Coruscant Lower Levels
1020 days ABG
"Where's the lil'lady?" Duq drawled.
"I told you, she's retired." growled Maze.
"She don't look retired from what Aah could see. Great musculature!"
"And that's all you'll ever see." Maze felt that urge of protectiveness around her.
"Both of you would've bin' better, a sexy tag team." He drawled. "The punters pay more."
Maze's left eyebrow raised.
"It's me or nothing and this is the last fight. As per our agreement."
Duq drew deeply on his death stick and exhaled; Maze could smell the tabac plus something else. It wasn't as bad as some he had smelt.
"Okay you're on." The Duros reluctantly agreed.
Maze nodded and turned to head towards what passed as the changing rooms.
"If you lose, Ah tell the lil' lady." Duq shouted after him. Maze stopped and turned. "And Ah don't think you want her to know about this do you?"
"I'll win!" Confirmed Maze.
"You better!"
Maze grunted and headed to change; he didn't know who his opponent was and this was the last time. He didn't need it any more.
.
Maze checked and flexed his scarred knuckles, then stretched out, limbering up before walking into the arena. It was decked out like some old fashioned fighting pit. Nothing fancy, not like the Holonet fights. He shouldn't have started this but he needed some way to burn off his excess energy. Shuffling datapads and training wasn't enough, and Stone didn't always have anything for him.
He thought he was finished but then Duq found out who Essie was, what Nat and Sol had been, who their master was and who Essie worked for now and demanded he kept to the agreement, or else.
He should have killed him there and then but he couldn't risk the or else.
He stepped out into the brightly lit arena and looked around the crowd.
It was full.
He recognised faces from the Senate.
Credits were changing hands on the outcome; he turned to the other side of the pit.
A large Weequay, all beaded braids and weathered skin, lumbered across the arena from the opposite side.
"Great!" muttered Maze.
He was big, taller than Maze and heavier set; his opponent walked steadily towards him staring at him. Trying to intimidate him.
He'd seen him fight, several times. He wasn't stupid, nothing like Weequay were portrayed.
He was strong, clever, stubborn and had some good moves; it would be a tight match.
Maze loosened his neck.
"That's not going to work." Maze muttered, as he glared back, head down walking towards him.
The Weequay picked up speed.
As did Maze.
"Kegrun Kilk!"
"Fett —finally."
They reached each other, moving seamlessly into circling their opponent, each looking for an opening.
The crowd impatiently booed a few seconds into the fight.
"Impatient lot!"
"They always are —Fett!"
"Not my name, you know that."
"Nah, just a copy!"
Maze narrowed his eyes, trying not to let the insults get to him. He was better than that, he knew it.
The forearm grazed his cheek as he backed away. Kilk was good, he didn't telegraph what he was doing until the last minute. Maze barely got out of the way in time. He ducked and jabbed him in the diaphragm, Kilk backed away quickly, not registering the punch.
The crowd roared as they circled each other again.
They were loosening up.
"Duq said you have a mate."
"Nothing to do with you or him."
"So you like the girlies eh?"
Maze leaned in for a jab at his diaphragm again. It was like hitting durasteel.
"They sap your strength." Kilk continued.
Kilk retaliated and caught Maze on the bicep with the tail end of his punch. If he hadn't been so heavy, he would be faster. Maze had speed on his side.
"Perhaps when we're done, I can find your girlie. Show her a good time. I understand she can fight. I like girlies that fight back."
.
The crowd roared; they had tasted blood, both human and Weequay. Maze was losing blood from the deep gashes inflicted by the Weequay's chin horns. He had sharpened them but Kilk couldn't use one of his arms now and both were slowing down. They had been fighting for almost an hour.
The crowd had their credits worth.
He barely dodged a hit from the Weequay who headed towards him; he managed to punch him in the guts, which felt softer now. The Weequay leaned against him, Maze locked his knees, dug in and leaned back against his chest, no longer able to move.
Kilk wheezed, he was unconscious and Maze vaguely heard the roar of the crowd when he was pronounced the winner.
.
"I'm calling Essie."
"Jab!"
Maze leaned heavier on him.
"Perhaps she can talk some kriffing sense into you. Fek knows what the General will think!"
"He won't know!"
"Bacta can only do so much!'"
"Concentrate on the face!"
Growled Maze, as they hobbled away from Duq's.
"This is the last time I do this." Jab muttered, "Why did you even start?"
"I had…..excess energy to burn off."
"Hmm! I can think of other, better ways."
"Essie wasn't around at the time."
Jab stopped, gave him a ten second stare, as good as any of the training sergeants. Then he delved in his medical bag before slapping on a Bacta patch.
