Spartans, Weapons for War

Change isnt a bad thing

    Soon enough the adventures Ash went on came to an end and she returned to Delta and Omega squad years later, now 14 years old, and already looking like a unique individual. She had about stopped growing in height almost entirely and stood at around 5 feet even, shorter than a standard clone trooper. She had grown to show more of her advanced physical characteristics as well, she was slight and wiry, slender and thin. She looked like she hadn't been eating enough but she was, her metabolism was just extremely fast but not fast enough to negatively affect her health. She had grown quite strong despite her looks.

Zack had her partake in brutal strength exercises, that would almost certainly kill anyone else, over the years to build her strength while Phoebe monitored it. Eventually it increased to astounding levels and her advanced muscular system was the additional tissues being folded against each other and her still being 14, they haven't completely expanded yet due to her still growing. The likelihood of her getting taller though was very unlikely. And she was almost done with getting taller.

Zack had Ash and Caitlin navigating through the Rishi Maze and to Vindemai, while him and Phoebe were carefully monitoring, ready to step in if needed.
"Careful now, you got this just pay attention to where you're going." Zack instructed his daughter and cadet, externally staying calm but internally he was flipping out. "Relax Zack I got this." Ash boldly exclaimed as she quickly sped in between two large meteorites, scraping one of the wings against it. Phoebe tripped and fell backwards because of this and Ash kept going, just barely getting out of there safely. "Ash!! You're repairing that.." Caitlin replied, trying her best not to yell at her friend. Zack didn't like yelling when they were in a lesson and Caitlin didn't feel like getting a lecture while also trying to fly the damn ship.

By the skin of their teeth they managed to get through the atmosphere and descend towards the planet of Vindemai. Ash looked back at the place she called home, in her heart she eagerly awaiting her reunion with her brothers, but externally she looked concentrated while her mind was going a million miles a minute.

Caitlin looked at Ash and playfully pounded her on the shoulder with her fist, grinning at her friend "Something on your mind Ashy?" Caitlin asked. Ash rolled her eyes "Wouldn't you like to know Kitty."sassily remarked childishly sticking her tongue out at her friend. Caitlin giggled and let her off the hook, for now. Phoebe was unamused by their carelessness and aggravated by Ash not apologizing for her running into the massive meteor earlier that sent Phoebe flying out of the cockpit and crashing into the bay door in the cargo hold. She held and ice pack on her head and she was about to say something as Ash landed the ship and walked over to her.

"I'm sorry for not thinking beforehand, are you hurt badly Phoebe?" Ash asked, she looked genuinely sorry as her eyes held the true weight of her words. Phoebe sighed and pat her head. "I'm fine Ak'ida. Go on say hello to your brothers. I'm sure they've missed you." Phoebe explained and Ash ran outside ready to see 99, Delta, and Omega squad again. She was stopped though as she passed the ship and looked at the wing she rammed into the meteorite. It wasn't snapped off but it was scratched up pretty badly, and part of the meteor was stuck in the wing. It didn't cause a lot of damage but it would take a long time to buff out. Ash was distracted by the silvery metallic rock, and she hopped onto the wing to get a closer look at it. It reflected the suns rays having an iridescent sheen on it as the light reflected on it, and Ash scanned it to make sure it was clear of all radiation or whatever possible harmful elements could be left on it. After the device beeped green meaning it was safe, Ash went about to prying it out of the wing.

Boss and the rest of the clones had been watching this from the window and after coming outside they met up with Zack, Phoebe, and Caitlin before hollering up at Ash from the ground. "Ash. What are you doing?" Fi yelled at her from below. "This rock is stuck in the wing- I'm trying to get it out." Ash strained as she put her whole body weight into getting the meteorite out of the wing. Zack hopped up and so did Boss, and they took a look at it. Before helping her attempt to yank the damn rock off the wing. "Ash you're repairing this damage after we remove this rock." Zack demanded. Ash nodded and continued to try to pry the meteor out. And with the help of Darman and Sev, they managed to pop it out.
Ash caught it and lost her balance falling off the wing, with the rock landing on her stomach, she was fine but got the wind knocked out of her.
Boss hopped down and snickered softly at his sister's silly fall. And squatted down by her "You alright there sis?" Ash was wheezing and gave a strained reply "I'm good" she coughed and then got up. And held up the meteorite.

