#the mission dossier is just like “idk‚ run‚ I guess?”

[jacensolodjo]

Idk why i wrote this but at least I wrote something. 17 is in lieutenant’s armor most of the time we see him but he does wear red armor later which means captain. So he’s a captain in the time this takes place. Not to mention, color coding armor kinda fell to the wayside in TCW and the Revenge of the Sith (with many in rather colorful armor such as green camouflage while not all being sergeants or like the purple flashes that Windu’s troops had when purple has no ranking). Jaster is a sergeant for most of the war before eventually getting a promotion to Lieutenant. But trainers are often sergeants unless doing advanced training like Seventeen does. 

Warning(s): some hint of cloneshipping I guess?? Depending on how you view certain things at the end. lol

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"Sergeant Jaster, explain to me why exactly you seem to think this cadet..."

"Tanner, sir."

"Hmph. Explain to me why Cadet Tanner is qualified to train as an ARC much less take the entrance exam."

"Sev, you know quite well how long I have been doing this--" Alpha 17 narrowed his eyes at the extreme shortening of his designation. "--and you also know I have rarely sent you trainees who have then washed out. What, exactly, bothers you about Cadet Tanner?"

Jaster followed 17's eyes as the larger clone looked over at the vidscreen displaying Tanner's dossier complete with picture. Tanner had a large, dark burn scar that covered most of his face. It was why he had been given the name that would probably be viewed as cruel by a non-clone.

Jaster knew exactly what bothered 17. The origin of the scar made him hesitant about the young cadet's skill. He had received it after a mishap running a training course that simulated a lava field, with still active streams of lava. The lava wasn't real lava, but rather liquified durasteel, and thus almost as hot. It was frankly a miracle the boy had survived at all.

"He survived," Jaster finally said simply even though the other Alpha had not said anything.

Jaster turned from the screen back to looking at his batch mate. Their eyes locked. Seventeen curled his upper lip slightly in a sneer.

"He is defective. He survived by causing his entire platoon to stop in the middle of a battle to help him."

Jaster's eyes widened before scowling, fists clenching at his side.

"You know we don't leave a vod behind to suffer!" Jaster said, raising his voice slightly.

Seventeen stared impassively before bringing a hand up to jab a finger into Jaster's chest. Jaster swatted the hand away, glaring.

"Your empathy is touching, but we do not rescue a squadmate at the expense of the mission, either!"

Eyes flashing, Jaster suddenly hit the slightly taller Alpha with an uppercut then pushed him at the wall behind him. Alpha 17 caught himself easily then scoffed, rubbing his jaw. Jaster slammed his palm against the other clone's collar bone, pinning him against the wall. Seventeen glared but did nothing else.

"You're the biggest shabuir this side of the outer rim, Captain," Jaster rasped, practically vibrating with anger.

"I could ding you for insubordination, Sergeant Jaster," Seventeen said, entirely too calm. The pair let the threat hang in the air for a few moments. Jaster yanked his hand back before spinning on his heel in preparation to leave.

"Does he really have what it takes or do you simply feel sorry for him?" Seventeen suddenly asked. Jaster stiffened before turning back around, brow slightly raised in a way that later generations of clones just never seemed capable of reproducing.

"I wouldn't ruin my record because of emotions. You know that," Jaster said, voice a conversational volume with an icy tinge. They were words Seventeen had said a year or so ago to Jaster about their relationship and exactly where they stood regarding it.

Seventeen was speechless about how his own words had been thrown back at him. He stared with his mouth open slightly for a second or two before snapping it shut and shaking his surprise.

"You better be right about this kid. I'm not doing him or you any favors."

“Wouldn’t dream of it, Captain Alpha Seventeen.” He tried to keep the sneer out of his voice but ultimately failed. 

Seventeen didn’t react this time, instead he simply walked away.