Chapter Four

Kayl immerged from the ruined house to find that he was not alone.

The TSF teams that had been patrolling the area had undoubtedly found him. Kayl cursed himself for not being more diligent about scanning his surroundings before leaving the house but sometimes these things were inevitable. It just seemed like the kind of day he was having.

A two-man TSF team who had been walking through the neighbourhood, quickly approached the property.

"You there! Stop! This is a restricted area!" The lead man shouted.

Kayl crossed the front yard of the home and approached the men, now running towards him. It seemed like they expected him to flee, as they tried to block his path. Kayl did not run, however, instead he fixed them with an authoritative glare that caught them offguard.

The second man hesitated, obviously having been on the receiving end of such a look before. It was this man that Kayl addressed, not the lead officer with a bone to pick.

"Relax." Kayl advised gently. He didn't really want to be shot by an idiot today.

"You are breaking and entering in a restricted area." The lead man shouted, spittle shooting from his lips as he approached, already withdrawing binders to place on Kayl's wrists. He was clearly the most rabid of the two of them.

"Not really." Kayl remarked, still ignoring the lead officer and addressing the second. "I have authority to search this home. It belonged to my sister and her family."

The men hesitated, seemingly caught off guard by his calm demeanour.

"No one is allowed into this sector until the Captain signs off." The lead man spat, infuriated by Kayl ignoring him. "You are under arrest."

Kayl turned and looked at him, staring him directly in the face with no fear. The man still didn't reach for him, but it was evident he wanted nothing more than to beat him senseless. Just at that moment, Kayl's comm chirped once. He smiled.

"No."

The guard's face melted into a look of pure incredulation. "What did you say?"

"I said no." Kayl repeated. "I am not under arrest. I have full authority to be here."

Red in the face now, the man reached for Kayl's bag which he believed to be filled with stolen items, only to be interrupted by a noise behind them. Both guards turned to see a solider in full Mandalorian armour emerge from the shadows across the street. With him, was a square jawed Bothan in a TSF uniform with the insignia of a Lieutenant.

Both TSF officers with Kayl were very much caught off guard by the arrival of a superior officer.

"Thank you men, that will be all." The Bothan declared loudly, waving them off with a clawed hand.

The first guard, still grasping tightly to the bag's strap, struggled to let go so easily. He eyed the Mandalorian with his superior and actually refused to comply.

"Sir, this man is trespassing and has ransacked that home. According to the Captain, this man should be placed under-"

"Captain Tremna has full knowledge of this situation. This request comes from the Admiral himself. The man you are currently accosting has been granted authority, by the Admiral, to search his family's home before he returns to Alderaan with Urela Olenta." The Bothan explained, barking at the audacity of his insubordination and ignoring the sudden shock that appeared on both man's faces.

Kayl wasn't sure what had them more confused. The mention of the Admiral or Urela. Whatever it was, it worked. He was released, the two officers stepping away and quickly returning to the street to stand before their superior. Obviously they had enough sense to wait for further criticism.

The Bothan surveyed the men, disapprovingly. "I am in my rights to report this to Captain Tremna, you know. If either of you already have a note on your files, you'll be finished."

Both men stood perfectly still, expressionless but fearful.

"It would be recommended that this man press charges, given his full rights have been interrupted by your incompetence. I wouldn't-"

"Excuse me, Lieutenant?" Kayl interrupted, kindly.

The Bothan tured his atention to Kayl. He surveyed the men. He wasn't happy with how things were going but he had to stop it before it got worse. Before he was dragged into some kind of dispute or they challenged his relation to the Skidder household.

"Thani doesn't need more to deal with." Kayl declared, playing the patriotic mourner card. "My sister will rest easy knowing these men did their best to protect her home… I will not press charges if these men swear they will not repeat their actions on another Telosian just looking for some answers."

With some surprise, the Bothan regarded his men. "Well? This is your one and only free pass. I suggest you take it."

The second man saluted quickly, forcing the leader to follow suit begrudgingly. "Thank you sir. We will not let you or Telos down."

Kayl nodded, throwing on an appreciative look. He returned the salute. "Thank you."

"Return to your rounds. Dont let me catch you overstepping again." The Bothan growled, gesturing them to leave.

Both men, now throughly humiliated and yet grateful, saluted. It was all they could do. They left without a word.

Waiting until the men were gone, Kayl regarded the Mandalorian and Bothan with a rather appreciative grin.

"Nicely done."

The Bothan grinned, showing off his delicately deadly set of teeth. "Thank you General."

