Jessica Treya, a Jedi Master for five years, disembarked off of a Republic shuttle and into the hangar of the Resolute. Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan Ahsoka Tano waited for her. Jessica's own Padawan Morgaine Kedran walked behind her master.

"Master Treya. Welcome to the Resolute." Anakin said, bowing. Ahsoka followed her master's example and bowed as well. Morgaine dipped and looked up to meet Ahsoka's grin. She grinned back, delighting Ashoka.

"Hello, Anakin, Ahsoka." Jessica said, a cheerful, exuberant smile lighting her face as several clones filed out of the shuttle. "This is my Captain Tyr of the 606th. My men will be here soon with the Hope Springs, but we need a place to rest and get something to eat until then. Can the Resolute handle that?" Jessie asked. Anakin nodded.

"We can. Ahsoka, go find Rex and ask him to make some room. How many men do you have with you, Master?" Anakin asked. Jessie turned and Tyr flashed "five" with his hand and pointed his thumb at himself and flashed "one".

"Six, Anakin. So one room will be sufficient, if you don't mind spending the night with the boys, Tyr?" Jessica asked and if Tyr had any objections, he didn't voice them.

"Not a bit, General. Commanders," Tyr said, addressing Morgaine and Ahsoka. "Lead the way." he said and Ahsoka lead the way.

"I have another matter I am here for, Anakin." Jessica said, walking alongside the younger knight. Anakin looked at her curiously.

"What is it, Master?" he asked as Jessica stopped and looked in the direction of the brig.

"You are keeping a traitorous clone here, right? His name is Slick." Jessica said and Anakin's expression went angry.

"The one who betrayed us on Christophsis, yes. Why?" Anakin asked. Jessica grinned at him.

"I'm here to take him off your hands. The 606th is, at any rate." she said and began walking towards the cells. Almost out of nowhere, her padawan and captain appeared. Anakin nearly tripped while trying not to run into them.

"Are you taking him to be tried?" Anakin asked. Jessica paused to turn and look at him.

"No, Anakin. We're not."

------Inside the cell------

Slick stared at the jedi and captain entering the cell. His hands were resting between his knees and he was in his skivvies. The trooper took up a place by the door as the jedi approached him.

"My name is Jedi Master Jessica Treya." she said, kneeling in front of him. She was wide open and Slick, a trained soldier, knew that was a bad idea. Especially with a traitor, or an Arutyc in his adopted language of Mandalorian. "You've been reassigned, Sargent." she said and Slick's head jerked up to stare into her eyes. He was no jedi, but he saw no lie in her eyes or her posture.

"Where?" he croaked.

"The 606th, soldier. You're free." she said and there was a kind smile on her face. Old anger surfaced and his face twisted into a snarl.

"The only way I'll be free is if I'm away from you." he said and coughed. His voice was hoarse from disuse. Jessica sighed.

"You're freer in the 606th than in the 501st. We, uh, we're not as strict a company. Besides, do you think you'll be totally unguarded?" Jessie said and there was gentle humor in her voice. "Morgaine!" she called and another jedi, a learner from the look of her, entered the room. "Sargent Slick, meet your new keeper, my padawan Morgaine Kedran." she said. The young jedi bowed, grinning at him. Slick's jaw dropped.

"My keeper is a Padawan?" Slick barked and looked at the unhelmeted trooper. Tyr grinned wolfishly at him.

"Funny, huh?" he asked and Slick groaned. Well, the brightside was he'd be getting out this depressing cell.

Yeah, the brightside.

---------

Five hours later and Slick was wishing he was back in his cell. He was sitting with the 606th and eating better grub than he'd had in a while. Slick was seated between his new general and  her captain who he'd learned was named Tyr. The other two clones of his rank were Baldr and Loki. Farther down the line there was Frey, Thor and Odin. With two other clones not present, they made up the Asgaard Company in the 606th. The aforementioned legion wasn't nearly as big as the 501st, which meant that there was more freedom to go around. They seemed to welcome him with open arms and right now Slick was grateful for that. Every eye in the room, except those that were seated at their table since they were chattering away good naturedly with each other and at him, was focused on him. One figure finally rose and Slick suddenly hunkered down in his seat. Had he been able to manage it, he would have slithered under the table. CC-7567, designation: Captain Rex of the 501st stalked over and towered over him. The 606th table quieted suddenly and the tension in the room tripled.

