sister?” Anneliese tilted her head curiously. “She is very drawn to you, and I know you noticed.”

Mirage’s ears burn as his blood rushed up to his face, pooling in his cheeks and nose. “I… um…”

Oh osik.

****

That last time she was at this cliff, Juliette was with her father.

Boomerang wheezed out a breath, “I didn’t realize the walk would be that far. Fury, we’re on leave, that means no mile long hikes.”

Fury shrugged, holding out his hand to help her up a steep spot.

He was so strong, she felt like he could easily pull her up the rest of the cliff with just one hand.

Once she was on stable ground, he offered Boomerang a hand.

Boomerang pretty much let Fury lift him all the way up. Once on secure ground, Boomerang sat down panting.

Fury went to the edge, looking over the rural horizon covered in green with her town a few miles away.

She wasn’t looking forward to the walk back, especially with the orange sun setting.

“Scream.” Fury instructed.

Juliette turned to him, “what?”

“You’re bottling up all your issues,” Fury gestured to the open spaces, “let it out.”

Juliette studied Fury, really looking at this new ARC who arrived to her shortly after Fang’s death.

He was tall like many of his brothers, but his frame was wider. He was built bigger, bulkier than troopers like Boomerang; the medic looked like a twig next to him.

He’s a friendly giant.

“Come on,” he encouraged, “let out all your problems.”

Juliette looked down, “last time I was here… my father was teaching me how to use my jet pack…”

He had his own, and encouraged her off the cliff.

“I’m right here, ad’ika. I won’t let you fall. Swear on my life, I will catch you.”

Anger bubbled up in her stomach.

How could someone shoot you down? You were just having a drink with uncle Xiaber! I was away! Why was I away?

It boiled up her throat.

You didn’t even get to meet Fang! My first boyfriend, and you didn’t even get to give a big speech about how I’m your little girl and he better be good to me.

She opened her mouth, inhaling.

You’re not going to give me anymore life lessons. You’re never going to meet any of my new friends. If I ever fall in love again, you’ll never meet him! If I get married, you’ll never know my husband!

As she exhaled, she screamed.

Is this my destiny? Is the path I’m taking leading me to lose all I love? How many more friends and family will I lose? I’m only twenty-one today.

****

Baz smiled warmly, playing with Cosmos’s hand as words flew from his mouth. He knew Baz was probably just being nice, while secretly regretting asking Cosmos what his favorite thing about being a pilot was.

“I’m sorry,” Cosmos covered his mouth, “I just really like stars. I get carried away, and it drives everyone insane.”

“Don’t worry,” Baz pat his hand, “I like them too, but I never knew they had names.”

Cosmos had to bite his tongue to keep from telling him their names.

Baz chuckled, “tell me their names.”

Cosmos’s heart skipped a beat, “really?”

“I like your passion,” Baz squeezed his hand, “it’s very cute.”

Cosmos blushed, “um… before we continue, I should warn you that I’m still not sure about my preference.”

Stars, I really hope I’m not misreading this.

“How about a date then?” Baz slid his hand in his, “would you like to go out with me?”

Just the night before, he ate dinner with a good look Togruta at a bar. It was casual, nothing intimate.

“I’d like that,” Cosmos said, following Baz out of the cantina.

****

“I vote next time Fury gets a crazy idea like this, he has to carry us,” Boomerang declared, “I’m definitely falling asleep tonight.”

Juliette rubbed her raw throat, maybe screaming wasn’t the best idea.

Fury walked beside her, pointing out raised stumps and rocks in the path.

“You’re really nice,” she croaked.

“Rest your voice,” he smiled. “I don’t want you to lose it.”

“You’re pretty reliable too,” she added.

“Shh,” he hushed playfully. “No more words.”

“I have decided, you’re now my friend,” Juliette declared.

“Okay,” he laughed, “okay, just stop talking.”

“Say it,” Juliette pushed, “say you’re my friend.”

“She won’t stop until you say it,” Boomerang warned.

“Fine, I’m you’re friend,” Fury stepped over a stump. “Watch your step.”

Boomerang rolled his eyes, “what a gentleman.”

“Keep up,” Fury called back, “you can sleep on the ship.”

****

Mirage returned to the cantina, finding it empty besides Xiaber, Nala, and female Rodian cleaning the place up.

“Could I help?” Mirage offered.

“It’s alright,” Xiaber assured, “you could walk Nala home though.”

Nala put the last chair on a table, “but I need to-“

“We have it,” the older couple said together. “Go.”

“Jinx,” the Rodian bumped Xiaber with her hip laughing. “Now you owe me a drink.”

Xiaber smiled, “good thing I own the bar then, lovey.”

Ah, that must be the famous Aunt Livvie Nala spoke of.

Nala brushed her hands together, then ran to Mirage. She held his arm, looking up at him innocently.

You’re nothing like the folks on Coruscant. He mused, “shall we?”

Nala nodded, and they walked out together.

“I already know the way,” he said once outside, “I walked your older sister home.”

“Please tell me she didn’t give you one of those lame protective older sister speeches meant to scare off creeps,” Nala groaned.

“I don’t think your sister thinks of me as a creep,” Mirage said, “although I could tell she was trying to get a feel of who I was and what my character is.”

