ARCA Barracks
1045 days ABG
Maze studied the Commando standing to attention in front of him.
"At ease Captain."
The Commando stood at ease, not quite as crisp as some.
"So you lost your memory until Colonel Gascon found you?"
"Yes sir. That's correct. I'd like to thank him…. Sir. If it's possible."
"He's off planet at the moment, in the Outer Rim…..somewhere. Not exactly sure where."
"Understood Sir!"
"There's no need for Sir. We're the same rank." Maze reminded him.
The commando nodded.
"After you regained your memory, you blew up the Rhydonium store on Abafar, at the request of Gascon."
"Yes sir. The General needed my help. They had the intel but the kriffing droids could only do so much, sir. You can't beat a well trained clone commando if you want the job done properly, sir." He seemed to stifle a giggle and could not totally mask the grin on his face, he pulled it back almost immediately.
"Nice job!" Commented Maze, as he looked at the medical report Jab sent him.
Third degree rhydonium burns, upper torso, left untreated. Severe scarring resulting in slightly reduced mobility in his right shoulder.
Patient has worked hard to overcome this - annotated.
Blast injuries twice.
Residual memory loss.
Tics.
"The Katarn's good armour, sir, saved my shebs."
Maze thought of RC 8105– it didn't save him, or numerous others.
"Yes. It's a good piece of kit but the burning rhydonium still got through the seals."
"It did. I hadn't been able to keep it up to spec. I was explaining to the Sergeant…."
"Sergeant?" Maze's interest was piqued.
"Tay'haai, sir. He was my trainer on Kamino. I didn't know he'd been recalled. I've got some catching up to do."
"We need more ARCs, so he trains troopers, along with some other Sergeants."
"So I heard…..from the Null sir."
Maze raised an eyebrow.
"Lieutenant Prudii came to see me. See how I was doing. Sergeant Gilamar came as well sir. I appreciated it."
"Nice of them!"
"Yes. They didn't have to, Sir."
"No they didn't. And stop calling me Sir. We're the same rank."
"It doesn't feel like it, ss." He looked around Maze's office; it was big for a clone officer, even Marshall Commander Cody's office was smaller than this. He pushed his hand through his hair, "I'm ready for duty sir. I can take over a squad immediately, or a lone assignment. You said we were short."
Maze grunted and looked at the medical report again.
"Yes. I'm sure you are Captain but we need experienced men to train the new ARC's."
"Sir?"
"We've lost a lot of the Commandos since the war began. You'll be a trainer for the next few months."
"But…."
"Are you arguing with me Captain?"
"No sir."
"Good! Your expertise will be invaluable in training them."
"Permission to speak freely Sir?"
"Granted!"
"That is a load of Osik, sir! If they think I was compromised because I was in CIS controlled space. I wasn't. I would never….."
Maze stayed calm as his brother's hands came down on the desk with a resounding clap.
"Calm down soldier. No one's questioning your loyalty."
He held his brother's gaze as he searched his face. The man had been through hell. He deserved better. They all did. Maze pushed that thought from his mind they were soldiers. They had a job to do. It's why they were made.
"Thank you. It's just…..that ARC from the 501st…."
Gregor had been catching up on all the news, good and bad.
"I understand. That's been difficult for a lot of us."
"Training eh? Still a load of Osik!"
Maze smiled.
"I entirely agree, Captain. How do you think I feel doing this job for the last two and a half years!"
"Sir?"
"Orders! We follow them! And you've been ordered to help with the training. Just be thankful it's not on Kamino."
A flicker of fear crossed the commando's face, sufficient only for another brother to notice.
"Kamino, Sir?"
"The High Command wanted you returned to Kamino but the General vetoed it, preferring you to stay here. So you will be training the new intake."
"Yes sir!"
"Can I ask a question?"
Maze nodded.
"Are these regular troopers or…the new ones?"
"They're troopers who've fought and proved themselves on the front lines. Showed initiative. What others are there?"
"Permission to speak freely …again?"
"Granted!"
"There are new troopers out there, who are no better than four year old Kamino cadets. They can barely hit a houseside…..so I've heard. I'd be on to a loser with them."
"They're not shinies." Confirmed Maze.
Gregor nodded, before continuing, "In my humble opinion the High Command don't know their elbows from their arses. Mir'shebs!"
Maze resisted another smile that was itching to get past his lips.
