[Rex]

Standing by the shuttle with the rest of Jaig Squad from Torrent Company, named because of the Captain's distinctive Jaig Eyes painted on his helmet, they waited for the General and Miss Liera. Consisting of Rex as Captain, ARC Jesse, Troopers Fives and Echo, Medic Kix, and their Heavy Gunners Hevy and Hardcase. General Skywalker had given him carte blanche when it came to the members within his squad but he'd yet to pick their final two. Whoever he chose had to be extremely competent and able to put up with Anakin's crazy plans and reckless movements. While Fives, Echo, and Hevy were still fairly new to the 501st he had seen their dedication, creativity, and tenacity first hand on the Rishi Station. He'd tapped them earlier for his squad and was considering sending them for further training.

The General entered the hangar and the men stood straighter in response. Next to him, sticking close, was their Healer. Anakin gave them a nod and eagerly boarded the shuttle. At the bottom of the ramp he watched Liera hesitate for a moment before going inside to sit down. With all pre-flight checks finished and the three passengers secured the rest of them piled in. It was only a short flight.

He knew something was wrong almost immediately. Normally their Healer was excited to meet new vode. But instead of going to introduce herself to the pilots she had taken a seat in the far corner and shrunk in on herself. Her arms were hugging her body as if she were trying to keep herself together and her eyes were closed tight. He could see the rise and fall of her chest in a steady rhythm. Was she trying to meditate? Was she nervous about meeting with the Jedi Council? Rex knew the vode were worried about what was going to happen to her but he highly doubted she would be executed. She didn't feel dark and she would be too useful to the war effort, as much as it pained him to think like that.

After the shuttle took off he could feel the anxious shuffling from his squad. Even though she'd only met Kix and Jesse the vode knew who she was instantly. Besides saving their vode from death she was just a genuinely kind, energetic, and fun individual to be around. She liked them and they liked her. So when she started to curl in on herself as if she were terrified he could feel the concern of the vode spike.

"Liera? Are you alright?" General Kenobi asked her gently. She opened her eyes and looked between the two Generals. The smile she gave them was not reassuring in the least.

"No. No, I'm not. But it's okay, I'll be fine once we land." Rex's eyebrows rose in surprise. General Kenobi's expression softened and he gave her a sympathetic look. But Anakin… Rex sighed. His General was a competent leader and a great jedi but he'd never been particularly observant. Especially when it came to others feelings. Liera seemed to understand this as well since she continued to speak. "I don't like flying. I can do it if I have to, but not being in control of the ship scares me." His General blinked at her with a blank expression and Rex wanted to sigh again.

Seeing her reaction to being on the ship reminded him of something… it finally clicked. Back when he had taken her on a tour of the Resolute she had seemed anxious and agitated once they entered the hangar. If she was scared of flying she probably didn't like being in the one place filled with shuttles and fighter craft. That was one mystery solved.

"But… you use Ataru." Anakin was giving off this feeling of concerned confusion and Rex could kind of understand why. His General was born to fly. He probably couldn't understand anyone being afraid of it. While General Kenobi didn't necessarily like to fly he wasn't necessarily afraid of it, unless it was Anakin piloting.

"Ataru and flying are not the same. I'm not afraid of heights, Skywalker. I'm afraid of the possible loss of control." Rex frowned. That was an interesting way to look at it. "We are putting our lives in the metaphorical hands of a machine. Something that cannot be reasoned with. If it suddenly breaks," her voice wavered and she had to clear her throat before continuing, "then we will all fall. With the possibility of tons of metal falling onto our heads and crushing us." Rex felt grim understanding from his squad. They all knew what could happen when a ship crashed. They'd seen it first hand.

The Generals looked at her as if they didn't quite understand. "I have never been very good at telekinesis…" She explained, nibbling her bottom lip nervously. Rex could see how that would make her nervous. Anakin could lift and throw tons of metal easily. But if she couldn't and the roof caved in there was no way for her to stop it.