“And what are you like?” Nala stopped walking.

Where do I begin? Mirage frowned, “I’m gullible and stupid. I make regrettable decisions and poor choices. I did all this work to make myself important, and still feel like I’m disposable.”

Nala brushed his cheek, “so, you lack confidence.”

Mirage traced the scar on the side of his head, “I didn’t think so until recently.”

Nala scrunched her nose, “I think you’re too hard on yourself, Mirage.”

Mirage turned to her.

“How about that dance lesson?” Nala held out her hand.

“Here?” He looked around. “In public?”

“In the street lights and under the illuminating moonlight,” Nala took his hands, “just us.”

Mirage took a shaky step forward, “what if I step on your foot?”

“I’ll live,” Nala guided his hands to her waist.

“You know I got my name because I walked into a wall,” Mirage warned. “They couldn’t believe their eyes.”

“Then we’ll start with swaying,” Nala draped her arms around his neck.

Mirage looked in her dark blue eyes, “I’ve never connected with a civilian like this before.”

She played with the hair at the nape of his neck, “do you say that to all the girls you swoon?”

“Trust me, love,” Mirage rocked from side-to-side, “I look the part of dashing soldier, but I can’t keep up the charade for long.”

“You don’t have to act a different way around me,” Nala said, “I already like your company, and I know full well you like mine.”

She caught me staring, Mirage turned his head sputtering. Dammit. I really am the stupidest ARC in the whole Grand Army. She’s probably taking great joy in having some big oaf following her around blindly.

“Hey,” Nala cupped his face, “I like you too. Juliette told me how incredibly protective you are, that you always are there to catch her and that you give the best hugs.”

Mirage kept his gaze down.

“Mirage,” she pushed, “would you look at me, please?”

He spoke to the ground, “why do you really like me?”

“Honestly,” Nala ducked down to catch his gaze, “because you don’t have that annoying attitude where you think you’re better than everyone else. Plus, I like your eyes.”

Mirage started to smile, “really?”

“Really,” Nala brushed his cheek. “Now, I told you my reasons, you tell me yours.”

Mirage nervously chuckled, “your voice, your confidence, your grace. Seeing you so comfortable on stage just got me.”

Nala giggled, “you’re cute.”

“Cute, huh?” Mirage smiled, placing his forehead to her’s, “you’re the first to ever say that to me.”

“About time someone said it,” she wrapped her arms around him again, “dance with me.”

****

The feeling of Baz’s hand felt right.

His company felt natural.

His voice was comforting.

Yet, there was still an uncertainty in himself.

There was still a shed of doubt lingering inside of Cosmos, making him question if he was attracted to men or something else.

Baz leaned against a wall, still playing with Cosmos’s fingers like he was memorizing them.

“Can I tell you something?” Cosmos asked.

He already knew the answer, but seeing Baz assure him he was listening would be more comforting.

“You can tell me anything,” Baz moved in closer beside him.

Cosmos leaned against the wall beside him, admiring the way the town’s lights caught the gold in his eyes.

“I’m… still unsure about myself,” Cosmos held Baz’s hand close afraid he’d leave. “I’ve only been on a few dates, and yesterday was the first time with another man. I know I feel more right here, but I still don’t know for certain.”

“It’s okay,” Baz brushed his hand along his jaw, “I just wanted to hang out with you longer.”

Cosmos sighed, “I just wish I knew for certain.”

Baz stayed quiet, tracing the scar on Cosmos’s chin.

“I’m sorry I wasted your time.” Cosmos sighed, “I do hope I see you next time I’m here.”

That is if I ever make it back.

Baz stopped him, gently caressing his face in his hands while his face darkened to a shade of indigo.

“May I still kiss you goodnight?”

****

Fury had definitely proved himself her favorite out of all her new recruits. She knew it was bias considering she barely interacted with the new men she was in command of, but none of them would probably take her on a long hike, let her scream her head off, and then carry her the rest of the way back.

“Are we too heavy for you?” Juliette asked.

Fury shook his head, but his pace had slowed greatly since Boomerang had fallen asleep riding on his back.

“I can walk,” Juliette offered.

Fury shook his head.

“You know, you don’t talk much,” Juliette said quietly.

“I don’t have anything important to say,” Fury set her down as they came back to the main pathway to town.

“I don’t believe that,” Juliette held his elbow, “I think you think your words aren’t important.”

“They aren’t. I have abslu… absoluth… a-abs…” he swore under his breath, and went quiet again.

“I stutter when I’m nervous, too. I could barely get any words out when I was telling Fang I liked him back.” She toyed with her necklace, “he told me he thought it was cute.”

Fury chewed on his inner cheek, continuing to say nothing.

“He gave me this necklace,” she ran her thumb over the stone, “it’s actually from my father’s rock collection. He’d collect a new rock from every place he went to, and after he died I gave the collection to Fang. He also likes rocks. Well… liked rocks.”

Fury stopped walking.

“I nearly left. After Fang died, everyone was trying to comfort me that it got so overwhelming that I hid in the refreshers,” Juliette continued, “I didn’t know what to do, so I just sat in the shower stall with the cold water running. I just kept thinking about coming back here and doing odd jobs again, that way I’d never have to see one of my friends die again. Then Cosmos came in and I felt guilty for thinking I could just leave him. Leave any of them to die when Hardwire chose me to lead them. I honestly don’t know why I’m telling you.”

