Life was hell here, actually – the opposite of hell, there were no fires, in fact –there was no heat… here, it was ice, all ice, as far as the eye could see, and everyone here hated it. Echo Base was the primary base of the Rebellion in the year after the base on Yavin IV was discovered, when the heroics of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Leia Organa showed that there was a chance, thousands flocked to the cause, wanting to be part of something bigger than themselves.

Slowly, almost groggily marching the narrow halls of Echo Base, Private First Class Caedus Black held his A280 in his right hand, the sling wrapping around his body, the heavy rifle could easily wear down most soldiers, but Caedus, after a year of training with the A280 on Dantooine, had become adjusted to the rifle, it didn’t slip in his hand, kick up after recoil, or weigh him down anymore, not like it did when he first got it, the rifle was well known across the galaxy as a stormtrooper killer, one shit from this anywhere that would be considered a ‘main hit’, even with armor, and the trooper would be split in half.

Walking into the large hanger, Caedus looked at the half-full room, he had spent some time here helping with the upkeep and repair of GR-75 transports, and while he didn’t know much about engines and ships, he learned enough on Hoth to know how to keep it well-kept. Slowly turning away to continue his patrols, he would soon have to go out and face the blistering cold of Hoth, as he would have to check on the beacons that were set around, a bi-weekly event that left nobody happy, going out into a blinding snowstorm, with the chances of Waampas and other creatures getting a hold of you, was bad enough – getting lost, and frozen to death was even worse.

Slinging his rifle over his back, Caedus marched off to the smaller hangar, where the notable Millennium Falcon was stored, along with a number of Tauntauns that had been gathered for the patrol. Letting out a small grunt as he pulled himself atop the animal, Caedus looked around at the other patrol members, most of them in his own squad, it was obvious a few of them were new… that was the worst.

Pulling his goggles over his eyes, and tightening his hood, Caedus zipped off to check on his beacon, luckily it wasn’t the farthest, he had been stuck with that one for a few weeks in a row, an hour ride out there, and an hour back.  His recon was quick, practically flying through the snow, Caedus was the first back to Echo Base, quickly brushing off the heavy show and even pieces of Ice, Caedus was given a new jacket, not covered in snow, and was at least a little warmer than what he had on.

Briskly walking back to the barracks, Caedus walked into the small eight-by-eight room he had been given, a bed, a dresser, and a desk. Shaking his head with a small smile, he admired the single picture on his desk, the one girl that was willing to wait for him, the girl he would one day marry. Sitting down on his bed, Caedus tried to take what time he could to sleep, but it was almost impossible, sure – he got from about midnight until six to sleep most days, but sometimes a worn down body needs more rest than that, slowly changing positions from sitting, to laying, Caedus’ eyes closed, he could feel it, sleep was so close…

 “Private Black, Private Black, this is Hanger Zero One, do you read?”

Letting out a disgusted grunt, Caedus slowly pushed himself off his frozen bed, walking over to the desk, where his small radio sat, lifting it to his mouth, he slowly responded. ”This is Black, I read you.” There was a moment of silence, before the voice cracked over the radio again.

”Private Black, you’re needed in Hanger Zero One immediately, you will be briefed when you get here. Zero One out.”

”Damn it!” Caedus yelled, slamming his hands on the desk, before slowly lifting his rifle, and quickly regaining his military composure, slinging his rifle around him, he quickly gave himself a one-over, his white snow gear, stained by heavy use, was still in relatively good status, save the gloves he had been issued, between the tight grip on the Tauntauns, and daily wear, they were beginning to fall apart.

Opening the door to his small room, Caedus quickly moved out, briskly walking down the hallways, turning and maneuvering his way through the narrow halls to get to the Hangar which was on the other side of the building, he hoped that his time wouldn’t be wasted on whatever the Hanger needed him to do.

