Chapter Eighty-Five: The Jedi's Deception

"I am Moralo Eval, and I have great influence here." So that's what the psychopath sounds like. The Force trembled as I struggled to keep my concentration, begging it to show me what I needed to see.

"It'll cost you. Double my rate." I knew that voice anywhere, the speech measured, the sound rusted and low. Cad Bane. There were disgruntled discussions, muffled through the confusion of the Force. Or was it the confusion of my connection to the Force? "Make that triple my rate."

I felt something shift. Time felt…wrong. Like I was drifting within it randomly, rather than along it linearly. "You don't even remember me? That's very insulting." The voice drew my attention immediately, the snark in the words all too familiar, despite the years apart. We'd both changed a lot, but the sass in Boba's speech was never going to leave him. I hadn't seen Boba in a long time. Since he was imprisoned, I'd only seen him sparingly. Between being off world and the difficulty to even gain access, it was practically impossible. Padme and Anakin had both pulled some strings for me a few times, allowing me to see my little vod.

Eventually, though, Boba and I agreed to stop my visits. It pained me, and I'd felt the sorrow within him when he brought it up, but he was right. Despite doing what we could to keep my visits quiet, secrets didn't last long in a prison. And my affiliation with both the Republic and the Fett family already put eyes on Boba. Especially after the mess with Aurra Sing. I would only make things harder and more dangerous for him.

There was another voice I didn't recognize from somewhere in the inky darkness, drawing my attention. "Kill him, Hardeen, like the Jedi!" I assumed it was a fellow inmate, and by the echoing sound of clattering dishes, it sounded like the mess hall. I felt my anger rise, making my connection to the Force waver and flux.

I cooled my emotions with a deep breath. I was a spectator right now and I couldn't even be sure when these events had happened, or if they were still to come. Either way, there was nothing I could do for someone in the prison. I had to trust in Boba's ability…and on the word of someone who didn't particularly like me.

"You got a problem with Boba," I heard a menacing hissing voice sound, my nerves calming even further. "You got a problem with me." A murderer and a sadist, but Bossk true to his word; he was protecting my family.

I could hear a beeping, reminding me of a communicator. I focused on it, trying to strain to hear when it was picked up. But it just kept beeping. Was this what I was meant to hear? Was someone in trouble and unable to pick up?

I listened to beeping for a moment longer before sighing, rubbing my hands against my eyes and relaxing my posture. Strangely, the beeping didn't stop despite releasing my meditative state. My eyes snapped open in a mix of confusion and worry, convinced my real communicator was beeping and I'd been too stuck in my thoughts. But I didn't see my office. Instead, I was in a large communications room, the designs of the floor making me wonder if I was seeing the Jedi Temple.

My suspicion was confirmed almost immediately as a door hissed behind me, my head whipping around in shock. Masters Yoda and Windu strode through, their eyes forward and slightly above my head. I sat, my mouth agape with my legs folded beneath me on the floor.

I'd been trying to meditate to sort my thoughts and stop my worrying…did I just transfer myself to the Temple? I hadn't noticed any feeling of my environment changing. Was that even possible? Turns out it wasn't, a surprised squeak leaving my lungs as the two Jedi walked directly through me like a cloud. It was a weird feeling, considering I didn't feel anything on my skin…but my mind felt the pressure and the weird essence of transparency. It made the hair raise on the back of my neck.

So whatever this was…I wasn't really there. Here? Whatever. I shifted from my place on the floor, silently hoping I was only moving within this Force vision, and not about to tumble all over my office. The vision, while vivid and clear in some ways, wavered and shifted in others. A hologram appeared, but the image was contorted, rippling like it was projected on water. The voice from it was gruff, and while strangely familiar sounding, I couldn't recognize it.

