[Rex]
Coming out of the fresher at a sprint, towel wrapped around his waist, he grabbed the comm he'd left with his blacks. "General."
"Captain, I was wondering if Liera is still visiting the barracks?" Blinking at the comm his brow wrinkled in confusion.
"No, Sir. She left for the Museum hours ago. She was talking with Kix about a presentation she wanted to see today." There was a long silence on the other end and he felt a shiver run down his spine. "Sir?"
"Ah, forgive me. It's just that I haven't been able to contact her and she hasn't returned to the Temple yet. She's still on probation and must report her whereabouts to a Councilor. She's also supposed to return to the temple before dinner each day but she hasn't been seen." There was a hint of bewilderment and a harsh note in the man's voice that Rex had come to associate with concern for others wellbeing. "I'm sure she's fine and has just forgotten. Forgive me for disturbing you, Captain." Rex's eyes narrowed at the device in his hand and he grit his teeth. The Generals could be so damned oblivious sometimes.
"I highly doubt she forgot, Sir." Normally he wouldn't be so straightforward with a Jedi but Obi-wan had proven time and time again that he wanted, even preferred, their input on matters. He valued their insight and their opinions. "She remembers every single vod she's ever met. I also don't think she'd do anything that could jeopardize her ability to come visit the barracks." She genuinely liked being around them. Asking them about their lives, helping out, and answering the shiny's questions with the patience of a saint. Or at least the patience of someone who loved children and teaching.
"I was afraid you'd say something like that. I really don't want to believe something bad could happen on Coruscant but with the recent terrorist attacks…" A feeling of cold seeped into his chest, squeezing his lungs and heart. "Liera is a kind person at heart. If she saw someone hurting I don't doubt she'd immediately offer to help. If she got involved with something dangerous she might have been taken unawares." It was the same kind of cold he felt when they weren't certain whether or not his ori'vode were going to come home from their mission or not.
"Just tell me what you need me to do, Sir." Obi-wan hesitated for a moment.
"We'll need to investigate from the moment she left the barracks onward, since I'm certain the guards would have noticed her leaving. I'll see about getting someone from the slicing team to look into the Museum's security network…" 'If she even made it there.' Seemed to be the unspoken implication. Rex had a bad feeling about this but it wasn't a warning from the force. The warnings he got through the force were like a brother calling out to him.
"I'll ask around here to find the exact moment she left. That should narrow down the time frame for the slicers."
"Thank you, Captain. I'll be in touch if I find anything." Putting down the comm he dried himself off and quickly dressed. Liera had left the barracks five or so hours ago.
"Jesse, get everyone's shebs over to the common. We have a situation." The tone of his voice brooked no argument. The man replied with an affirmative, leaving Rex alone to think. He wondered if he should get a more specialized team involved but discarded the idea almost as quickly as he thought of it. He couldn't go running to his ori'vode for something like this. Even if Haat'buir already seemed to like their new healer.
Entering the common room he looked over the assembled men. They were tense, watching him with grim expressions. "Miss Liera never returned to the temple. General Kenobi commed me looking for her." There was a faint strangled noise of distress from Kix. Jesse stepped closer to the medic and put an arm around his shoulder, eyes sharp with anger. Rex nodded in understanding. "General Kenobi is getting someone from the slicing team to look into the Museum's security footage to see if he can locate her. Assuming she made it there." The men were quiet, steeling themselves against the possibility of bad news.
"We'll find her, Sir! She's small but she's smart, and fast. Plus she's a jedi of the 501st!" Fives gave the room a reassuring grin. It shouldn't have been half as uplifting as it was but the tension in the room ebbed somewhat.
"It'll be okay, Sir. You can count on us. Anything you need us to do, we'll do it." Echo chimed in, a little less self confidant but just as steady as his squad mate. Hevy just nodded from between them. Rex couldn't help but smile. He'd known these three would be a good fit for Jaig Squad. It was their determination and individuality that had drawn him to them in the first place.
"Alright, men. Here's what we're going to do! We've been given shore leave, thanks to some meddling from Sergeant Kal. Tens of thousands of our brothers are wandering Coruscant as we speak. We're going to put on those fancy uniforms we've been given and we're going to ask if any of the vode saw her. I want everyone in constant communication. General Kenobi will also be calling in with information when he has it. I want you all back here within fifteen minutes! Dismissed!" The room emptied leaving only Rex, Kix, and Jesse.
"My vod'ika better be alright or someone will wish they'd never been born." Such a threatening comment from the normally soft spoken man was a bit of a surprise, but then Rex had seen him whenever someone from Jaig Squad got injured. Kix was kindhearted and very protective of those he considered family. Jesse just grinned at his partner ferally, ready and willing to beat the shebs off anyone who messed with the people he loved.