Fury turned to her, “I’m glad you stayed.”

“Me too,” Juliette glanced back at Boomerang sleeping with his face smooshed on Fury’s pauldron. “Jeez, he’s out like a light.”

“Well, he does have night terrors,” Fury said quietly, “it’s common with the medics, but we hide them from the Kaminoans and Jedi.”

Juliette turned to Fury, “do you get night terrors?”

Fury kept his gaze ahead, and said, “we all do.”

The walk back to the cantina was deafeningly silent.

****

Cosmos touched his lips, still processing the final events of his dates.

“May I still kiss you goodnight?”

A smile tugged at the corners of his lips, as he remembered it again. He hoped he’d never forget his first kiss.

“Cosmos!” Juliette ran into his side, wrapping him in a hug. “I’m sorry I ran off on you.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Cosmos ruffled her hair, “where did you three go?”

“Screaming off a cliff.” Juliette explained.

“Did I hear that correctly?” Cosmos laughed, “screaming?”

“Told her it’ll help with getting out her frustrations,” Fury paced with Boomerang snoozing on his back.

I really hope Mirage cooled down, Cosmos looked around, Fury seems like he’s trying outrun that monster reputation.

“What did you do?” Juliette took his hands.

Cosmos glanced at Fury, walking off to the ship, then leaned down whispering just to her, “I had my first kiss tonight.”

She bounced on her toes, smiling and giggling.

“I’ll tell you more later,” Cosmos looped his finger with her’s, “I promise.”

She kissed the back of her hand as he kissed his, locking it in.

“Now, we got to find Mirage,” Cosmos held out his hand. “Any ideas?”

“Well… Nala does have a weak spot for men who look put together,” Juliette teased, “and I saw how he looked at her.”

“I concur,” Cosmos grinned, “where is Nala’s home?”

****

“You seriously ditched Juliette for a boy,” Anneliese teased.

“She went for a hike,” Nala giggled as she played with Mirage’s hair, “and left this sweetie behind.”

Mirage looked back at her from his spot on the floor, “you think I’m sweet?“

“Obviously she does,” Anneliese walked down the hall with her hand on the wall.

Nala held his face, tilting his head back to look up at her. She looked over him with admiration written on her soft face.

“Tell me about the galaxy,” she traced his cheek.

Mirage thought for a moment, then said, “big. I’ve seen a lot of it, and a good lot of horrors in it. There was some good in it, small little slivers spread around in it. This is one of them.”

“See, this is why you’re a sweetie,” Nala moved to the floor beside him. “The sweet face doesn’t help.”

“My brothers and I all share it,” Mirage joked.

“Maybe that’s why you’re all so sweet,” Nala teased. “Promise you’ll come visit me.”

I can’t promise that.

Mirage knew it, but still he said, “I will, only if you still will be happy to see me.”

Nala took his hand, smiling, “I promise.”

****

As Cosmos’s hand went to connect with the door, Mirage opened it. He jumped when he saw Juliette and Cosmos at the door.

Juliette wiggled her fingers, “hello there.”

“Hi,” Mirage walked out, “do you want to say goodbye before heading out?”

“Yes, please,” Juliette went past him.

Cosmos stood on the porch with him, waiting for Juliette to come back out.

“How was your night outside of the Republic?” Mirage asked quietly.

Cosmos sighed, looking up at the night sky glittering with millions of stars.

“It was nice while it lasted.”

“Do you think we’ll ever come back.”

“May I still kiss you goodnight?”

The warm and fuzzy feeling returned to Cosmo’s chest.

“I hope so.”

#caribou stories #caribou ocs #952nd #star wars #star wars the clone wars #juliette trix #cosmos #arc trooper fury #arc trooper mirage #boomerang

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comm-caribou · 1 year

Text

Chapter Twenty-Two: Uncovered Secrets:

Word Count: 3.1k

Warnings: Bullying, past trauma (let me know if I missed any!)

————

Pacing around the hanger, the pre-battle jitters were beginning to get Hardwire.

It was going to be their first time in the thick of the plasma fire and war effort in over a month and a half. Delaying any longer would raise questions, and as Stickler put it, he could only handle so much idling in space while they had all the real fun.

Cooper caught his arm, “she’s ready.”

Hardwire sighed, “I know.”

“Then what’s the problem?” He asked putting his datapad away.

“Are we all okay?” Hardwire asked, “Boomerang and Mirage have been acting off, Shadow is missing, Coyote gets jumpy if you ask him questions, and Tracks… something just feels off with everyone today.”

Cooper offered a smile, “maybe it’s just you’re worried, sir. You don’t want the boys to get hurt and her to fall back into grief, so you’re stressing.”

“That’s not it,” Hardwire huffed.

“Or it could be that I got news regarding another one of your stuffy parties,” Cooper teased, “got to dress up again.”

Hardwire groaned, covering the burn scar on his face, “wish this wasn’t here so I could switch places.”

“With who?” Cooper smirked. “Everyone is practically hair dyed, tattooed up, or sporting a facial scar or two. Your best look alikes would be Boomerang and Radar.”