"So they let you out." Rex said with sarcastic malice dripping from every syllable. Slick smothered the urge to squeak and began to gently tremble. A movement next to him almost startled him as Tyr pulled a leg up to rest on the seat while he regarded his counterpart.

"He's in the 606th now, Rex. He's under General Treya's jurisdiction now." Tyr said quietly. Rex's eyes flickered to Jessica, who looked at him.

"This is a matter for you gentlemen, I'm only here to eat with my men and padawan." Jessica assured him and went back to eating. Rex turned back to Tyr who had stood up.

"Move on, Rex." Tyr said softly. Baldr and Loki stood up. Morgaine began to follow their example, but a short look from Jessica settled her back down. Slick stared at them in surprise. Why were they standing up for him? He looked up at Loki, who winked reassuringly at him. Baldr mouthed "Relax, ner vod, we got it". Slick was still surprised.

"He's a traitor." Rex snarled. Tyr shook his head.

"And not your concern anymore, Rex. Move on." Tyr repeated. After a moment of heated glowering, the captain brushed past Tyr, who shook his head and sat back down. Loki and Baldr sat back down and flashed friendly grins at him.

"Why did you stand up for me?" Slick asked. Tyr snorted.

"Cause you're a brother, ner vod. Remember aliit ori'shya tl'din. Family is more than blood. We're family, betrayals or not." Tyr said, putting his arm in a friendly way around Slick's shoulders.

"Yep, vode an. Brothers all." Baldr, Loki, Odin, Thor, and Frey chorused. Slick stared around at them.

"See, once upon a time, Slick, I was considered a traitor by the jedi order." Jessica said, leaning on her elbows on the table. "That's why I wanted to bring you here. I know what it's like to be considered a traitor to your brothers. 'Sides, it seemed like a good idea." she said. Slick stared at her and saw a slow grin. He blinked and seemed to relax.

"I..." Slick tried to find something to say and finally fell silent. Tyr smiled at Jessica over his head. She smiled back at him and mouthed 'love you'. Tyr mouthed it back. Loki leaned over to whisper in Baldr's ear.

"Looks like Mom and Dad are adopting another sibling." Loki whispered and Baldr chuckled.

"Yeah, life is good." he agreed.

-------

Slick stared around at the room he was given on the Hope Springs. It was warm, welcoming and he had plenty of space. He set his bag on the bunk. He had new clothes, a new bodysuit and fresh armor with the paint of the 606th. Once on the ship, Jessica had pulled him aside and explained about her and Tyr. Slick had stared at them and finally began to laugh. When he was done, Tyr had given him a friendly cuff upside the back of his head and laughingly sent him off with Morgaine to his room. The padawan was still in the doorway, watching him.

"Did you really betray Master Skywalker and Master Kenobi?" Morgaine asked. Slick sat down on his bunk and snorted. Morgaine took the chair in the room. "You haven't answered my question." she said. Slick cocked his head to the side.

"You remind me of your master." Slick replied. Morgaine flushed pleasently.

"I do? Great!" she said. Slick laughed.

"Not exactly an endorsement, kid." he said. Morgaine stuck her tongue out at him. Slick chuckled.

"My master said that I was to escort you around the Springs until you can find your way around. Then the only time I have to escort you is when we're off ship. You know, make Masters Kenobi and Skywalker feel better about it." she said and flashed him a grin. Morgaine turned to leave when Slick spoke.

"Wait, you'll let me wander around the ship, unguarded?" he asked. Morgaine nodded.

"You're family, Slick. We trust you." Morgaine said and walked out, humming slightly. Slick's eyes closed in a pained expression.

"But you shouldn't." he whispered.