"This is Ben," he said. "I found the transmitter, but I shall have to make this short. We have a problem." I squinted, trying to focus his image in my mind. It didn't comply much, but he looked to be wearing a jumpsuit? No, it wasn't that… "I made contact with–" The thought connected before he finished his words, ripping me from the vision so violently that I felt nauseous as I tumbled backwards onto the floor of my office.

I laid there, trying to orient myself again. The man in the hologram…wasn't wearing a jumpsuit. It was a prison uniform.

Throwing my fatigue to the wind, I forced myself back into a sitting position, relaxing my hands against my knees. My eyes slid closed, my mind stilling. It really was easier when I practiced more, but I guess there had been a lot going on…

"Cad Bane?" I heard Windu's voice question, a wave of his frustration washing over me as I shoved my way back into the vision. His form looked down to Yoda's both of their presences darkening slightly. Their images were blurrier this time, considering I'd reentered rather gracelessly, but I suppose that didn't matter much. I already knew was in the room, and the prisoner had been kind enough to introduce himself.

The prisoner–Ben–was speaking again, his voice slightly mechanical sounding through the hologram. "It appears Eval's hired Bane to break him out of prison, and the way they were talking, it's imminent."

"Foolish we were to believe Bane's capture was without purpose," Yoda sighed slowly. "And rising, suspicions are." I had the strangest inkling that he was referring to me.

"Yes," Ben agreed before charging ahead earnestly, "Yes, but we can make this work for us. If they try to escape, I won't let them out of my sight. No doubt he shall lead us to some answers about the plot and possibly to his superiors."

He didn't have the cadence of a criminal, really. Saying things like 'shall' and 'imminent' and 'plot.' Not to mention his use of 'superiors.' What criminal or underground runner didn't just use something like 'boss?' It wasn't beneath them to enlist real criminals for espionage, but this one was most certainly undercover. So military? The Jedi conducted their own missions sometimes, right?

Still, something felt strangely familiar. Like I was hearing a voice of someone that I didn't know, trying it's best to imitate one that I did.

"On that, actually," Windu sighed, pinching his nose briefly. "The Fett girl got some information about a job that was involving Bane and Eval, and a lot of other bounty hunters."

There was a beat of silence on the other end, my gaze flitting back to the hologram to see Ben's head turning, as if he was following someone's movement. Finally, he responded, the coast apparently clear now. "How'd she learn that?" He started again before either could answer. "Wait, she just actually brought you that information? You'd said she wasn't pleased after…" his voice trailed off, my thoughts finally beginning to slot into place, my breath hitching slightly. I narrowed my gaze at the hologram again, willing the image to clear again.

"Suspicious of us, she is. Clever, is the young bounty hunter," Yoda allowed, his words actually sounding more like a compliment than a concern.

"But she heard the bounty's financier is Dooku," Windu finished, his arms crossing. The hologram said nothing, knowing there was more. "And that many bounty hunters are being called– the best of the best."

"Meaning I may be able to infiltrate it," Ben mused, nodding his head in agreement. I focused on its movement, gritting my mouth in frustration. Finally, I sighed, tuning out their words for a moment to breathe deeply, my eyes sliding closed. When I opened them again, I was the slightly shimmering face of Rako Hardeen. A lump formed in my through, nearly cutting off my air.

It was all aligning. For all of us, really. They were learning about Dooku, and I was learning about–

"Good idea, Obi-wan," Windu's voice sounded, hammering into my skull like a drill. "Just don't blow your cover"

This time when I exited the vision, it was like being shot from a canon. I fell back hard, the soft carpet in the center of my office doing little to lessen the crack of my skull on the ground. A low groan escaped my lips, my hand coming up to massage the bump already forming on the back of my head.

I wasn't sure if what I'd seen was something that already happened, or was happening now, but I knew that I was right. The Jedi had been lying…and Obi-wan was very much alive.

My mind reeled. It must have all been staged. But Ahsoka's grief – Anakin's grief – had felt genuine. There was no way Anakin knew. His presence at the funeral alone could have smothered a house fire. So they lied to him about his master's death?