"I know what you mean, Captain! I've sent your orders to your datapad. Dismiss!"
Maze waited until Gregor had left the room, then sank into his chair. He had been unsure about Gregor, but even at 90% fitness he was still a peak fighting machine and he was safer training here than in the clutches of the Kaminisii, especially given the latest batches they were turning out.
.
You worry too much, Clonemaster. I only require your clones to be fit for purpose, and that means they have no need to meet the same exacting standards as the army bred on Kamino. The Grand Army has to be the very best in the galaxy for one single special operation ahead of them. This is the culmination of my strategy
Two armies with two quite separate tasks.
Chancellor Palpatine, to the Spaarti lead clonemaster supervising the production of a new army on Centax 2 [1]
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Essie's Apartment
1053 days ABG
Maze took off his helmet as he entered, placing it carefully on the side table. He removed his armour plates one by one carefully stacking them near to it, finally removing his boots. He wondered where Essie was. He thought she was home but she wasn't in the kitchen, he couldn't smell cooking and he couldn't hear her. He walked through to the bedroom to get some clothes.
"Ess?"
There were clothes strewn across the bed. She was frantically packing some kind of travel case, a smaller one already packed lay on the floor.
She looked up, flushed.
"What's wrong? Are you leaving?"
A wave of apprehension washed over him at that thought.
"No but…."
"But what?"
She was wringing her hands; he had not seen her like this since the kidnap.
"I…..it's hard to explain."
"Try me." He sat next to her, pulling her down next to him and held her hands, if only to stop the movements.
Essie took a deep breath.
"I keep having this feeling that something big is going to happen and there is nothing that any of us can do about it."
He nodded. "And?"
"All the additional security that Palpatine's pursued. More security cameras, everywhere. People can't say anything to the Holonet. Free Speech that's a laugh. Look"
She grabbed her datapad and showed him some research she had been doing on journalists who had contradicted Palpatine and his strategies publicly.
"See this one here. Hirib Bassot, current affairs pundit. First he speaks out on the HNE Facing Facts programme about how we ignore what's in front of us. The show was axed."
Maze read the details.
"It happens."
"I know but then here, he gets more specific, accusing the republic of inventing the number of droids to justify the war. That nothing about the war adds up."
Maze was silent but it was just as Skirata and Zey thought, about the number of droids. They had flagged it up but got nowhere.
"Then he's dead! Literally the next day he's found dead at home from an alleged abuse of contaminated glitterstim. There was no evidence he had ever used before. And there's others."
She scrolled down, there was a long list, not all dead, some discredited. All fairly well respected Journalists, perhaps not the most famous but they had their credentials. They were investigative journalists. Did their research. There was a pattern.
Essie could always find the patterns.
Maze took the datapad from her and put his arm around her.
"Calm down. Breathe! This is an anxiety attack. Did the Senator ask you to look into this?"
"No —I…"
"Then stop. Take a breath."
She blinked quickly, taking deep breaths
"There's always some propaganda in war, you know that. It's probably just to ensure there's enough money around to continue the war." He read the details quickly, she was onto something.
"Yes, you're probably right. It's just propaganda."
Essie leaned into him; he always had the capacity he had to make her feel safe, which despite all her self defence training she still needed sometimes. Someone to put things in perspective.
"But the new soldiers on the streets, I don't recognise them. They don't even sound like you, they sound… empty."
His eyebrow went up.
"I don't mean to insult them but they're not like you."
"They're shinies—rookies. They probably had different training to me."
Essie highlighted something that had been noticed by a number of people about the new clones, including Omega, Delta and Gregor.
"So what has all this to do with it?" He pointed to the pile of clothes and half packed cases.
"It just sounds a little silly now."
"Try me!" He smiled.
"Packing a case ready to leave quickly if we needed to, it gave me some …control. I was doing something."
"It's a good idea, preparation."
"You mean we may have to move quickly?"
There was a look of panic on her face.
"I mean, it pays to be prepared. Now come here." He pulled her to him, "We'll be okay but stop this research, promise."
Essie nodded against his chest; she felt calmer now. Previously he could almost feel the anxiety rolling off her, her breathing was slower. Sounding serious she continued, "Maze. I need to tell you something."
He was just about to ask what, as his com link beeped. He slipped away from her and opened it on audio.
"Sir?"