It was beautiful, and heavy, she continued to shine it in the sunlight, mesmerized by its iridescent sheen. Boss chuckled softly and of his little sister's head. "Mind putting that down for a second lil sis?" He asked. She put it down and then Boss immediately hugged her, picking her up and spinning her around in a circle. She was not expecting that to happen and she was a little bit embarrassed by it so naturally her adorable face flushed. And it didn't help when Boss gave her a big kiss on her cheek. She adorably blushed as Boss smothered her in love and hugs. He missed her terribly in the years where they were apart, and he wasn't letting her go anytime soon.

He carried her in his arms inside and held her in his lap while hugging her. Scorch and Sev were laughing their asses off at Ash's red face. This didn't seem to be ending anytime soon as Omega squad got in on welcoming their sister back home, Darman being the first to imitate the cuddle pile while Ash was an adorable blushing mess. They spent time together, watching movies, eating and catching up.

Zack and Phoebe joined them, and after Delta and Omega Squad were done with their group hug, Ash and Caitlin were outside playing a sport together that was native to this planet. It involved hitting a ball over and across a net that was raised off the ground. They were having fun and they invited 99 to play with them as well. He played with them within his abilities. He had gotten a surgery awhile back to fix his legs and hunchback, so now he had the ability to run and walk normally. He had a lot of fun, but it came to an end when Ash got a little bit carried away with having fun and accidentally smacked 99 in the face with the ball.

He was ok but it hit him hard enough to give him a small nosebleed, and his eyes watered. Ash rushed to his side and helped him up. "99! I am so very sorry! Are you alright!?" She asked, panicking quite a bit. Her panic was subsided as 99 began laughing softly. "You have one hell of a throwing arm, I bet you'd be good at throwing grenades, or punching droids." He reassured her, smiled softly and patted her head. Ash was dumbfounded and helped him off the ground. "Let's take a break for a little bit." She and Caitlin helped 99 to the front of the base where the other adults were and Ash got him some tissues for his nosebleed.

He took the tissues and stuffed them in his nose while sipping some juice. Ash was right by his side, still looking and feeling guilty for causing the whole thing. 99 notices this and patted her back "You're making a big deal about nothing. Accidents happen, and you've already apologized and I forgive you for it. So stop dwelling on it, please." He smiled, reassuring her once more. She nodded and felt a bit better.

The atmosphere was calm and quiet after that, but it didn't stay that way as Boss got an alert that a Sepratist fleet had entered the system, and everyone immersed sprung into action, preparing their weapons and equipment.

99 headed to warn the local population nearby about what was happening with Caitlin, Phoebe, and Zack while the clones got ready for action. "Hey Ash, come here for a second." Fixer ordered her, she ran over and he handed her a crate. "This was supposed to be a birthday gift but you'll need it. Go put it on quickly." Ash nodded and ran into her room, opened the crate, and she was in awe at what was in it.

It was an armor set, custom made for her. She put it on and noted how light it was, it was easy to move around in as well, but there wasn't a helmet there. She didn't have time to look for it so she threw on the scarf and goggles that came with it, grabbing her rifle and following her brothers to set up their counter attack on their ship.

She was nervous but trying to concentrate on the task at hand while checking all of her gear, making sure that everything was ready. This wasn't her first fight but it was the first by her brother's sides, it was also a right of passage for her. Shortly after this she will go into the Galactic Marines and be completely on her own, only under the supervision of Commander Bacara, she knew that he only expected the absolute best from his troopers.

She was determined to do her best but she couldn't shake her anxiety and fidgeted with her hands. Boss noticed this and held one of her hands gently "Everything is going to be alright, just stay close. You're very capable and efficient. Zack told me about your snake kill and I know you'll be fine. Alright?" He reassured her that everything was going to be okay, and she felt a bit better about the situation. "Alright." She told him, and awaited for Darman to get them within the ship, wondering what would happen once they got there. In her head she kept saying something to herself 'it's going to be okay, it's going to be okay, it's going to be okay..' over and over again, before the ship busted through the hangar bay and all the clones ran out of the ship, taking their shots at the droids in their way.

{TO BE CONTINUED :3}