Introductions
They and the various other members of their squadron are in a barracks of a starship leaving Kamino. The ship is called The Warden. They are part of the first batch of clones.
Cook (played by Dallas), living up to his name, is a decent enough cook! He can make the MRE’s actually palatable, earning his nickname. He scrolls in his datapad, learning new recipes from cookbooks he’s downloaded. Tower (played by Evan) is polishing his gun, his baby. Its a large two handed gatling gun. Ever since he was but a boy he knew he wanted to be holding one of these bad boys. CT-28 (played by Michaela) is relaxing on his bed, at the top bunk. He’s a sniper and keeps his rifle on his bed next to him. This is generally considered odd, but the troopers accept 28’s eccentricities without much questioning it.
One of their other squad members is called 09, with a large tattoo with the same name on the back of his neck. He helps out Tower with upkeep on the gun. He is very close with Tower, complete ride or die. They are brothers on all levels. They don’t need to speak out loud as they do maintenance on the gun. Hal is munching on some MRE’s. He loves the disgusting nutrient paste that comes in their packets. He has some bad breath as a result, but he’s the most jacked out of the group. CT-7576 is a clone who cares a lot about rules and regulations. He keeps all his equipment in perfect working order and refuses to answer to any nicknames. That doesn’t prevent from the others calling him Tinny, or Tinman. CT-3833, AKA Trip, is in a zenlike state in his bunk. He’s not quite meditating, but he’s very calm. Doc is a caffeine addicted anxious fella with an odd rash. He’s the crew’s medic who hangs out near Trip, probably hoping his demeanor rubs off on him. Their sergeant is another clone with a killer tattoo in a Mandalorian style of a helmet’s visor across his face. He is a no nonsense type of commander in green armor. He doesn’t go by a nickname, but everyone calls him Sarge.
The crew has had some very bad luck in all their combat practices. While underperforming by all metrics, they simply never have good luck when it comes to droids. They seem to malfunction constantly and in the most ass backwards ways. Tower has a lazy eye as a result of being punched by a droid. 28’s odd chemical burns came from when he shot one and some acid splashed on him. They had recently lost CT-4146 in a freak accident during training.
Sarge calls the crew to attention. They stand and salute, snapping in position from their relaxation. He tells the group that instead of receiving a new clone brother, the squad will receive a new “specialist.” A small trash can that looks sloppily spray painted white and orange rolls up. Several of the clones give the droid a stink eye. This is R4T7 (played by Kalyn), the crew’s new tech specialist. It is in charge of maintaining equipment and is capable of piloting. Tinny is capable of speaking binary and translates R4T7’s beeping and booping with the rest of the squad. R4T7 is very excited to be joining the squad. It is quickly called Rat as the party sees its name spray painted on the side. The squad is resistent to a droid joining up, especially given their previous luck, but are happy enough to have someone with some know how to fix issues with data pads.
Technically Downtime!
Without a proper ship to fly, Rat is bored out of its mind. It wasn’t aware this was in its programming, but with nothing to do, it yearns to fly a ship. It repeatedly tries and fails to yoink a ship. Though while touring around the ship bay, Rat does find a jedi cruiser. While arguing with the jedi’s astromech, the jedi eventually turns up and speaks to Rat. The jedi is interested in Rat and asks many questions. He is a human with a scar on the right side of his face with a prosthetic eye. He seems genuinely kind and wants to help Rat get a ship to fly.
In the few weeks the clones have before going on their mission, they’ve been filling their time with different things. Cook is locked out of the kitchen by the hired chefs who do not want him there. Tower and 28 spend time in the shooting range. 09 helps Tower out with this. They even see their commanding officer in the firing range as well.
Sarge announces general on deck and the clones scramble to attention. The jedi general introduces himself as Tycho Vandan. He speaks with the party, genuinely interested in getting to know them. He explains they’re headed to Alleko, a system in the outer mid rim. It’s a minor planet, but along a major trade route. Since the war started, the dominion has separated from the republic. Three of the five planets fully, the other two are currently in a civil war over what direction they will move. We are there to help secure. We are there to show the system that the military is strong and isn’t to be trifled with.
He asks if there are any questions the party has. Cook asks if he can be let back into the kitchen. Tycho says “I’ll see what I can do.”
There’s two more weeks before the platoon arrives at Alleko. One of the droids has wheeled up a serving cart blocking the door to the kitchen. Cook cannot cook and he’s not happy about it. Rat attempts to make some extra cash as a jukebox. There are several issues with this considering its speakers are busted and can’t play the same song twice. Literally incapable. No one tips it, but no one stops it either. 28 and Tower spend their time training. Hal and 09 are backing Cook up to the kitchen staff and want to help him breaking into the kitchen. Sarge takes notice when they create a makeshift battering ram and commands them to go back to the barracks. They listen.. for now.
Parade
The entire battalion of clones are loaded to head planetside. They feel very epic and cool as hell looking. They are greeted by a young woman, Sabibe Alikine, surrounded by a decorated and ornate setting. They are here for the sole purpose of being imposing, which amounts to standing behind the general stock still. After several hours, the woman leaves and the clones are free to make camp and get ready for tomorrow’s parade. Cook is immediately excited that he can now cook for the squad! The group thinks of ways they can requisition some cooking supplies. They talk about potentially stealing some supplies from their ships, until Sarge overhears. Cook, Tower, and 28 argue that Cook should be allowed to cook, his food is way better than the MRE’s. Before Sarge can punish the crew, the commander 00 says that Cook should get some access to food. He orders the clones to follow.
The four party members in addition to the rest of their squad follow him with their weapons and armor. 00 walks the crew to a citizen’s general store and announces that all their materials are now owned by the Republic and they will be compensated within the week. Cook is very excited as he picks out various different meats, veggies, fruits, and spices.
After getting back to camp, Cook is able to cook his stew! It isn’t great, not his best work, but it’s a vast improvement than their normal rations. Other platoons come over to eat some, giving their own shares of rations in return.
In the morning, the legions assemble ready for parade. Everyone’s polished their armor and weaponry, even Rat looks close to shiny. They walk along the cities with tanks, vehicles, and the legions of soldiers with gigantic walkers behind them. The crew feels proud and cool as hell, with the exception of 28 who doesn’t like the attention. And Rat who doesn’t really know what’s going on. Many of the civilians seem to cheer and welcome the Republic, but just as many seem uninterested and even hostile. Rat sees some people in the background in the windows of buildings running around, getting objects out of boxes. Rat communicates this to higher ups, but as it does this, the clones hear a crashing sound as a speeder zooms straight for the parade, veering into a wall, detonating it into a cloud of smoke, killing civilians and burying them in an avalanche of rubble.