[i]Up, one.

Up, two.[/i]

The metal on the edge of the rack groaned with contempt for its abuser. CT-7627 railed pull-up after pull-up before lights out formally ended. Grunts from the Trooper and the protests of his glorified pod they knew as 'racks' echoed down the platoon bay, as thoughts raced through his mind.

Command had upped the ante. They were being put to the flame more and more often in the past few weeks. Those 'Jedi' paid their visits more frequently, solemn robed figures which flanked the officers during formation. If things were popping off, they were going off now. It wasn't his business, though. Even if it was, they received the best training a soldier could get. They were more than ready after almost ten years of stagnation.

[b][i]BEEP - BEEP - BEEP[/i][/b]

[i]Up, forty-five.[/i]

Reveille. Like clockwork some forty other racks popped open with a collective whirr. The lights in the platoon bay flickered and brightened to illuminate the blindingly white surfaces of their home of the past ten years.

[hr]

Formation went as mind-numbingly boring as ever. The inspections and their constant nitpicks may have bothered some, but to 7627 and the other Troopers of the 105th, it was a fact of life. It was all but pure bliss when released to the training bays, even with all else said. Though basic drills put nothing near a smile on 7627's face. Yet, disagreeable as it was, there was nothing but silent reverence as Instructor Harkin walked the deck before them. 

"Aye, sir." Were the first and last words out of his mouth before he took his place at the starting line. His DC was rendered hot with a swift motion, the feed of a charge pack into the weapon and the flick of a fire selector. His launcher too came unslung, albeit briefly as a dummy missile was fed in, the weapon returning to its rightful place.

"Same as always, guys. Just make sure to stay clear of my backblast." He cracked a light confrontational smirk as he looked down the line at his comrades. 7627 was as cocky and aggressive as ever.