'If something happens I'll use the force to…' Rex felt a jolt of surprise run through him. He wanted to reassure her that he would protect her if they started to crash but doing so would reveal the fact that he was force sensitive. While she already knew that, the Generals Skywalker and Kenobi didn't. It would give him, and the other force sensitive vode away.

"Well, we're almost there. We will be touching down soon. We'll give you a minute to get your bearings once we land." She gave General Kenobi a grateful smile and closed her eyes again.

They landed on Coruscant with no issues. Both generals waited next to her as Liera took a few deep breaths to calm her nerves. Once she was ready the three of them exited the shuttle. Rex wished he and the squad could join them but he had other duties to attend to.

As he watched them walk down the ramp, waiting to close the door, he saw Chancellor Palpatine smile and welcome them back. Bile rose in the back of his throat and he tugged hard on his shields. 'I am so small that I do not exist.' He repeated the mantra for a moment until he was certain the dar'jetii couldn't sense him. Although he probably shouldn't have bothered. With Anakin standing right there the man didn't even give the rest of them a single glance. They were just meat droids to him, far beneath his prestigious notice.

"Liera?" General Kenobi's voice caught his attention. He saw the man put a gentle hand on the healer's shoulder. She'd stopped dead in her tracks just before the end of the ramp. "We were introducing you to the Chancellor." She nodded but it was stiff, defensive.

'Oh Stars, she can see it!' Rex felt his stomach twist into knots. None of the vode trusted the Chancellor. Especially not the force sensitives. Their Buir had a deep seated hatred for the demagolka hut'uun.

"My apologies, Chancellor. I did not mean to be rude." Palpatine smiled at her and it set Rex's teeth on edge.

"No apologies necessary. I can see you are overwhelmed. Knight Skywalker here was just telling me that you are a healer and have been a great help keeping his men alive. You have my gratitude." Rex didn't believe that for a stars cursed minute.

"Please, there is no need for thanks. It is an honor." Although he knew that Liera truly meant what she said, she avoided gratitude like General Kenobi avoided the med bay, he could tell she was shaken. When the Generals began talking to the Chancellor again he saw Kenobi gently lead her off the ramp. Once they were finally on the platform she shifted so that the bulk of the General was in front of her, hiding from the dar'jetii.

Closing the ramp he felt the shuttle lift off again and let out the breath he'd been holding. Kix tapped his elbow, helmet canted to the side and giving off concern-confusion. "Naas." He murmured. Kix gave him a scrutinizing look from behind his helmet but eventually let it go.

They arrived at the GAR Barracks a few minutes later.

[Haati]

It was early in the morning, almost ungodly so. The sun had yet to rise but he was no stranger to getting up before dawn.

Carefully shifting the tabbard at his waist he took another look at himself in the fresher mirror to ensure that everything was sitting correctly. It had been a long time since he'd had to wear jedi robes and he was a bit surprised he remembered how to layer them properly. Tying back his hair into a low ponytail he looked himself in the eyes and had to wonder. If he and his master hadn't gone on that fateful mission would this be what he looked like as a jedi knight? Honestly he could not see the appeal. Then again, the jetti didn't really have a choice, now did they? Taken when they were too young to protest, too young to choose, and raised to believe that everything they were taught was a-okay.

He could have ended up like that.

Shoving those thoughts away he twisted his body this way and that, trying to see if anything came loose. When he was certain that the basic body armor he was wearing wouldn't be seen beneath the bulky jetti robes and cloak he headed out of the fresher. Glancing over at the two commandos on watch he grinned when they finally noticed him. "How do I look, boys?" Boss gave him a quick once over and shrugged before looking away again, while Darman took a moment to contemplate him.

"Like a General." He finally said.

"You commando boys." Haati chuckled at the both of them as he pulled up the hood of his cloak. "I'm heading out. Hit up my comm if things go pear shaped." He waved good-bye to them as he headed downstairs, already knowing the bar would be empty. He would never hear the end of it if he was spotted wearing jetii robes around Kal's operational house. If Qibbu wasn't a Hutt he could have just shrouded himself with the force but the fat cowards were all resistant to it.