It occurred to me that Obi-wan would have had to agree to keeping his padawan in the dark. He was on the Council, after all. How could they all play with Anakin like that? Knowing what he has been through?

It was like they wanted him to fail as a Jedi.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sudden onslaught of deep, thumping music. I was still prone on the floor, my eyes lifting as far as they could to peer up towards the opening door. I wasn't concerned, since the door required special access to open and very few had that access. The sounds of my club were silenced just as quickly as they began with the door shutting behind the violet legs of Rouva. Her heels clicked as she entered my office, her eyes up and searching for me. She stopped abruptly, spying me past my desk on the decorative rug.

"Pika?" her voice drifted down to me gently, meeting my contemplative gaze. I must have looked distant, because she kneeled beside me. "Did you…fall?" Her hand followed mine to touch the back of my head, making me pull away and wince in my shock. It didn't hurt that bad, but I'd been so lost in thought that I barely registered her reaching for me. "Frang, what happened?"

I pushed her away, my mind clearing momentarily to let me sit up slowly. I'll admit, my vision spun a little bit. Her hand touched my shoulder lightly, steadying me. "I was meditating," I admitted.

Her brow arched. "Meditating…nearly knocked you out?"

"What? No." I pushed her away again, gentler this time. "The vision was just a bit," I struggled to find the word, "intense. And I fell back when I left it. I wasn't knocked out, I was just…thinking."

Her eyes lit up a bit at the mention of a vision. "Did the Force show you something?" I decided she had a weird fascination with my Force sensitivity. Since our discussion over tea the day before, she'd brought up the Force six times. As if our initial discussion set off a waterfall of curiosities. I did my best to explain things to her, but even my understanding was lacking sometimes.

For starters, the Force was just damn confusing. For anyone. But as far as tutoring in the Force? I'd also had random side-noted teachings from various Jedi, rather thorough teachings from an ancient Sith Lord, teachings about how the Force used to be practiced in a now-dead culture from a dead ancestor, and incredibly confusing and vague teachings from god-like Force-wielders. Which definitely sounded like a lot, but actually surmounted into a patchwork that didn't really have any rhyme or reason to it.

I stared at her for a moment, still not fully comprehending what the Force had allowed me to witness. It told me I wasn't crazy. "I was," I paused, licking my lips, still in disbelief. "Right. About everything, but I didn't even go far enough." A sigh escaped my lips, fingers coming up to pinch at the space between my eyes.

Rouva frowned at me, hands folding delicately in her lap where she knelt beside me. "I'm not understanding."

"Obi-wan's alive." Her eyes snapped to mine, but she said nothing, waiting for me to elaborate. "The Council staged it all… he's masquerading as Hardeen to find out about this job Dooku has planned."

My Twi'lek friend was silent beside me on the floor of my office, her gorgeous features pinched in thought. "How…?"

"I saw it. And some other confusing things? But Bane is in prison with the specific job to break Moralo Eval out."

"And Obi-wan –Hardeen– is going to try and join them?"

I shrugged. "If anyone can, it's the Negotiator," I allowed solemnly. "But poor Anakin. I need to tell him."

Rouva shifted on her knees. "Is that your place?"

"No, it's the Council's. But they're clearly not telling him, so it has to be me." I met her worried gaze firmly. "He deserves to know his only father figure isn't dead."

"But does he deserve to know he was lied to?"

Her sentiment was kind-hearted, but I shook my head, looking away with a dark expression. "Even if it hurts, it's better to learn you've been lied to. He deserves the truth. Ahsoka and Padme, too." A thought occurred to me, making me let out a dark chuckle.

"Are you alright?" Rouva asked cautiously. I could feel her nerves alight at my laughter. I didn't really blame her.