[Liera]
It had taken the combined efforts of Ordo, Mereel, a commando named Fi, and herself to convince the sergeant he should be healed. Ordo started with the cold logic of it. Mereel mentioned how they might not get a better chance any time soon. Fi had a surprisingly devastating pouty face when he mentioned how worried they all were for him. And Liera, well she was apparently disarming enough that the man finally agreed as long as there were others present. It wasn't out of fear, no, the man certainly wasn't afraid of her. But there was the same wariness to him she'd seen in every veteran soldier she'd ever treated.
Standing next to him as he sat on one of the couches she placed her hands on his chest and forehead, careful not to move too fast. She could feel the spirits of those around her, how they gravitated toward this man. If she were to attempt to injure him she would be dead before she could blink. Force or no force the men in this disreputable establishment were some of the most deadly warriors she had ever met. Some of the most passionate as well.
"You might feel an uncomfortable pinch or two." She warned as she slowly began repairing the man's various injuries. The ankle she had noticed earlier was the easy part. As were the various burns, scars, and organs damaged by toxins over the course of a life lived on battlefields. Out of everything it was the inner ear damage that had her most concerned. She could feel him flinch and wince beneath her hand and the stares of the man's sons behind her intensified. By the time she was done she could feel a strong sense of awe and gratitude coming from the sergeant that made her cheeks flush in embarrassment.
"Your balance might be a little off for the next hour or two while your body adjusts." The sergeant tilted his head side to side for a moment, as if trying to feel the difference. "Let me." She said, placing her hand five or so inches from his right ear. She snapped her fingers twice before moving to his left ear and repeating the gesture.
"Ka'ra." He breathed before copying her little test for himself, just to be sure. He looked up at her for an explanation and she couldn't help but duck her head slightly.
"I took care of your ankle, your hearing problem, and any damage your internal organs suffered in the past. I also purged you of all heavy metals, toxins, and semi-dormant viruses. Then I repaired any cellular damage and revitalized your cells." The man frowned slightly, only partially understanding what she was talking about.
"Really? You can do that?" Turning back to the man's sons she smiled as reassuringly as she could. Both of them were like staring at a tightly contained storm in the force. If they ever decided to let the storm go out of control it would be catastrophic. But for now they were only focused on the wellbeing of the man they loved like a father who loved them in return.
"It's a specialty of mine. I'm not sure how many of the Jedi can learn to do this, since my techniques are based on lost knowledge and heretical practices." She had to try pretty hard not to roll her eyes.
"What kind of heretical practices?" Turning toward the jedi who'd come to watch her heal the sergeant she judged his intentions through the force and was surprised to find him only curious, not condemning.
"Using emotions as a focal point for force techniques, instead of removing emotions from the equation altogether. I use determination, hope, understanding, and love to help concentrate on what I'm trying to achieve. You could choose to believe that makes me a Sith if you like, but I am far from dark." Everyone in the room stiffened, ready to move at a moment's notice. But the jedi just stared at her for a long moment before he gave her a pleasant smile.
"No, you're not dark. I wouldn't say I agree with the belief that it makes you Sith either. Can you show me the technique to stop the accelerated aging?" Liera felt a burst of pride from the sergeant and the calm acceptance of the man's sons. It seemed that both she and the jedi had passed some sort of unspoken, unlooked for, test.
"Of course. But I'm not quite finished yet. So after?" The jedi gave her a look of confusion.
"There's one more patient. Can you bring your jedi companion up here please?" His eyes widened slightly before a small complicated look crossed his face. So he knew then. That would make this a little easier.
"What's wrong?" Crossing her arms over her chest Liera wondered how much she should tell the sergeant. After all, healer-patient confidentiality was very important. Especially to the jedi. Unless, of course, the young woman decided to do something stupid and dangerous.
"Not wrong, exactly. But a little concerning. I can't speak with you about it until after I've talked to her." Stopping for a moment she looked over at the sergeant. "Are you her superior in the military right now? I have a feeling this… mission, isn't exactly sanctioned." Kal sat up straighter, eyes narrowing.
"Right on both accounts." Shifting on her feet she nodded.
"Then I'll let you know what's happening once I've spoken to her." It was part courtesy and part respect for the man's authority.
"Miss?" She looked over at the two jedi, one serene and one fidgeting with worry.
"We'll go into another room for some privacy, okay?" The young woman nodded and Liera looked to the other jedi to show her somewhere they could talk.
Once alone she turned to stare down the younger woman, who very well knew what this was about. Etain opened her mouth once, closed it, then started to nibble her lower lip. Bardan let out a small sigh.