Hopping into his speeder he obscured his presence before racing through the busy skies of Coruscant, being sure to take as many twists, turns, and roundabout routes as possible. Just in case. He didn't want anyone following him, after all.

Sending an authorization code he'd asked Ordo to get for him he waited for the all clear before setting his speeder down on the landing pad of the GAR barracks. A couple of on duty guards stepped forward to meet him as he made his way to the main entrance into the compound.

"Name and identification number?" One of them demanded, hands tightening on his weapon as he tried to see into the hood. Haati slowly reached up and pushed the hood back, smirking as both men straightened in surprise. There was not one clone that shouldn't know him by sight.

"Buir Rid'alor." The second guard breathed, voice low as if he was afraid someone would overhear him. Haati snorted, amused by their reaction to him. It didn't surprise him they were still calling him what was effectively Queen Mother in Basic. Cheeky ad'ike had learned a little too much from their trainers back on Kamino.

"I heard that Winter Squad was in house and wanted to pay a visit. Are you going to let me in?" The two of them didn't move but he could tell they were glancing at each other and speaking over comms as they contemplated his request. You didn't spend the majority of your life around people clad in beskar'gam without learning to read the smallest of movements. He waited patiently for them to finish their discussion. There was a very real chance they wouldn't let him in. After all, he wasn't part of their chain of command nor was he an actual jetti. He was, however, someone they definitely wanted to obey. If only because of his status with the Mandalorians and his role on Kamino.

"We'll let you in, buir. Just try not to cause any trouble." Reaching up he clapped the both of them on the shoulder, an easy smile on his face.

"I wouldn't dare cause trouble." He said with a small smile. "The Winter boys however…" He shook his head. There was a high possibility that things might get a little out of hand later if he wasn't careful. When his boys got excited things tended to get broken.

Walking through the compound he nodded or waved at those he passed, amused when one trooper stopped to gawk at him and was almost bowled over by the man behind him. Knowing there was a fight brewing he quickly intervened. "None of that, now." They stopped, looking sheepish. "I'm looking for Winter Squad, do you know where they are?" Both men stared at him for a moment before snickering and pointing him in the direction of their quarters. He thanked them and went on his merry way.

When he came closer to Winter Squad's quarters he pulled his presence inward until he was all but invisible. He wanted to see how well they'd kept up their training since the last time he'd seen them.

"I'm telling you, Ciri, I can feel something's here." Coming up to the door to their shared quarters he listened carefully.

"What have I said about calling me Ciri while we're on Triple Zero?" Was the annoyed response.

"Fine then, Snowy, but it doesn't change the fact that something's off here." There was a long, disgruntled, sigh and Haati had to hold back a snicker.

The feeling of something cold against his neck made him freeze, a slow grin crossing his face. Not moving a muscle he slowly let is presence be known.

"Well done, Shev'la." He said proudly. The knife retracted and he was able to turn his head to look up at the silent commando. There was a faint feeling of accomplishment and amusement in the force around them for a moment before the door opened and someone popped their head out.

"Buir! What are you doing here?" He smiled at the Mando'a. Greene would never speak Basic again if given half a chance.

"Why? To see my ad'ike, of course!" Motioning the man back into the room he entered with Shev'la practically melding with his shadow.

He looked over Winter Squad and felt relieved. All of his boys looked healthy enough. Snow was just as grumpy as ever, Greene was practically bouncing with excitement, Silver was looking at him as if he were a puzzle that needed solving, and Shev'la was giving off affection-longing-protection vibes in the force. With a laugh he turned and gave the quiet man a hug, feeling acceptance-joy in return. Turning back to the others he opened his arms and Greene raced forward for the second hug, beaming. Silver slid off his bunk, putting his datapad down, and gave him a quick hug as well before looking over at Snow. The leader of their squad stood there, arms crossed and expression thunderous. In the end he finally caved and gave Haati a quick side hug, face tinged red in embarrassment. The poor boy never could admit that he was the one who wanted hugs the most.

"What's new with Boba and Buir?" Haati smiled at Greene's concern and switched to Mando'a in response to his question.

