Kyrimorut.
Besany sat down alone. She felt she needed to be alone and quiet for this conversation; Ordo had understood, once she told him what she was going to do. He put a hand on her shoulder.
"Let me know if you need anything!"
She squeezed his hand before he removed it and she flicked on the com.
It took several seconds before Ryssa's face then body emerged, as a blue hologram from the device.
"How is it going?" Asked Besany, as a preamble to saying anything. She still wasn't sure how she would react if the memories weren't there.
"Besany, it's so good to hear your voice. It's going well! I'm starting to remember more and more. Remember our talks in the cafe?"
"I do." She said solemnly.
Ryssa's face changed as she suddenly realised how serious Besany was.
"Something's wrong. It's A'den, isn't it?" Automatically thinking that was her reason for calling.
"No! He's fine. Well—he was the last time he called. They still haven't found Sev but they're tracking him."
"Then who or what?"
"Do I have to call with bad news?"
"Only if you look that serious."
"Ah," she paused, there was no way to put this gently. It was not her forte, "L'leth's been shot."
"Shot! Is she?…" Ryssa looked shocked.
"No, no but she's not good."
"How bad…and how. Have you been attacked?"
Besany shrugged, "We're not sure exactly what happened. Everyone is on edge."
"I'll get back to the Gunner asap."
"Why where are you?"
"A town on the other side of the planet. We'd gone to help the locals. The water had been contaminated by a Munitions factory supplying the Separatists, then with the end of the war it just stopped. There's no work. The Empire isn't interested. There was no one else to help them."
"You were there to recover." She admonished her.
"Mentally yes. But physically, I'm fine. I can carry clean water and food and clear up…."
Besany shook her head. "Haven't you done enough?"
"It's never enough."
She understood that.
"The healers helped, especially with some of the children. Luckily it has been found and they're getting it removed but it's slow. Some atrocious chemicals and part of the town will be uninhabitable for centuries. But L'leth. How is she?"
"Mij operated, she's been in Bacta but she's not yet come around. It's been a week. Nobody knows why. Mij is looking it all up. Jaing is really worried he hasn't left her side."
"EmDee — my droid."
"He still hadn't been able to get into him. How long will it take to get back to the Gunner?"
"Two, maybe three days."
"I'll get Ordo to send someone."
"Okay. I'll talk to Altis. We can send the coordinates. Could he bring some supplies?"
"I'll arrange it. Water. Food. Medical?"
"Anything! Thanks."
"Will do. See you soon." Besany replied. She closed the holocom. Ryssa had reverted to what she always did, immersing herself in work.
"I'll talk to Mer'ika." Ordo said. Besany smiled, she had heard him come back into the room at the end of the conversation. He had probably been listening all the time. She couldn't be angry with him; he had come so far since they first met, that awkward man, unfazed by the way she looked. He learned so quickly, although she knew he liked how she looked that she was as tall as he and could look him in the eye. He didn't labour it. She appreciated it, although it was ironic that lots of people would think she was lucky but she knew looks didn't last and she had always preferred someone who took the time to look beneath the first impression.
Ordo did. He didn't just accept what she was, he delved. Just like she did. She knew Ny's thoughts on them were that they were a humourless couple but they found jokes in their shared interests, which some would not understand. That was why she liked Ryssa, she had taken time to get to know her. For her it was the most flattering thing you could do.
"You okay Cyar'ika?" His hand rested lightly on her shoulder.
"Yes, love. We just need to get everyone back safely."
He knew what she meant; it may be an impossible dream but if they were all back here it was easier to protect them. But logically he also knew if there was an attack they were all vulnerable.
They needed to make plans and soon.
"ba'slan shev'la!" he murmured.
He would talk to Kal'buir again.
.
Wookiee Gunner
Ryssa slumped, she remembered L'leth as the scared young girl on Coruscant expecting a dead clone's baby, Hardcase. She remembered him now. Then she developed into the competent woman on Mandalore, who tried to help her.
She remembered the feelings of friendship.