Finally stepping into the large hanger, Caedus noticed the rather large Lambda shuttle that had landed, watching as recruits marched off, a small smile came across his face, a brief memory of his first days on Hoth, how it took him long enough to adjust to the cold, he was used to the jungle-like humidity and head from Kiffu, and here – a good day was -50 degrees Celsius.  Turning to Tigran Jamiro, Caedus let out a small grunt, this was the man who had called him from his room, he could tell by the look on his face.

”Private Black, I need you to escort Lieutenant Samantha Koortyn around Echo Base, show her around, welcome her.”

Letting out a short sigh, Caedus shook his head, looking at the ship, before looking back to Jamiro. ”We both know I didn’t join up to be the welcoming party, this is the fourth time this month… you’re lucky I like you, Jamiro.” Showing a small smile, Jamiro laughed back, turning to look back to his docket, this was just the first of two shuttles to land.

Caedus took a step forward, standing in a large clearing in the middle of the hangar, his hands held behind his back, waiting for this new Lieutenant.

Re: Bad Company [Sam, 2 ABY]

As the Lambda shuttle Paladis approached the planet Hoth, Lieutenant Sam Koortyn gazed out the transparisteel cockpit window at the white ball of ice, and shivered preemptively.  I didn’t bring nearly enough clothing, she realized.  She hadn’t amassed much property at all since finding and joining the Rebellion; a few coveralls, a flightsuit, datapad… and the coat they’d given her in preparation for this mission now seemed inequal to the task for which it was presumably suited.

Sam was, with two others, helping to pilot the Paladis, sitting in the right-hand seat; her droid, Frak, plugged in behind her – the fourth member of the Command Crew.  The stolen shuttle had been her escape from the Academy on Carida, and had very nearly gotten her killed when she’d finally found and attempted to land at a Rebel base.  Lambda-Class shuttles were still very much considered Imperial, and her flawless Coruscanti accent over the comm hadn’t helped her case, no matter what she tried to say to convince them she was on their side.  A few expertly dodged blaster shots despite being the only pilot aboard, without returning fire, had led to a hesitant escort to the base.

Sam had given the ship to the Rebel Alliance, but generally went along with it whenever there was a new mission.  She was still working on removing the accent.

Being required to make sure the engines powered down properly meant that she was one of the last people to disembark.  Even with the thick coat, the cold hit her in the face like a force shield, actually stopping her forward momentum briefly.  She breathed in and the sharp air gave her a coughing fit; Sam was not used to such weather extremes.  What have I gotten myself into? she thought as she regained her composure, walking down the ramp, her few belongings in a duffle bag slung over one shoulder.

Standing in the middle of the hangar amongst the flurry of people rushing around, was a dark haired man in well-worn, white (at least originally), cold weather gear, carrying a very large rifle.  As she neared, she saw that he appeared to be around her age, with a military-style haircut, and a black tattoo that curved across his face and around one of his eyes.  Other than that Sam took no notice, until he spoke.

“Lieutenant Samantha Koortyn?” he asked.  He spoke tiredly, as though he’d repeated that question several times already.

“Just Sam, why?”

The man immediately snapped into a full salute, which Sam instinctively returned – Imperial style.  Argh…  She quickly adjusted her hand, then lowered it, and the man followed suit, an expression of surprise on his face.

“Private First Class Caedus Black, Ma’am,” he replied; “I’m here to escort the Lieutenant around Echo Base.”

Sam held up a hand and shook her head.  “It’s just Sam, really.”  The rank – any rank, in fact – that she had yearned for so earnestly at the Academy made her feel uncomfortable here.  Although she had been told repeatedly that her formally trained skills outclassed those of non-military trained civilians who often joined knowing only how to pilot an airspeeder, she felt that her promotions were due largely to heavy casualties in those outranking her.  One dies, one gets bumped up.  It was the nature of war.

Sam looked at the man warily, attempting and failing to hide a sudden shiver due to the cold.  She crossed her arms tightly in front of herself.  “Why?” she asked again.

Re: Bad Company [Sam, 2 ABY]

“Why?”

Glancing over at the women, the well-kept Private couldn't quite understand why she was so informal, most of his 'tours' around Echo Base were like that, though - mostly NCO's who were bumped up more because of the lack of soldiers, rather than the presence of experience.