"Boba and your father are both doing fine. Your vod'ika is learning more advanced hand to hand and I've been teaching him intermediate hiding techniques." Glancing around the room he grinned. "The jetii they sent as an overseer is starting to be a thorn in our side. If she's not careful some of your Ba'vodue are going to stage a coup; and Jango will help them!" Near feral grins crossed his boy's faces, even Silver's, as they thought about the implications.

"Buir, we have some good news! It's been going around the barracks but the vode are trying to keep it quiet from the natural-borns. That healer you've been looking into is here on Coruscant." Haati couldn't help smiling.

"Excellent! I really want to talk to her. So does your Uncle Kal." The looks his boys gave each other were so obvious he wanted to laugh at them. He knew that they didn't necessarily dislike Kal, but wherever Kal went there was almost always a Null class ARC hanging around. The six Null boys were very protective of their father and didn't have the same connection with the vode that the others had. Not to mention they were maelstroms in the force. Even if they weren't able to access it consciously. It was like looking at Jango through the force. The force absolutely adored him even if he couldn't interact with it. It gave him some of the most impressive mental shields Haati had ever seen and an almost sixth sense for when someone was a force user but there was no way in haran he could actually use the force.

"If this healer really can sop the accelerated aging then we'll want her on our side. So if you see her you play nice. Especially you." He pointed at Greene, whose wide smile had returned with a vengeance.

"I don't think you have to worry about that, Buir. Kot'ika and Rex'ika like her already and they're great at telling who's trustworthy and who isn't." Silver nodded toward Shev'la who nodded, giving off trust-affection-safety.

"Kote and Rex are here?" His boys nodded.

"As well as Wolf'ika and Pon'ika." A bright smile lit his face. So many of his boys in the same place at the same time! The Force sure liked to work in mysterious ways.

"Well then, let's go find your vod'ike, shall we?" Haati hadn't seen any of his boys besides Boba in so long. He wanted to see them in person.

"I know Shev'la and Greene are going, but what about you Snow? Silver?" Snow let out a disgruntled sigh, which meant he was coming along. Snow would never admit it but he was actually quite clingy. Silver took a moment to think it over before he quietly nodded.

"Lead the way!" He said with a chuckle.

[Liera]

Waking in the morning to actual sunlight coming in through a small window she sighed. It was a mixed bag of blessings and curses to be back in the temple. The scents and sounds were so familiar, even after all this time. Incense, clean linens, handmade soaps and oils. Soft shoes on stone, giggling younglings, lightsabers clashing, and the quiet murmurs of the thousands of residents. Even in a time of war some things remained the same.

Getting out of bed she changed out of her simple nightdress and into pale cream tights, a breastband, a white undershirt, and a soft fawn over-tunic. It was simple, comfortable, and although it was a little too much like the usual jedi style it would serve her well. Clipping her belt to her waist she brushed her fingers gently against her twin lightsabers, feeling a pulse-hum of acceptance-joy-affection echo back. In the fresher she quickly braided her long hair and pinned it in place. Turning her head she tested to see if it would come loose and was satisfied when it didn't budge an inch. Making sure the comm she'd been given was on her belt, and turned on, she headed to the cafeteria she remembered from her days as an Initiate then Padawan.

Her appearance in the halls and the cafeteria gained her many curious stares and polite nods. She smiled and gave polite nods back. So many vibrant spirits in a myriad of colors. But none of them were familiar to her. Grief filled her heart as she thought of the people she would never see again. It ached to not sense Phali-tho, Arychs, Chrys, Toriik, Jobin, or Lou'lai. They had been her crechemates, practically her siblings they were so close. At least they weren't in the middle of a terrible war between the jedi, with a slave army, and a group of terrorists sending millions of unfeeling machines to conquer or destroy every planet they came across. Stopping those thoughts she set them aside for her to pick through later during her nightly meditation and grabs a tray.

After a quick meal she comms Kenobi, expecting him to be awake.

"Good morning." She smiles at the almost cheery greeting.

