During the flight I'd barely left Aric's side, instead preferring to sit by his bed, watch his vitals and reassure myself he was still with me. I'd slept in the chair next to his bed and even taking my meals in the med bay, never daring leave...until now. With our arrival on Coruscant, I had to fly the Thunderclap and set it down in our landing bay. Afterward, I'd hurriedly put my armor back on. I was being forced to attend an immediate debrief with General Garza, Something I desperately did not want to do!
With a frustrated sigh, I sat back into my chair and placed my helmet on the floor next to me. I buried my face in my hands as tears stung my eyes. I didn't want to leave him! I'd tried to get General Garza's secretary to delay the debrief meeting but she refused. She had been unsympathetic stating, the General was unavailable later and this debrief was urgent and required.
"I will take care of him while you're gone sir," I heard behind me. Turning I found Elara standing there.
"I know," I said, "I just..." and I trailed off. I trusted my medic. I knew she would do her utmost and take great care of my mate; it was just...I shook my head; I didn't know how to explain.
"You are afraid," as she crossed to her patient's bed. "It is understandable," she added, as she checked his vitals.
She was right. I was afraid. "What if..." I started again, "While I'm gone, what if..." I couldn't actually voice the horrible thought.
Looking at me sharply, Elara said, "He won't die! I won't let him!"
With a sharp nod of understanding, "I know," I agreed. I had no doubt that she would do all within her power to keep Aric alive. "I don't want to leave him."
"You couldn't change the debrief time sir?"
"No," I answered scowling. I didn't tell her the secretary hung up on me.
"Well sir," she said as she continued to prep Jorgan for the transfer to the medical center, "Go to the meeting. I'll take care of the lieutenant and we will be waiting for you at the center when you are done. Hopefully by that time I'll have some information for you."
Taking a deep breath, I said, "Agreed." Sitting forward, I silently took Aric's hand and held it.
Having finished, Dorne started to walk out and said, "I'll give you a moment sir."
"Thank you," I whispered, never taking my eyes off my man.
Once we were alone I whispered, "I've got to go meet with Garza for a debrief." Squeezing his hand, "And they're taking you to the med center. I'll be there as soon as I can." I kiss his knuckles, "Hang tough for me." Standing up, I ignored the ventilator, leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. "I need you. Don't leave me." I quickly ran my fingers down his cheek and turned away before the tears could start. Picking up my helmet I walked out and found Elara in the common area.
"Take care of him for me," I told her as I headed for the ship's entrance. "I'll be there as soon as possible."
"I will sir."
I stopped at the entrance and put on my helm. Taking a deep breath I opened the door and stepped out. This just felt wrong. I wasn't used to doing this alone anymore. Aric was always at my shoulder. I tried not to think about it and started down the ramp. I was climbing on my speeder when I heard a voice yelling at me.
"Hold up Boss."
"Vik?"
"Can't let you head out without back-up, sir" Vik said, as he joined me at the speeders. "Your Cathar would try and hand me my ass when he wakes up."
I noticed that Tanno said when not if he woke. "He would," I agreed, with a sad smile. "Let's go, Specialist."
Vik climbed on his machine and we took off for the Senate Tower. As I drove, my thoughts kept drifting off. Luckily this was a drive I had made too many times to count because I couldn't keep my thoughts off my injured XO. I worried about him. Anything could happen. He was in bad shape and anything could hurt him, take him from me. I was so distracted, I was shocked to look up and realize we were outside the Senate Tower.
"We're here Boss," my demolition man said, as he dismounted.
Without a word, I quickly climbed off the bike; I secured it and headed inside. We made our way up to the second floor and General Garza's office. I managed not to choke the unsympathetic secretary as we passed, instead giving her a quick nod, before walking into the General's inner sanctum. Tanno stood quietly at my shoulder when Garza greeted me.
"Captain, fantastic work. The Imperial Ministry of War is a firestorm over the Gauntlet's destruction. The SIS says heads will roll over this quite literally."
That would be cold comfort for me if Aric doesn't make it. I still worried this "victory" could carry a very heavy personal cost.
"It's good to know our work paid off," I replied, shrugging my shoulders.
"Havoc squad has accomplished a great deal under your command," Garza complimented. "Your leadership and skill in conducting this ongoing operation have been exemplary. I'm promoting you to Major effective immediately."
Pain stabs through my heart. Aric should be here for this! It was his hard work, as much as mine that got us here!
"Commensurate promotions will be issued for all your squad members as well. Congratulations Major," General Garza said.
Though my heart is aching, I manage to keep my voice steady when I answer her.
"I'm honored to accept this promotion, General."
"You've earned it. When presented with extraordinary circumstances you delivered extraordinary results."
With Aric's help. Gods! He should be here for this! We've been on this path together since Ord Mantell!
