Garrys Kreig continued to stare at the knife protruding from his chest in disbelief. For a moment Vestara was quite pleased with herself at injuring him given that Rook and Mirta were having so much trouble doing so. But then Garrys let out a roar of anger before striking her across the face with a closed metal fist, he may have been hurt but he could still fight.
"Oh my god just DIE!" Rook reached around to try and Suplex Garrys but unfortunately discovered him to be too heavy for him to lift. "This...usually works."
"Chess Piece, your officially an idiot!" Garrys reached around and grabbed Rook as he had Mirta and threw him into a nearby wall before turning back towards Vestara, the current target of his ire. But to his surprise she drew and ignited her lightsaber.
"WeLL That ANsWErs WHO YOU ARe." Vestara quickly swung her blade forwards but Garrys blocked her strike with his left forearm, which stopped the blade completely. "CLeVEr, But NoT eNOugH."
Vestara continued to apply pressure and soon the blade began to press through his arm severing it completely. "WHaT?!" But before any retort could be made she turned her saber downward and plunged it through his left leg causing him to fall to his knees before finally she drew her blaster but rather than shoot him she struck him hard in the forehead with the butt of it dazing him.
Rook who was rubbing him bruised and bleeding head walked over and kicked him hard in the face.
"Why didn't you just outright kill him?"
"Because" Turning to see Mirta walk over with the Disruptor she had just gone to recollect "This is her kill, not mine."
Garrys finally regained his senses in time to find himself staring down the barrel of the Disruptor Mirta was holding. "If you've got anymore men on this base their hiding because the only ones I see are dead.
You know, before my visit to Palagus's station, I'd never heard of you. My Grandfather never spoke of you because he probably forgot about you. And soon I and everyone else in the universe will forget you. After all who would remember a man that doesn't exist."
Garrys began to let out a shout of protest but was silence by Mirta firing the blaster. Mirta was curious how it would react given that most of his body was already mechanical, at first spark's and smoke emanated from his body as his various cybernetics ceased to function and died, when after a moment his body began to crumple forward as bit by bit his flesh began to dissolve atom by atom giving of a small blue luminosity from the disruptors plasma, until eventually there was nothing left, just a pile of smoking, crackling machinery.
Vestara stared wide eyed for a moment in awe of what just happened "Huh. I does disintegrate people."
As the remaining Mando gathered around Mirta held the Disruptor above her head "I'm keeping this, anyone got a problem too bad." No-one said anything. "Alright well with him dead our problem is solved, now we can get back to more important business, like going home. Everyone gather your belongings and someone radio the Kandosii, tell them where to pick us up, while your at it let the other team know they can stop guarding Garrys's ship he's not gonna be using it anymore."
As everyone took to there assigned tasks Vestara, whose legs had begun to bother her again limped over to Mirta "May I ask something?"
"Didn't you just?"
Vestara smirked at her sarcastic reply but still continued with her question "This won't be the only person who comes looking for revenge against your grandfather. And I doubt you have made friends with everyone you've met."
"My grandfather has been a bounty hunter longer than Luke Skywalker himself has drawn breath, of course he's made enemies and yes I anticipate we will meet several of them. My Grandmother chased bounties to support my mother, this eventually resulted in someone tracking her down and freezing her in carbonite for almost Fifty years. And then there was my Mother who did quite a few nasty things while posing as her Father. Garrys wasn't the only person looking for revenge, he won't be the last. But he was the problem right in front of us."
"And how long do you think everyone will put up with these distractions?"
Mirta gave Vestara a fierce glare for a brief moment "And whats that supposed to mean?!"
"I hear things. Like I've heard things aren't so good back home with the people's leader blocked from stepping foot on it. And I heard you yourself are under scrutiny for getting everyone mixed up with the Qrepths. How many distractions will they put up with? How long will they follow you and Fett when you have a list bigger than a Sarlac of people with vendetta's against you?"
"Is there a point t to this or do you enjoy prodding at my personal misfortunes?!"
"My point is something has to give sooner or later or people will get testy, are you prepared for than potential scenario?"
"I'll cross that bridge when I come to it, till then you worry about yourself, your good at that."
"But that's what I'm doing."
"Beg pardon."
"Mirta for the time being I'm stuck with you, and as of late your problems have been MY problems. And let's not forget it was a Sith who cast you all from your homeworld. In the event of a horrid mutiny where do you figure my life sits on their priorities, especially since Chess Piece questions you at every turn over whether to keep me aboard. Oh and speaking of idiot's."
As Vestara departed Rook came up to address Mirta. "Pleasant chat?"
"So-so. She brought up something for me ponder."
"Ok. One thing about all this still bothers me."
"Only one?"