"Good morning. I just wanted to tell you my plans for today. I'm supposed to let someone know when I'm leaving the temple. Who better to tell than a Council Member?" She has to bite her lip to keep back the giggles threatening to spill from her mouth as Kenobi sighs on the other end of the call.

"Hmm, I knew that would come back to bite me eventually. Very well." His dry delivery makes her laugh.

"I was planning to visit the GAR Barracks first, to tell the 501st in person what the council have decided. Afterward I might visit a few places I found on he holonet. They were around when I was here last and I'm wondering how much they've changed." There is a thoughtful sound on the other end.

"What kinds of places?"

"The museum, the library, some of the historical monuments. Maybe one of the large gardens. Nowhere dangerous or sketchy." Kenobi laughs.

"Alright. Make sure you return before dinner." Liera snorts.

"Yes, dad." Kenobi makes a choking sound and she snickers as she ends the call. She briefly wonders how no one notices how expressive the jedi master is. Maybe it's not just her and everyone either ignores it or secretly laughs about it when they're alone.

She doesn't have her own speeder but there are regular shuttles that go between the GAR compound and the temple. Swallowing her nerves down she asks one of the service crew how she'd go about finding which shuttle would be landing closest to the GAR Barracks. The man blinks at her for a moment, makes a couple hand motions to another service crew member, then motions for her to follow him.

He led her to a shuttle heading directly to the Barracks and she thanks him with a bright smile of gratitude. The man gives her a shy smile in return before he goes back to work. The shuttle is nearly packed with troops. They notice her lightsabers immediately and one of them insists on giving up his seat. She would have protested if she wasn't so damn thankful to not have to stand in the moving shuttle. She can feel their surprise in the force when she thanks the man with a sincere, if slightly wavering, smile.

"Are you alright General?" She holds back a sigh. Until more of the men knew about her she was going to be called General a lot.

"It's Adept, not General. If it helps, I have the same rank as a Chief Medical Officer. And I'm fine. Thank you for your concern…" She blinks up at the soldier in the white and maroon armor.

The man watched her quietly for a moment, she could practically hear him thinking. "Ponds, Miss. Commander Ponds of the 91st Reconnaissance Corps, under High Jedi General Windu." Unfortunately she didn't know who that was. The only people she knew from the temple were Kenobi, Skywalker, Tano, Master Yoda, and Master Allie. But at least she new the commander's name now.

"Thank you, Commander Ponds. I want to assure you that there is nothing physically wrong with me. I am just a little… uncomfortable… with flying." The men around her grew even more curious but didn't speak.

"I see." Was all Ponds said before leaving her to her own thoughts.

When the shuttle finally landed it took her a moment to stand and get off the flying death trap. When her feet were squarely on the platform she used the same breathing technique she'd taught Kenobi. Once she'd calmed down and felt less shaky she headed toward the entrance of the barracks.

The compound itself was enormous. But then it would have to be to house so many people. Standing at the end of the line of troops waiting to be allowed inside she noted that they all took off their helmets. It must have been a security measure. Once all the troops had passed whatever security check was required she stepped forward to speak with the guards.

"Name and Identification number?" She hesitated.

"My name is Liera Buraaisuh, Healer Adept. I was only assigned this rank yesterday so I'm afraid I don't know my identification number. But if you contact Generals Kenobi or Skywalker I'm certain they can vouch for me." The two men stiffened slightly and she could tell they were speaking to each other, though she couldn't hear what was being said.

"If you'll hand over your comm we'll see what we can do." Unclipping it from her belt she held it out for the guard to take. He plugged something into it and tapped away on a small keyboard on his vambrace. Liera was fascinated. It must have been nice to have a computer or scanner right at your fingertips. "Five-oh-one, dash, three thirteen fifteen, dash, ten four nine, dash, twelve two." He stared down at the numbers for a moment before unhooking her comm and handing it back. "Welcome to the GAR, Miss. Do you need directions?"

