As Jackpot finishes of another droid, he would attract the attention of the squad you had moved into the centre of the dome. Instead of firing on Gunslinger, they turned and fired on Jackpot. They blasts find them mark as Jackpot takes a glancing blow across his helmet. With real blasters it could have been much more serious.

Meanwhile the droideka would stumble as its shield flickers out and dies. Slugger had been lucky with his attack, but his luck would not last in this setting. Asking a regular clone to go toe to toe with one of these creations was a tall order for almost anyone except a commando. The droid would steady itself before it open fires with the iconic weaponry it was armed with. It's shots would pepper both Slugger and Gunslinger with a deadly barrage of shots.

This was not all however. A second squad of droids would rise from the ground to confront the clones. It was a small squad of three, but the droids were still a serious threat. These were the dread super battle droids. They would lumber forwards, towards the dome with the intention of finishing the job that the others had started.

Back in the simulation, 6180 would receive a prompt, if static riddled response. 'Copy that 6180, air support is heading your way. Lead the walker to these coordinates and get clear of the area'. The coordinates were close, the walkers would be able to get their soon if they ran fast.

Droid Combat Check : 2eP+2eA+2eD 1 success, 1 advantage

Droid squad 3 does 10 base damage to Jackpot, advantage spent to pass boost to droideka.

Droideka Combat Check : 3eP+1eB+1eS+3eD 7 successes, 3 threat
Activates fire sweep, does 19 base damage to Slugger and Gunslinger, disadvantage spent to give Slugger immediate free maneuver and to suffer 1 strain.

Super Battle Droids move to medium range of the the dome centre.

Anler gives Doc a non-committal look. "I'm not familiar with the naming conventions for clones, to be honest," he replies, obviously not getting the point of the question. He takes a mouthful of the greenish-goo on his plate. "The test was more about seeing what our latest addition is capable of in close combat than to challenge my skills. Sadly, it did not take long to find out it is not his strong suit," he says, trying to be diplomatic. "I guess that we'll see the expertise he brings to the table later," he says, shrugging.

Mynock enters the coordinates into his walker and proceeds at top speed to the destination. “ Good news, Air Support is coming to our aid! Clear out to these coordinates and out run that Seppie snail !” he commands over the comm.

As the walkers continue to run in the direction of their target the tanks would slowly gain on them. 'That thing's faster than it looks!' one of the drivers would shout as he glances over his shoulder. 'I think we're near the target, just gotta keep going!' All the while the tank would continue to fire on the walkers, but yield no luck for its efforts.

Walkers Pilot Check : 3eA 0 successes, 4 advantage

Moves to short range of the target zone.

Walkers Pilot Check : 2eA 2 successes, 2 advantage
Moves to short range of the walkers.

The walker pilots would keep their heads down as they charge after CT-6180. Again they are able to put some gap between themselves and the tank, but it was still making efforts to try and destroy them. One of the walker pilots would point upwards as they run, and anyone who looks up would see what he was pointing at. It was a squad of Y-wing bombers. They were flying in formation towards the coordinates that 6180 had been sent. He would hear a voice of one of his brothers over the com unit. 'CT-6180 this is scourge squad. We're preparing to carry out our bombing run, I recommend you keep your head down!'

Walkers Pilot Check : 3eA+1eB 3 successes, 1 advantage

walkers move into the target zone.

Tank Pilot Check : 2eA 2 successes, 1 advantage
Tank moves into the target zone at medium range of the walkers.

" Understood Scourge " CT-6180 replies back. " Keep your head down boys, the air cavalry arrived and is about to say 'hello' " he informs his squad. Preparing for the air strike, Mynock positions himself for the glorious view.

The walkers would run ahead to form back up with 6180 as the Y-wings rumble overhead. the tank would be unable to turn around in time to avoid the bombardment. The bombs begin to drop, leaving a line of explosions until two hit the tank directly in its hull. It cracks like an egg as the incendiary explosion tears it apart. After the end of the bombing run there is nothing left except for shrapnel.

The walker pilots were left panting as they turn to examine the damage. 'Well that was close' one of them would comment as they walker draws level with CT-6180. 'You did alright leading this one' he'd say, offering the cadet a nod.

With that the simulation would begin to flicker an fade as it is finished. The words 'mission complete' would flash up on the screen for a moment before the cadets were released from the pods. 'Alright, good job you lot, you broke the separatist flank and gave the grand army an area to push their main for through for that operation'. The mandaorian would say as they clones clamber out of the simulation pods. 'Any comments you want to log before we wrap up here?'

“ No, sir! ” CT-6180 stated. The trooper had a long hard first day with Cyclone squad and couldn’t wait to eat. Grateful he lost nobody in this sim, he says “ Good job out there boys. The Separatist never saw us coming and we lead that Snail tank straight into a trap! ”.