"Actually Two. First whose idea was it for her to try that one trick again?"
"Mine, I spoke to her after we left Palagus's station and told her to only use it if we were ever captured again, but to make sure any allies weren't next to her."
"OK, another thing I get that he set a trap, by then he had to know we were coming for him. I even get that by placing in the one end of the door he made the explosion bottleneck at us with little of the explosion reaching him."
"The fact that there was a bomb to begin with justifies my not having her cut through the doors, he could have just set it off prematurely, and the fact that they were reinforced say it was the right call not to waste our own explosives on it."
"Yeah, but what I don't get it how she knew about the bomb?"
To this Mirta began laughing quite loudly before tapping the side of her helmet "Our helmets muffle certain noises, the insulation to protect us from weather and any airborne toxins dampen certain light noises. She could hear it before us because she refused to wear the helmet because she thought it looked stupid."
Rook stared rather blankly and perplexed for a moment before slapping his face with his palm. "So we were saved by Vanity?"
Mirta now began laughing louder "YES!"
"I swear you can't make this crap up."
As everyone gathered near the front gate of the bases watching as the Mando ship 'The Kandosii' set down nearby, Vestara took one last look at the base before turning towards Mirta. "So what are we going to do with all the equipment here?"
"I don't see that it's our concern."
"There's plenty of weapons in this base, might be useful."
"Yes but the ship has limited space and is serving as the permanent residence of more people than it should, as useful as everything here is it's too cumbersome to take with us. But we've taken measures to ensure the equipment won't become a problem."
"What measures?"
As the hatch for the Kandosii opened to let everyone on board Mirta motioned for Vestara to follow her. The two quickly got on and made their way to the Ships bridge where the two could see the Base as the Ship made it's departure. "Technically speaking this is also the same method for ensuring none of Garrys's men come looking for payback on account of I disintegrated their meal ticket."
"I suppose it's not a harsh talking to?" A short moment later there was a bright flash of light that slowly died down to revealing a massive explosion engulfing almost the entirety of the base. "I suppose orbital bombing works as well, but how'd you cover the entire base?"
"We rigged Garrys's ship to explode as well, helped cover more ground."
"Ah, well unless I'm needed for something else, I will adjourn." With a small nod Mirta dismissed her and she left for their shared quarters not stopping for anything along the way.
Exhausted from the entirety of the days events Vestara simply removed the top portion of her body armor, which was covered in blood though not her own,as well as her robe, which was badly singed from the explosion earlier, before simply laying down in her bed.
As she lay silently trying to get some form of rest she noticed a peculiar, and quite familiar, sensation in her head. Something she knew rattling around in her mind if it were, it only took a few moments to realize what it was but as tired as she was she simply didn't have time to impede what she knew was coming.
"Lady Khai." Ship was trying to talk to her again. At first she thought of trying to push him out of her head again but decided against it, he had already made contact so she reneged and decided to see it through.
"WHAT do you want Ship?"
"You have been resisting my attempt to communicate."
"That's because I didn't want to talk!"
"Your behaviour as of late has been unusual, why do you resist my conversing with me? Why are you prolonging your reunion with the Sith? What is it that has you so consumed that you resist your own objective?"
In reality her rejoining the Sith was Ship's idea, she had abandoned the Sith order entirely so in truth it was not HER goal but rather HIS. "My current venture is not a short one, it's something I HAVE to take care of. Can you not be a little patient?"
"One does not demand patience from the Sith! What is this endeavor that distracts you so?"
"Mirta Gev, the Mando who helped me escape from the Monolith, she need's my aid in...'correcting a mistake'. A mistake one of your previous employer's wrought on her."
For a moment she received no reply, almost as if he was contemplating her statement before finally answering. "You refer to the Nano-Killer Darth Caedus released into Mandalore's atmosphere?"
"Yes."
"I fail to comprehend how this is in anyway relevant or necessary moving forward. Why is it so important that you undo the action of one of your predecessors?"
"All Mirta wants is to go home, Caedus stole that from her. Mirta personally saw to it that I received appropriate medical treatment for my injuries,without proper treatment I could have lost my legs she saw to it that didn't happen but at her own financial expense."
"That was her choice, neither you nor I nor the Sith themselves are under any obligation to grant her aid in this trial."
"Mirta Gev is not someone you try to take advantage of when they do you a favor, and then there's her Grandfather."
Once again Ship went silent, but this time Vestara was unsure why. "Who is this Mirta Gev? Of what significance is she? It was apparent that she was the leader of the Mando who aided the Qrepth's, but beyond that who is she to demand such a favor from you? And of what significance does her Grandfather hold?"