"Maze! I need you back at base—Kashyyyk."
"Yes sir!"
"I have to go." He started to put on his armour, snapping it quickly into place, "What did you want to tell me?" He turned when he had finished.
"Nothing. It's okay. It's not important."
She stepped into his embrace and looked up into his face. He was so serious.
"Is it bad?"
He shrugged. She kissed him, not passionately, more a 'come back to me soon' kiss. Then he turned and left.
Essie turned to look at the floor.
If she packed their bags ready— that was something she could control. Then she had a few hours to kill and she needed to be busy. If she sat still for too long she knew she would worry.
.
Rollo's Blaster Range
Later that night.
Essie prepped the blaster and fired at the targets. Five in each straight after one another. It was actually calming; the repetition, the counting.
"Ah see you're gettin' better." Drawled, the now familiar voice from behind her. She could never sense when he was approaching but he had never been anything but fairly polite when they came here now, after their discussion.
"How's the boyfriend?"
"Fine!" She tried not to say too much.
"If you need any credits, the offer's still open. The two of you…."
"We're not interested." She interrupted.
"Would bring in thousands."
She turned around and glared at him.
"Hey, what can Ah say. Ah'm just a businessman."
"Yeah!"
The Duros paused.
"Ah owe him!"
"What?"
"You heard me. Ah owe Maze. Just tell him Ah owe him. Ah'll explain to him, and only him."
"This is a bit of a turn around." her eyes narrowed, he was unreadable in all sesnses.
"You could say that. Protecting mah' assets."
"Which, I hope for your sake, is not Maze, or any other clone."
"It isn't."
"Good!"
She paused. She felt back in control.
"You never told me why he fought for you."
"We had an agreement, like Ah said." He sighed, "Ah never told you this. It was his way of letting off steam. Cooped up in an office all day was driving him mad. He needs to fight."
As much as she would have liked to argue on that point she could see it was probably true.
"Ah'll leave you to your practice."
Essie watched him amble away.
.
Essie's Apartment.
Later.
Essie woke, hearing the door open; she never felt as if she slept deeply enough anymore. There was someone in the apartment, her stomach churned with the adrenaline as she heard them moving around. She pulled the blaster from under her pillow and slipped out from under the sheets. Tip toeing slowly and silently, she made it to the door. The lights were very dim, barely there; lower than normal. She couldn't see any shadow in the living area; the blaster clicked as it primed.
Shit!
She listened—they didn't seem to have heard.
Del's door was still closed but the kitchen was open.
She tiptoed there, back against the wall; it was still dim. They were moving about. She swiped her hand across the switch, lighting up the kitchen and fired at the figure.
The figure ducked, the caf pot he was holding dropped to the floor; Essie dropped the blaster as she realised who it was.
"Kriff Ess! What have I done to deserve this?" Maze stood up.
"Oh Maze!" She leapt at him, throwing her arms around his neck.
'Hey, what's wrong?"
"I could have killed you."
"Not bloody likely I heard your blaster click, when you primed it."
"So did you know it was me?"
"No but I knew to duck."
He turned, "You'll need a new window but it was a good shot. Anyone else and you would have hit them."
"But it was you. I could have hit you!"
"But you didn't." He held her steady by the biceps looking straight at her, "You didn't."
She calmed down. He continued to hold her arm as he bent and picked up the blaster, turning it over in his hand. "Where did you get this?"
"I bought it."
"It's not bad. Right weight and size. But it's priming action is noisy. I'll modify it for you."
"Maze. I'm so sorry." tears welled up.
He pulled her to him and she relaxed into him sniffling.
"No bloody harm done, okay?"
"'Kay!" she sniffed.
"Do you want a Caf?"
"I'm awake now, so yes."
She sat at the table watching as he prepared the caf, carefully measuring out the grounds. The caf pot had survived.
"Don't worry!" His hand cupped her cheek, as he placed the caf in front of her.
She sipped it; it was just the correct temperature and she watched fascinated as he dismantled her new blaster, cleaned and oiled it, made some adjustments then reassembled it without stopping.
"Here!"
She primed it, silently.
Maze moved behind her, rubbing her neck.
"I wasn't sure if I would be able to get back to see you tonight."
He leaned over kissing her neck, she automatically moved her head to allow him access, reaching back to run her fingers through his hair; she needed this.
"Del here?" He murmured.