"I'm also recommending you for the Silver Crescent, in honor of the extraordinary valor you demonstrated in the attack on the Gauntlet superweapon," the General added.
'Extraordinary valor?!' I questioned internally. I did what needed to be done to get my team out of there. Fourex and Jorgan were the brave ones, facing extreme odds on the bridge and still making it back!
I almost missed it as she continued, "In recognition of injuries sustained in the line of duty I've recommended Aric Jorgan for the Mark of Dedication. Assuming your approval."
Finally! Something I agree with!
"I can't think of anyone more deserving."
Aric. My thoughts return to my injured XO. I needed to get out of here! As soon as possible!
"Excellent! I'll submit the necessary paperwork right away."
Good! He more than deserves it!
"Now, I'm afraid not all our news is positive."
And the other shoe drops!
As she keyed something up, General Garza said, "We received the following holo-transmission not long after the Gauntlet was destroyed." She presses a few more buttons and the image of an Imperial officer appears.
I try and keep my thoughts in this meeting and away from my worries over Aric. I needed to pay attention. Once he was awake and back to duty, he'd ask for the details of this meeting.
"Republic Command, I am General Rakton of the Imperial Ministry of War," the image started.
Who was this guy?
"You have made a grave error. By destroying the Gauntlet you have destroyed a weapon of peace – and the final hope your people had."
What?! Weapon of peace –wasn't that an oxymoron. Well, coming from a moron…
"Weapon of peace? That's ridiculous!"
"This is only the beginning," General Garza informs me.
Can't wait to hear it!
"I had hoped that a device that removed the possibility of resistance would allow the Empire to achieve its great works without further bloodshed."
Huh? That weapon insured more loss of life, at least on the Republic side and I guess that's what's important to Raktan.
The image continued, "But your actions have destroyed any hope for peace. I am forced to launch a campaign unlike any the galaxy has seen."
Considering the horrors this galaxy has seen that's saying a lot! This guy thinks an awful lot of himself!
"Your soldiers will be slaughtered," Raktan said.
Now that concerns me!
"Your planets will burn. And your people will embrace the light of the Emperor's will at last." With that the image flickered out.
I don't think so.
General Garza and I stood silently for a few long seconds, both thinking about what we just saw.
"Can Raktan back up these claims?" I finally ask her.
"He can and I have little doubt he will," she says.
That is NOT reassuring.
"For years General Raktan has outmaneuvered and outwitted every Republic force that has stood in his way, including mine," Garza said.
The general turns to look at me and continues, "The SIS is watching for any sign of Raktan's new campaign. Until we have solid data, Havoc Squad is relieved. Rest, recuperate and be ready for my call. Dismissed Major."
'Thank the gods!' I needed to get back to Aric's side and didn't waste any time heading for the door.
Just as I pulled it open I heard, "Major?"
Turning I looked back into the office at the general, "Yes, sir?"
"How is he?" she asked.
"Sir?"
"Captain Jorgan," she explained, using his new rank, her concern evident. "How bad is it?" It was obvious she was not asking as his superior officer but rather as a concerned friend or associate.
Taking a deep breath and slowly releasing it, I tried to control my rampaging emotions, before answering her. "Bad, he took three hard hits," I answered her honestly. "They were transferring him to Republic Medical during this meeting. I'm headed there now that we're done."
Surprised and curious, the older lady asked, "Why didn't you holo me, Major? This meeting wasn't that important, we could have changed the time."
I was livid! Turning I glared at the secretary sitting in the outer office. "I did call sir and explained the situation to your secretary," I spat, "She refused to change the time and hung up on me!" If looks could kill, the woman would be dead in her office chair!
Striding across the room, the general stood with me in the door and said, "I'll take care of it Major." Glaring at the secretary, who was now slinking down in her chair, she added, "Don't worry Major. This won't happen again."
"Thank you sir," I said, as I walked for the hall door.
Again she stopped me at the door. "Take care of him Major."
"I take care of my people sir," I replied and started out.
"I know you do Major," she assured me. With a small smile, the general said, "I received a copy of the form."
Not knowing what to say to confirmation that General Garza was aware of our relationship, I said, "Yes sir."
"He's a good one," she added as I walked out, Vik at my back.
At that moment I'm again glad I wore my helmet. It concealed all the emotions I was feeling, anger at the secretary's actions, worry for Aric and the constant gnawing fear of his possible death, of losing him. "He is," I agreed, a catch obviously in my voice.
I couldn't get out of the building fast enough. I was tempted to jump off the second floor balcony, like I'd seen others do, but instead I continued down the hall and down the steps to the first floor. I didn't need to injure myself in my haste to get to Aric. Almost on auto pilot I hurried out of the entrance and over to my waiting speeder bike. Vik and I climbed on and fired up their engines. Nodding at him, I turned the bike and sped off towards Republic Medical. I prayed this was a drive I never got used too….