The mandalorian would glance between the cadets before shrugging. 'Alright, well, off you go then'. He didn't seem particularity interested in teaching the clones any more this day. Fortunately he wasn't the regular trainer for these sort of scenarios.

As the other clones leave CT-6180 would receive a few pats on the shoulder and nods from his team mates from the exercise. It seems that despite some previous concerns, he had impressed them with his leadership and piloting skills. If he was quick he may be able to grab some food with the rest of cyclone squad.

After being dismissed the clone jogs to the cafeteria eager to grab a bite to eat. Upon arriving, he waves quickly to the commander, Doc, and CT-2112 as he jumps line. After acquiring his meal, CT-6180 plops next to his comrades and dives into his food. The clone glances up between bites to observe conversation.

Slugger lifted his Rotary cannon and readied it, unleashing his fire into he Droideka that had downed Gunslinger, while his shots did connect they failed to down the Droid, " What's this things armor made of!"

On 5/11/2018 at 6:08 PM, Vergence said:

After being dismissed the clone jogs to the cafeteria eager to grab a bite to eat. Upon arriving, he waves quickly to the commander, Doc, and CT-2112 as he jumps line. After acquiring his meal, CT-6180 plops next to his comrades and dives into his food. The clone glances up between bites to observe conversation.

CT-2112 glances up at the movement, and nods, removing his earbuds from the device. "Hey" He says absently to CT-6180 as he continues to eat. "How'd your session go?"

10 hours ago, KungFuFerret said:

CT-2112 glances up at the movement, and nods, removing his earbuds from the device. "Hey" He says absently to CT-6180 as he continues to eat. "How'd your session go?"

“ Typical day in the Republic, the Seppies lost ” Mynock says, grinning with a little pride. “ Was assigned as squad leader taking a patrol of AT-RT units on Geonosis to flank the enemy. The sim objective was to provide the primary assault force relief. We had no Republic casualties and the trainer said our mission was a success ” CT6180 explains. “ A lot of skill and situational luck but I’d rather do that any day than jump & climb walls ” he says, turning to laugh with Cyclone.

The droideka would stagger back a few steps at the rapid fire from Slugger smashes into it. It would stabilize itself after a moment and would fire its own guns. Four quick volleys would be returned by it, two of them catching the trooper in the gut and the neck. They may be stun shots, but they were going to sting later on.

While the droideka would attack Slugger, Jackpot would find himself under heavy fire from the battle droids, as well as the advancing super battle droids. The attack at this range would catch Jackpot in a viscous hail of gunfire, knocking him to the floor.

The super battle droids would march through the corridor of the dome to finish the job.The three hulking droids stomped into the centre of the structure, surveying for a moment as they extend their arms to aim the wrist plasters they are fitted with. As Jackpot hits the floor, they would turn to fire on him while he was down.

A klaxon would sound in the room as the droids deactivate and the blast doors open. A group of medics would make their way to the fallen clones, and the three cadets would wake up once again in the medi bay. This was beginning to become a regular occurrence, after the months of training all the faces here were familiar.

As the three wake up they would see a familiar figure stood over them. It was the commando they had seen earlier, the one with the burn marks over the front of his armour. 'You guys did alright' in there' he'd state as he would toss a small datapad onto Gunsligers bed. 'With a bit of practice you may be able to be as good as me. Well, not as good as me, but, you know'.

Before turning to leave he would gesture tot he pad he'd left with Gunslinger. 'By the way, I thought I'd bring that by for you. You've got your citadel test tomorrow, good luck!' With that the commando would leave the cadets to rest and recuperate after their rough training session. Tomorrow they would be back in combat all over again.

In the canteen, Swapar would stride into the room, looking around for a moment. 'Cyclone squad! Fall in! Now!' he would bellow as he moves towards the centre of the room. 'Alright, now personally I think you'd all serve the republic better if you were strapped to the front of a star destroyer as the figurehead, but the higher ups have other plans. Your squad has been entered into the citadel test for tomorrow, so rest up and get ready. I'll collect you from the barracks at 13:00 hours, and if you're not there I will flense you and make you into a jacket!'

Another day had come and gone for Cyclone squad, and it seemed that this may well be their last one as cadets. Tomorrow would be one of the hardest challenges of their early lives. If they pass they would be flung out into the galaxy to fight the endless tide of droids. They had the potential to change the fate of the galaxy, for better of for worse.

Droid Combat Check : 2eP+1eA+1eD 1 success, 1 threat

Droideka does 13 base damage, disadvantage causes it to suffer 1 strain.

Battle Droid Combat Check : 2eP+2eA+1eD 2 successes, 3 advantage
Battle droid does 11 base damage to Jackpot, advantage spent to knock Jackpot prone.

Super Battle Droid Combat Check : 3eP+1eA+1eD 2 successes, 3 advantage, 1 Triumph
Does 9 base damage to Jackpot, advantage not spent, triumph spent to activate critical injury: Critical Injury : 1d100 70 , scattered sense.

