Ct-4973 - Tumblr Posts
The Lucky Batch ☘️
TW: Minor Character death, brief mention of blood, angst, guilt, let me know if I missed any.
Skip was…. confusing to say the least, Kenhla decided while scrolling through his file. She had asked Raffle for his file on account of his behavior whenever she went near him. He wasn’t rude or snarky but it seemed as if he was scared of him. She had half the mind to ask Jackal who Skip tried to stay near as much as possible, but he wouldn’t budge. Scrolling through the file she discovered new information about the clone but none that would help progress her investigation. “CT-4973, nicknamed Skip, is currently the gunner for Clone Force 37. He acts as their gunner and back-up pilot. Known for skipping debriefings.” she snorted. ‘At least I know where he got his name, but this isn’t helping.’ Continuing to scan the file she came across a bit of information that she read multiple times to make sure she understood correctly. “What the hell?”
Skip enjoyed staying in his nest. Twirling the blade in his fingers and looking out across the stars was calming. His memories couldn’t invade him here, at least he thought they couldn’t until the general walked through the curtain. Spinning around in his seat he quickly spat “Get out.” The togruta ignored him instead opting to toss him a datapad with his file. He quickly shut his eyes realizing what was about to happen. “You graduated top of your class in hand-to-hand combat. Why are you a gunner?” “I said. Get. Out. Please, I don’t want to talk about this.” “Whatever is going on with you I can hel-” “YOU CAN'T HELP! YOU CAN’T BRING THEM BACK! SO GET OUT!” Skip had risen out of his seat with tears spilling down his face. Kenhla took a step back with mild shock at his outburst, “I cant bring who back?” Realization coursed through his veins at what he said and decided to curl up in his seat. “Skip, you can talk to me.” The togruta said kneeling in front of the clone. “I know what it feels like to lose someone close to you. Please let me help you.” Memories flashed through his mind, the laughter, their smile, and their scream of pain. Tears started to fall faster and Skip inhaled deeply. “When I first joined 37 they were stationed on Krios. Raffle told me to become closer with the Togrutas living in the city we were aiding so I did. There was one that was named Jayln and he was my first friend outside of my squad. Whenever I was off duty we would explore the areas outside the city walls, go swimming in a nearby lake or even pull pranks on my brothers.” He shakily said while giving his general a small smile. “We were best friends, and I'm the reason he’s gone.” Kenhla stood up pulling him into a hug, “Can you tell me what happened?” Skip wrapped his arms impossibly tight around her scared she would vanish but continued with the story.
How could he of been so dumb? He should have known to block the sewers. He should have been in the city. These and a million others crowded his mind as he raced towards the city square vaulting over fallen droids and striking any that were still functioning with a swift jab of his knife. The knife Jaylen gave him, the same knife that would kill him. Arriving in the city square he saw most of the droids were already taken care of, much to his relief and Raffle ordered him and Jackal to find any hostages that were taken. Bolting down the hallways the two came to a stop when the hallway branched in two. “You take left, I'll take the right.” Jackal panted. Nodding Skip took off down the left running through the maze of hallways until coming to the control room where the tactical droids stood. He counted four droids and a handful of hostages before bursting into the room aiming for the neck of each droid. Spinning around to throw his knife at the last droid, it leaving his fingers before he could analyze what was going on. The remaining tactical droid was reaching for a hostage and pulled them in front to protect themselves. A hostage with red montrals. A hostage that Skip had spent the past month growing closer to. A hostage that now had the same blade that had once been a gift now buried in his chest. A scream erupted from Jaylen as he crumpled to the floor caught by the clone. “No. No, no, no, no, Jaylen cmon stay with me. I’m so sorry.” Ripping his helmet off he immediately tried to stop the bleeding but to no avail. A small laugh escaped the togrutas lips as he pushed his forehead against the clones ``It's ok. I don’t blame you.” Each word shaky on his tongue. “I’ll always be with you, for our friendship is infinite.”
“Jackal dragged me from the room. He’s the only one who knows what happened.” Kenhla allowed the clone before her weep for his fallen friend until his sniffles turned into deep breaths. “That's why you have the tattoo. Isn’t it?” Skip nodded, “You look just like him. That's why I hated being near you. You remind me of him.” “I’m so sorry Skip.”
That day forward the clone in The Lucky Batch noticed the growing bond between their gunner and general as well as the protectiveness that Skip usually saved for his brothers being shown towards the togruta. They all decided not to mention it but they were happy that Skip was comfortable around the General. Jackal was the proudest knowing the backstory and asked Pepper to give him a ‘I’m proud sticker’. The sticker now rests on the handle of the knife he keeps in his back pocket waiting for the day its user is willing to use it in battle once more.
@maygaladon @monako-jinn-stories @foxlock @letsunity @just-another-dreamerr @lavenderstaars @radbatch @lusiawonder @oo-hazel-oo and any other lucky batch member I missed!