Taking back the comm unit she clipped it to her belt and smiled. She'd have to commit the strange sequence of numbers to memory before she forgot. "I would appreciate it. I'm looking for Captain Rex from the 501st Attack Battalion." The guard nodded and tapped his wrist communicator. While he was speaking she stepped off to the side a moment and focused on the numbers. Using the force she committed the sequence to memory, making sure it wouldn't slip her mind when she wasn't paying attention.

"Miss?" She looked over at the guard. "Someone will be here to show you around in a moment. Would you like to wait inside?"

"Yes, thank you." The guards let her pass and she entered the compound. What she hadn't seen from outside she could see now. The layout was well organized to maximize space. Everywhere she looked she could see men going about their well structured military lives. To be honest if she couldn't sense the feeling of community-safety-pride she would think this kind of life would be very lonely and confining.

"Miss Liera!" Looking up when her name was called she saw a figure in 501st blue jogging toward her and smiled, instantly recognizing the markings and the force signature.

"Good morning, Kix." She greeted when he got closer. He returned her smile easily with a feeling of joy-relief so strong that it made her blink in confusion.

"You were… worried about me?" Kix's brows rose before he let out a huff and gave her a look. She gave him one right back. It wasn't like she could just turn off her empathic abilities and he had been practically yelling.

"Of course we were. We don't know what the jedi do with their defectors, only what the GAR does…" There was a undercurrent of grief-anger-fear that she did not like. But before she could ask he was speaking again. "In any case," he gave her another smile, "the Captain sent me to bring you to our barracks. Everyone is eager to see you." She let the questions go for now, wanting to reassure the men she was alright.

As they walked through the compound she could feel curious eyes on her. When she caught someone staring she would just smile and nod at them politely. It didn't seem like they got a lot of visitors. Or at the very least not a lot of visitors wearing lightsabers.

Focusing on her eyes she looked at all the bright spirits around her and felt herself relaxing further. By the time they got to the 501st's barracks all her nerves from the shuttle ride had vanished. The building looked like all the other ones except for the letter-number combination on the door. Following Kix inside she looked around the spacious common room in approval. The moment the door opened a few of the men immediately zeroed in on her.

"Miss Liera!" Hearing multiple voices calling her at the same time she couldn't help but burst into a fit of giggles.

"Hello everyone. I'm sorry I worried you all." There was a feeling of exasperation-relief-joy in the room. "At least I come bearing good news. But first," she turned to a group of five and looked at them quizzically. She'd met Jesse a couple of times in the medical bay, he was a close friend of Kix's, but she'd never met the other four. "I don't think we've ever met. I'm Liera Buraaisuh." They looked at her then each other.

"I'm Hevy." The first man to introduce himself was independent and protective. "Hardcase." The second one felt aggressive and energetic. "Fives." The third nodded at her with a grin, feeling eager and playful. "I'm Echo, Miss. It's a pleasure to meet you." The last gave her a polite but hesitant smile. He felt a little shy but inquisitive.

"It's nice to meet you too, Echo, Fives, Hardcase, and Hevy." She looked at each of them, eyes faintly glowing, and committed their names and force signatures to memory. Hardcase looked a little unnerved but Echo seemed fascinated. She let go of the force and her eyes returned to normal.

"You said you had news?" She nodded.

"Is everyone here? I don't want to repeat myself too much…" Frowning she glanced around. "Where's the Captain?"

Jesse was the one who replied. "His brothers came to get him for a quick chat. He should be back any time now."

"Miss, I'm curious. Can you really tell us apart by how we feel in the force?" Fives asked.

"Of course. I'm force sensitive and was raised to be a jedi. Besides you're all so different from each other in appearance it's easy for me to tell you apart anyway." Someone scoffed skeptically, she was fairly sure it was Hevy.

"We all share the same face, how is that different?" Liera tilted her head slightly, looking at Hardcase.

"Maybe it's because of how my species sees others. Or maybe it's because I know what it's like to share a face with someone." The room went dead quiet, shock-confusion-curiosity following in the wake of her statement.

"Wait, what!? Are you a clone too?" She raised her hands and motioned them to calm down. Really, she should have known what their reaction would be to that kind of statement.