Mace twitched; it was unexpected and cold, straight from the cool pack.
"You could warm it up!" Grumbled Maze.
"I'm warming nothing up for you, di'kut! Now get a move on, the bike's around here somewhere.
He could hardly lift his leg to climb on the bike; everywhere hurt as he held onto Jab during the ride back.
.
Essie picked up the call, she wasn't expecting Maze, he'd said he was busy.
"Maze? I wasn't …."
"It's Jab."
"Has something happened?" She said panicking, it was Maze's com number.
"Can you get down here? Talk some sense into this di'kut?"
"What do you mean? Is he okay?" Essie was already standing and pulling on a coat.
"Just. But get down here quick."
"I'll be there as soon as I can." She wasn't even sure if he heard her as she switched numbers so quickly.
"Sol, can you or Nat look after Del? Something's happened to Maze."
"I'll be there as soon as I can." Sol replied.
Essie paced the living area, waiting.
"What's happened?" Sol asked as she rushed in the door.
"I don't know. Jab wouldn't say but he wanted me there."
"Here take our speeder."
"Thanks!" Essie caught the key.
"Let us know how he is."
.
Jab was at the entrance; luckily they didn't see anyone as they walked quickly through the corridors to the Medbay. Jab was ominously quiet.
"What's happened?"
"You'll see."
"I wish you would just tell me."
"It's up to him to explain. He won't be happy with me bringing you here. How's the headaches?"
"Don't change the subject. Why?"
"You'll see!"
Essie's heart raced as they entered the med bay; Maze was hunched over, sitting on a gurney, his face a mess of bruises and Bacta. His torso much the same.
"Maze!" She rushed forward to him.
"Jab! I told you not to fetch her!"
Jab grunted, "I'll leave you to talk some sense into him."
He was unrecognisable, even as the Bacta was working to reduce the swelling.
"Maze, what happened?" She said as she knelt in front of him, "I didn't know you were on a mission. Does the General know?"
"Wasn't and you should see the other one."
"I've told you before. That's not funny."
His mouth lifted in an attempted smile, his lip split again, dripping blood. He winced.
"It doesn't matter, it's over now."
"The other one was a Weequay, he looked better afterwards!" Jab interrupted.
"It was a fight?"
Maze groaned.
"Jab?"
"He needs to be in a tank asap! He's been hit around the head."
"Maze?"
He shook his head.
"Jab do what you have to, to get him in the tank."
The hypo hit Maze in the neck, taking him by surprise. It worked quickly, then he hoisted him up and into the tank.
"Have you got him in time?"
"Yeah! I scanned him. There's no bleed or bruising."
"We've known for years now about this risk in fighting, its why we have helmets." She turned to Jab, hands on hips, "So where had he been?"
Jab looked to the floor.
"Where, why and who"
"Don't know why but its Duq's place. Some kind of fist fight."
"With no helmet or gloves?"
She looked at Maze.
"How long?"
"I'll leave him in as long as I can."
.
Duq's Office
1030 days ABG.
Essie stood in front of the ornate desk, still angry. She had been angry with Jab first, because he knew, then Maze because he did it and he had only recently fully recovered despite the bacta. Nat loomed behind her looking menacing with all his scars on show. He had refused to let her go alone, part of her was grateful for the support, although the way she was feeling she would have charged in. Nat made her think about it. Consider the options. Wait. Now she had back up.
Maze didn't know she was here. He would have tried to stop her.
"Big desk for a little man." She glared at the Duros. She was still angry. Beyond angry. That fight should have been stopped before it got to the stage when neither fighter could walk without help. She was surprised Maze had got as far as he did. If Jab hadn't fetched him…..
"Are you compensating for something?"
"Now lil' lady, are you thinking of taking up mah offer?"
"Only if Mustafar freezes over." Essie smiled, sweetly.
She heard Nat mutter 'what offer?' She double tapped his wrist, showing she was fine.
"I understand you have some hold over Captain Maze. Not any longer."
"Ah wouldn't call it a hold, more like a gentlemen's agreement."
He took another drag on his death stick; it smelt potent today.
"Not any more because I have been doing some digging about you….and your family."
"And what have you thought you've found lil' lady?"
"You are related to a certain bounty hunter who is wanted by the Republic for attempting to assassinate the Chancellor, amongst other things. And who managed to escape from the highest security prison on Coruscant."
"You can't prove it!"
"Do I need to?"
Duq drew deeply on his death stick and blew the result into her face.
Essie suppressed her cough.
"The Guard were embarrassed and Commander Fox doesn't like that." She continued.