"So, you can sense it too?" She asked him. Bardan rubbed the back of his neck, glancing between the two women and saying nothing. "I thought so." Rounding on the young woman with every ounce of authority a healer carried with them she put her hands on her hips. "You need to return to the temple as soon as possible. The amount of stress fighting a war will put you under could cause all kinds of complications." The woman's head came up and she shook it vigorously.
"I'm not-" Liera walked up to her and placed one hand on her abdomen. The bright light of a new life tickled the back of her mind.
"You're pregnant. Unless the jedi have changed immensely since I was part of the Order you have a duty to the life growing inside you. All life is important, sacred. Even if you're on medication to stop yourself from getting pregnant the force sometimes has other plans." A guilty flinch from the younger woman made her stop her tirade, mouth agape. "…don't tell me you planned this?" Behind her she could feel the sharp spike of incredulity from the other jedi.
"I want you to fetch the sergeant for me, please." She asked the man behind her. Once she felt him leave she took a couple of deep breaths.
"I'm not going to the temple." Etain said mulishly. "They wouldn't understand. I'd be kicked out! The jedi are all I've known. Besides, I can't leave my men, they need me!" Liera was shocked at the fear coming from Etain and frowned in concern. The young woman seemed to have a few misconceptions that made Liera wonder how much the jedi had cut out of the ethics and biology classes in recent years.
"They won't kick you out. Jedi aren't celibate, and no one has ever asked them to be. We're all sentients who have physical needs. Jedi have had children before. In fact they make up at least a seventh of the jedi population. What the jedi won't allow you to do is raise the child yourself. They will ask you to give your child over to the care of the crechemasters and cut all ties with them." It was the no attachments rule.
"I can't hide away in the temple for nine months, we're at war! I'll accelerate his growth, I can have him in five mon-"
"You will not!" It was the first time Liera had actually yelled at someone since her first meeting with Kenobi. It was louder than she intended, making the younger woman take a step back in surprise. The door opened behind them and the sergeant gave them both a stern look.
"What's the problem here, ad'ike?" He asked gruffly, voice brooking no evasiveness or argument. Liera looked to the younger woman to explain but she'd clammed up.
"I'm using my authority as a Chief Medical Officer of the GAR and Healer Adept in the employ of the Jedi to put her on medical leave." She stated easily, glaring at the young woman when she looked ready to protest. It didn't even matter that Etain was a general and that Liera wasn't from her battalion. If any other force sensitive healer examined her they would back Liera's decision to pull the young woman from the field.
"Why?" The sergeant asked, looking between them with wariness and concern. The young woman hung her head for a moment before she straightened.
"I'm pregnant." The silence that followed was nearly deafening.
"Pregnant?" His voice was hard and eyes steely. In the force he was a complicated mess of emotions. Most of them circling around a cold anger and strong feelings of guilt. Liera wanted to reach out to him but knew that in this moment he would not be receptive to any kind of comfort she might offer. His presence was tightly controlled, body poised to move. It wasn't the beloved father of the men in the other room who stood there now- it was a veteran soldier and mercenary. "Whose is it?"
Etain flinched s if he'd struck her. "Darman's, of course." At those words there was a sudden sharp feeling of fear-worry-rage from the sergeant that made her want to take a step back.
"Darman… you mean the man fretting in the other room right now with your jedi companion?" Kal turned to her, some of the anger bleeding off into surprise.
"He doesn't know, then. He'd have told me if he did." His eyes narrowed at the two of them. "How long have you known?" He asked Etain.
"About two weeks." Kal's brows nearly went into his hair.
"Shabla jetii." He cursed quietly to himself. "Are you going to tell him?" Etain shifted on her feet, trying not to be intimidated.
"No, I don't plan on telling him any time soon." The anger spiked once again and Liera winced.
"Why the hell would you keep it from him?" The fury coming from the man was sharp like ice against her senses. Taking a calming breath she stepped between the two of them, hands raised up in a placating gesture.
"I'd like you to try and calm down. Stress at this early stage could be dangerous for the child." Kal grit his teeth and forced himself to calm down, although the anger was still there simmering in the background.
"How could Darman cope with having a child? It's hard enough for a normal-"
"He's not abnormal. He's what you people made him." Liera was surprised to find she wasn't being included in the statement. After all, she had the force and was a former jedi. Yet the comment was aimed entirely at Etain.
"That's not… what I meant was that he doesn't have the experience to cope with being a father at a time like this." Liera focused on her own breathing and heartbeat as the two continued to speak. Slowly she reached out with the force to soothe the young woman's anxiety until she was less panicked.
"No one ever has."
"I just… I wanted him to have a future." Etain said, hanging her head.
