This is something I did a while ago, and can only be truly appreciated by fans of the series, but I'm curious about what non-fans think of it.

Basic premise is simple--this is a training exercise for Clone Commandos (Star Wars), elite soldiers that fight in squads of 4 men. At this point of their training, they are around 8 years (16 biologically), and training with and against live ammunition.

The exercise is called the Killing House, a randomized series of walls, doors, stairs, opponents, and objectives. The objective for this one is to clear the entire building of enemies.

The squad is Theta, made up of Darman (the Point of View, and demo expert), Taler (squad leader), Vin, and Jay. Their training sergeant is Kal Skirata.

Also, you will likely notice words that don't look like English, for good reason--they aren't. They are Mando'a, a fictional language from the universe. Its used, in this story, in several ways, including cursing and insults. Any words you want translated, let me know--some add to the story (the non-curse ones).

Without further ado--Theta Squad, Killing House





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TIPOCA CITY—KAMINO
CLONE COMMANDO TRAINING FACILITY
23 BBY

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“Shab, Sarge, we’ve done this before. Don’t worry about it.”

“Just watch each other’s backs in there, alright? Tion’ad hukaat’kama. Good luck, Theta.”

“Will do, Sarge. Taler out.” Taler closed the com channel. “What’s he so worked up about? I mean, it’s not like the first time the instructors will be using live ammo.”

“Sure, but you know him. Kal’buir always worries.” Jay finished calibrating the scope on his Deece. “And maybe he’ll have some uj cake for us after this run’s over.”

My stomach grumbled. “Cut that out. Now you’re just making me hungry.” I took a mock swing at him, and he ducked, laughing. A cold Kaminoan voice came through our comms.

“Theta Squad, report CQC Training Facility One.”

Taler slapped a mag into his Deece. “Alright, vode, lets roll.

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We formed up on the door. “Dar, blow it down, Vin, toss in the grenades, and we’ll follow.”

I pulled out some thermal tape, rapidly calculating the amount it would take to blow the door without killing us too. Thin door, not much tape. I made a quick box in the center, stuck the det in, and flattened myself on the wall. “Clear!!” The door exploded, and Vin tossed the grenades in. “Take take take!” I raise my Deece and lead the squad in. The smoke clears, revealing several destroyed droids, and three not-so destroyed ones at the end of the hall. We exchange a brief volley of fire, trashing the tinnies and nearly giving Taler a hair-cut.

“Osik! I really didn’t need that. Alright, take the corner, and breach the first door on the right. Jay, you got point.”

We moved up the hall, and Jay rounded the corner. “Clear.”

“Alright, Dar, blow it down.”

I looked at the door, a simple wooden one with unconventional hinges. “I don’t need explosives for this. Give me a little room. Taler, put an anti-armor past me.” I backed up, then surged forward, smashing the door with an armored boot. It swung crazily on its hinges, battered by incoming fire, and I ducked back. Taler’s grenade exploded, and Vin lead, followed by Taler, Jay, then me. Their Deece’s strobed several times, and the remaining droids crashed to the ground. Taler flattened against the next door, his hand on the knob.

“Dar, throw a thermal in when I open it. On three. One, two, three!”

He shoved the door open, which shuddered under the impact of multiple laser blasts. I tossed the grenade in, and Taler slammed it shut. The explosion ripped it off its hinges, sending it cart wheeling past Jay. Taler led this time, and I followed. The grenade had cleared the room of the two droids occupying it, and the only thing worth notice was a stairwell. “Vin, your turn on point.” I followed him up, Deece ready. Ahead of me, Vin kicked the stairway door open, revealing another hallway. He started to open the next door, but stopped and stumbled back as a tremendous amount of fire flashed from the room.

“Shab! We are not going in that way.”

“No, we’re not. Dar, place a charge on the wall. We’ll blow it, and you, Vin, and Jay will go through. I’ll open the door again, drawing their attention before you blow it.”

I nodded, and took a charge from my back, and evaluated the wall. I moved down about five meters from the door, then placed and armed the charge. I backed up, moving away. “Clear back. Ready, Taler?”

“Ready.”

“Now!” Taler opened the door, drawing their fire. I covered my head, squeezing the det. The wall exploded in, pelting us with debris. The smoke cleared slightly, revealing a jagged hole in the wall. Vin lobbed a EMP in, and I ran in, ejecting my gauntlet blade. I plunged it into the chest of a twitching droid, and fired my Deece into another with my free hand. Taler crashed through the nearly shattered door and fired, dropping another. Jay kicked the legs out from the last droid, sending it crashing to the ground, and fired two bolts from his Deece. Movement in the corner of my eye caught my attention, and a humanoid figure slipped through a door.

I charged after it, crushing the door down and snapping my Deece up. The figure was nowhere to be seen, but a heavy weight crashed into me from the side, throwing me to the floor. My attacker drew a knife, and tried to plunge it into the gap between my chestplate and helmet. I managed to grab his wrist, wrestling for control over the knife. He struck my arm, and my hold loosened. The knife fell towards my neck.

Then Taler’s boot slammed into the side of his head, and the blade missed my neck by centimeters. I rolled over, breathing heavily, and watched as Taler punched the man in the face, training his Deece on him, but didn’t fire.

“Check! Endex, endex, endex!” Kal’s voice came through my comm. ”Endex, Theta. Good work boys.”

Several med droids carried the man, one of the junior instructors, away for treatment, and we left the training facility, back to barracks. Taler smacked my shoulder. “Don’t do that again, Dar. That was too close. I don’t want to lose a brother.”

I shook my head. “Sorry. I can’t believe I just charged in like that. I owe you one, ner vod”

“Not at all, brother. That’s why we’re here. To cover each other’s backs.” He slung an arm around me and Vin. “Because without our brothers, we’re nothing.”

*bump* no responses?

Hey, thanks! I enjoy writing, but struggle once the pace of the story slows....so writing something like this, that is constantly in motion, is a lot of fun.

Just glad you liked it.