"It doesn't even matter he's alive, because Satine's going to kill him all over again when she finds out." I smiled, the corners of my mouth twisted with a mixture of amusement, relief, and anger, and looked up at my friend. Her expression was unreadable, but her emotions were flaring rather clearly. "Relax," I dismissed her with a chuckle, slowly finding my feet and offering her my hand. "I'm fine. I'm glad he's alive, even if the situation is horrible. And I may be tempted to shoot him, but I'll aim for his leg."

"Kida," Rouva scolded immediately, stopping herself as she reached for my outstretched hand. I rolled my eyes, grabbing her hand before she could pull it back and helping her to her feet. "Why are you like this," she muttered while dusting off her spotless skirt.

"You know why." I said it with a chuckle, but the underlying tone was still pretty dark. I'd admit that I was mad. Mad at the Council for hiding things and manipulating me. Mad at Obi-wan for not trusting Anakin. Mad at myself for not seeing things sooner. Or maybe I should have gotten on their good side more….maybe then they would have trusted me with the plan and I could've convinced them to tell Anakin. I was a bounty hunter, after all. This job was exactly my sport and they intentionally didn't tell me.

I wondered if Obi-wan had been worried about my…stability…after our mission to Zygerria. He wasn't wrong, of course, but I was still offended. I poured myself a glass of spiced rum, cursing lowly to myself because I had yet to purchase more. I'd kick myself if I let the decanter go empty without having a replacement.

Rouva watched my back and I could feel her trepidation rising again. "Will you tell the 501st? Rex?"

I turned back to her with a raised brow, the drink warming my throat as I sipped. "Technically," I allowed with a small smile against the brim of my glass. "I should be telling the 212th. They're Obi-wan's men, after all." She shifted again, her eyes darting away from mine. I frowned. "What?"

"While you make a fair point, no one from the 212th is here right now."

I stared at her blankly. "What?" I repeated. I wasn't really sure what else to say.

"Rex and his brothers are here," Rouva finally announced. "Downstairs." I blinked at her, glass floating an inch above where I was about to put it down. After a beat, I changed my mind and lifted it back to my lips for another sip. "I came up here to tell you, but in my defense, I thought you were unconscious on the floor."

Fair enough.

I let out a low sigh, but it wasn't at Rouva. "I'll tell Rex. He may even be able to get to Anakin before I do. The rest of the guys…I'll leave that up to their Captain." I pushed off the counter I was leaning on to straighten my jacket, smoothing out the creases. "Come on," I said, forcing some brightness into my tone.

I was definitely still working to shove my darkness back in its cage after Zygerria. Everything with Obi-wan had made things worse, putting me back in my progress. Its presence made everything more potent. My heart ached to reach back and out and hear Boba's voice again. It had sounded a bit deeper than before, and there were some squeaks happening from his voice changing.

My lips tugged into a small smile as I opened the door to my office, stepping aside to let Rouva go first. I'd give anything to be able to witness that stupid squeak in person, just so I could tease him. But I knew visiting would only cause him trouble. I'd spent much of my life waiting for something. Freedom. A purpose. Family. Love. There was always something to wait for, and I was well-practiced. I could be patient.

I stepped out of my office, the door sealing behind me with a hiss. My glass was still in my hand, and I lifted it in a practiced manner to some of the eyes that lifted to me. Only my regulars greeted me, recognizing me even in my casual attire. I hadn't really been planning on joining my club's activities that night, so I was hardly dressed like a host.

I preferred it that way, especially tonight. It drew fewer eyes.

Rouva led the way through the club, the seats and dancefloors already beginning to fill despite the earliness of the night. It would be a good night for business, then. I made a mental note to have Rouva order food for the staff to have in the back during their breaks–I'd a feeling it would be a long night.

As we got closer to the familiar corner the clones had deemed their own, I spotted Vamira draped over the shoulders of someone with a man-bun. Tup. Beside him, all dressed in civilian clothes, were Kix, Fives, Jesse, and Rex. I steeled myself. The last time I'd seen them, they'd seen Rex and I storm off together, only to come back to learn of Obi-wan's assasination.