“Two of the biggest jokesters here,” Hardwire sucked in his teeth, “not good options.”

Juliette ran over, excitedly jumping to a halt with a big smile on her face.

“Commander,” she playfully saluted him with two fingers.

“General,” Hardwire smiled.

“You must’ve slept great,” Cooper snorted.

“I actually did,” she grinned, “I had two out of however many dear friends of mine I have sleepover, and it was wonderful. Cooper, if you want, you could sleepover one—“

“Pass.” Cooper said, “but thank you.”

“Hardwire?” She looked up at him, those big golden eyes pleading.

Hardwire sighed defeatedly, “I do like our sleepovers.”

“Great,” she hopped on the gunship.

“Actually, General,” Hardwire turned around to face her, “there’s one more thing.”

“What’s up?” She asked.

“Shadow went M.I.A. last night,” Hardwire explained, “no one is admitting to knowing anything, and we can’t find him. Did you happen to see him?”

“I swear I just saw him,” Juliette stepped down, looking around, “he was walking with Mick and few others.”

“You sure?” Cooper asked.

“I’m pretty sure,” she stopped looking, “now I’m positive.”

As she said it, Mick walked by talking to another trooper as Shadow trailed behind. His head ducked in his helmet, looking at the floor.

“Shadow?” Hardwire stepped in front of him, “we’ve been worried sick. Where were you?”

“No where.” He said, sounding broken.

“Shadow,” Juliette approached, “are you okay, love?”

There was a pause, then he shook his head.

“You want to stay back today?” She asked, “take a mental health day?”

He nodded.

“Okay,” she held up her finger, “under one condition.”

He lifted his head, and she beckoned him closer.

Then they switched to helmet comms, and it was silent. However, whatever he said to her made her visibly shocked before she dismissed him.

He walked off, hugging himself as he crossed the hanger back to the main ship.

“What was that about?” Cooper asked. “Any reason for our concern?”

“Not yet,” she said, “after the mission you can be scared.”

“Did…” Hardwire gesture to the two of them, “did we do something wrong to upset Shadow?”

“Not you,” she looked past them, “but one of your brothers said some pretty hurtful things last night.”

Hardwire checked over his shoulder, seeing Mirage walking alone as Boomerang walked with Coyote.

Them? He couldn’t believe it, one of them hurt Shadow?

****

Seeing Shadow in that hanger was a relief, but seeing him look so distraught made Mirage’s stomach tie in knots.

He knew full well he was the one that upset Shadow, and he’d take full responsibility. He just wished that his little brother didn’t tattle on him to the General.

The minute the doors shut, he put his hand behind her as always and she walked off to Hardwire’s other side.

Hardwire scooted over, taking her spot so she could have his, only giving Mirage a brief glance and shrug.

Fine by me, he thought switching hands, my right hand is still throbbing anyways.

Boomerang was over next to Coyote, talking to him inside their helmets. Occasionally, he could see them look over towards him, clearly talking about him.

They’re acting like I’m the bad guy? Really? Sure, I blew up at Shadow and that was messed up. But Boomerang seriously decided to cut open his head and take out an unknown mass from his brain! As a medic, he’s got to know that’s messed up!

The outside of the ship grew louder with noise.

I’m not the bad guy in this. Not entirely… right?

****

It was easy to see something was bothering the General. The minute she got off the ship, she twirled her pistols and got to work blasting down droids and pushing them back.

If Cooper didn’t know any better, he’d think she’d pull a 212th and start body slamming the Separatist.

“Well, I hate to be the trooper who ticked her off,” Grimm remarked dragging an injured trooper to cover.

Cooper provided the medic some aid, “what makes you say that?”

Grimm tilted his helmet, “come on now, Sarge. She was all smiles and rainbows, then Shadow comes around like an injured baby bird, now she’s guns a’ blazing and-“

A battle droid got too close to her, and she immediately spin-kicked its head off.

“-death.” Grimm sounded amused, “she’s a bringer of death.”

Cooper rolled his eyes, “our General is just protecting us.”

“Suite yourself,” Grimm injected his patient, “stop whining. It’s for the pain.”

Cooper moved on, catching up to Coyote who was tailing Boomerang.

“The General is going to get herself killed!” Boomerang barked, “the Hell is she doing?”

“She’s just stir crazy,” Coyote quipped, “we all are.”

“Retreat! Retreat!” The Command droid ordered.

“Run for it!” Another yelled happily taking the order.

They all began falling back, heading to where ever their base was hidden.

Juliette put her pistols back in their holsters, then walked back to Hardwire.

“That worked out,” Cooper sighed in relief.

“You sound worried,” Coyote said.

“You read the file,” Cooper stated, “who are we aiding.”

Coyote groaned, “oh yeah…”

As if cued, General Vos jumped down punching Coyote in the arm.

“Heya, boys,” Vos said, sounding like he was their best friend. “Did you miss me?”

They all mumbled some unenthusiastic jargon, which made Vos smile.

“Good talk,” he said, then went walking over to Juliette.

“So…” Boomerang broke the silence. “Do you think she’ll punch him?“

Cooper sighed, “she’s got another target in mind.”

