Bbzzzzttttt
Gasping for air, CT-312 shot up. Drenched in sweat, sitting in bed. Her eyes were unfocused as she panted heavily. The sound of blood rushing in her ears. Every heartbeat felt as if it would burst from her heaving chest. Left hand clutching her chest plate collar. Tears filled up her eyes. CT-312 was trying to make sense of what and where she was at. Her right hand clenched into a fist, held up in the air. Ready to strike. Whipping her head around, eyes scanning for any threats and location she was at.
Bbzzzzttttt
The overhead lights of the room could be heard. It was the detention cell block. A place where she frequented so often that it became a place of solace for the lone Scout Trooper. Everything was one color. Only a bed and chair was present in this small room. Metal walls thick enough to muting anything in or out. A place where CT-312 could have peace. Or so she thought. Remembering where she was at, CT-312 started to relax. Blinking a couple times before swinging her legs off the bed. Sitting at the edge with shoulders hunched over. Her eyes closed with her head drooped down. Pinching and rubbing the bridge between her eyes with her fingers. Trying to make sense of the dream that turned into a nightmare.
Kass
How she had forgotten that name. Buried deep in her memories. Forgotten.
Kass'andra
Her name.
Bestal Three, her 'home'. Originally located on the outskirts of the Sith Empire. She wondered about the planet. The dream was specifically one of her thirteenth missions before being acquired by the Sith Empire. It was a village CT-312 was sent to observe. Ordered to scout by herself and interact with the locals. Her new assigned squad would join her later, but there was no given time frame. Like a good soldier, she obeyed orders.
Everyday was the same. It was routine at this point. Observe the locals, go in and gather information, relay a daily report, and waited. The village was peaceful. Nothing out of the ordinary. They have come to greet her every time, giving food, and other items. Accepting her. This was new for CT-312. Never experiencing this kind of warmth and kindness. Not even from the advanced cloning facility, her cloned ‘brothers’, or her creators. It always felt cold and empty. Close and yet everything felt so distant. So far away.
What was suppose to be a routine scouting patrol of the village, one of the elders rushed up to her. Frantically begging for help. One of the little kids was snatched by one of the beasts in the jungle. Pointing at the direction they went. CT-312 hesitated. She was to observe. Not intervene. A child scream was heard.
Before the Scout Trooper's mind could process what she had done. Her body instinctively went. The speeder bike she was on zipped through the trees, easily catching up to the direction of the child's cry. The beast was about to pounce on the child. CT-312 rammed the bike into it. Taking out her weapon, shooting it. Making sure it was dead. Inspecting the frightened child, just a few scratches, but safe. The speeder bike was slightly damaged. The facility won't be happy about this.
The child was scared of the bike. Willingly CT-312 took off her helmet and placed it on the child. Bringing them back safely to the village. Greeted happily with tears by the village elder that begged her. They ushered her to follow. A ritual was going on which the Scout Trooper had never seen. A powdered mark was lightly smeared on her face. “Kass'andra” spoken by the elder. An honor. Her helmet was handed back from the child who was smiling brightly to her. Confused by the situation, CT-312 could only nod.
Nothing good ever lasted. Days later the squad relayed the village was deemed a threat and needed to be eliminated. Their arrival would be in a matter of hours. CT-312 was torn. Duty or happiness. Dare she say that this village could’ve been her family. She’d given them a chance. That was the least she could do. Telling the villagers of the situation and how they needed to run. They declined. They were not the running kind. Nor did they want to be eliminated by such an enemy or have CT-312 fail her mission. If they were to die, they would choose their own death. They chose her.
Kass'andra
CT-312 wouldn’t close her eyes. She would witness everything. Even when tears blurred her vision as she held down the trigger of her weapon. The villagers were all smiling at her as they fell. She was the one truly who died that day. Duty above all. Scattering the explosives CT-312 had, she watched as they detonated. Destroying the only good she had. Flames consuming everything. CT-312 sped off on the damaged bike. Hearing over the comms how her squad arrived at the now destroyed village, upset. She was by herself. Taking off her helmet, staring straight at the blue sky. Into the heavens, closing her eyes. Her given name escaped her lips. Accepting.
Kass'andra
Angels flew above. Peacefully. Endless deep blue blue skies. One of the angels flying turned its head. Red glowing eyes peered down at her. The atmosphere shifted instantly. It was dark and gloomy. Armored black haired angel with ashy grey feathers dived at her. Screeching. As it got closer, the feathered wings had flesh intertwined and it's arms were as long as the wings, holding weapons. Ready to deliver judgment from above. This was her penance.
Staring blankly at the metal wall in front of her. Trying to process this ‘dream’ she had. It wasn’t CT-312’s first time waking up in a state of panic. But it was the first time for her to have such a vivid dream. It didn’t matter that she was given Kass'andra as her name. She had no one to give her name to.‘CT-312’ ’was all that was left. Left.
Leftovers
That’s what she truly was. Completing the missions all that mattered. Nothing else.
A sudden familiar voice rang out in the speakers.
“CT-312. You’re in luck. You’ve been assigned.”
Suddenly, the cell door opened with a sharp hiss. Securing her helmet. CT-312 stood up, walking out the door.