"Jaing? What's he got to do with her?" She muttered to herself, she must have missed something along the way.
She didn't hear the flap of the tent open.
"You okay you look lost in thought?" Tann asked once she saw her
"I need to get back asap. A friend has been injured. It's bad. She may not recover. They're sending someone for me."
"We need you here!" the Twi'lek asserted.
"You have plenty of willing hands." she looked at hers, remembering what they used to do. She wasn't sure she had that confidence anymore, "Hopefully they'll bring some supplies."
"A poor replacement."
Ryssa shook her head; she wanted to be with L'leth when she recovers, just as she had been there for her. Was that selfish? She didn't think so. You had to start somewhere.
"Tann?" A thought had come to her.
"Yes?"
"Could you come with us? She's still not regained consciousness. They're worried. Those crystals…"
"I really shouldn't, I'm needed here."
"Please. Mij is good but he may have missed something. Jusik isn't a trained healer and he doesn't have those crystals. I don't feel confident…."
"Hmm. I'll talk to Djinn."
"Thank you." Ryssa felt able to breathe somewhat normally again.
"But for now I need you to carry some water." Tann ordered.
Ryssa would normally have smiled at the Twi'lek but she couldn't— not now.
.
Kashyyyk
A'den and Vau were crouched high up, under the canopy of one of the wroshyr trees while yet another Imperial Destroyer loomed overhead. The view would have been amazing except for the circumstances they found themselves in.
"We're going around in circles, you know."
"He's probably just testing the water before he makes himself known."
"Are you certain it's Sev?"
"Yes." Vau's voice brooked no argument.
"Don't like the idea of all these Destroyers." A'den added watching the latest visitor loom overhead.
"No. It appears the Empire is reinforcing its presence on this planet. As if they haven't already done enough to it." Vau commented, as he touched the side of his helmet.
A'den didn't need to, he was already mentally analysing the sound. The mechanical screaming that appeared to be surrounding them.
"Some new craft." Deduced Vau.
"Elek! But not one I've heard before."
The sound moved further away then closer, in seconds.
"Hold on!" Someone shouted.
A'den had already got a good hold on the tree but also, without thinking, he retrieved his blaster and fired his rappel at close range into the tree. He hooked himself to it. Those years of experience on different planets in different habitats paid off.
Vau had the same thought but was a second or two too late, as the new craft screamed directly overhead.
The auditory dampeners kicked in on A'den's helmet preventing him from getting hearing damage like his father but it did nothing to disguise the initial scream of its engines.
There was no blaster fire from the craft but they didn't need it, the backwash hit them. Whoever was flying the thing was either mad or was highly trained and knew exactly what they were doing. Anyone falling from that height would be killed or severely injured. They didn't need to fire on the valuable trees, not that it would destroy them. It was slow to burn, capable of taking hits from a turbolaser, while suffering only a little charring and splintering.
That was why the Empire was here. They weren't going to ruin their own crop but this was just as efficient.
"Vau!" A'den shouted in this coms. He searched, unable to immediately locate him. He had been just next to him seconds ago,
"Vau, you shabuir!" He tried again.
A wheezing reply came over the com. "Thank you for your concern but I am not that easy to kill."
Despite the Shabuir's condescending manner. A'den didn't want to face his wife with the information that Vau was her father but he had let him die. The first part of that conversation was going to be bad enough.
He rappelled down several branches, which on Kashyyyk was not just a few feet. He secured himself, leaned over and held out a hand.
The older man grabbed it and accepted the help to pull him up. Once level, steady and seated again, he nodded his appreciation.
"Did you get a look?"
"Of course. And recorded. I'll patch you in."
They sat and studied the new craft.
"Very fast. Manoeuvrable. Impressive!" Commented Vau.
A'den magnified the image.
"Just over 6 metres in length and width. It can fit in a Keldabe street and still have plenty of room. Proton torpedo launcher, SFS L-s1 laser cannons. Single seat — pilot only."
"Hmm. Any hyperdrive?"