The Mando, toting a rather large rifle, looked towards the retreating TSF- now in the distance. "I thought you might need a creative extraction so I called in Vexl."

Kayl nodded, he appreciated it. "Glad to see you haven't lost your touch."

The Bothan chuckled as Kayl handed his heavy bag over to Deth.

"It was nothing General. I'm only glad we managed to find a serviceable uniform. Having the insignia was a happy accident. Good thing we did, too."

"You may have laid on the Admiral a little thick but it worked. I appreciate the help." Kayl replied, turning his attention to Deth, now toting the bag he'd retrieved from the Skidder home. "I need you to take that bag back to the ship directly and secure it in the safe in my cabin."

Deth nodded, activated his jet pack and blasted away towards the ship. He was far more the most trustworthy man for a job such as this, so Kayl had no fear that his trust would be misplaced in this matter. The secrets of the Skidder household would be protected.

"Any news from the other parties?" Kayl questioned, turning back to Vexl, now that they were alone.

The Bothan gave a brief nod. "Avree called in, requesting your presence at the refugee camp north of here. Said he'd post Ekron near the entrance of the camp and he'd lead you to where Varin and the kid were. Last I heard, they decided to employ a new strategy."

Kayl nodded. It was expected. He had given his men the option of trying different avenues to achieve their goal. They didn't need to run anything by him, given he had his own venture to keep him busy. Now that he'd completed it he could return and help them complete theirs.

"Done here, General?" Vexl inquired, glancing back at the house. "I can take you to Ekron if you'd like."

"I'll find him myself, you'd better loose the uniform and return to the ship before you are found out." Kayl replied with a nod towards the clothing he wore. "We've already gotten more attention then I'd like, we don't need anymore."

The Bothan grinned, slapping on a quick salute before leaving with a warning "You'd better find Varin quick then."

Kark. Kayl took a deep breath and quickly headed towards the camp.

As he neared the refugee camp, Kayl noticed Ekron waiting for him. It was impossible to miss the Iradonian solider in full kit. He looked almost more imposing than Deth did, even with the bad press all Mandalorians were receiving these days. Still, being so heavily armed with the visage of nothing lesser then a hunter or looter, Ekron was being carefully watched by the guards. It didn't matter that he was apparently enjoying a comfortable conversation with the checkpoint Officer.

Kayl immediately garnished the attention of several guards stationed at the camp entrance as he approached. Those who had been anxiously watching Ekron, now crowded around, eager to protect the helpless people inside from another dangerous looking character advancing with purpose. Before they could do anything though, their officer in charge advanced towards Kayl with a rather out of place grin. Considering his surroundings, it was both comforting and alarming.

The officer, whom had been chatting with Ekron, stopped before Kayl and snapped off a pristine military salute. Now that he was up close, the man looked familiar.

"General Tyris. A pleasure to see you alive and well, sir."

Kayl narrowed his gaze, caught a little off guard by the greeting, but he did not miss the other guards watching this scene with morbid curiosity. They murmured to each other, gesturing towards them. Deciding it was best to play it cool, Kayl returned the salute, his much more casual, before offering his hand.

"Ensign Gammit. Glad to see you survived General Ghat." Kayl effected a slight smile for the man he'd served with for a short time some four years prior, giving his hand a cordial shake.

"I did not know you had been posted to Thani, sir. I thought you were serving in the Outer Rim, controlling the Meridian Sector." Ensign Gammit questioned, his easy mannerisms rarely placed him in the realm of insubordination for being so formal with a superior officer. He looked at Kayl's strange uniform and immediately dismissed it. "… I see your friend here was not exaggerating. I will not press you further."

Kayl turned his attention o Ekron, who shrugged lightly.

"Sorry General. Said he was a friend. Figured he would understand babysitting a celebrity."

Kayl raised a brow, noting the lie. He was pleased to know their ruse was still in play, even with another sudden hiccup.

"Yes, well. There is no saying no to the Admiralty, is there?" Kayl remarked, turning his attention back to the Ensign, and playing along with Ekron's ruse. "You may actually encounter two guards who tried to apprehend me a few minutes ago. I handled it, but you may want to look into that insubordination. Make sure it doesn't happen again."

Ensign Gammit's expression soured. "My apologies, General. We have already had to deal with several altercations with the local TSF officers and volunteers. I will take care of it."

Kayl frowned. "Nothing like the military, are they?"

"Unfortunately. I'll be glad to get back to it after this."

Kayl nodded, but noticed Ekron's body language. The Iradonian subtly raised his gloved hand, giving Kayl a covert signal. Time to go. Kayl extended his hand once again to Gammit.