"You planned this? How the hell is he supposed to have a future if he doesn't know he has a child? Genes don't count for everything." Liera could sense there was some kind of cultural importance that she was missing. There was something almost desperate in the way Kal was acting.
"I can't let anyone know. If they do I'll be thrown out of the Order!" Liera turned to give the young woman a stern look.
"Did you forget what I said before? Jedi get pregnant, it happens. No one is going to kick you out for being pregnant. But you will not be allowed to keep the child." A shock of panic ran through the sergeant, like ice cold water pouring over her.
"In this great plan of yours what did you expect would happen?" He clenched his fists. "Did you think the ad would become a jetii?" Etain shook her head vigorously.
"No. Just a man. A man with a normal life." Liera frowned as Kal stiffened. He hadn't realized that they already knew the sex of the child.
"You can't have missed the fact that the child will be force sensitive. He will require at least some training. But it isn't Etain's decision." That stopped the two of them short.
"It's not?" Liera put her hands on her hips. She understood how Kal wouldn't know this, he wasn't a jedi. But how Etain didn't know was beyond her.
"No, it's not. In the case of a jedi siring a child it is up to the non-jedi parent or their family to decide what will happen to the child. Except in circumstances where the child would be in immediate danger from the non-jedi parent or their family. Which means it would be up to Darman whether or not the child becomes a jedi." Looking the young woman up and down for a moment her frown deepened. "What are they teaching you nowadays?" It was like the jedi were missing out on the most basic things that kept them connected to the people they were meant to protect.
"Who has the right to decide if Darman can't?" She turned to face the man fully.
"If he had parents, grandparents, or siblings then they would have the right to decide. But I'm not sure how the Republic views the relationships between their soldiers." Something softened in the sergeant for a moment.
"I've adopted Darman and the other boys. They're my sons." Liera nodded, giving him a small smile.
"Then as the child's grandfather you would have the right to decide. Whether your family will take the child or whether it will go to the temple to be raised by the jedi."
"Darman's son will be Mandalorian, or he has no son at all. Unless the kid has his culture and what makes him Mando'ad he… he has no soul. That's why I had to teach my boys, all of them, what it was to be Mando. Without it they're dead men. Soulless." Liera felt a shiver run down her spine. Although she didn't know much about Mandalorians, and had only been with her own people for a short time, she understood the importance of a soul.
"I know how important it is." Etain said, voice thick with emotion.
"No, I don't think you do. We're nomadic. We have no country. All we have to hold us together is what we are, what we do. Without that we're… dar'manda. I don't know how to explain it to aruetiise. If we aren't Mando then we have nothing. No soul, no afterlife, no identity. We're eternally dead." Liera kept quiet, pulling in her presence until she was barely noticeable as she watched the two speak. She was fascinated by the culture Kal taught the men under his command, and his need to give them something more. To treat them as proper sentients.
"Dar'manda… that's how Dar got his name, isn't it?" Kal put his hands in his pockets, nodding curtly.
"Yes." He bit out sourly.
"How are you going to train him? The child is going to be force sensitive, he-"
"Which is exactly why I'll be taking him. Do you know what that boy will be worth to creatures like the Kaminoans? Don't you know how very interested people will be in his genetic material? He's in danger you little di'kut." The surprise coming from the jedi made Liera want to smack her head against something. Force, she was so young! Young and irresponsible. "The child of a jedi and a clone? There will be no end to the people who would want to examine him."
Etain seemed to be struggling. It was clear she hadn't thought of the consequences beforehand. "But how can Dar raise him?"
"You didn't ask yourself that question before you started all this? Do you even love him?"
"Yes! Yes, you know I do Kal. If I don't have this child and he dies-"
"When he dies. He was designed to die young. I would have outlived him, had Liera not fixed whatever the Kaminoans did to them all. And you're built to live longer than your species' natural lifespan. You said it yourself, just one broad generation of men. Then there's nothing of the clones left eventually, nothing to show they ever lived and served and died. They all deserve better than that." Liera smiled. She could easily see why the men loved this man so much. He cared about them. Every single one of them. As people and as individuals. "But again, Darman isn't given any choice." His expression turned cold. "Not about fighting, and not about being a father."
Silence followed his statement. She could feel the swirling negative emotions of the two of them and her throat felt tight. She'd had to mediate between warring leaders before but never between family members who felt so betrayed. It reminded her of when she lost her master. Of the betrayal she had felt at that moment.
"Excuse me for saying so, but I still believe the temple will be the safest place for her to have her child. There are force sensitive healers there who will be able to catch any complications before they can cause any damage to mother or child." Kal looked at her and she could feel his apprehension.
"What's to stop them from keeping the child when it's born?" She shoved down the feeling of appall and thought about his question seriously.
