-Chapter 115: On the Mend-
Location: The Dominance
"A friend will be there when you're up, a true friend will be there when you're down."
The Republic was in trouble.
Word of the new super-soldiers spread like wildfire, putting everyone in the Republic on edge. Then, in the days following this disasterous attack on Orron III, using a strategy referred to as 'lightning war', the Separatists suddenly procured vast amounts of territory with startling swiftness. Reports trickled back to the top brass, many of them reporting the appearance of Subjugator-class heavy cruisers and citing them as the reason for the Confederate victories. First, the mega ion cannon would disable the Republic's fleet, allowing for Separatist naval forces and the Subjugator's battery of five-hundred turbolasers to rip apart the Republic ships and cut off any naval support for the forces below. Then the Subjugator would turn its guns on the planet and shell the Republic's position from above, reducing their base of operations to cinders while the forward forces were completely cut off from aid of any kind. Many armies simply surrendered with no other choice, while others were annihilated with every single Clone and Jedi killed as the Separatists converged on the weakened forces and crushed them without mercy. On other worlds, super-soldiers suddenly sprouted up to help lay waste to entire armies, the few reports coming back to the Republic offering descriptions that matched those that had appeared on Orron III. Their abilities aided the droid armies in helping them conquer swaths of territory in a very short amount of time, furthering the sudden moves of the Separatists. They never seemed to tire, never seemed to rest, and they were brutally efficent to a point where no Clone would last more than a few seconds against them and Jedi only a little longer.
Republic analysts began referring to this move as the Confederacy's 'big push', hypothesizing the possibility that the Separatists could conquer the entirety of the Outer Rim and force the Republic to adjust its strategy and defend the Mid Rim without having access to any of the resources that had supplied them during their campaigns in the Outer Rim. It seemed like a bold move, but with the necessary menas and firepower becoming more and more evident, many began to believe that this was a very real possibility.
In addition, the political landscape began to suddenly shift. The Kings of Cron had finally chosen to step away from the Republic, their entire kingdom siding with the Separatists, meaning the entire Tion Cluster and a better part of the Tion Hegemony was now under Separatist control. To make matters worse, the planet of Thyferra chose to also leave the Republic and join the Confederate cause. Thyferra was a major supplier of bacta that the Republic's medical services desperately needed. Now that source was gone, diverted to what Count Dooku called 'humanitarian relief efforts'. Medical facilities were now receiving only half of their key resource, medics and physicians of all kinds growing worried about what a bacta shortage would mean for wounded Clones and civilians caught in crossfires.
Suffice to say, the Republic's situation was not a positive one.
But there was one person going through even rougher times...
You brought this on yourself.
What do you mean?
Don't you get it? We were merged together! It was my gentler tendencies that drew her in.
Merged?! When the hell did we-
On Parnassos, when we took that hit on the head falling down that hole. We've been a fusion of personalities this whole time.
So-
So Ahsoka was drawn to us because of me! You're the one who still wants to kill and go on killing! It's me she loves, not you!
Damn you! Damn you to hell! She loved me! She told me herself!
Was it really you she was speaking to?
GRRAAAAAAHHH!
Wraith awoke with a gasp, instantly regretting it as bright white lights seared his eyes. He flinched instinctively and his head fell back against the pillow, his eyes squeezing shut as pain raked across them while a dull ache, like a deep-seated bruise, filled his gut. The disjointed voices, one of which was definitely his own while he other he was pretty certain was Voice, slowly faded as he struggled to recover.
"Easy Wraith!" Scipio's warming voice filled his ears next as the Pau'an gently held him down. "Just relax, you're no condition to move right now."
"D-Doc..." Wraith gasped, panting for air. Scipio could see from the monitors that his heartrate was increasing, not good for someone healing from a nearly fatal wound. "What... W-What happened?"
"Reaper found you and brought you back. It's a miracle you're not dead right now!" Scipio explained as he prepped a sedative. "It appears your latent healing abilities managed to put your insides into a sort of stasis until I was able to start working on you." Wraith had to wonder if that might have to do with the strange, hooded 'benefactor' he dreamed of. But his wonderings her swiftly replaced by memories of the moment he was stabbed and a sudden sadness washed over him.
"She... S-She stabbed me." He whispered, tears slowly forming as Scipio injected him.
"Who did?" The doctor asked.
"Ahsoka..." Wraith sniffled at the very mention of her name. She'd tried to kill him...
"Oh." Was all Scipio could say. He knew of Wraith's infatuation with her (although not the true extent) and to hear of such a development, Scipio was partly grateful that it seemed like this whole business was at an end. Still, what a very harsh way for it to end, and to tread all over his heart like that... "I'm sorry, my boy. I know you liked her." Scipio gently offered, a hand on his head.
"I loved her." Wraith sniffed, the drug taking effect and slowly putting him under again. "I... I loved her..." His words slurred together as his eyes closed, unconsciousness overtaking him again. Scipio sighed and wiped away the stray tear working its way down Wraith's cheek. His boy was truly in a sorry state of affairs and he felt bad for him. It would likely take some time for him to recover, both physically and emotionally, and Scipio was questioning how he could work to fix him. His body would be straightforward, but his heart and his feelings were a far different story.