"Clones!" He spat out, derisively.
"There are some other people interested in him and they don't follow any rules but their own."
"Pah!"
"Republic Intelligence! I have it on good authority they report only to the Chancellor."
She didn't, she had no idea what they did but she hoped he didn't know that. This is just like psyching up the opponent in her wrestling days. It was coming back to her now.
"If I was to mention your name…."
"For a kriffing clone. Ah thought you had more taste."
Nat watched as she closed her eyes slowly, then she grabbed, dug in and squeezed hard just as he had taught her and exactly where he had shown her.
A flush of pride washed over him.
His little girl could take care of herself but he wished she could keep the anger under control.
Duq emitted what could only be described as a squeal and dropped to his knees. She twisted further. Nat winced as the Duros dropped further onto his hands; Essie had to bend down now but she didn't let go. Nat had never seen her so angry and he could smell the result from the Duros.
Essie breathed through her mouth.
"You keep away from Maze and any other clone. You understand?"
She twisted further.
"He's made enough money for you."
"We…Ah…."
"How much more before I permanently disfigure you in the eyes of whichever sex you prefer?" She asked, still fuelled by anger, if she squeezed any harder even she wasn't sure they wouldn't come off in her hand.
"Okay! Okay!"
"Yes?"
"No more fighting. Ah won't ask him again."
"And your girls!"
"Girls?"
"Don't be coy!"
"Ah… don't know…."
"The girls in your ….establishment, the next level down."
"What about mah girls?"
"You need to keep them safe!"
"Ah do."
"Not from what I've heard!"
She felt Nat move behind her.
"Ah keep them safe."
"Not safe enough. They need self defence classes and I can give them that."
She released her grip, slightly.
"Are we talkin' business now?"
"Maybe but check this first." She placed a data chip on his desk and released him.
His red eyes bored into her before he placed it in a reader. He scanned the contents, his eyes narrowed.
"There's several copies, just in case anything happens to me."
He looked up at her.
"Republic Intelligence, Den Skeenah, The Jedi and finally that Bounty Hunter, Bane, showing how you betrayed him. All will receive one, if anything happens to me and my family, including Maze."
His lip curled.
.
"Now ladies," Essie flexed her fingers. "We are going to give you enough information to enable you to escape any attacker. You won't be able to kill them but you will live to fight another day. Are you up for that?"
The row of ladies from Duq's establishments all nodded.
Essie flexed her fingers again.
"First. How to make a Duros male squeak like an Akk pup!"
A few of the ladies giggled.
.
Rollo's Blaster Range
Coruscant lower levels.
1040 days ABG
"Try this one!" Maze handed her a larger weapon, her hand dropped as she adjusted to the heavier weight. She balances it in her hand several times.
"Whoa! That's a lot heavier."
"You've lifted heavier."
"I don't have to aim with weights." She pointed the blaster and stared down the sight.
"You could be faced with having to use a different type of blaster than you're used to. You have to be familiar with all of them." Instructed Maze, in trainer mode.
He stood behind her, adjusting her stance and how she held the weapon.
She arched her back, pushing her backside into him.
He cleared his throat. "Now fire."
She fired and missed.
"Come on Ess. You're better than this."
She pulled the weapon to her shoulder again, then dropped it back down, shaking.
"What now?"
She giggled, "Nothing!"
"You don't giggle at nothing. Now concentrate," muttered Maze, twisting her around to face him.
"That's not fair." She pushed at his chest, to no effect.
"War isn't fair. Now fire."
"Ooh!"
"Ess…" he replied, warning her.
"I love it when you call me Ess."
He grabbed her arms, "How much?"
"Guess!" She dropped the blaster, ducked out of his arms and ran for a few yards before turning, "Catch me if you can!" Turned again and ran off.
"Ess!" He shouted "bloody woman!" He muttered to himself and set off after her.
She'd stopped, there was nowhere for her to run; he lunged at her. Turning away she screamed, until he caught her, tackled her and they both lay on the floor breathless. He pinned her down, laughing.
"You should bloody well know better!"
"Yeah, But it makes you laugh."
They hadn't had a good laugh in a long time.
Maze tucked the stray hairs that was laying across her forehead behind her ear, then tilting his head, leaned down and kissed her hard, forcing her head into whatever covered the floor. She didn't think too hard about what that was, as her arms wrapped around his neck.
"No fornicatin' on the range!" Duq's drawl boomed out over the speakers.
Maze pulled away from her.
.
"You still need to practice with the heavier blasters," argued Maze as he followed her through the door eating the spicy Nuna wings they bought on their way home.