"Duty calls. It was a pleasure to see you again Ensign." Kayl told him generously as he shook his hand firmly.

"And you, General." Ensign Gammit turned to the guards and gestured to them that Kayl was allowed through.

The several men standing guard, moved back to their positions and returned to their business, ignoring Kayl's presence entirely. Once they were past the camp's edge, Kayl turned his attention to the matter at hand and forget all possible worries about being discovered.

"What's the word?"

Ekron strode alongside Kayl through the camp with ease despite the fact that he was fully clothed in heavy armour. He did not take any notice of the stares his attire and weaponry garnished, treating even the wary glances of soldiers and guards as if they were nothing to him.

"The kids' parents are dead but his brother is alive. He's a little scrap of a thing corralled with all the other orphans. Varin took it up with the officer in charge but given Skidder is underage, they're refusing to hand over custody. If you ask me the officer is a mere hand breadth of finding the muzzle of Varin's rifle, babe-minder or not." Ekron explained, his words tapering off with the echo of a smile beneath his helmet.

Kayl wished to smile at that explanation but found it a little too difficult given the circumstances. Today was business, and they always succeeded in business.

"Vexl got me out of a tight spot back in town. I need you to make sure he makes it back to the ship in one piece. Make sure his antics don't bring the entire TSF down on us."

Ekron gave a sharp nod and gestured ahead towards several tents grouped together ahead of them. "You'll find Varin and Skidder inside. Just follow the cursing."

Kayl nodded and continued in that direction while Ekron doubled back.

Entering the group of tents, Kayl's eyes adjusted slowly to the sight he found. Sectioned off were several different areas but unfeeling TSF officers and volunteers milled around in the front area of the first tent, processing orphans and dealing with weeping families looking desperately for lost children. The entire sight of it nearly made him sick.

Varin stood off to the left, Raynar stood before her demanding to see his brother, while the officer they delt with simply rambled off another empty excuse that they would have to fill in the proper paperwork to appeal to the court for a hearing. Kayl's chest rose and fell with anger as he watched the young man, his frayed nerves eating away whatever sanity was left within him. He didn't know what to do, but he continued to fight.

Good lad.

Kayl moved through the groups of people easily and came up to Varin's side. The sharpshooter looked at Kayl, her verdant eyes conveying the exact feeling Ekron had told him was swirling around the warrior's mind.

"About bloody time." She growled, low and quiet so only he could hear. "I'm going to start shooting in a minute, I don't care how low a profile we need to keep."

Kayl gestured towards the tent's entrance with his chin. "Get some air, I've got it from here."

Varin left without further prompting, nearly knocking over a man on her way out. Her temper had always been an issue but Kayl wouldn't ever let that dissuade him from her value. Sometimes it was imperative to have a Rancor with anger issues on your side.

Now that it was just him and Raynar, he reached out and gripped the youth's thin shoulder. Raynar hadn't noticed Kayl enter the tent, nor appear at their side, so he wretched his shoulder away. He thought Varin was trying to get him to leave. That didn't bother Kayl. He was proud of Raynar's stubbornness. His refusal to give up on his little brother.

Meeting the gaze of the officer enduring Raynar's choice curses, Kayl interrupted the youth's tirade with one of his own.

"I suggest you fill out that paperwork now, young lady. The boy isn't going to wait patiently much longer." Kayl growled, ignoring her dour expression.

Raynar reeled around, looking up at Kayl with frustrated tears glazing his blue eyes. He looked utterly worn out and still incredibly grateful to see Kayl standing next to him. "Kayl, they wont-"

"As I have explained…" She interrupted heartlessly. "As a minor he is not entitled to custody, regardless of being a blood relation. He will have to-"

"Like hell he will. " Kayl growled. "Send someone back to get the boy and fill out the damn paperwork. I'm taking custody of Trask Skidder, and we are leaving now. You have a problem with that, you take it up with the Admiral when he touches down and explain to him why his personal request was not adhered to."

She opened her mouth to refuse, yet again but Kayl stopped that idiocy from continuing.

"Get the boy, or I will get him myself."

The young lady blanched, his calm tone edged with such ferocity that it moved her to action. Despite the fact that she now looked ashamed, she turned and waved a volunteer forward.

"Collect #2556 and process him."

The volunteer hurried off to the back of the tent and disappeared behind the flap, while the young woman they'd been dealing with handed a datapad to Kayl, requesting both a signature and thumb print. He gave both and slid it back to her on the desk.

"You can collect the boy at the next tent." She muttered, not meeting his eye as she handed the paperwork off to another volunteer and calling the next in line.