 "I've been ordered to show the Lieutenant around Echo Base, and to direct her towards any information she needs."

He sounded like a robot, which was so unlike himself, and he absolutely hated it, but with so many commissioned officers, including the CO and XO right up in the communications booth, Caedus would probably get stuck on latrine duty, had one of them even heard of him talking with a commissioned officer, especially one newly dropped into Echo Base, informally.

His head turning to look at Jamiro, who was busy to work, Caedus wasn't even sure exactly who this lady was, she was a Lieutenant, sure, but what else? An amazing pilot? A crack shot? He wasn't exactly sure, and while he was good at his own things, there had to be something she was good at to be so young, and be an officer.

 "Follow me, please." He said, his deep voice overshadowed by the sound of the hangar door opening, allowing for a second shuttle to land. Shaking his head with disappointment, he knew he would probably be called upon again to play greeter, and it wasn't something he enjoyed - in fact, there wasn't anything about Hoth he really did enjoy, it was cold, remote, and there was nothing ever going on - what did they have to do? Play pazzak, drink, and check on the various markers around the outlying land of Echo Base.

Slowly hiking up the slight incline, Caedus made note that the metal strips had started to freeze over, but luckily the boots most everyone had equipped easily dug past the ice, giving them a solid grip as they walked, most of the newcomers were not so lucky, but this Koortyn lady, she looked prepared.

As he walked by Jamiro, the way he came in, he heard the deck officer mumble a single word, which was the Lieutenant's room number, 0485 - not hard to remember, especially when he knew the entire base like the back of his hand. "First, Lieutenant, we'll be going to your room, I believe that there are some items there for you, some jackets and such, things that Officers are entitled to." Caedus said, looking down at his own clothes, obviously worn down - but it was tough, and it held in, it did  it's job.

His quick pace was something he always had, it kept him warm, and it got him to where he needed to go quick, he took the first left, walked all the way down the thin ice-walled hallway, and took a right, into the officer's section, the only reason he was allowed in was because of his status as the guide, turning to the first door on the right, he quickly turned the lock, and opened the door - surprise, they still used actual doors here for the most part, saving the main power to use the shield, and power the communications and war rooms, most rooms had little to no power outside of that.

Opening her door, Caedus made sure to hold the door open to allow the Lieutenant to get in, before looking around the room - once that of Captain Jah'mid Senkor, one of the few Kiffars that Caedus knew, he was lost to the harsh terrain of Hoth, his body never found. "These are your quarters, ma'am, there's an extra set of clothes in the top drawer, and I'm sure that there are some other things around here that I don't know about - I'm not one to explore the officer's quarters." Caedus said, slowly talking a step out into the hallway, leaving the door open for the Lieutenant, had she wished to follow him. "From here, down the hall to your right in the communications room, across the hallway from that is the War room, and - the way we came is the Hangar… is there anything else you wish to know about, Lieutenant?" Caedus spoke, fixing the rifle on his shoulder, as the strap had began to slip off the side.

Re: Bad Company [Sam, 2 ABY]

The formal way the man spoke put Sam on edge.  It was almost Imperial sounding.  She crossed her arms tighter in front of her in a protective gesture as she followed him through the hangar.  The brisk pace warmed her considerably, and with her long strides she had no trouble keeping up with Black.

Slinging her duffle bag onto her bunk, she surveyed the room briefly, noting the stark contrast of the base quarters to those she had occupied at the Academy on Carida.  But then, this was no different than the last Rebel base where she had been stationed; just colder.  A lot colder.

Looking at the man just outside the doorway, Sam thought she caught a glimpse of fleeting sadness on his face.  She furrowed her brow curiously but decided not to pursue it.  Instead, she turned her attention to the heavy, worn clothing and the gigantic blaster rifle he held.

“Nice weapon,” she commented, tilting her chin appreciatively.  “A280, right?”  Without waiting for a reply, she glanced at his clothing again.  “How long have you been here?