"No, I'm not a clone. I have an elder twin sister." At least… she used to. A pang of loss shot through her. She'd only met Chaaif Hiena Faashailih after becoming a padawan but they had felt the connection to one another immediately. Twin bonds were some of the most powerful to their people. It had been a nasty shock for her. No one had ever mentioned that she was a twin so seeing someone else with her face had been startling. Doubly so because it felt like the other woman's spirit was a negative reflection of her own, the same yet different.

"Is she a jedi too?" She shook her head.

"No. To my birth people twins are a blessing and are considered good luck, especially when born to the Shiihamaahn, the spiritual leader. The only exception is when they are born to a Chaaif. The Chieftain or Chieftess of a tribe. It's a bad omen, a warning that the tribe is going to be split apart or broken in some way. Normally the second born is killed immediately." There was a faint gasp of horror somewhere behind her but she ignored it. "The only reason I was spared is because our father was the current Chaaif and our mother the current Shiihamaahn. No one knew what to do. Were we an ill omen or a blessing? The arguments went on for months. Then the jedi arrived."

It had been a navigational accident, according to records. The nav-computer had glitched and input the wrong coordinates. If they hadn't arrived when they did she would have been killed to satisfy the old traditions. "The jedi offered to take me far away and raise me as their own. That way the tribe would have kin-ties to the jedi and the tribe would be safe from any possible calamity." It was what had earned her the name Buraaisuh- Far Skies. She was never expected to be seen again. The only reason she wasn't killed for setting foot back on her home planetoid was because she was a jedi, who were not allowed to marry or have attachments to family.

"What would have happened if you weren't the daughter of the Chieftain?" Echo asked, fascinated by the story.

"If we were only daughters of the Shiihamaahn then one of us would learn to be a spiritual leader and the other would learn to be an herbalist and healer. We would have been raised as if we were one person, not two, and expected to marry the same man when we came of age." She'd met her sister's husband and as much as he seemed like a pleasant person to be around she could never see herself marrying someone like him.

"Why would you have to marry the same person?" The question made her sigh internally.

"Why would someone have to marry what now?" Thankfully she was saved from having to answer as Rex walked in through the door, looking confused and a little disturbed.

She gave him a welcoming smile. "Captain! We were waiting for you." He returned her smile with one of his own.

"So I heard. I was told you have good news?" He crossed his arms, brow raised.

"Mhm. First, the Jedi Council has found no fault with me, I'm not in trouble." There were a lot of relieved smiles. "Second, although I refused to re-join the Order I've been allowed to continue to work with them. I was given the title of Adept, specifically Healer Adept." She noticed the confused looks and could relate, she hadn't known it was a thing either. "It grants me the same military rank as a Chief Medical Officer and a Jedi Knight's access to the Temple archives." Although she couldn't take a padawan or lead anyone into battle. "The third, and final, piece of news is that I have been assigned to a Battalion." The strong feeling of surprise-protect-don't-leave suddenly projected into force almost made her dizzy. She held up her hand to stall them. "You're looking at the newest member of the 501st Attack Battalion. I asked General Skywalker and he allowed me to stay." A cheer went up around her and she chuckled.

"You're going to need some armor vod'ika. We get into a lot of trouble in the 501st." Kix said, tone amused. Turning to look at him she tilted her head.

"Vod'ika?" Kix's face flushed slightly. He looked to Jesse and Rex, eyes begging them to help explain.

"It means 'younger sibling' in Mando'a. In this case, little sister." A voice that was unlike the clones cut through the chatter. It was jaunty and light, higher pitched than the others. Standing in the doorway to the room was a complete stranger. His hair was white, skin pale, and eyes mismatched in color. Even without 'seeing' him she could tell he was force sensitive. He came into the room as if he had every right to be there and the men around her accepted his presence easily. There was a sense of affection, trust, and camaraderie aimed at the newcomer. Behind him was a group of four men, clones, though their armor was unpainted and a different design from those in the 501st.

"Mando'a… you mean the language of Mandalore?" There was a sense of pleased surprise around her.