"Difficult to see but based on their speed overhead and trajectory, I calculate they dropped from one of the Destroyers."
"Hmm! We need to get more Intel on them. Get a close look. Even sit inside." Vau decided.
"Agreed. Sev?"
"He's here. Alive and following us." Declared Vau. "But let's get that Intel on those ships first."
A'den nodded.
"If he's seen them. He's probably thinking the same thing."
That was what Vau was thinking.
.
Kyrimorut
Mij completed the examination, exasperated with the results. The Twi'lek lay breathing normally, heart rate, a touch tachi but given what had happened to her it was to be expected.
But still no sign of her regaining consciousness. He didn't want to keep asking Jusik, as he could see him ageing before his eyes. And Arla's accusing stare.
Jaing had slipped out for a shower and a bite to eat. He practically slept here.
Jusik and Uthan came up behind him.
"Any change?"
"No!" Mij pinched the bridge of his broken nose. "I can't find anything. I've looked through all the medical databases…..nothing. I've compared her DNA and anatomy to Laseema, scanned them both but can't see anything different, I'm hoping now that this Tann, who's coming, can help."
"That droid could help."
"Jaing hadn't touched it in weeks. Yet he was adamant it was just locked down in some way."
.
Keldabe Garrison
Mess Hall
Darman was intent on eating his noodles, it was nutritious, spicy and hot. Which was more than could be said of the rations they'd had for the past few weeks. He slurped up the last few strands and started on the sweet gloop that was supposed to be some kind of dessert.
A few heads turned, he ignored them. They were the newbies. Not even clones. Nat borns. Not worth his attention.
Word was some brothers had been sent to train this new intake, who wanted to actually be part of the new Empire's army. They had volunteered.
Volunteered— it was not a concept that Darman had any experience of.
They must be mad, or the galaxy is a lot worse out there than he thought.
He looked across the table at Rede; he still wasn't sure what they were going to do with him and he was sure Niner felt just the same. He'd kept this Intel from them. What else had he kept from them?
A squad should not be like this.
"I shouldn't have kept those details from you, ner vod."
That was another thing, he had just started to use Mandoa. Niner said it was part of his integration into the team. Darman wasn't so sure.
"No you shouldn't."
"Where's Sarge?"
"On the com to the boss updating him."
Seeing how much leeway he'll give us.
"Good, let's hope he'll give the go ahead to contact these Mandalorian contacts with Intel."
"We'll see."
Hopefully it will link into what I've got and we'll be good to go."
"Yeah." Darman returned to his eating.
He has to be careful. The whole galaxy's governed by a Sith, with Sith henchmen rooting out Jedi. If they suspect anything. He won't be around to give us orders.
"Look, I know you have your own reasons for hating the Jedi. I don't want to know what."
Darman shrugged.
"And I know you and Sarge lost a lot of your brothers in the war and that would make me angry, especially as you grew up differently to me, closer to each other. Being betrayed by the Jedi, would make you angry. It was good to see you two still do your jobs."
Darman stopped eating.
Rede continued.
"You two have a lot more life experience than me. Experience working with Nat borns. I just want you to know. I'll back you up, whatever you want to do."
"Thanks, ner vod. Appreciate it."
Darman returned to his dessert.
Rede was still watching him.
Darman ignored him.
.
Outer Rim Planet.
Northern Hemisphere.
Ryssa paced up and down on the makeshift landing pad, looking into the sky.
"He was supposed to be here by now!"
"Fi?" Asked Hallena.
"No, they were sending Mereel."
"I prefer Fi. Mereel reminds me too much of someone I once knew."
Hallena had voiced that opinion several times before.
"When you were a spook?" asked Ryssa.
"Yeah. A past life."
"He didn't share your… convictions?"
"Not at that time. But I left in a hurry and nothing was arranged."
"And now?"
"It would appear not."
"Did you contact him?"
Ryssa was being drawn into Hallena's story, despite herself.
"No! Too dangerous. I had to disappear. You know the saying, You never find an old spook alive, do you?"