It was now Vestara's turn to be silent, she pondered to possibility of Ship honestly now knowing who Mirta was. But Mirta had mentioned being raised almost exclusively by her mother who used various alias's during her life. Then there was the fact that Fett himself had no way of knowing of Mirta's existence before they met so all in all it was probable Ship could be unaware of whom she is.
"Mirta Gev is the Commanding Officer of the Mandalorian Security Force."
"The most recent incarnation of the Mandalorian Protectors? Then she is an individual of some standing on Mandalore."
"She is also the Granddaughter and only living descendant of Boba Fett."
"The bounty hunter Boba Fett? Does he still hold the position of Mand'alore?"
"Yes."
"The Nano-Killer that prevents her from returning home, it was also designed to kill any of her reletives, this include's Fett, the Supreme authoritative figure on Mandalore?"
"Yes, as well as a portion of the entire Mandalorian population, Fett's father was the Template for the Republic's clone army."
Ship was silent for a long time now, Vestara almost wondered if he had simply left he was so quiet, or if he was once again contemplating her words but in greater depth. But eventually he did speak "Very well. I shall not bar you from this endeavor."
Vestara was now immensely confused as to what could have prompted this change in tone from Ship. "I don't understand. A moment ago..."
"A moment ago I was not privy to the benefits of your action's."
"Beg pardon?"
"The Sith and Mandalorian's have a long history of cooperation with one another. Before I lacked the proper information regarding this Mirta's heritige, I find there is very little official record of her. But if you, Lady Khai, were to return the Mand'alore and his family home they would most certainly be indebted to you. And given the cultural importance Mandalorian's place on their own planet, it would be a great debt."
It now dawned on her the conclusion Ship had drawn and was horrified by what he was suggesting. "Wait! I'm not so sure-"
"I will inform the Sith of your action's, I'm certain they will more than approve and mayhaps be willing to overlook your failure to secure the Monolith for them. We shall await your eventual return, with the Mandalorians."
"NO! Ship!" But unfortunately he had broken the mental connection between them and no longer heard her words and Vestara could no longer feel his presence. "Nononononono!" Vestara began trembling violently, Ship was now headed to tell the Sith she was eventually bringing a Mando army with her but even if she did wish to do so Mirta loathed and despised the Sith and she doubted the felling wasn't shard with her Grandfather. A Sith had forced them from their home. A Sith Murdered Fett's only child, his daughter, Mirta's mother. And then there was the torture Mirta herself suffered under Caedus, she knew if she ever tried to ask Mirta to aid the Sith she would probably tear Vestara's head off with her bare hands right where she stood! But now Ship and soon the Sith order itself would expect this, and this was not a failure that would be tolerated even if she did have personal information regarding the Skywalkers.
Vestara was beginning to panic until she heard the door to the room open and she suddenly went still as Mirta walked in and saw Vestara lying still on her bed and assuming she was already asleep she saw no reason to bother her and simply readied herself for bed and adjourned to her own.
All the while Vestara was trying not to have a fit right in front of her as more and more it settled in she had now two choices: Try to bribe and/or blackmail Mirta into convincing Fett to side with the Sith, OR, simply alienate herself from the Sith entirely. She knew they wanted control of the Monolith and she failed to secure it, now Ship is presenting them with the proposal of redemption upon her delivering a Mando army, she knew this to be unlikely if not impossible at best, and given how harshly her failure's were met in her own native faction of Sith she imagined they would not be forgiving of this blunder she knew they would come for her.
And when they did anyone near her would be caught in the crossfire, and if she drug Mirta into another conflict with the Sith she would be livid ot say the least.
Vestara had trouble sleeping as for the first time in quite a while, she was now truly scared as at any moment everything could come crashing down.
In the weeks that followed Vestara gained full function back in her hand as well as her legs, which eventually became mildly sore when she walked, which prompted Mirta to give her greater responsibilities during their business meetings. While Vestara still didn't like being exploited for her Force sensitivity she was pleased that now she could say she earning her keep more, and Rook began to question her presence less and less.
But dispite all of this Vestara still kept her conversation with Ship secret from Mirta, she knew not how to divulge such a thing. Mirta wouldn't be pleased with this regardless and Vestara knew he likely wouldn't be able to resolve the matter without her finding out. But still she bid her time hoping a solution would show itself. But until then she continued to aid Mirta in whatever way was asked as she knew it best to stay in her good graces at the present moment.
Unfortunately Vestara's prediction that Garrys wasn't the only problem from Mirta or Fett's past that would reveal itself. During their recent business ventures every time it was the same two scenarios, either the people they met legitimately wanted to help but couldn't as they lacked sufficient data on the virus itself or it was all elaborate traps set up by jilted parties who encountered Mirta or some member of her family in the past, either way all of their endeavors had ended in failure and disappointment with the only consolation being that Mirta was deal with these issues now and not later.