“Does she?” Boomerang tilted his head. “Who?”

“Whoever made Shadow upset,” he answered, then began walking off.

Coyote said lowly to Boomerang, “should we warn Mirage?”

“Nope.” Boomerang stated.

Cooper kept walking, keeping that new information on file in his mind.

****

Vos must’ve sensed that Juliette wasn’t in a playful mood. When he came over, he complimented her armor with a pat on the helmet, and they began talking strategy.

Vos gave her another head pat, and then turned his attention to the Commander as she walked off contacting the ARFs on her comm.

A chill ran up Hardwire’s spine, making him involuntarily shiver.

“Well, Commander, you seem a little stressed,” Vos quipped. “Usually you’re a bit more hopeful and relaxed.”

“I’m fine,” Hardwire held his hands behind his back, “just my nerves, sir.”

“As long as you’re okay,” Vos said, “can’t let General Twix lose her favorite Commander Hardware.”

Hardwire sighed, “General Trix and Commander Hardwire.”

“Really?” He smiled, “I like my names better.”

Hardwire nodded, “they are amusing.”

He went to go rally up the men when Vos placed a hand calmly on his shoulder, “I’m sorry about your brother. I can tell she loved him.”

He pat his shoulder, and went off to check on the others.

Hardwire looked at his shoulder, then remembered him patting Juliette’s helmet. He remembered hearing rumors that Vos could see things when he touched objects.

Oh kriff.

****

“Alright,” Digger lowered his walker. “I got it unstuck. Try it now, vod.”

Zombie hopped back on his walker, “better.”

“I could’ve fixed it,” Hound mumbled.

“Next time,” Digger said, as someone tapped his shoulder.

He turned, lowering his head to look at his General.

“Which of you is assisting me?” Juliette asked, jumping straight to business.

“No nonsense,” Digger chuckled, “I like it.”

She sighed, “now, Sergeant. I have things to do.”

“So impatient,” he strolled over to his walker, “you’re going to be a joy to work with, Angel.”

“My name is Juliette,” she huffed.

“I know,” he hopped on his walker, “but I prefer Angel.”

She grumbled, “weirdo.”

“I know,” he held out his hand. “You’re riding with me.”

She sighed, giving him her hand.

Softly, he directed her where to put her feet, and rose the walker.

“Calico,” he addressed his second in command, “you’re in charge.”

“Obviously,” Calico saluted him.

They proceeded off, and he could feel her sulking behind him for the first mile.

“Hey?” Digger said softly.

She made an annoyed noise, indicating she was listening.

“You okay?” Digger asked, “you’re usually more optimistic and bright.”

“Not today,” she mumbled.

Digger pulled to the side, lowering behind the thick trees.

“Here’s the deal,” Digger looked over his shoulder, “I can’t focus if I think you’re not okay. Are you okay?”

She sighed, “I’m alright, I’m just annoyed with some of my troops.”

“Is it Grimm?” Digger asked, “he gets under my skin too.”

“No,” Juliette grumbled. “It’s Mirage. He’s fighting with a few of his brothers.”

“Ah,” Digger groaned, “he’s a bit of a hothead when something is bothering him.”

“Still doesn’t give him the right to say nasty things to his brothers,” she grumbled.

“That’s fair,” Digger agreed. “How about you focus on me instead? I’m much more pleasant.”

“Fine, you can tell me about yourself,” she defeatedly sighed, “just get us to that base.”

“Yes, Angel,” he rose back up again, “my favorite dessert is ice cream. Mint chocolate chip with hot fudge.”

“I prefer strawberry,” she replied.

“Strawberry,” he hummed, “noted.”

****

With Juliette off with one of the ARFs, Vos was now in control.

Mirage could see that Hardwire was making himself busy, so he wouldn’t stress out about the fact his General wasn’t there holding his hand as they waited to be called in.

Mirage groaned, rubbing his own hand.

Every time he fired his blaster, it was excruciating pain throughout his whole right hand.

He spotted Boomerang not far ahead, and wondered if he would put their fight aside to take a look at his hand or at least give him something to ease the sting. He got a little closer, but Boomerang looked back and immediately moved off elsewhere in a hurry.

Sighing, he looked around again and spotted Grimm with his blaster and Fury helping with the injured.

Better than no one.

He went over and asked, “could you take a look at my hand?”

Grimm groaned like it was a big job, “fine!”

Fury shook his head, “so dramatic, Grimm.”

“Be quiet,” Grimm passed him his rifle. “And hold this.”

He roughly took Mirage’s wrist, jerking him closer so he could look.

“Hold out your hand.”

He did.

“Wiggle your fingers.”

He did barely.

“Make a fist.”

He couldn’t close his hand all the way.

“Congratulations,” Grimm took off his kit, “you broke your hand.”

“What did you do?” Fury asked, “punch a droid?”

“A wall,” Mirage groaned, “I did it last night.”

“Your hand has been broken since last night?” Grimm asked, “are you serious?”

“What do you want me to do?” Mirage snapped. ��Boomerang and I aren’t speaking.”

“Don’t you mean Doc?” Grimm quipped.

“He’s only Doc when he’s my vod,” Mirage rolled his eyes, “and after he choked me out last night, he decided he hates me.”

