SWRC: Tales of the Clone Wars (Book 2.5)

Chapter 7 Preparations.

After arriving at the slightly distant planet of Mykapo, Neeran and Orange Company 49 were greeted by the resident clone battalion and a couple of the higher senior commanders of the Mykapo military.

"Master Jedi," greeted one of the commanders, whom Tye assumed was the most senior of the group. "What brings you to Mykapo?"

Tye removed his helmet and placed it on his hip as Neeran explained, "We've been sent by the Jedi Council to help secure your defences against an incoming invasion that we've intercepted a transmission from and can confirm is on its way."

"We've heard nothing about this," said the commander. "Surely the Commander here would have heard something about this invasion if it was really imminent."

"We've only just received word about it not less than a rotation ago," replied Neeran. "The transmission would not have come through yet."
"With all due respect," started the clone commander, who also had his helmet off. "There is nothing going on here that would require the assistance of another company to be added to our regiment."

"Your entire planet is in trouble," snapped Tye. "There's a Separatist invasion on the way and you can't even acknowledged it!"
"Captain," said Neeran seriously. Tye realised that he'd spoken out of turn and wisely shut up.
"Sorry, Neeran," apologised Tye quietly, although not quietly enough.

"Show your commander some respect!" said the resident clone commander and, in that instant, made Tye want to kill the man. Neeran continued to hold Tye back as she looked murderously over at the commander and said,
"You clearly do not know about my company, so keep quiet about what they say or do."

That had shut the commander up and Tye realised that he'd almost lost control again. Hiding his confusion, Tye quietly continued to watch the meeting though constantly going over in his mind as to what was happening and what had caused his sudden outburst, until Neeran broke his concentration.
"Tye," she said softly to him. "Go make sure everyone settles in okay. We'll need you all soon enough."
"Yes Neeran," replied Tye, as he left the group and Neeran watched cautiously after him as he left and she followed the command group into the compound.

Tye yelled in frustration as he entered the room he'd been allocated with the rest of his company.
"Tye, what is going on?" asked Tick following after him in a desperate attempt to get answers as to his captains unusual behaviour.

"Something's wrong with me," Tye whispered. "I don't know what's going on."
Kye, Dye, Aye and Tock had all followed him into the room but no one had noticed the figure of C.T already in the room.

"What do you mean?" asked Tick again.
"I snapped at the local clone commander earlier," said Tye. "It just happened. There was no warning, no sign, I just snapped at him!"

The group was silent and C.T looked up from what he was reading on a data-pad.
"Neeran had to tell me off so that I would calm down," continued Tye, as he sat down and hung his head.

"It was just a one time thing, wasn't it?" asked Tick, scared for his captain. "You're all better now aren't you?"

"No I'm not!" shouted Tye, rounding on Tock and confusing him for Tick. "Why do you think I'm stuck here?!"

C.T had immediately sat up at Tye's exclamation, recognising what was happening to his friend and captain, though not fully believing it was real.

"Hey, what's your problem?" asked Dye in relation to Tye's exclamation directed at the accidental twins.
"You're my problem!" yelled Tye in response. "All of you have always been my problem!"

"Someone go get Mimic," whispered Kye as the group cautiously stepped away from their commander. The unnoticed figure of C.T had then come over and said in a very serious voice, "Tye."

Tye's angry gaze snapped around to face his long time best friend and instantly softened when he realised who had spoken to him and who he was speaking to.
"It happened again," said Tye, placing his head in his hands and shaking it. "I'm losing control of myself. Warn the others."

Everyone hesitated before Tye looked back up at them and added, "Please."
"Yes Captain," said Tick and Tock in unison as they all left the room to find the rest of the company.

"Aren't you going to help too?"
"You know very well that most of the company doesn't listen to me, so why bother?" replied C.T as he sat himself down opposite Tye. "Besides, you need someone to keep you sane."

Tye chuckled at his friends joke, "Thanks buddy."

"Don't thank me," said C.T, shaking his head. "I've done the exact same thing, and I want to stop you from doing it again."
"You're implying from back then," mused Tye. "That seems so long ago."
"It was only five years ago," said C.T. "A lot has changed since then. For both me and you."

"I think you mean in this last year," said Tye as he stood up and walked over to the rooms small balcony and looked down at the surrounding fields below. "So much changed while I was out C.T."
"Probably not as much as you think," said C.T, as he joined him.
"You've changed."

C.T froze for a second and then asked, "What do you mean?"
"The way you act is different from before," noted Tye. "You seem to get along better with many of the company, although some still seem to be wary of you."
"Is it that obvious, huh?"

"Oh yeah," smiled Tye. "Except with you and Kye."

C.T sighed and said, "That's a long
explanation."
"I can tell," smirked Tye. "Though I don't know whether or not I want to hear it."

"You've changed to, you know," said C.T. "I remember the times when you were very different from this."
"And unfortunately, so can I," replied Tye as companionable silence engulfed the two.

<Elsewhere on Mykapo...>

"Be very careful as to what to and about my company," warned Neeran as she went to leave the meeting. "They are all very sensitive and while some will just get emotional, others will try to kill you for insulting their comrades."

"I don't see why they're in this war or why they're even alive if that's what they're like," muttered the commander, though deliberately loud enough for Neeran to hear.

"You know," said Neeran. "There were two clones in my company who had the exact same viewpoint as you. Do you what happened to them?"
"What?" asked the commander as if challenging Neeran to say her worst.

"You met one this morning," said Neeran. "They're the captain and highest 2nd lieutenant of Orange Company 49, Captain Tye and 2nd lieutenant C.T."

Neeran left with a small smile etched onto her face as the arrogant commander took in the new information about the new company and its leaders and contents, never noticing a lowly captain behind him who was to prove a pivotal figure in the coming battles.