One day after returning from another failed meeting Mirta and Vestara simply returned to their quarters and went to bed, exhausted from yet another violent meeting.
"Let's not take Chess Piece anywhere anymore."
"It was an accident."
"He called a Lasat a hairless Wookie, so he tried to kill us! Everything was going great before that!"
"Okay he might be an idiot. I'll talk to him later."
The two rested rather peacefully until and electronic chirping filled the air and broke the silence immediately irritating Vestara. " .THAT!?"
"Uuugh it's my comm unit, someones trying to call me."
"Turn it off and Ignore it."
"I can't it might be important"
"Well if it's a male, tell them where and how fast they can shove their apparatus!"
"Can do." Mirta sluggishly wandered over to the noisy device and quickly tapped a button on her holo-comm which immediately projected the image of a blonde haired man wearing red and black Mando gear who Mirta immediately recognized. "CYAR'IKA!"Vestara's head immediately shot up as she had never heard Mirta's voice that high before.
The projected man however simply smiled at Mirta."Hello Mirta, how have you been?"
"I'm well, or as well as can be expected, You?"
"I'm well."
"How is grandfather?"
"Still laconic, sometimes I honestly forget he's in the room he can be so quiet. Though he won't say it out loud he misses you to."
Mirta chuckled at this. "While it's always good to hear from you Ghes, is something the matter or is this a personal call?"
"Little bit of column A, little bit of column B. Do you by remember Venku Skirata?"
"Venku, yes of course I remember him."
"Well I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear that he was able to safely leave Mandalore before being exposed to the virus."
"That's good."
"And he's asked to meet with everyone, you ,me, your Grandfather, and any other clone descendants working on finding a cure, he want's to speak with us all at once."
"What for?"
"Now I don't have any detail's but he said he might have found a cure, or rather he might have discovered one existed ALREADY!"
Mirta's face lit up and she stood straight up wide-eyed at Ghes "Ghes, don't you dare joke with me. Not you, not like that."
"I would never lie about that. He want's to meet everyone at once so he only has to explain it once."
"What else did he say?"
"Nothing but he seemed confident in what or whoever his source was."
"Ok fine when and where?"
"I'll send you the coordinates, and he's just waiting on you for the most part. But if nothing else it will be good to see you again."
"You too. Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum."
Ghes smiled and repeated the phrase back at her before ending the call so Mirta could receive the coordinated he possessed. When Mirta turn around she noticed Vestara sitting up in bed and staring at her. "So, who was that? He your BoOoOoyfreind?" Vestara was making an effort to be as childish as possible Mirta simply rolled her eyes at her immaturity.
"No he isn't."
"Could have fooled me, your voice reached a pitch I'd never heard before."
"He's not my boyfriend."
"Well if he isn't then you want him to be."
"No actually I don't."
"Ok than who is he?"
"His name is Ghes Orade, and he's not my boyfriend he is in fact my husband, there's a difference."
"Husband, as in spouse, as in Mister Mirta Gev?"
Mirta aughed at hearing Ghes referred to in such a manner. "No-one has ever called him that before but yes."
"Why he not here with you?"
"Because I want him watching my grandfather. Yes being away from him is painful but I need someone I trust above reproach to have his back regardless of how talented Fett is."
Mirta began to return to her bed to get some rest before meeting with her husband until Vestara addressed her again.
"What was that you called him?" Mirta turned to face her slightly puzzled "When you first saw him what did you call him?"
"Oh Cyar'ika. Why?"
Vestara simply shrugged "Curious, seemed important."
"Ok. Cyar'ika means darling or beloved it's a term used to describe that special someone."
"Okay and that last thing you both said to each other?"
"Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum, it means 'I love you'."
"Rather verbose don't you think?"
"It's not a direct translation, the individual words have their own meaning, but when put together that's what they mean."
"Ok."
Now Vestara began settling to go to bed before Mirta interrupted her "I have a question now." Vestara once again turned to face her "That boy you were with, Ben. Is he just someone you were involved with or is her YOUR Cyar'ika." Vestara said nothing to this. "Food for thought." Both women laid back to rest and while Mirta slept soundly Vestara pondered her question, she didn't know what the answer was but knew what she wanted the answer to be.
A/N PART 5 OF 5 of the Quintuple update if you just tuning in the update started at 16.
FINALLY! I have finally reached the point in the story I've wanted to be at for so long, everything up until now could essentially be considered filler because NOW I've reached the main portion! And hopefully my updates will be more frequent, God-willing.
In the Next chapter I will address one of the expanded universes largest plotholes!