"Hmm!' She sighed.
"We'll have to be quiet then." He held out his hand.
Essie dropped hers in his; he pulled her to the bedroom.
"Its been a long day, I need to be comfortable." He grinned, as he backed into the bedroom, pushing the door closed behind her with his foot. He stood at the edge of the bed, looking at her. Eyes flicking around her face, checking.
"What?" She asked.
"Nothing." He replied, before pulling her in for a gentle kiss.
He held her tight, his chin resting on her shoulder.
"Are you tired?"
"No." She huffed
"Good!" He grinned, pulling her down onto him, as he dropped onto the bed. It squeaked loudly in reply. He bounced to check it. Another squeak. "When did that start?"
"Tonight?" she hadn't noticed it before.
"Hmm!"
He moved her over to one side and walked out of the bedroom.
"Maze? Now? Really?" She lay there, leaning on her elbows.
He returned with some oil and a screwdriver. He bounced on the bed a couple of times, then lay on the floor on his back and shimmied underneath. Essie lay watching the ceiling.
Finally he emerged, and pressed down on the bed—no squeak.
"There you are!"
There was no reply, she was curled up, her arms wrapped around a pillow, fast asleep. Maze put his tools away and returned to gently pull his pillow from her grasp and slide in the bed next to her.
"Night Essie." He whispered, trying to get as close to her as possible then kissing her on the forehead.
.
Essie woke to the weight of Maze's arm draped over her and his stubble covered chin tucked in her neck.
She remembered now, she must have fallen asleep, while he did whatever he needed to do to the bed. She stroked his forearm, still fascinated that even that was corded with muscle.
"I didn't think you were awake." He murmured into her neck.
"Only just." She stretched slightly.
His arm tightened around her in response, pulling her closer.
"Feeling better?"
"Yes." She stretched again.
His hand moved to dip under her night dress and slid slowly up her torso, stroking the skin under her rib cage before coming to rest, splayed out just under her breasts. She had closed her eyes at his first touch, so deliberate yet gentle, she moved her arm out of the way as his lips grazed her neck.
His hand moved higher, somehow managing to capture both her breasts. He squeezed gently, then he skimmed his hand across her hardened nipples. His breath swept along her chin, as he adjusted himself and she felt him harden against her backside. He moved to lift her thigh up to reach underneath her finally finding and pushing two fingers in. He found a rhythm with his fingers that quickly built up her arousal. She reached out further for him, pressing to get closer and more skin to skin. His thigh pushed under hers, as he removed his fingers then entered her. Pulling her tightly to his chest; she could only let him push into her.
"Maze… that's…" his palm covered her mouth.
"Shh!" He whispered, as she shuddered her release. Her cries, stifled by his hand. He continued to move in and out of her, catching a sensitive part in every movement. She still had nowhere to move.
He pursued his own release, languidly, relishing every sensation, drawing pleasure from Essie with everything he did. This was not just for him, it was pleasure for the two of them. He learnt that early.
He moved position slightly and speeded up, driving into her, chasing his own release, made more intense by Essie's continued pleasure. He finally came with a soft grunt into her neck.
He finally removed his hand.
They lay still, catching their breath.
He squeezed her tighter, feeling her skin and hair damp against his own. Sometimes he didn't want to let her go, scared he wouldn't get her back.
"Maze. That's a bit tight." She wheezed.
He released her, a little. She squirmed around to face him.
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah. Definitely."
"He'll be awake soon."
"Do you want me to get up?"
"No you're fine. He likes seeing you at any time."
"So do you."
"Of course." She felt so different to last night, she tried not to think of that.
"What did you want tell me?"
"Oh yes." She frowned, wondering how to phrase it.
"Mammy! Are you in bed?"
Del pushed open the door. "Maze!" He ran in. Maze quickly pulled the sheets around them, then tucked them in, the young lad scrambled onto the bed.
"Hey how are you?" Maze asked,
"Good."
Maze lifted him and placed him on the floor next to the bed.
"I think you've grown another inch, since I was last here. And those muscles. Great job soldier. Let's get those droids."
Del screeched and ran out of the bedroom.
Essie smiled at his enthusiasm.
"I'll sort him out, you take your time."
He pulled on a pair of old fatigue bottoms that he retrieved from his drawer and followed the youngster.
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[1] Karen Traviss- Republic Commando Order 66