"I don't think I can give you any reassurances. I'm no longer a jedi and I haven't been in the temple in… a long time. A lot has changed since then. Before I would have said that they would most certainly return the child if you asked but now… now I can't guarantee they would." Etain was a small bundle of indignation in the force, which Liera did not appreciate. "The jedi aren't perfect. It seems like everyone has been falling into the trap of thinking the Order is all knowing and all powerful, able to change the galaxy on a whim. Just because they can touch and manipulate the force doesn't mean they're gods. They're sentients just like everyone else." She gave Etain a stern look. "They make mistakes like everyone else."
Kal was staring at her, thoughts and emotions turbulent. Etain was also staring at her, a sense of confusion swirling around her. Liera looked at them and for the first time felt the weight of the changes the jedi had gone through since her time. The more she found out about the decline of the order the more it ached in her chest. What happened to the down to earth and helpful people she had once known? The war itself didn't do this, such drastic changes took time. It was something else. Something she couldn't name but could sense. Like the oily feeling spread across the planet that made touching the force feel like sticking her hand into a pool of dark water.
"You have a name for the child already, don't you? You know it's going to be a boy so you've already thought of names. Mothers do that." Etain nodded and opened her mouth to speak. "I don't want to hear it. The boy is going to be raised as a Mando. If Darman doesn't know about him before he's born then I'll be naming him. Father's name their sons. If Dar can't then I will." Etain sulked.
"So I don't get a choice then?" Liera didn't even need to use the force to sense the petulance in those words. The way the young woman lifted her chin and looked between them angrily.
The anger in the room spiked and it felt as if the very air was vibrating with it. Before she even realized what she was doing Liera stepped up to the young woman and looked directly into her eyes. "You don't have the right to say that. Not when you never gave Darman a choice whether or not he was to be a father. Jedi honor the bodily autonomy of other sentients." The young woman hunched in on herself.
"It was the force that-" Liera stiffened.
"The force does not give you the power to choose for others. Deciding that you are correct because the force told you so is extremely arrogant." As the young woman deflated, feeling wholly defeated, Liera reached out and pulled her into a hug. "You're young and inexperienced. War is terrifying. It makes us realize how easy it is to lose everything. I know you're scared, you would be a fool not to be. But you can't keep acting on your emotions like this. Bottling them up then letting them dictate your actions without conscious thought." The young woman clung to her, pressing her face against her shoulder.
"…I don't want to lose him. I j-just wanted to keep some part of him with me." She whispered. Liera stroked her hair gently. She understood, in a way. One time she'd thought about throwing away her lightsabers, to get rid of the last thing that connected her to the jedi. But they were something her master had been proud of her for. They were like an old friend and in the end she couldn't go through with it.
"If you want to do the right thing for the child you are bringing into the galaxy then I want you to start thinking about your actions carefully. Do what's best for the child. Take the medical leave and have your child somewhere safe. He won't survive if you don't take care of yourself. War is no place for a pregnant woman, jedi or not. There are numerous issues that can come from being stressed or overtaxing your body. Miscarriages aren't as common on core worlds but they can still happen." The young woman went stiff and cold in her arms before clinging to her even more tightly. Of course she hadn't thought of the consequences. She was running solely on fear, adrenaline, and infatuation. It might very well be love but at the moment Liera just didn't know enough about Darman and Etain besides the fledgling force bond she could sense between the two.
"Ad'ika." Etain looked up from Liera's shoulder and stared at the older man standing behind the healer. "Come to Mandalore. You'll be safe there. We have medics who can help you with the kid being force sensitive. You'll be among family." Liera could tell that Kal was still angry about the situation but he was at least calm now.
"B-but you hate me now." She almost cried. Liera hushed her gently.
"No, I actually like you, ad'ika. I just despise jedi. They never question their right to shape the galaxy." Liera could feel his eyes on the back of her head. "Until now at least." Letting go of the young woman now that she seemed less likely to panic Liera gave Kal a questioning look. "You might not be a jedi anymore but you were raised as one. You're the second person I've met who was raised to be a jedi and left to go their own way." Liera blushed from the approval she felt coming from him.
"If my circumstances had been different I never would have left. I still believe the jedi can do good. They've just lost sight of their real purpose." And she wasn't strong enough to change that. She still wondered why she was the one sent to the future and not one of the masters. Why the spirit she sensed in the temple chose her, of all people.
"I'll go to Mandalore. But… are you sure I'll be safe there? I'm still a jedi." Kal frowned.
"You'll be safe, ad'ika. Trust me." Etain slowly nodded.
"Then I'll finish the mission here and report to Master Zey afterward." She looked over at Liera, who smiled.