“Really?” Grimm got off the glove, “kind of sounds like negligence if you ask me.”

“Maybe,” Mirage shrugged. “He didn’t know my hand was broken though.”

Grimm nodded along, “here’s something for the pain and I don’t recommend using this hand, so trade your blaster for a pistol and guard the injured when they inexplicably show up.”

Mirage sighed, “okay.”

Fury passed Grimm back his blaster, and said to Mirage, “if he gets on your nerves, comm me.”

Then he hurried off, leaving Mirage with Grimm.

Joy.

****

Using his macrobinoculars, Digger scanned the area. He counted seven droids on guard, three of which were commando droids.

“What’s your favorite color?” He scanned the next level.

“Pink,” she said, “and you?”

“Yellow,” he answered.

“Favorite flower?” She asked.

“Daffodils,” he peeked over at her, “and yours?”

“Daisies, also roses,” she paused, “lilacs too.”

“You like flowers, huh?” He went back to counting, “I’m more of a rock fellow myself.”

“So was Fang…”

She said it quietly, like she didn’t even realize she said it out loud in the first place.

Digger lowered his binoculars, turning his helmeted gaze towards her. Behind her helmet, she was unreadable, and yet he knew she was hurt.

“I heard a lot about him. Some good, some bad. However, I know just based off those stories he was a loved man, and you were loved beyond words.”

She stayed quiet.

He reached out, taking her hand, “I know you’ve heard all the apologies and sentimental condolences, but trust me when I say this. A lot of us clones don’t live long enough to find someone who sees us and loves us the way you loved him, or even understand what it’s like to be in love. I chased and searched for it, and it got me in the worst situations. The fact you still love him after he’s gone, that says everything.”

She turned to him, “can I ask you something? And be completely honest.”

“Of course you can. Ask away.”

“If I fell in love again with someone new, does that mean I never loved him? Does that mean we were a mistake or just a phase?”

Digger smiled under his helmet, “you can fall in love again. It doesn’t mean you can’t remember him from time-to-time and wonder. Your relationship wasn’t a mistake just because it ended in tragedy.”

“And moving on?” Juliette turned back to the base, “what if the man who wants me doesn’t want to wait?”

“That’s his loss,” Digger stated, “you’d be worth waiting for.”

Juliette shook her head, “we should focus.”

“Right then,” Digger lifted his macrobinoculars again, “I count twenty-five total.”

****

“Ready, Commander?” Vos asked punching his fist into his palm.

“Yes, sir,” Hardwire answered professionally, with his men quietly rallied behind him.

“Not like that,” Vos laughed, “where’s your enthusiasm? You boys are so stiff.”

Hardwire paused, tilting his head, “sir?”

Vos ran his hand over his face, “you and your General are nothing alike.”

“Ohhhhh…” Hardwire nodded, “I’ll try again.”

Vos asked again, “ready, Commander?”

“Sir, yes sir!” He said more pumped, feeling his boys follow his lead.

“There we go!” Vos declared, “let’s do this!”

They rushed in, following Vos into battle.

Somewhere inside that base, Juliette and Sergeant Digger were using their distraction to steal information from the main computer.

In and out, Hardwire reminded himself. Get the information, destroy the base, we go home in time for dinner.

****

It was weird having his General instead of his squad, but he enjoyed her company. He was also impressed by her enough to let her take point to better watch her.

She skillfully kept them out of sight from droids rushing to aid the battle.

Although, what he really liked was how—despite all his training—she still put her hand on his chest to halt him. He could remind her his main skills are tracking, scouting, and recon, but this was better.

Butterflies flew inside his stomach when she shoved him into a corner, holding him still with both hands on his chest. He didn’t even bother to look at the droids rushing past, he knew they were safe.

Her hands left his dirt stained armor, and she moved out again towards the control room.

He moved to the control panel, and popped it open.

“Think you can hold our position if any droids show up?” Digger teased her.

She pat his back, “you’re safe with me.”

He chuckled, “good to know.”

He began stripping the wires, humming to himself the current song stuck in his head.

“Your music taste sucks,” she remarked.

He snorted, “was my comm still open?”

“Yes,” she giggled, “that song is so old.”

“It’s a classic,” Digger began connecting wires.

“Whatever you say,” she shrugged.

“What’s your favorite song then?” Digger mused.

“If we live,” she said, “I’ll play it for you. Deal?”

“Deal,” he agreed, “get ready.”

The doors opened, and the droids immediately turned in confusion.

“Hey?“ one exclaimed, “how’d you get here?”

Juliette shot him in the head, dodged a shot and went in blasting each battle droid in the head like she was in a shooting range.

Digger let her, smiling under his helmet.

Once the last droid fell, she turned around looking at him still crotched down by the panel.

“You’re amazing,” he complimented.

“Suck up.”

She went to the main computer, shoving the dead droid to the side and pulling up the systematics.

“Huh,” Juliette inserted the drive, “I recognize these designs.”

“You do?“ Digger came to her side.

He was not prepared for what he was about to see listed off on that monitored.

Torture devices.

Brutal, bloody, and violent ideas to do to prisoners of war. They’d be used on him, his brothers, Jedi, any Republic citizen of use to further the Separatist plans.

