Chapter Text
Echo Base, Hoth, 6 ABY
"Keo Venzee and Feresk Tssat, report to the command center for briefing," Shook both Keo and Frisk out of their thoughts and game they were playing. The former Rebel base had been in quite a buzz since the events that surrounded the Starhawk. Both members of Vanguard Squadron stood up to walk, seeing the others move rather rapidly. "Repeat, Keo and Frisk report to the command center." The space around Hoth has always been a hotspot for strange events, and dangerous battles.
"What do ya think this is about?" Frisk mused, stretching as the two walked through the cold halls of the former Rebel base.
"Not sure, but whatever it is? I'm getting the feeling that it's important." Keo admitted, a frown tugging at their lips. Ever since they were a kid, they could feel things in the wind. Things not many of the off-world kids that were around to visit could. Their father once mentioned the Force, but he didn't mention too much on it. Their eyebrow creased, watching as two Astromech droids rush past, almost as if they were in a race.
"Sixth sense again?" Frisk asked, face contorting in a curious fashion. He had seen Keo sometimes stare off into the distance. Sometimes, it seemed like they were more aware than they ever let on.
"Something like that, here's to hoping it isn't anything about her." Keo answered with a little bit of a tone that betrayed just how anxious they were feeling.
"Relax, Keo. I know you've been writing letters and all," Frisk began, patting Keo on the shoulder as they both approached the entrance to the command center. "If I know Taline any bit as I do, I know she likes you too."
"Well, probably... but she's this superstar that just joined Vanguard Squadron," Keo began with a shrug, frown pursing their lips. "I'm just the ex-racer who happened to piss off a few very powerful crime syndicates."
"Trust me, not as impressive as pissing off Grand Admiral Thrawn himself." Frisk replied with amusement, teeth showing in a rather reassuring grin. "You've got this, after the mission, just... tell her how you feel."
"Alright, we can probably discuss this a bit more after the meeting." Keo gave a bit of a strained smile, trying to show they were pretty confident, with mixed results. The two walked into the command center, seeing both Holdo and an unfamiliar man dressed in armor that was very reminiscent of Clone Trooper Armor.
"Precisely, I am glad to speak to a military mind who isn't completely hot headed." Holdo said, and it seemed like the two were catching the end of the conversation. She turned to face the two pilots, "Ah: Vanguard Squadron. Just the pilots I was looking for, I had assured the Captain that you two are some of the best in the New Republic. Captain, I will leave you to brief the two on their new mission." Holdo, giving a respectful nod to the other before walking out.
"Yes sir." He said, and immediately Keo had a feeling they recognized the voice. The armor could've been worn by anyone, replicas were surprisingly plentiful, thanks to the History Restoration Coalition. "Holdo had told me about Vanguard Squadron's exploits as of recent. Normally, I would contact Ahsoka, but she's currently busy on another task. I need backup on a mission to the planet Daro."
"You're a Clone Trooper, fought in the Clone Wars. I'm guessing by the markings on your armor, you're Captain Rex of the 501st." Keo said, which caught said Captain a bit by surprise. The jaig eyes, the blue coloring... kriff, even the way the visor was different than the standard Phase II helmet was a dead giveaway.
"Yes... I am, I see you know your history, kid." Rex replied, still a tiny bit shellshocked by the sudden recognition. It was clear that it wasn't often people recognized many parts of the Clone Wars, given by how much Palpatine had tried to bury it. "Then you'll likely know that Daro was home to a secret Imperial training facility. After the Clone Wars, several squads of Clone Commandos were sent there to train the first generation of Imperial Stormtroopers."
"Wait wait, wait. If this facility was secret... how did you guys even know of it?" Frisk asked with confusion, which Rex let out a slightly amused noise at. "I mean, it can't have been a good secret if that was the case."
"It was secret, until an old friend of mine had sent a distress signal from it." Rex answered, a hologram of a Clone Commando with yellow detailing on his armor popped up on the table. "Captain Gregor had wanted out of the Imperials' plans, so I had assigned a couple of friends to rescue him. It wasn't until they contacted me again that I knew it was a training facility for Stormtroopers."
"Right, so... what are we going there for? The Empire probably hasn't had any opportunities to really build up their ranks since Endor." Keo replied, eyes filled with curiosity... and caution at the new mission. They felt mixed emotions, even still, this was a chance to work alongside a veteran of the Clone Wars.
"Recently, a comm beacon had been triggered. One set up by the earlier Rebellion to keep an eye on the system. There's been a lot of Imperial movement in the Daros system as of lately." Rex said, changing the map to reflect the current status of the Daros system. Several Light Cruisers had moved in but remained almost purely as stationary above the planet. "I've heard some rumors from an Imperial defector that they're planning something. Something big."
"If they're planning something big, why isn't the rest of the New Republic on the know?" Frisk asked, crossing his arms, this was the first he heard of anything regarding Daro.
"Because this will be a recon mission, with a special stealth fighter. The exact reason I wanted the best pilots in the New Republic at my side." Rex replied, tapping another button and an image of a heavily modified G9 Rigger-class light freighter. "I... recovered it from an old museum, it was going to be used by General Skywalker, but the Clone Wars came to a close soon after."
"So, no IFF tags, and nothing that would give away a normal Republic or Imperial ship to their long range scanners. Not that I'm comfortable with being stuck in that ancient death trap." Frisk said, his tone changing after examining one thing, the freighter's age.
Before Keo could make a comment, Rex let out a little bit of a hearty chuckle, "That's what Echo told me once, after recovering it. I told him the only thing I needed from him is help modifying it." The ship vanished on the holotable, before reappearing.
"So, we're going into the heart of an Imperial Sector to find out what they're up to? Count us in!" Exclaimed Keo, with a bit of excitement. Honestly, anyway that they could help with ensuring the New Republic swam rather than sink was something they were ready to do.