"Huh, the Citadel," Doc said, "I guess if we pass this, we're bound to start being shipped off."

" Of course we won't be as good as you... we will be better Sir!" Slugger exclaimed with gusto as the commando addressed gunslinger. When the Commando had left the room Slugger would exclaim to both Gunslinger and Jackpot, " We did it Boys!" Slugger looked to be very excited " We can take that test beat it and get out of Kamino!" He would stand up after brushing off all the attendants around him, " I'm sure we will do great!"

CT-2112 responds to the bellowing, and stands up as required. Once the orders are given about the Citadel, he returns to his tray and finishes the last bite of food, before collecting his equipment. "Well, guess we'll see how the Citadel fairs tomorrow. Sooner than I expected, but they seem to be trying to push us out as fast as possible. "

CT-6180 responds to Doc & CT-2112, “ About time we were moved into the frontline; I was getting tired of all those sims. We will finally get to see those Clankers disintegrate before our eyes! ” making a fist and punching it into his cupped hand. The clone couldn’t wait for the Citadel trials.

Gunslinger, still getting used to the idea that he is not dead, manages to enunciate something close to "Thanks." When the veteran departs, he checks the contents of the tablet given to him. Hmm.. I wonder..?

At muster, it is confirmed: The Citadel. "Cyclones. With me. It's crunch time." The would-be squad leader tries not to let any self-doubt creep into his voice, as he prepares for the final stage of their training. "The only crunching I want to hear out there tomorrow, is the clankers crashing into each other in a desperate retreat." Okay.. probably not.. But the mental image brings half-a-smile to his face. Hope these meds wear off fast...

Anler stands almost to attention as Swapar delivers the good news in his usual fashion. "Well, Cyclones, we had better get a good night's sleep, this will be harder than anything we've done together," Anler says. "I know you are ready. That we are all ready," he corrects himself. "And I know we will beat the citadel in record time!"

Cyclone squad slept surprisingly well that night, in fact they slept better than they had for a long time. There was no nightmares or doubts that invaded their dreams. Instead there was calm, certainty. They didn't even have to suffer Swapar's rude awakening for once. Those that took the citadel test were given an opportunity to rest and recuperate before taking the test. Most of the 712th battalion had already taken their citadel test, including Acklay squad. From the rumours going around, they'd set the batallion record. This was an impressive feat, but one for other squads to aim to break. Now, it was Cyclone squads turn.

When they woke up after their good nights rest it was time to prepare their gear and grab some breakfast before things begin. The instructions for equipment was clear: Firearms, armour and ascension cables only. No grenades, no meds, nothing. The rules had been extended to Anler, allowing him only his robes and lightsaber. It would seem that command deemed this enough to complete this challenging exercise. There was words that before their test they'd be getting a short speech from a V.I.P. This had become customary as an attempt to inspire the cadets to do their best, both here and later in the field. Now who this individual was had not yet been disclosed. For now they could only speculate over their food.

Not all the news was good this morning however. There were two missing from the dorm that morning, Jackpot and Tannen. The first had been resigned to specialist training for the Corouscant guard, an enviable and often unpopular assignment among those clones unfortunate enough to be on the front lines. He hadn't even been given a chance to say goodbye. Tannen's departure had been less grand. Although no one could officially confirm it, it seemed like he'd washed out, realizing he wasn't kitted out for military life. It was sad, but sometimes people simply overreach. At least he hadn't gotten himself killed. Still, the squad couldn't dwell on this, they had their own problems to worry about now.

" Wake up boys!" Slugger said At the crack of Dawn he was full of excitement. " Today we become Troopers! " He hoped off of the pod he slept in and started to armor up, and polished the inside of his Cannon checking everything was in order for the Citadel Test.

Doc got up quickly. "Looks like it, Slugger," he said as he checked his armor, the new blaster rifle he had exchanged the blaster carbine for, and the ascension cable.

Hopefully, my lack of athleticism won't slow down the group, he thought as he reached out for the combat knife that was assigned for the Citadel test.

CT-6180 jumps out of bed once Slugger provides everybody with a wake up call. He quickly suits up, arms himself, and attaches the ascension cables. Ready, Mynock aids any of the other Cyclone needing assistance before the test. He thinks " Time to pass the Citadel in record time ".

Gunslinger had roused himself early, putting some last minute practice in at the pistol range. Returning to the squad bay, he finds Slugger already getting the troops together.

Grabbing his kit, he addresses the men. "I'll be leading from the front, keeping close to our Commander. We're moving fast and light. Check your ascension kits now- we're going to need them."

Sparing a glance at Jackpot's empty rack, he continues: "Jackpot won the lottery, so he's out. Sorry to lose him, but we can do this.."

"And if that's not good enough for you, they've gone all out, and brought in a real motivational speaker for us!"

"Let's go, Cyclones! Doc, Spanner, just bring your shooty things."