"I don't know any old spooks."
"There you are."
"Is he still…..with the Empire, the Navy?"
"As far as I know." If that sounded evasive; it was meant to be. She did know she checked regularly. He was still alive, working his way up. It was all he had ever known. She cocked her head at a distant sound. "What's that?"
There was a faint screeching noise, getting louder almost like a scream.
They all looked around for its origin.
"Take cover!" She yelled, pulling Ryssa with her as they ran towards the copse, as the only shelter on the edge of the landing area.
Tann was standing there, waving them to come to her. Then turned and darted in the undergrowth herself. They finally reached it, diving into it as the odd shaped craft— a ball with two hexagonal wings— swooped low only metres from the ground and then sped away again. It fired no shots.
"Di'kut!" Muttered Ryssa from the ground. "What was that? Was it Imperial?"
"I don't know but I don't like it. I'm contacting Altis." Hallena stood activating the com and walked away, talking quickly. "Altis?….. Yeah!…How many?"
Ryssa sat feeling light headed; illogically, she shook her head to try and focus. It didn't help.
"I'm sorry. I'm going to …." She leaned over and vomited.
Hallena was walking to and from, she rolled her eyes at the pair; one emptying her stomach the other patting her back.
"You feeling better now?" Asked Tann. "Let me check you over? You may have come in contact with some contaminated water."
The scanner was pulled out immediately; she was taking no chances with this.
"If the contamination has reached further than we thought. They'll need to evacuate."
"I'm feeling better."
"I hope you're not going to argue."
"Wouldn't dare—Doctor."
She stood still while Tann ran over her with the scanner. Then touched her stomach.
"Is this the first time this has happened?"
"Yes. I was fine until we ran into those evil smelling plants." She pointed to the small herb-like plants that dotted the ground.
Tann walked up and sniffed at them.
"They're wild stone peppers." She sniffed at them again. "They're not that pungent." She walked back, holding a sprig she had pulled up and pushed it under Ryssa's nose.
She grimaced, turning pale, "Are you really trying to make me vomit again?" Backing away as she said it.
"No. Sorry. Just testing."
"Mereel's on his way and the rest of us have to leave." She headed off to the rest of their party. "The Empire's found us or will have shortly. We have to move quickly."
"I'll still go with Ryssa. See you later."
Hallena was already running, her hand waving in acknowledgement.
They stood for a few seconds until Tann broke the silence. "Why didn't you tell me you're pregnant?"
Ryssa's hand went to her stomach, her eyes wide.
Tann's eyes narrowed, "You really didn't know?"
She shook her head.
"When did you last menstruate?"
Ryssa frantically tried to remember; she had pulled back the big moments but sometimes the small everyday things eluded her.
The sound of a craft's engines broke the silence between them.
"Can we finish this conversation later? Especially not in front of Mereel."
Tann nodded, as they backed away from the landing site.
It was the Aggressor coming into land. It dropped gently onto the cleared ground but the engines remained on. The ramp lowered.
"Chop! Chop! Ladies. We can't stand gossiping."
Mereel must have been catching up on his holodramas, Ryssa had never heard him speak like that before. They ran up the ramp, it started to close directly behind them.
"All the way to the front ladies and strap in, we're not hanging around. I don't like the look of those new toys the Empire has. They're fast."
He ran to the front and jumped over the backrest into the pilot seat, quickly strapping in and punching a few buttons.
"Welcome aboard Ladies. Your co-pilot today is Coric!"
He indicated left.
Coric turned and smiled, "Morning ladies!"
Ryssa closed her eyes as her stomach lurched and it wasn't from the plant this time.
Tann glanced at her.
"In view of the Empire's interest in this planet, Buir thought it prudent I have backup. I told him it wasn't necessary but he insisted. You know how he worries." All the time he was talking, he was programming the Navcom.
He turned and looked directly at Tann; she met his gaze and smiled.
"Hi, I'm Mereel, the handsome one. This one is Coric. He kindly volunteered as back up. Now let's get out of here."
.
