"I was programmed to handle hard situations, Sir."
"Yes, but he was quite close to you, wasn't he? Did he say anything? Every piece of information he possessed could help us win the war. Isn't that what you want?" The Chancellor watches me closely...
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Day 738 SK Destination: Anaxes 0700 hours
"You called?" I fall into line beside Rex as he walks toward the huge base built into a rockwall. He signaled me to fly solo to the planet of Anaxes, where there's a recently converted republic base of operations set up. Peg trots beside me happily. Around us, clones move things, scout perimeter, or take inventory. I recognize the Bad Batch's ship nearby. They must have helped take the base from the Separatists.
"We identified a live distress call from a member of the 501st; Echo. We thought he died a long time ago, but if this is really him, we've got to get him back," Rex explains. "I was hoping you'd help us."
"The Pack can manage without me for a few days," I reply with a smile. He stops and I turn back to watch him, confused. He shifts the duffel bag on his shoulder open, and pulls out an ARC shoulder pauldron. It fans out on both sides, with a small pouch on the front. I recognize this one, because Jesse wears one just like it.
This one belonged to Fives.
Gently, I take it. It's smaller than I remember. "What did you do to it?" I run my fingers over the chipped gray and blue paint.
"You're being granted the temporary rank of ARC for this mission," Rex says. I stare at him. That title is reserved for experienced, skilled troops. It isn't given lightly. "General Skywalker thought it would be appropriate if we were having you along. The boys and I stayed up late altering Fives' set to fit you."
I smile. "Give me ten minutes."
Sure enough, ten minutes later I emerge from the base dressed in a full set of 501st blue ARC armor, with a small 5 painted onto my right temple. Rex, General Skywalker, and the Bad Batch are waiting for me by the ship.
"Glad you could make it, Sniper," General Skywalker says.
I nod, offering a proud smile. "Thanks for calling me. I have to admit that I wasn't expecting the ARC armor, though." I knock the plate sticking off my left shoulder. It's bulkier than I'm used to, but still smaller than it was when Fives wore it.
"We figured you'd earned it," Rex says, holding out a set of pristine new blasters. They match his, a special made type for ARCs, non-standard. I slide them into the holsters on my waist with a smile.
"Let's get moving!" the General calls. We fly in the Batch's ship for Echo's location on Skako Minor, a nearby planet. The General thought it would be better if Peg stayed at the Anaxes base, because we're not sure what to expect. I sit in the copilot seat by Tech, while the others stand in the back, talking. I block them out, focusing on the ship instead. It feels good to be flying.
"Usually Wrecker helps me," Tech says. I glance at him, flipping a switch.
"This isn't a "usual" situation," I reply.
"You haven't activated your tracking beacon."
"That's because nothing's happened yet. And shh!" I raise a finger to my lips. "Hunter can probably hear us."
