The Bad Batch: Book 2

Part 37: The Outpost

Crosshair's POV 

I was standing next to the ship supporting myself against my blaster. Troopers were walking past me, and some looked at me briefly before walking past. I didn't care about the stares that I got. I stopped carrying about that weeks ago. Three troopers walked past me onto the ship. 

Bragg: "The Empire thanks you for your years of service and wishes you well on your retirement." 

I looked to my left to see her walking past me with three clones behind her. 

Clone: "Huh. Forced retirement. We are soldiers. What are we supposed to do now?" 

Bragg: "Please direct all the questions and concerns to the Imperial Information Bureau." 

I watched them as they walked past me. Retirement. A word no clone wanted to hear. 

Voice: "CT-9904?" 

Looking to my left I saw a man standing next to me. He was dressed warmly. His eyes looked up and down. 

Man: "You're out of uniform." 

Tossing the toothpick on the ground I placed my gun against the ship and my helmet over my head. I turned my body towards the man. 

Man: "I'm Lieutenant Nolan, your commander officer for this mission. We're heading to the Imperial Depot on Brton-4. Local insurgents have targeted high-value cargo stored there. We're to secure it until it's transferred at week's end." 

Clone 1: "At least it's a field mission." 

Clone 2: "No kidding." 

A sight left Nolan's mouth as he rolled his eyes. 

Nolan: "Fantastic. More clones." 

Me: "Problem, sir?" 

Nolan: "Yes. I don't like used equipment. Let's go." 

He stepped onto the ship. With a sigh, I took my blaster and followed him. The doors behind me closed and we were on our way. The whole ride there I set in complete silence. As we landed Nolan stepped out of the ship first as the three clones followed him. Stepping on the ice he slipped a little making a smile appear on my face. He turned around and pushed the clone that was behind his back. 

Nolan: "You! Guard the ship!" 

Turning around he began to walk towards the base with the other two clones behind him. Stepping out of the ship I looked around then I followed them. The cold wind was howling threw the wally. Even in this armor, I could still feel the cold. Coming to the stairs that led up to the doors I began to step on them after others. As the two other clones stayed outside I stepped inside together with Nolen. 

Two droids were inside working on the cargo but there was no clone to be seen. Nolan approached one and I followed. 

Nolan: "Where is your supervisor?" 

The droid looked back at him but said nothing. It continued working. 

Voice: "You must be our reinforcements." 

Looking to my right I saw a clone. He had longer hair and a beard. Something unusual for a clone. 

Clone: "We expected you 36 rotations ago." 

He said as he crossed his hands and placed his back against the cargo. 

Clone: "Did you get lost?" 

Nolan: "We work on the Emprie's schedule, trooper, not yours." 

Clone: "It's Commander, Lieutenant."