The Clone Wars: Brainwashed Brothers/Chapter 1

After their fiasco of a mess of Honogor, the 30th was called to aid in a much different mission than they were used to. The Pheonix made its way into deep space close to an uncharted location. The prospect put Jaing on edge, as he was not comfortable being in situations he didn't have the slightest knowledge of. Upon exiting lightspeed, Jacius and Trigg left the Pheonix to board Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi's cruiser. They were greeting in the hanger by Commander Cody and Obi-Wan, and had a small run in with Anakin Skyalker, who was shortly leaving to aid the 501st elsewhere. Trigg and Cody shook hands, knowing that both were glad to work with each other again. Obi-Wan and Jacius discussed their recollections of the crisis the later endured on Dromund Kaas, but any other discussion was quelled purposefully.

For many hours, Trigg and Cody reminisced their battle stories along with other members from the 212th, but before long Jacius contacted both of them to inform them that more company would be arriving. Within the hour, Trigg received word that the famed troopers of the 615th and their renowned Commander Thorner. Trigg could recall the name from his time in the ARC Program, but had not seen Thorner at all during the war.

The 615th arrived with flare, being well armed and fitted. Trigg had never really had a knack for liking massive reinforcements, but he had never really seen the 615th before. Cody remarked casually on the appearance of his armor and how it was unlike most clones he had seen. Trigg had never seen it, and thus he only remarked that his opinion would be made when he saw it personally. A pilot of the 615th sent word to Obi-Wan's cruiser that Thorner was coming, and Trigg proceeded to await his arrival in the hanger bay.

The gunship touched down and opened its doors to reveal Thorner, painted in blue and green with a helmet that resembled that of the Phase II armor, but its mouth piece was removed in a sense that gave it the appearance of an Airborne trooper helmet. In a lot of ways, Thorner resembled a mix of many clone officers Trigg had met in the past. He removed his helmet as Thorner walked out, saying "Trigg? Its been a long time brother!"

"Likewise Thorner," Trigg replied " However now is not the time for reunions. This way."

Thorner nodded an followed Trigg through various hallways until they made their way the bridge. General Kenobi and Cody were speaking with Jacius. On their way there, Trigg took a glance at Thorner's armor, and remarked "service on Mygeeto has it's perks..."

Thorner chuckled and punched his shoulder playfully. Trigg smiled; something he was still getting used to doing. Thorner looked suprised. "You smile? Since when?"

This time Trigg punched him in the shoulder playfully and they both chuckled. They came up to the holoterminal in front of them. Obi-Wan noticed them arrive and in response directed Cody and Jacius towards them. Trigg and Thorner saluted them. "General," Trigg began "Thorner is here, like you ordered."

"Greetings Thorner," he replied "Its been quite a while, hasn't it?"

"Far too long General," Thorner answered.

The two shook hands, and Cody shuffled a bit where he stood. Obi-Wan motioned over to Cody. Head over to Cody, he will take you through the briefing."

Thorner nodded and made his way to Cody, while Obi-Wan turned to Trigg. It was almost like watching rookies at play, Trigg thought. He nodded as Obi-Wan nodded in turn as a sign of respect. "What are you thoughts on Thorner, commander?"

"Ah, he's a good-hearted one, Thorner. Loyal as a trooper, but he won't hesitate to question you if something seems awry. I can say I've known him vaguely when I was in the program, and he had a rep for doing the right thing, no matter what."

"And you think he's a good choice for this mission."

"With all due respect General, I'm sure you already know that answer to that question."

Obi-Wan chuckled and put a hand on Trigg's shoulder. "Yes, well, you've come to know Jedi better than most Trigg. I wouldn't have picked another commander for this mission except him."

"It was a good choice, general," Trigg said as they both watched Cody and Thorner.

Obi-Wan turned back to Trigg. "I'm sure Cody already briefed you over the mission."

"Yes, sir."

Cody and Thorner returned to the holoterminal, and now Jacius had accompanied them. The 615th was going to be infiltrating a facility with unknown properties, involved with the Separatists for unknown reasons. It was located on a desolate molten rock world, devoid of any lava, that had been untouched by either side of the war because of it was uninhabitable. A company from the 212th had been sent in, but was unsuccessful in providing valuable intel. For three days, no communications could be established. For now, they could only hope that Thorner and the 615th could figure out what was happening in that facility and get back to inform them.

Thorner accompanied his men in the hanger bay and left on a gunship. At the same time, a detachment of the 615th began to deploy with him to the planet below them. Trigg was immediately put on alert by Kenobi, on the chance that something happened to them down there. In response, Trigg notified the rest of the 30th to be ready for a possible deployment.

It must have been hours. Kenobi had agreed to let scouting parties survey the space above the planet, since it was next to impossible to know what long range capabilities the facility had. As quickly as they had sent the 615th, they had disappeared from all radars and communication channels. Trigg tried to use his helmet comms to boost a signal to Thorner, but he could get nothing from it; the same for Cody as well. It wasn't until Trigg was finally convinced that Thorner was dead when a faint signal broke through. It was a barely audible transmission from their Juggernaut tank. Trigg couldn't make out if it was deliberate or not, but one thing was for sure, they were not dead.