"I'll let the council know that you'll be on medical leave. It might not mean much but I'll defend you against them if need be. Although I may not be of much help." She wasn't a jedi and was still viewed as suspicious by many.
"Thank you." The words were quiet but sincere.
"Now. What are we going to tell the young man fretting in the other room?" Kal groaned and scrubbed at his face.
"It could be dangerous if we tell him now. If he's worrying about Et'ika and the ad he might get himself killed." Liera's lips pursed.
"He has a right to know. If Etain is going to be on medical leave for nine months it's not going to be difficult to figure out the reason. Not telling him might make him suspicious of her intentions. Besides, isn't having a family to come back to something that makes one want to fight all the harder to stay alive?" Kal let out a heavy sigh.
"You're not wrong. As long as Et'ika and the ad remain safe then he should know about his kid. Dar has to pick a name for him in any case. I don't want to take that away from him." The man grumbled to himself for a moment longer. "Fine. But we're telling him after this mission is over. With you in the field he'll be distracted worrying about you. For now we keep it under wraps."
"Understood. Thank you… Kal'buir." The sergeant narrowed his eyes at the young woman for a moment but said nothing.
"For now I'll tell Darman it was a force related issue but everything is fine now." It wasn't technically a lie. The issue had been Liera sensing the child through the force and worrying about Etain and the child's health. "But I will be telling the Order when I get back to the temple. I need a good reason to be out of the temple after my curfew. I'm on probation. If they think I've been off doing force knows what they might confine me to the temple. I won't be allowed to visit the GAR barracks. My ori'vod will be quite put out about that, along with the majority of the 501st." Kal's mouth fell open slightly before he shut it again. Then he chuckled.
"Been adopted already?" Liera rolled her eyes at him. She was happy things had finally come to a peaceful conclusion.
"I might have adopted them first to be honest." She smiled at the thought.
"Right. If we're done here I'll get Ordo to return your comm and call Enacca to take you back to the jedi temple."
"Thank you, Kal. I hope your mission is a success, whatever it is." She hadn't asked what it was and she honestly didn't want to know. That way she didn't have to lie when asked about it.
"No, thank you." The man stepped closer and put a hand on her shoulder "You've given my boys a future. If there's anything you need, anything at all, you just come to me or ask my boys. I'll get back to you as soon as." Liera smiled.
"There's no need to thank me. I'm only doing what I think is right. I know it probably doesn't make any sense to you, the force that is, but it brought me here for a reason. I like to think helping these men was that reason." He squeezed her shoulder gently before letting go. There was something much lighter about him now. Like a weight had been lifted.
"Alright ad'ika, let's get you home before they send out a search party." Following him into the other room she snickered.
"There's no way they'd-" Kal stopped dead and Liera almost walked into him. Ordo was looking annoyed and Mereel was trying to suppress his laughter.
"I can understand why General Kenobi would be wondering about your whereabouts, but why is the GAR searching for you? There's reports spreading through the battalions about how you've gone missing." He sounded annoyed, like it was something he couldn't understand and was angry at himself because of it. She thought about what he'd said and sighed.
"I am part of the 501st, so I can see why they would be out looking for me. But I have no clue why the other battalions would be helping them." She doubted Obi-wan had asked them all to go looking for her. "Other than the 501st I've only interacted with the 212th, 104th, 91st, and Winter Squad so far." Mereel started to laugh while Bardan and Etain were looking at her as if she was mental.
"Those are the battalions belonging to High Jedi General Kenobi, also known as The Negotiator, High Jedi General Plo Koon, and High Jedi General Mace Windu, who is also the Master of the Order. Along with General Skywalker, the so called Hero With No Fear. Which means that at least three separate Systems Armies would have heard of you and would help their brothers find you if they asked." Liera's eyes went wide in surprise.
"W-what?" She'd know that Kenobi was a Councilor but she had yet to learn about the other council members besides Yoda, whom she already knew, and Master Allie. She knew even less about the GAR and had no idea that Kenobi was in charge of anything more than the 212th. Her face felt hot with embarrassment. "Why?" Why go out of their way to find her? She wasn't all that important in the grand scheme of things.
"You aren't used to being appreciated and sought after, are you?" Bardan asked softly. Her cheeks reddened further.
"Would it surprise you to know that others think I'm creepy and tend to avoid me? I've often been told I look like a ghost, or a corpse." She motioned to herself with a sigh. "And Even the jedi find my ability to see into someone else's soul unsettling." Kal and his sons froze.
"You can see someone's soul?" There it was, apprehension and confusion. Two of the most common reactions.