Well…his supposed assasination.

I'd assumed Rex had told them that I was okay. That we were okay. But I still found myself nervous, both for having to face them after their worried glances and for the secret I now also was keeping from them.

I hated it.

The brothers all looked up as I approached, their eyes quickly sliding past Rouva to settle on me. I offered them a smile that was tenser than I'd intended. "Hey guys." I tried to sound bright, but I think my words fell a little flat. "I didn't expect you."

I cast a glance to Rex, who offered me a sheepish smile and a shrug. "You invited us." True, but I honestly hadn't expected them to be able to get out of duties on such short notice,

"A notice still would've been nice," I chirped back, sliding into the seat beside him. I looked back to the group, my face becoming more solemn. "How are you all?" None of them have very personal relationships with Obi-wan, but the GAR was their family. And they had worked under Kenobi enough.

They all shared sad expressions, but didn't really answer. Finally, Kix muttered softly into his glass, "Nu kyr'adyc, shi taab'echaaj'la." Everyone muttered it back immediately, taking a long drink. Everyone but me, that is. I sat in silence, staring at the dark liquid in my glass. Obi-wan wasn't dead. They were grieving a living man. A lying man.

I understood that lies were needed. I spent most of my life telling lies and I still was and so were they. We all were hiding our casual relationships…our illegal relationships. But this. This was…a lot. In reality, I could find a way to forgive him–or at least understand him– for lying to myself and the clones. But to Anakin?

No one noticed that I was silent but Rex. His leg shifted to bump his knee against mine, his hand moving down to rest gently on my thigh. I relaxed slightly at his touch, reaching out through the Force to feel his warm presence. It was strong. Steady. Safe. I leaned my shoulder into his, earning a face of feigned disgust from Fives.

"Piss off," Rex nearly growled, earning a surprised look from all of us but Fives, who only smirks over his glass.

"Anyways, how are you, Kida?" Kix diverted the conversation immediately, clearing his throat and leaning over the table towards me. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm okay," I answered genuinely. I was okay. About Obi-wan's death, I mean, since he wasn't actually dead… I was not okay on a lot of other accounts, but I still considered my response truthful.

Jesse frowned at me. "You sure? Didn't you…go to his funeral and everything?" It was kind of blunt, but that was like him.

"That must have been hard," Tup added.

It was. And in retrospect, it was almost harder. I swallowed past the lump forming in my throat. The men probably assumed it was grief, their faces softening. In reality, it was anger. I, and many others, went through a literal funeral for someone who was alive. Honestly, with how many people who were currently or would soon be very mad with Obi-wan, he may want to consider dying on this job to spare himself.

"Jedi funerals are weird," I allowed vaguely, lifting my head off of Rex to jerk my head towards him. "Why not ask him? He was there. Or Cody."

Fives spoke finally, barking a laugh. "You think Cody is someone to talk emotions with?"

"And I am?" I asked with an arched brow.

That earned a laugh from the table, but Rex rolled his eyes as he chuckled, his hand tightening on my thigh gently. "You don't give yourself enough credit." He said it softly, but I'm sure everyone heard. Fives cast ogling eyes at Jesse as he smoked a hookah Vamira had brought over amidst our talk. Jesse laughed loudly, smoke billowing from his lips. Kix only smiled gently at us, taking another drink. Tup was openly beaming, his eyes bouncing between us happily.

I couldn't help but shift uncomfortably under their gazes. Rex sensed it immediately, his thumb tracing calming circles on the fleshy part of my thigh just above my knee. I stopped fidgeting, focusing on that and the small bead of condensation sliding down my glass.

"I'm doing okay," I finally said, drawing everyone's attention again. "I'm worried about Skywalker, though."

They all shared a look of agreement, Rex sitting up slightly in his seat. "Us, too. I'm concerned he's going to leave his post to pursue Hardeen."