Kayl slipped his hand around Raynar's shoulder and lead him out of the tent.

As they headed for the next tent, where they would collect the youngest Skidder, Raynar wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and cleared his throat as he attempted to compose himself. Kayl kept a close eye on him, actually quite proud of the ferocity in which he showed his loyalty to a brother he'd never even met before. Somehow Kayl felt that this was some kind of family trait, this ability to impress on very occasion.

When they arrived at the tent where families were reunited with their families, only Kayl and Raynar entered. They left Varin outside to contact the others and wait for them to collect Trask. Raynar hung back, allowing Kayl to request Trask himself. He shifted on his feet nervously, still trying to calm himself.

Approaching the desk, as another lucky family headed off with their child, Kayl met the gaze of the Twi'leck officer.

"Kayl Tyris to collect my nephew, Trask Skidder, foundling #2556." He spoke in a even yet firm voice that made it clear he meant business.

The Twileck's Lekkus twitched almost nervously as he slid a datapad in front of Kayl. He signed it and slid it back. The officer turned his head and called out Trask's number. A moment later a sweet looking young Twi'leck female, with a startling resemblance to the officer, came out from behind the privacy flap in the tent holding the hand of a little boy.

She lead him up to the front of the tent where Kayl was waiting but he shied away. Trask did not know Kayl. He wasn't actually his family, that had just been something they had faked to make it easier to collect him.

With a disarming smile, Kayl squatted down before the Twi'leck and her little charge.

"Hello Trask. I'm Kayl. Its very nice to meet you. I know you must be tired and very much afraid but I've brought someone who's very eager to meet you." Kayl turned his attention from the little raven haired boy to regard his brother, only now stepping forward.

Immediately, Trask's little face lit up. He clearly knew Raynar's face.

"Hey little brother." Raynar uttered in a voice that did not belong to the street wise kid Kayl had met on the streets of Coruscant.

Kayl smiled as Trask left the Twileck and ran over to Raynar, wrapping his cubby little arms around the lean youth's stomach and squeezing tightly. Raynar wrapped his own arms around his brother and returned the fierce embrace.

Rising to his feet, Kayl turned to the Twileck and gave her a smile as well, pulling a generous sum out of his pocket and handing it to her.

"Does he have any belongings?"

The young girl nodded and slid the small brown bag off the counter, where her father had placed it. Taking the bag, she handed it over to Kayl and bowed her head towards him, thanking him for his generosity and promising to give it to the orphans. He didn't doubt she was telling the truth.

"Thanks sweetheart."

Again she bowed her head, blushing fiercely before she scurried off behind the flap in the tent again.

Kayl nodded to the girl's father, thanking him, and turned to Raynar and Trask again.

"Alright boys. Time to go." Kayl told them, regarding them both with kindness, and choosing to ignore the fact that he now had two children to look after. That was purely for the sake of his own sanity.

Raynar helped his brother to climb onto his back, which the child did happily. Hoisting him up, Raynar looked up at Kayl and nodded. He was ready. With a grin, Kayl lead them outside here they found Varin still waiting.

The fiery redhead flashed a grin at the two brothers, noting the look of fear that passed through the younger's eyes upon seeing her.

"Don't worry." Raynar told him, surprisingly knowing his fear. "They're family. Don't be afraid."

Varin looked at Kayl. Neither knew what to say.

"Are we going back to the others?" Raynar asked, shaking Kayl from his daze.

"No. Head for the ship. Varin, I need to take care of something, make sure Trask gets everything he needs."

"Yes General." Varin replied, her tone hinting that her response was more a knee-jerk response then anything more. She seemed oddly distracted by the second Skidder child, completely in awe of the new people around him.

Raynar hesitated, adjusting his grip on Trask. "Aren't you coming too?"

Kayl gave Raynar a gentle smile. "No. I need to find Urela and pry her away before we're suck here forever. I'll find you on the ship later."

"But-"

Kayl shook his head, giving the youth's chin a little nudge before flashing Trask a disarming smile. The younger Skidder shied away a little but his older brother knew better.

"Varin will take good care of the both of you. Dont worry. As soon as I get on board I'll come find you."

Raynar exhaled. He didn't want to agree but Kayl's expression told him not to question. Trask was much younger than he was, he needed some good food and a safe place to sleep. He had been through far too much to linger here and find fault in little things like this.

Raynar squared his jaw and looked up at Kayl, meeting his gaze with a sudden acceptance that Kayl could of sworn belonged to a man much older.

"Yes General." Raynar told him.

With pride, Kayl watched Raynar and Varin take Trask back to the ship.