"In a manner of speaking. I can see past the facade people put forth and see the truth of their being. It's how I know that you're a good person, Kal. Or how much your sons love you. I can also see force bonds." She glanced between Etain and Darman. "Sentients often find it intrusive and disturbing. Although the jedi are as a whole more accepting of the idea." Though not by much. "You can tell I'm using the ability when my eyes glow. My species is naturally bioluminescent, when I use the force I give off a faint light. It isn't usually noticeable, because my skin is so pale. But in the dark I glow. It makes stealth nearly impossible." At least without a whole body suit designed to block out light. "My eyes are more noticeable because of their vibrant color." That and she focused the force solely into her eyes when she looked into people.
"I've turned on your comm. Tell the General you're safe and will be on your way back soon. Then comm your superior and do the same." Ordo handed her the comm with a scowl. Opening the messages she groaned. There were several from Obi-wan, two from the captain, three from Anakin, and more than a few from Kix.
"One moment." Calling Obi-wan she waited for him to pick up.
"Liera?" She sighed. Time to make her excuses.
[Obi-wan]
Leaning over Amp as the man continued to type away at the terminal keys Obi-wan watched the looping security footage. The vehicle was nondescript, easy to dismiss as any old delivery vehicle. What was interesting about the vehicle was the two passengers. Both of them were clones. One was wearing the ARC trooper armor while the other was wearing plain trooper armor. Their armor was unpainted, making them difficult to identify.
He knew that the 501st, and by extension the other battalions, were out searching as well. They were questioning their brothers and the Coruscant Guard was on the lookout for anything suspicious. Now that they knew she'd been taken by clones it both narrowed and widened their search. Any clone with unpainted ARC trooper armor was now a target for questioning.
His comm beeped and he picked it up quickly. Looking at the caller he let sucked in a breath before answering. "Liera?" There was a sigh from the other end and it made him tense.
"Hello Kenobi. I'm sorry I haven't been able to contact you before now. There are… extenuating circumstances." He let out a small huff of annoyance. Tapping Amp's shoulder he motioned that the man could stop searching. The slicer's shoulders relaxed and he smiled, though his hands didn't stop moving. Instead he switched programs and started typing as fast as he could.
"I'm not sure if being abducted can be referred to simply as 'extenuating circumstances.' Are you alright?" Even if he was angry to hear her speaking so calmly he was glad she didn't sound panicked or hurt.
"I'm fine. I wasn't injured at all and although my first meeting with them was a little rocky I'd like to think I've made a few friends." Obi-wan let out a sigh of relief before he turned stern.
"You are returning to the temple now, I assume?"
"Yes. One of my new friends has called for someone to take me. I am sorry about this." He could hear the sincerity and concern in her voice. "I'll explain as much as I can in person. I also have to file a medical report." Obi-wan shook his head in exasperation.
"I'll meet you at the main entrance." The young woman made an agreeable noise.
"See you soon." Then the call ended. Putting the comm back on his belt he turned his attention to Amp. The man had finally stopped typing and was sitting in his chair with a faintly smug air about him.
"Something interesting happen?" He asked. Amp grinned.
"Just sent out a message to my brothers, Sir." Not a second later his comm went off again.
"Ah, Captain. I was just about to comm you. Liera just contacted me. She's fine and headed back to the temple as we speak." There was a moment of silence on the other end before there was a mumbled string of curses too low to understand.
"Understood, Sir. I'll call off the search." Obi-wan could tell there was something left unsaid but he let it slide.
"I'll let you know when she's safely back in the temple." Obi-wan knew, probably more than most, that the clones were individuals. He liked to believe he was in tune with each of his men, choosing to observe them carefully and learn about their differences. Rex was a bit reckless, following Anakin's example no doubt, but he also cared about those under his command. He wouldn't have taken three near shinies under his wing if he didn't care. Liera was now a part of the 501st, which meant she was the captain's responsibility. Rex would take that duty seriously and besides, he'd already shown that he, much like many of the clones, liked the young healer. Giving him that little extra bit of reassurance was the least Obi-wan could do for the brave man who was always at Anakin's side.
"Thank you, Sir." The call ended abruptly and Obi-wan smiled.
By the time he got to the main entrance of the temple he noticed a civilian air taxi being driven by a Wookie, of all things, landing nearby. From inside the missing young woman slide over to the door and got out, politely thanking the driver. Stepping away from the taxi she turned to look at him and gave him a sheepish smile. "Hello Master Kenobi, I'm home!" Although her tone was lighthearted he could see her hands fidgeting with her long braid. She was the very picture of a padawan who had been caught misbehaving and was expecting to be punished.
"Welcome back. You seem to have had quite the adventure today. Care to explain while we walk?" She fell in beside him as he turned to walk back inside, her stride less reluctant.