---------------------------

The next morning Slick was met at his quarters by his fellow Sargents Loki and Baldr. From what Slick could tell, the pair were inseperable. Whenever Baldr, with his distinctive half-black, half-blonde hair, appeared, Loki with the Republic symbol tattooed on both sides of his head and the teal-colored mohawk that was the same color as the officers armor of the 606th, wasn't far behind.

"How come I never see you two apart?" Slick asked. Baldr flashed a smile at Loki.

"Mhi Solus tome. 'We are one together'." Baldr said. Slick paused and stared at them. That was a line from Mando marriage vows and these two were...

"No one minds?" Slick asked. Loki rolled his eyes in a long-suffering look.

"The only ones who know is our family here. General Treya doesn't mind, Tyr, after his intial blow-up, wished us the best and Morgaine, well... She's a sweet kid and didn't have any problems with it." Loki explained.

"Oh. I, uh, sorry, didn't mean to offend." Slick said. Baldr clapped the new guy on the back.

" 'At's okay. You get to make it up." he said. Slick looked at the two and a sense of dread blossomed.

--------

It wouldn't be so bad, Slick mused, if they hadn't made me wear the apron. For his surprised questioning of their relationship, Baldr and Loki had "ordered" the younger sargent to serve them breakfast. Slick knew it was in good fun and accepted it like that. At least the rest of the company kept the snickers down as he walked past them. The only part that was even remotely close to humiliating was the apron. Having served his share of kitchen patrol, Slick didn't have a problem with aprons, but this one said "Kiss me, I'm Mandolorian". The only part to make it worse was that all the members of the company were men. If it were women, that would be a different story. Slick blushed bright red as he saw Baldr and Loki were sitting with General Treya and Tyr. Not to mention Morgaine.

"'Kiss me, I'm Mandolorian'? Really, Loki?" Jessica asked, amusement clear in her tone as she rested one elbow on the table and her chin in her hand.

"Yep. We've had it hanging around for a while and decided it was time to trot it out. A regular apron wouldn't have been humiliating enough." Loki replied as he and Baldr leaned back as Slick set down the plates. Morgaine rose from the table, crossed over to Slick and pecked him on the cheek. There was a general "Ooh" from the table as the blushing padawan returned to her master's side. Jessica patted her padawan's back and leaned against Tyr.

"So, can he take it off now that you've gotten your breakfast?" Jessica asked. Loki glanced at Baldr, who nodded.

"Yeah, he can take it off." Loki said. Jessica smiled as Slick almost tore the apron off. He dropped it on Loki's head, who laughed and tugged it off.

"Come on, ad'ika, sit down." Jessica said and waved at one of the servers. In the larger companies, the clones served themselves, but with shinies who had nothing better to do while they waited to either be called upon or reach their destination, they doubled as servers. In a few minutes, Slick was seated and had a plate infront of him.

"So, where are we off to, Master?" Morgaine asked. Jessica pulled a datapad out of her pocket.

"Let's see... We are off to Mon Calamari." Jessica said. Slick snorted.

"Does it smell like fish?" he asked as he bit into his eggs. Jessica rolled her eyes fondly.

"No, but fishing is a major export of the planet." she replied. Baldr frowned.

"Isn't slavery illegal?" he asked. All eyes at the table turned to him. "'Cause aren't they fish and the fish are their cousins..." he trailed off as they glared at him. Loki pelted him with a balled up napkin, followed by Tyr, Jessica, Morgaine, Frey, Odin and Slick. "I thought it was good!" Baldr protested.

"You, cyar'ika, are the only one." Loki said coolly. Baldr leaned over and whispered something into Loki's ear. The other Sargent grinned and the two rose and disappeared. Slick's jaw dropped.

"I went through all that to serve them breakfast and they run out for-" Slick broke off at Jessie's meaningful cough.

"It's okay, Master. I know about Baldr and Loki. I was taught anatomy in the Temple." Morgaine said. Jessica cocked an eye at her.