"His post?"

Jesse leaned closer from my other side, his voice low. "There's been a rumor about a kidnapping plot against the Chancellor." So that's what Dooku was doing. "There's been increased security on him since. The General has been a part of that rotation."

"For his sake, I hope he doesn't," I responded vaguely. I hoped he didn't so that he didn't blow Obi-wan's cover. Or, even worse, unknowingly kill his master.

"There's no telling what the General will do," Fives laughed, the conversation falling off for a moment as Rouva brought more drinks. The guys took the offerings greedily, and I took the opportunity to hand one to Rex, leaning to his ear.

"We need to speak privately," I whispered.

His brows furrowed in a concerned frown. "You alright?"

Not really. "It's not about–"

"Nah, you two got your fun alone time together last time we were here. Now you have to actually hang out," Fives said with a teasing smirk, his hand waving at Rex and I. While he had a point and any other day I'd let him win, I really needed to tell Rex about how his friend wasn't dead. I'd have loved to tell them all, but they were already getting to varying levels of intoxicated, and the guys weren't great at keeping their mouths shut after a few drinks.

When no one said anything, I turned to find Rex's eyes searching mine, his irises like liquid amber. He was waiting for me to decide. To see how urgent my private conversation was. It was pretty damned urgent, especially since I felt like someone needed to tell Anakin and Rex would probably have a direct line to him.

"Its–" I started, before stopping abruptly at the sound of a commotion. Both my and Vamira's heads snapped sideways towards the screams coming from the back room. I was up in an instant, Rouva already pushing past the stream of my panicked workers pouring through the staff door. Rex was behind me, putting his hand on Vamira's shoulder to gesture for her to stay put with his men. She obeyed, watching with wide eyes as I caught Alema in my arms as she stumbled out of the back. "What happened?" I asked firmly, grabbing her golden shoulders to make her look at me.

She was crying, the fear coming off her in waves. It was nearly overpowering and I shut her out with the Force immediately. "They broke in…criminals!" She struggled to find words between her sobs. I glanced at Rex, who was at my side, sharing my worried expression. I watched his features harden into determination, as well as some frustration.

I could tell he wasn't thrilled about the interruption to the relaxing night. I didn't blame him.

"They were wearing oran–"

"Yo, Boss," Fives called to Rex as he approached, cutting off Alema's words. "I just got a call: there was a breakout at the prison. I gotta go." He rubbed the back of his head with an exasperated sigh. "No rest for the weary, right? Sorry to cut the night short. Good luck with…" his voice trailed off as he gestured towards the door. The panic had stopped, the girls all standing around and watching the door with us. There were no sounds from the other side anymore. "...this," he finished vaguely. "And sorry I can't help."

My mind was piecing it all together, my senses reaching out past the wall before me to confirm my suspicions. My lips wavered between a frown and a smile, unsure where to settle. "It's fine, I can handle this," I assured, some of my anxiety falling away.

Rex seemed to notice, glancing back to his brother. "Were all of us summoned?"

"No," Fives laughed, waving his hand at us both. "Don't worry, you can still have fun together. Only I was called."

"Lucky you," I grinned devilishly, earning one back in return.

"Nar'sheb."

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" I responded easily, giving Alema's shoulders a comforting squeeze before looking past her to see the door swinging open again. Rouva emerged, looking pale. Still, she approached, wrapping her arm reassuringly around Alema's shoulders. Behind me, I felt Rex and Fives give each other a nod before the latter exited silently. The rest of the clones were still watching from their booth, dutifully watching over Vamira.

After licking her pale lips, Rouva spoke. "You should really go in there. I don't know if you should bring the Captain."

I felt Rex tense at that, but ignored it. I had been wondering the same thing anyways. "Okay," I allowed, stepping past the Twi'lek's slowly. "Get the party moving again. I'll handle this quickly and then get the girls back inside if you can."