"As you know I was abducted earlier today. It was a little frightening at first but it turned out all they needed was a healer. I can't tell you why they abducted me rather than just come to the GAR or the temple but I suspect it has to do with their mission. Due to healer-patient confidentiality I can't explain everything, but there is one medical report I need to file later." Obi-wan frowned thoughtfully. Reading between the lines he came to the conclusion that whatever the clones were doing was meant to be covert. Which meant there must have been a medical emergency that they didn't trust anyone else to fix.
"I understand. What can you tell me?" The young woman's expression became complicated. Somewhere between concern and frustration.
"A group of individuals needed medical help and some advice. This group didn't speak of their mission but I could tell they had noble intentions." She motioned at her eyes by way of explanation. "I didn't ask and they didn't explain. I healed their wounds, all of them, and gave a consultation on a medical matter." She looked straight ahead, brows crinkling. "I can't say any more until I receive the all clear from the group's leader. It could jeopardize what they're trying to accomplish."
Obi-wan smiled. "I can accept that, for now. But I want to see the final report when it's appropriate for you to speak about it." He could sense her relief through the force. "I do hope you've already commed Anakin and the good Captain." She made a face, cheeks darkening in color.
"I did, and Kix too. They were all so worried about me." She almost sounded bewildered.
"Of course they were. You've become someone they care about." A gentle smile crossed her face.
"They're important to me too. After what happened to my master I thought that I could never trust anyone ever again. But I'm not used to being alone. It was terrible. Everything was so colorless and desolate. I felt like I'd never be happy again." It was surprising to hear her speak in such a despondent manner. "I can't say I'm happy that I've shown up in the middle of a galaxy spanning war. But I'm glad to have met you all." He could feel her sincerity and smiled.
"I'm happy to have met you as well. We may never had found out about Palpatine's manipulations otherwise." Anakin had been doing much better now that he was more willing to listen, rather than argue. His shields and ability to contain his vast presence was becoming more impressive by the day.
"I don't know if I'd go that far. You care about him a great deal. I'm confident you would have found out and put a stop to it." They walked on in companionable silence for a time before Obi-wan stopped suddenly.
"I never thought to ask, but, have you eaten yet?" She shook her head. "Why don't you get something to eat before you go to bed. I have some work to finish, now that you're safely back in the temple." Liera's smile brightened.
"Yes, dad." He spluttered for a moment, lost for words.
"If you don't stop calling me that you're going to face consequences." One eyebrow raised at him as if to say, 'why would I when it's so easy to get a rise out of you.' Which he did not appreciate in the slightest.
"I will. Once you stop talking like a parent." He scowled at her. "I could always call you mother hen instead?"
"You will most certainly not." He said sternly. She giggled at him.
"Alright, I'll stop." He could practically hear the unspoken 'for now.' "I hope you have a good night, Kenobi." With a small bow she made her escape off to the cafeteria. Obi-wan rolled his eyes at her back in exasperation before he continued on his way back to his quarters. Honestly, it was like having a teenaged padawan all over again. Except this one wasn't obligated to listen to him so he had even less control than before.
Back in his quarters he sat at the low table and looked over the newest reports on enemy movement. Throughout the files he could see Cody's precisely worded notes and smiled. So far his commander had been able to cleverly pass off his glimpses of the future under the guise of being a tactical genius. But Obi-wan, more than anyone, knew what to look for when it came to visions. He'd suffered with a strong connection to the Unifying Force his entire life.
He'd never confronted Cody about his connection to the force or his ability to predict the future. That way if he was asked if he knew about it he could feign ignorance. For all he knew it was someone else providing the commander with information. Someone like Rex. He wasn't sure if Anakin had noticed it yet, his brother could be so oblivious at times. Briefly he wondered what his reaction would be to being told that Rex was force sensitive and chuckled over the mental image.
"Well. That is certainly something to look forward to in the future." Shoulders shaking with mirth he returned to his reports. He needed to finish them before morning. It would be a long night.
Mando'a Translations
Shebs- Behind, butt.
Vode- Siblings/Brothers.
Ori-vode- Older siblings/Brothers.
Vod'ika- Little sibling.
Ka'ra- Stars. Often used as a statement of awe.
Ad'ika/Ad'ike- Little one, son/daughter. | Little ones, also 'you guys.'
Ad- Child.
Jetii- Jedi.
Shabla jetii- Fucking jedi.
Aruetiise- Foreigners, outsiders, and traitors.
Mando'ad- Child of Mandalore, Mandalorian.
Dar'manda- Not Mandalorian. Someone without a Soul. Or someone who has betrayed the Six Tenets and has been declared an Outsider.
Di'kut- Idiot, useless person.