"You're even more interesting than I'd been led to believe." As he came closer she realized he was only a couple inches taller than her. After being around people who towered over her for so long it was nice to look someone in the eyes without having to crane her neck.

"I'm not sure if I should take that as a compliment or not." She joked. His lips quirked upward with mirth but his eyes were piercing, calculating and wary.

"What do you know of Mandalore?" He asked. A tingle in the back of her mind made her stiffen slightly. This felt like some sort of test.

"I know very little of Mandalore besides what we were taught in the Temple." She admits easily. "Although I have seen some Mandalorians on the battlefield before." She'd never tried to heal them though, her master had forbidden her. They were dangerous warriors who might hurt her, either by accident or out of anger.

"Cuyir ibic gar jetii baar'ur, vod?" One of the men behind the force user asked, practically bouncing in place.

"Elek," Rex said, looking at the one who spoke, "and Kix is right, you're going to need some armor." Looking up at him she huffed.

"If I'm going to be in the field then of course I'll need armor. Although, jedi aren't really supposed to have armor to begin with. Technically it's forbidden." The room went silent. She looked around quizzically. "What? It's not like it's going to be an issue for me. I'm not a jedi anymore."

"Jedi aren't allowed to wear armor?" Jesse said, incredulity lacing his words.

"It's part of the agreement made during the Ruusan Reformation. Jedi aren't allowed to bear arms except for lightsabers, because they are a symbol of our faith as well as being a practical weapon. We are not allowed to wear armor, lead armies, or rule over other sentients. It also means we no longer hold a seat in the Senate. So we can't influence politics." Even the force user before her looked surprised.

"That explains a few things." Kix said dryly.

"This conversation is interesting and all, but none of you have introduced me to your lovely lady friend. I'm hurt." There was a small spike of alarm-embarrassment in the force around her.

"Buir, this is Healer Liera. She'll be joining the 501st when we ship out. Liera, this is Haati Kurshi'cin, he's one of the head trainers on Kamino." There was a warmth in Rex's voice that made her smile.

"A pleasure to meet you, Haati Kurshi'cin." She gave him a polite bow. If these soldiers respected and loved this man as much as she could sense then he was someone who had earned it.

"It's nice to meet you too, Liera. I've heard a lot about you from Rex'ika and Kot'ika." Rex's face colored slightly.

"Buir." He mumbled reproachfully.

"Behind me are Snow, Silver, Shev'la, and Greene. Say hello, boys." She smiled and nodded to each of them as they greeted her.

"Liera, I've been told that you can stop the accelerated aging in clones. Is this true?" Just like that the teasing tone was gone and replaced with the piercing gaze.

"I can, and I will. That was one of the reasons I came here today. While I'm on Coruscant I want to help as many people as I can." Haati stared at her for a long moment before a bright smile crossed his face. She could feel approval and joy radiating off him and echoed by the men.

"I knew I'd like you. Want to start with my boys? They need to get back." Chuckling she looked up at the group of four.

"Certainly. Who's first?" It was going to be a very busy day.


Mando'a Translations

Vode- Brothers/Sisters, comrades in arms. Plural of Vod.
Buir- Non-gendered word for a parent.
Demagolka- Someone who commits atrocities, a real-life monster, a war criminal.
Dar'jetii- Evil force user, Darksider, Sith.
Hut'uun- Coward.
Naas- Nothing.
Rid'alor- My own word for the Mand'alor's spouse. Combining Riduur, spouse/partner, and Alor, chief or ruler.
Buir Rid'alor- 'Queen Mother' The translation into Basic is a joke based around the fact that Jango is the Mand'alor. Which translates to Sole Ruler or King in Basic. In a traditional Monarchy, as Jango's spouse, Haati would actually be considered a Prince Consort. But his love for the clones has the Cuy'val Dar calling him Mother to tease him, which the Clones overheard and took seriously.
Ad'ike- Children
Haran- Hell
Ba'vodue- Uncles/Aunts, siblings of a parent.
Vod'ike- Younger siblings.
Cuyir ibic gar jetii baar'ur, vod- Is this your jedi medic, brother?
Elek- Yes.