"And you need to take me to bed."
"Yes but I'm still hungry."
"You're always hungry."
"I'm a growing lad."
"So I noticed, when you had me pinned down." She retorted, twisting around to face him.
Maze's hand ran down the side of her head, Essie leaned into it, placing a kiss in the palm of his hand.
"Go on get your food. But you're not bringing it to bed!"
"Not even the choco sauce?"
"Especially not the choco sauce. It gets everywhere."
"Spoilsport!"
She snorted as she headed to the bedroom.
Maze ate the remains of his wings, squirted a large dollop of the choco sauce on an equally large spoon, ate it, licked the spoon clean and left the choco sauce in the kitchen before wandering into the bedroom; Essie was looking at the datapad. Del was on it; he had just learnt how to use it. Maze could see Nat and Sol in the background watching him carefully. They waved.
"We've only shown him how to use it once and he has already worked out how to do everything on it." Sol said in the background.
"Look Maze!" Del held up another of his troopers. It had some additions. Material added to the shoulder and hips and some colours in specific places. Maze recognised it immediately, it was him.
"Kandosi! Well done!" He reverted to Mandoa, as he sometimes did when he was emotional. As much as he disliked Skirata, it had still been part of his upbringing, though not as brainwashed as the Nulls and some of Kal's squads were.
"Sol helped me."
Sol stood in the background and smiled. "It's time for bed now."
"Awww!" He screwed up his face "just a bit longer." He cajoled.
"I think you should do as Sol says." Maze replied evenly.
"Yes sir!" The young lad saluted him and Sol came back on the screen.
"Thank you…" she paused, "He thinks a lot of you Maze."
Maze nodded. "I like him too."
"'Night to both of you."
Maze flopped next to her on the bed, as she closed the datapad down.
"You alright?"
"Yes!" She replied with a frown.
He twisted her face towards him.
"I'll ask you again. Are you alright?"
"I just had another message from Rik. There's been some more threats made… to Den. To Rik….. "
"And you?"
"I'm not named as they were but the staff are mentioned. He wanted to warn me. It was anonymous. "
She thought it may be Duq but he had denied it, and she believed him. Besides, several of the girls confirmed he had requested that no one upset her or Maze.
"I'll go and see Stone tomorrow. Warn Nat and Sol and I'll also talk to the General."
"Don't get in trouble."
"You know I would do anything for you." He pulled her to him.
"Maze don't say that! I don't want to be the reason that something happens to you. The Kaminoans….."
"Fuck the Kaminoans!"
"Maze you can't just ignore them…."
"They kept us, the Alphas, in stasis longer than the normal troopers because they were scared of us. They were especially scared of the Nulls, the first batch. So they don't frighten me and shouldn't frighten you. They won't get me, I promise you."
He felt her squeeze him.
"Ess. You said you liked to see me happy. Protecting you and Del makes me happy. It's given me more purpose, more…..than shuffling datapads for the General. Having a purpose makes me happy."
As Essie watched his face, she sensed how he felt. He was right; he needed this sense of purpose, as if it was bred into him. She pulled him into a kiss and reached between them palming him, feeling him react to her hand and kiss, filling her hand as she touched him. She had a purpose now as she kissed him more fervently and felt him getting hard. Her own breathing was becoming faster as he moved from her lips down her neck sucking gently in places.
His knee pushed between her thighs and she opened to accommodate him. His fingers pushing in.
He heard the low moan, as he prepared her. Her fingers trailing up and down his back until he couldn't wait any longer. He replaced his fingers and immediately she arched upwards to him.
This time was just about each of them reaching their release.
.
It was late now and Maze was dozing; Essie shuffled and he felt her hand slide over his stomach tracing circles there.
"I think I'll need a little more time to recover, as much as I would like to."
"Hmm! This is just as good." Murmured Essie into his back before kissing him. "Have you thought more about Nat's offer?"
"I don't know. It's still unclear what will happen in the war."
"Is it anywhere near ending?"
"No. We're stretched even further with the Outer Rim sieges. The Kaminoans are now sending untrained troops out to fight."
"Untrained?"
"Younger. They haven't had the battle sim training."
"Can they do that?"
"They already are "
She moved closer to him.
"I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault "
"It's my government."
"I don't blame you."
She didn't ask him who he actually blamed, trying to find someone to blame was difficult. She didn't even try to work it out but what her aunt said continued to worry her, this Sith thing. She researched it. They used the Force like the Jedi did but not for the greater good, for themselves to gain power.
Her Aunt said they were involved in this war and initiated it.
This frightened her; she had no control over it.