“These are Ferris’s ideas,” she whispered.

“Who’s Ferris?” Digger asked.

She scrolled through, “he was a boy I knew from childhood. We played games together when we were little. Then he started wanting to hurt people and we drifted apart. My buir never liked him after he tried using me as a test subject.”

Digger felt his stomach tying in knots, “I really don’t like this.”

“Neither do I,” she tapped something, and froze.

An image of a man in all black and a gold metal suit filled the screen.

“Juliette?” Digger nudged her, “is that him?”

Juliette didn’t answer.

“Angel?”

“Murderer.”

“What do you mean? What are you-“

“That’s him,” she growled, “that monster is the man who killed my buir.”

#caribou stories #caribou ocs #952nd #star wars #star wars the clone wars #juliette trix #commander hardwire #sergeant cooper #boomerang #arc trooper mirage #coyote #sergeant digger

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cc-cobalt-1043 · 2 years

Text

The batch playing monopoly:

Crosshair: I HATE ALL OF YOU

Tech: science is all mine, IT'S ALL MINE

Wrecker: I AM THE BUILDING MASTER, THE CITY SHALL TREMBLE BEFORE IT'S EMPOROR

Hunter: I SHALL BEAT YOU ALL, IT IS INEVITABLE

Cobalt: I'M LEAVING AND TAKING ALL THE KIDS WITH ME

Trix: *picking up the box* I think that's enough monopoly for today

#the bad batch #clone force 99 #star wars #bad batch crosshair #bad batch hunter #bad batch cobalt (oc)#bad batch tech #bad batch wrecker #arc trooper trix (oc)#monopoly #trix is the only sane person playing

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comm-caribou · 1 year

Text

Chapter Seventeen: The Jig is Up:

Word Count: 1.5k

Warnings: none (let me know if I missed any!)

————

It wasn’t the fact he didn’t want to talk again openly. There was a very good reason Tracks was keeping his speaking abilities to himself and five of his brothers.

The first was the fact people trusted him enough to share their raw thoughts with him.

The second, it was cheap entertainment and an unique challenge for him. Not laughing at his brothers’ dumb jokes out loud was the biggest one.

He usually ate his food, focusing on what Juliette and Cosmos were talking about, or observing Dabbler sketch out designs for his armor while practicing his own skills.

Today was too quiet.

Juliette just picked at her breakfast, leaning on Cosmos looking tired.

“Could you not sleep last night?” Squirrel asked.

“Not really,” Juliette answered, “it was a very eventful night.”

“You did look beautiful,” Dabbler complimented, “I bet everyone wanted to talk to you.”

Ace came and sat down, “hi, Juliette.”

“Hi, Ace,” she murmured.

“Sleepyhead,” Cosmos chuckled, “you should’ve called me.”

“I’m okay,” she folded her arms on the table, “I’m just going to take a quick nap.”

Tracks smirked, and picked up his tray.

Even on a bad night, Juliette always gets her sleep. She can’t function without it. Therefore, something happened last night. And Hardwire wasn’t the last to see her. Bet this will be a good distraction for Boomerang from his own stress.

****

Boomerang bounced his leg up and down, staring at the biochip that he cut out of his brothers head. If he stared at it long enough, maybe it would give him answers. That was what he was hoping for, even though it was wishful thinking.

The medbay door opened, and Boomerang quickly swiped up the little glass slide.

“What’s your deal?” Grimm grunted as he went to the supply closest.

“Just thinking,” he answered. “Do you actually care?”

“Not really,” Grimm sifted through the different gauzes, “but I’m good at pretending.”

Boomerang rolled his eyes, “comforting words from a medic.”

Grimm found what he was looking for, and closed the supply closet.

“What are you even doing?” Boomerang asked.

“Do you actually care?” Grimm quipped.

Boomerang groaned, “I’m sorry for the attitude.”

“Don’t be, it’s less annoying than your usual wit,” Grimm stated, “and, since you asked, last night the ARFs got into a scuffle. I’m now resupplying my pack.”

Boomerang snorted, “wow, you did your job.”

“There it is,” Grimm rolled his eyes, “the annoying jokes are back. Therefore, I did my job again.”

“Ha!” Boomerang watched him leave, and then Tracks slipped in.

Once the door shut, Tracks turned to him, “the General didn’t sleep last night.”

“Okay?” Boomerang sat up straighter.

“I don’t think it was a tossing and turning kind of didn’t sleep,” Tracks explained, “I sit next to her for almost every meal, and she tells Cosmos, Dabbler, and Squirrel everything. Including nightmares.”

Boomerang grinned, “I love when you give me mysteries to solve. Should we get the gang together?”

“I already told Coyote to get Mirage,” Tracks sat down. “And I have theories.”

****

Cosmos didn’t take himself as much of a reader, but Juliette claimed this was her favorite book. When she asked if he wanted to borrow it, he couldn’t just say no.

It was like his best friend gave him a piece of her soul. He had to decipher why this one was the favorite out of all the books in the galaxy. Why this author’s words spoke to her and why this plot resonated with her.

Which is why he was sitting on the floor of her room, reading a book and snacking.

Juliette was tiredly sketching, occasionally nodding off and quickly shaking her head clear.