"Yeah, what they said. Well, what are we waiting for? I'll get the gear, and let Taline know so we can have an extra exfil pilot, in case anything goes wrong." Frisk said, hesitating for a moment as Rex seemed to be eyeing him up a little bit.
"Good idea, given that we don't know what we could be facing, we'll need all hands-on deck." Rex said, closing off statements before shutting off the holotable. He pulled his helmet off, face showing his age as an accelerated aged clone of the legendary Jango Fett. "All the items we'll need will be requisitioned from Hoth's very own merchant. Get your team ready and any gear you'll need for the trip. It'll be a long one, I'll meet you two at hanger 2B."
With that said, Keo and Frisk watched as Rex made his leave, Frisk's frown growing a bit. "Hanger 2B? Wasn't that the hanger that General Organa had cordoned off for a special project?" He asked, glancing over at the Mirialan pilot with a raised eyeridge.
"Well, I guess we'll be finding out today, won't we, Frisk. Don't worry, this will be a piece of cake." Keo said, their hand moving to pat Frisk on the back, beginning to walk towards the entrance of the command center. "I'm gonna go on and grab some of the stuff we're gonna need. Just... the usual suspects, are you coming?"
"Nah, I'll just be there in a moment, need to clear my head." Frisk answered, flashing Keo as much of a reassuring look as he can muster. "You grab the items; I'll make sure superstar pilot five is ready for the mission."
"Alright, alright. Just take it easy, I doubt we're gonna run into Thrawn, so no need to worry." Keo quirked an eyebrow, their face then softened to a rather calm smile. "Love ya, brother."
"Erm... thanks, Sibster." Frisk felt a bit uncertain when it came to affection. Sure, he patted Keo on the back or maybe ruffled their hair a bit. He was still a little unused to the whole sibling job description, the two having a bond that was rather strong. Like a family, then again? That was most of Vanguard Squadron, which he supposed made Taline Keo's crush that they introduced to the family.
Keo walked out of the command center, placing their hands by the sides of their flight suit. Neither they or Frisk have been able to really get out of that outfit just yet, and already another mission. They walked into Vanguard Squadron's quarters, the empty yet fitted sheets of Gunny and Wyl remaining. Those two were busy on a mission of mercy to Kamino, which was practically a shadow of its former self after the Empire bombed Tipoca City to oblivion.
They picked up an old Phase I Clone helmet, and placed it in their rucksack. A few snack bars for them and the others, medical supplies in case Frisk ended up picking a fight with the locals... although they do that too sometimes. One of the letters they hadn't finished writing to Taline, they stuffed it in the pocket beside where they kept their blaster.
Once they were certain they had everything they would need for the trip, they stood up. Keo walked out of the room, taking in a deep breath. They needed to be calm, Taline was just another squadmate... the old Vanguard Five was like a friend they could share a drink with. Taline? Taline was like someone that Keo couldn't figure out.
Keo spotted another person dressed in Phase II Clone Armor, grey in color. The helmet another one that was rather unique, well amongst that Clone company, the owner being Commander Wolffe if they had to gander a guess. They hadn't read too too much on a lot of history when it came to Wolfpack. Most of their off-duty studying had been on Anakin Skywalker, one of the legendary heroes within the Old Republic. It was the reason they knew of Captain Rex, or even slightly less known Clones like Fives or Hardcase.
It wouldn't be long before they arrived at Hanger 2B, walking through the opened doors to see the ship. Heavily modified was an understatement, it was given a new paintjob and all. It was black with blue stripes over the middle and wings, with words by the cockpit written in Aurebesh. Written was, "First to fight, last to leave. For those who fought on Geonosis."
Rex was waiting as both Taline and Frisk were presumably in the ship, getting the systems ready. "Holdo wasn't quite sure that Taline would be fully healed in time for the mission. I'm not quite sure myself... but for now? She seems stable." The 501st Clone crossed his arms, contemplatively, as he turned to face Keo. "I see you've gotten a lot of gear ready. I guess you had a hunch this trip would take some time avoiding all the usual hyperspace lanes that are guarded."
"Yeah, exactly. You mentioned General Skywalker, what was he like?" Keo asked, and Rex quirked an eyebrow at them. "I mean, all I really know so far is stuff that hasn't been erased by the Empire, and it's hard to tell if its fact or fiction."
"... He was one of the greatest of the Jedi." Rex replied, his face softening in thought of Anakin. The one that became Darth Vader, barely anyone in the Rebellion's inner circle could believe it. Anakin Skywalker, the hero with no fear, was the iron fist of the Empire. "I trusted him with my life more times than I can count." The older Clone took in a deep breath to focus himself, then took a step forward to the open cargo bay of the Twilight MK.2. At least, it used to be a cargo bay. Now, it was transformed into slightly cramped living quarters, and a small kitchen. "Ready, kid?"
Keo nodded, the two walking into the living area of the Twilight, the cargo doors closing behind them and sealing. It was the last time those doors would be used, for much of anything. The Raven haired Mirialan navigated to the front, seeing both Frisk and Taline. They sat down in one of the newly installed chairs placed behind the pilots', leaning forward. They spotted Rex sitting in the one across, with helmet on.
"Hey, Keo." Taline looked back at them, and they felt their heart jump a bit in place. "All strapped in?" Her eyes almost a void they'd be glad to get lost in, her smile a welcoming light in the darkness. They managed to wrench their mind back into place, they felt embarrassed they almost stared.
"Yeah, I am. Let's do this." Keo grinned, watching as the ship launched away from the hanger. They leaned back, locking the belt into place while Frisk inputted the coordinates. In less than a few minutes, the Twilight broke atmosphere and made the jump to hyperspace.