"Little girl, you have no idea what you're talking about. Finish your breakfast and go change your clothes. I want to train for an hour or so before we arrive at Mon Calamari." Jessica said. Morgaine finished her bacon and rose from the table, bowing to her master before she left the room. "Okay, new rule." Jessica said, standing up to announce to the mostly full cafeteria. "Watch the language around the Padawan! She's finding out a little more about anatomy and the uses thereof than I've told her." she said. There was a hushed murmuring.

"Yes, ma'am." came the chorus from the other tables. Satisfied, Jessica sat back down.

"There have been reports of Commando droids working on something near the southern hemisphere, so that's where we'll be landing. It won't be long before Obi-Wan and Skywalker will show up for the main offensive, but I would like to have as much intelligence as we can before they get there." Jessica said. Frey snorted.

"Yeah, we need all the intelligence we can muster if Skywalker's coming." he said and the others laughed. Even Jessica grinned, but it was tight-lipped.

"Just can that talk around him, got it? Skywalker is pissed at me enough as it is." Jessica said, getting up. Tyr frowned slightly.

"Why is he mad at you?" he asked. Jessica chuckled and patted Slick on the shoulder.

"For pulling our boy Slick out from under his high-and-mighty nose." Jessica smiled at the sargent. "Don't worry, ad'ika, you're under my jurisdiction now. Skywalker can suck it for all I care." Jessica said and this was met with hoots and hollers from the surrounding tables. Slick ducked his head, a pleased flush filling his cheeks. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to teach my Padawan that not everything she thinks should pass her mouth. Tyr, get Slick up to date on the command structure, please." she said and pressed a brief kiss to her lover's cheek. Slick watched her walk out and turned to look at Tyr.

"I thought the command structure followed rank." Slick said. Tyr nodded and pushed his plate away, but signaled for Slick to finish his breakfast.

"Not really, no. See, there's General Treya, Commander Kedran, me, you, Loki and Baldr. Loki and Baldr are our scouts, I lead Asgaard Company. Morgaine leads a battalion of shinies and so does General Treya. But the way things are going in the war, General Treya will not be able to lead that battalion. That's part of the reason we brought you in. That and the fact that the General really does know what it's like to be considered a traitor." Tyr said. Slick finished his breakfast and got up when Tyr did, following him.

"So I'm here as an extra commanding officer?" Slick asked, not sure whether to be insulted or complimented. Tyr chuckled.

"Ah, to be young again." he said wistfully, sarcastically. "No, son. You're here because we need you, because you need us and because we're brothers. No matter what." Tyr dropped back by the sargent and slung his arm around Slick's shoulders. "Just because Cody and Rex have forgotten, doesn't mean we have." he said and rubbed his head. Despite himself, Slick laughed and pushed his hand off.

"All right, all right. I get the point already."

--------

It was wet, chilly and miserable. The perfect weather for fish, in Slick's opinion and he voiced it.

"Why the hell are we here again?" he demanded, shivering slightly inside the tents. Jessica took a blanket and draped it over the sargent. Though the armor was trying to adapt to the weather conditions, it was the difficult. Slick tugged the blanket tighter around himself.

"Because we can't let Mon Calamari fall." Tyr replied. Morgaine was shivering, even with a blanket.

"D-Doesn't help." the Padawan said. The Mon Calamari people were peaceful, but the Republic couldn't let them fall, so the 606th were sent ahead of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker to scope out and find the center of the droid activity for the stars of the Jedi Order.

"Morgaine, go back to the ship and stay there. I don't want you getting a cold. Loki, call for a Gunship to take her back." Jessica said. Morgaine opened her mouth to protest, but Jessica shook her head. "There is no shame in staying where you are warm. Besides, the last thing we need is you getting sick, okay? Now go." Jessica said and Morgaine hugged her master. Jessica hugged her back and when the LAAT/i landed, she hustled aboard. With Morgaine safely aboard the Hope Springs, they could make a good run at intelligence. After consulting with the locals, Jessica found the best place to find an entrance. She enlisted Loki, Baldr and Slick to go with her, leaving Tyr in charge.

"Be careful." Tyr murmured. Jessica smiled at him.

"Always, my cyar'ika, always." she said and took off with the three sargents hot on her heels.

_________________________________________________________________

TBC

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