“Starlight,” Cosmos cooed, “just take a little nap.”

“I’m fine,” she muttered.

“We’re on Coruscant for one more day,” he said calmly, “go to bed.”

A smile crossed her face.

He knew that smile far too well.

It was the same smile she had when she was thinking about Fang, right when they began dating. The early on smiles, the giddy smiles, the crush smile.

“Talk to me, Starlight,” Cosmos shut the book, “who are you thinking about?”

“No one,” Juliette smiled bigger.

Cosmos gasped, “you stayed up all night chatting with someone. Who?”

Juliette turned to him, her face all rosy and glowing.

Cosmos got up, presenting his pinky, “tell me who.”

She looped her pinky with his, “we’re just talking.”

“Who?” Cosmos urged.

“It’s…” she moved closer to his ear, “Commander Fox.”

Cosmos gasped, “wait, when? How?”

“Last night he called me after my panic attack,” Juliette gushed, “it was so sweet. He was checking in on me, and we started talking, and talking, and… I don’t know, I just like talking to him. It’s just a crush, I think. It’ll pass. We’re not going to get together.”

I mean, I did tell her to consider moving on soon. Fox is pretty safe on Coruscant, and he’s not too bad a vod. She could do way worse than the Commander who barely sleeps. Besides, I know this will be a fling. My choice still has a chance. But, for now…

Cosmos thought for a moment, “If you want, I happen to know his caf order.”

****

“I have connected the dots.”

“You connected nothing, Pretty Boy.”

“Yes I have, because I connected the dots.”

Boomerang groaned, “Juliette loves her beauty sleep. She doesn’t have insomnia now.”

“She might,” Coyote shrugged. “Maybe she took advice from Squirrel.”

“The reason Squirrel doesn’t sleep is because he has bad nightmares,” Tracks stated. “Real bad.”

“Maybe she has bad nightmares too,” Mirage stated.

Boomerang rubbed his temples, “let’s go back to the facts.”

“She had a panic attack last night, she didn’t sleep, she didn’t talk today but was in a good mood,” Tracks stated, “and she didn’t talk openly about it.”

“So what could it be?” Coyote asked, “an act?”

The medbay door opened, and Tracks went dead quiet. If it wasn’t Ace or Hardwire, he wasn’t going to speak a word and blow his cover.

Instead, it was Shadow that entered.

He stood there for a minute, then went over and sat on the bed with them.

“Hey, Shadow,” Mirage said, “what’s—“

“I’m an excellent observer,” Shadow stated.

“Okay…?” Boomerang raised an eyebrow.

Shadow turned to Mirage, “I know you had brain surgery. I know Boomerang found something.”

Mirage’s eyes widened, and Boomerang opened his mouth and closed it like a stunned fish.

“I know Coyote buries himself in work,” then he fixed his gaze on Tracks, “and I know you can talk.”

Tracks felt a corner of his lip tug upwards, “damn, you’re direct.”

Shadow looked at all of them, “I was ostracized in the 501st, and you all wanted me. Specifically you vods wanted me here. I don’t want to be ostracized by you guys, but I feel like you’re forgetting me.”

“Shadow,” Mirage frowned, “we’re sorry.”

“Yeah, it’s just…” Coyote trailed off.

“We kind of are doing some secret stuff that no one can know about,” Tracks explained, “we were trying to keep it on the down low.”

“Like gossiping about the General’s crush?” Shadow put his chin to his fist, “they may have been whispering, but the door to her quarters were open when she was telling Cosmos about him.”

Tracks blinked.

Coyote’s jaw dropped.

“Wait,” Mirage shook his head, “she has a crush?”

“On who?” Boomerang pressed.

Shadow pretended to zip his lip, “I can keep secrets too.”

Boomerang went over, shaking Shadow’s shoulders, “tell us!”

“You can be part of the group,” Mirage coaxed.

“You’re clearly the smartest one here,” Tracks nudged Shadow.

Boomerang fixed him a look, “I will hurt you, Too Tall.”

Shadow grinned, “if Cosmos finds out I found out, you all got to protect me.”

“Deal!” Coyote stated, “just tell me it’s someone who won’t hurt her. I promised Fang I’d watch out for her on his deathbed.”

“Okay, okay,” Shadow held up his hands. “It’s not that bad. Keep in mind it’s merely a crush, they’re not dating.”

****

Cosmos stood with Juliette outside the Republic Military base just looking at the big complex while she gathered her bearings.

In her hands, she held a fresh caf in a warm cup.

“It’s just a thank you gift.” Cosmos reminded her, “it’s not a big, grand gesture or declaration of love. He’s probably going take it, say thank you, make some small talk, and send you on your merry way.”

Cosmos gently placed his hand on her back, giving her a little push to get her feet going.

“There’s nothing to be scared of,” Cosmos assured, “if he hurts your feelings, I’ll go in there and straighten him out.”

“Won’t you get in trouble?” Juliette asked over her shoulder.

“Hardwire will bail me out,” Cosmos assured, after he straightens Fox out a second time.

#caribou stories #caribou ocs #952nd #star wars #star wars the clone wars #juliette trix #cosmos #tracks #boomerang #arc trooper mirage #sergeant cooper

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