"Of course," Rouva responded quietly. Her whole body was rigid, which was completely opposite of her usual elegance.

Rex's hand grabbed my bicep, firm enough to get my attention, but soft enough that I could pull away if I wanted. I let him stop me. "I'm not letting you go in there alone," he said softly to me. Merl had started the music again, but the chatter of the club had yet to return. "I'm coming with you."

His shape was solid in the Force, his will strong. I decided it wasn't worth fighting over and said nothing as I walked forward. He read my silence and followed wordlessly. I pushed through the door easily, listening to it click behind us before scanning the darkened hall.

"Really?" I called into the darkness, surprising Rex beside me. "You cut the power?" My eyes fell to the wall, hand ghosting the control panel easily. It lit under my touch, the lights coming on at the tap of a button. "Wow," I laughed to myself, "Kind of lazy, just turning off the lights."

Rex was about to ask why I was being so casual when another voice responded. "More respectful though, don't you think?"

Rex's hand slapped against his waist, only to find it bare of his pistols. I'm sure he was cursing out the civilian clothes in his mind. Still, he took a ready stance beside me as we both turned to look down the hall. The voice had drifted from one of the darkened rooms at the end, the curtains draping along the hallway cloaking it further in shadow. I felt Rex's confusion at my relaxed posture and easy grin.

"Fair enough," I called back, the smile dropping from my face suddenly. "You're not alone."

There was a heavy pause. "No."

"What's going on?" Rex finally asked, earning me a feeling of surprise from the end of the hall.

"But neither are you," the familiar voice called again, with some harshness in his tone.

I rolled my eyes, hearing that the chatter of my club had begun to pick up again, masking our conversation with the noise. "Come on, you know my affiliation with the Republic, therefore the clones."

"Chuba da uba Koose Wanga tah Koga!" The voice spit back, choosing Huttese with the knowledge Rex would understand Mandalorian. Yet…someone else understood Huttese here. I heard a hissing chuckle from down the hall, my rage boiling.

Despite the lights being on, the hallway darkened again, Rex shifting beside me. "Kida," he warned under his breath. If he'd known what was said, though, I doubt he'd have been so level-headed.

"Boska. Nobata karking Dee boonkee!" I slid back to Mando'a. "Ni Kelir kyr'amur gar." My words were practically growled, my scowl twisting my features at his boldness.

Rex's head turned towards me when I switched languages halfway through, his mind likely piecing together who I was speaking to. We could hear grumbles from the end of the hall at my firm snap, but eventually the curtains parted to reveal two figures, both clad in orange jumpsuits. Rex seemed just as unsure as I was at how tense to be. My ease was a practiced mask, of course, since I was less than thrilled by my brother's guest.

"Boba," I greeted with a smile before frowning at the second escapee, "Bossk. Why don't you both come up to my office?"


RYL

Pika – beloved person

Frang – general explicative like "damn" or "shit"


MANDO'A

Vod – brother

Nu kyr'adyc, shi taab'echaaj'la – not gone, merely marching far away (tribute to dead comrade)

Nar'sheb – shove it/shove it up your ass

Ni Kelir kyr'amur gar – I will kill you


HUTTESE

Chuba da uba Koose Wanga tah Koga! – Not that you bring one to bed!

Boska. Nobata karking Dee boonkee – Let's go. No fucking around.


AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Lot's of languages in this one…

Anywho sorry for the wait as always. At least it's a longer one? But also as always I can make no promises that I won't immediately drop off the face of the planet the moment I post this.

Anyways, happy reading for any of you still tagging along. I appreciate you sticking around and am happy to see reviews/comments! (Side note, you are welcome to put in spelling/lore edits but I barely reread the chapters I write so I won't be going back to make edits. Your efforts are acknowledged and appreciated, though!)

Looking forward to granting Rex and Kida a much needed vacation arc soon!

-Ryder