He did not have any immediate ideas and wouldn't until he was sitting in the hub, going over his medical notes, when Admiral Sereva walked in.
"Hello Doctor," she sweetly greeted, though her voice was tinged with a subtle sense of concern.
"Admiral, pleased to see you again." Scipio cordially responded as Sereva took a seat beside him.
"Well? How is he?" She inquired.
"Healing, thankfully." Scipio responded. "But it's going to take time. He was stabbed by Ahsoka Tano." He revealed.
"The girl he liked." Sereva recalled, shaking her head slowly. "Tsk, that's a rough wake up call."
"Indeed." Scipio agreed, sliding his notes away. "He started crying when he told me. Thankfully he's back to sleeping so that should soothe his mind for a little while. But I imagine the next little while will be hard for him."
"Gotta admit, with all these new super-soldiers cropping up he can't feel that good about his position." Sereva mused. A curious Scipio turned to her.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, people must think he's disposable now, right? Lose one, no worries, get two more to take his place." Sereva explained. They'd both heard all about the new super-soldiers that debuted on Orron that had given the Jedi and Clones the worst possible time, thwarting their invasion and bringing it to an abrupt halt. While Scipio had always thought it something of an achievement and a source of pride, considering Wraith had been the archetype for those that followed, he realized there was something to possibly worry about.
"I suppose there is something to that." He mused. "But that's not necessarily a confirmed problem right now. What is is how we get Wraith back into fighting form."
"He's been out for two days straight, Doc. I doubt he'll be back on his feet anytime soon. Not even he could recover from something like this that fast." Sereva mused.
"Yes and with this new injury to his heart, that process may be dragged out even more." Scipio agreed. Struck with a sudden idea, Scipio turned to th Twi'lek. "Perhaps you could talk to him?" Sereva arched an eyebrow.
"Me? Why me?" She wondered.
"Well, since this Ahsoka has trampled over him, perhaps a friendly feminine face might be just what he needs." Scipio suggested. Sereva misinterpreted his words, however, and offered him a sharp glare.
"I'm nobody's rebound girl, Doc." She stated firmly, causing Scipio to recoil a little.
"I never said you were." He quickly excused. "Y-You don't have to if you don't want to." Understanding Scipio's more wholesome intentions, Sereva calmed down a little and sighed.
"Do you have any idea what it's been like for me, to grow up trying to get to this position?" She asked, her strongly spoken words belying some sort of trouble under the surface. "No guy ever thinks of me as a capable naval commander, only as some ditzy schutta who belongs in their lap. They don't see my brains or my skills, only my body." Scipio stayed silent, simply processing what she had to say as Sereva vented. Offering another sigh, the Twi'lek Admiral rubbed the bridge of her nose. "I'm sorry, Doctor. Men are a... tough topic for me. I thought maybe with Wraith he might be different, and to an extent he is."
"But his infatuation with the Jedi Tano interrupted any other thoughts." That much Scipio knew, but it seemed like there was something more going on with Sereva.
"Yeah... Aliston Nor was a real clincher." She agreed. "But I figured it was whatever. If he's not interested, fine. I don't need him."
"No, you don't need him. You've never needed him." Scipio concurred. "But, correct me if I'm wrong, Admiral, you do... want him." His statement hit the nail on the head and Sereva slowly nodded as she let out a sigh.
"It's hard, Pomel. I want to feel appreciated and loved, I want to be treated like someone special. Unfortunately, my species has quite a history that seems to be the only thing people remember. Doesn't matter what our personality is, we're just... sexdolls to most." Sereva fell quiet again as her own experiences came to light, only to be beaten back down as she refused to dwell on them. "I'm sorry if I sound harsh, but that's how I feel."
"No need to apologize, Admiral. The way I see it, your opinions are totally justified." Scipio responded. "But, if you'll hear me out, I think if you make an effort now then Wraith will be sure to turn his head towards you. I know Aliston Nor seemed like the end of it, but this could be different." He gently offered. "Right now, he may very well feel disposable. Above all, he hurts. He's in pain, he's had his heart broken. Show him that someone still cares about him, someone who's not the same ol' doctor. It's the little things that go a long way." Sereva processed that, realizing that Wraith was maybe due a second chance. She'd done enough stewing since Aliston Nor, maybe it was time for her to try and open up again.
"You... really think that'll work?" She hesitantly asked.
"So long as your not forward with him. Save any romantic inclinations for when he's more accepting and not still grieving a broken heart." Scipio said. "Or not. The feelings of your heart are entirely up to you." After a moment of consideration, Sereva shrugged and relented.
"Alright." She agreed, although she did feel some level of trepidation regarding the idea, considering how well Scipio's last idea went. But then, she had an idea of her own. "Although maybe..." She grew thoughtful, starting to come up with an idea. It would require her to open up, to be vulnerable with a man who wasn't all that warmed up to her. But maybe a step on her behalf would be a step forward for both of them. "Maybe he and I can relate more than we might think."
Later that day...
A groggy Wraith stirred from his slumber, his awakening far more peaceful this time. The lights were dimmed, Scipio must've noticed his initial reaction, and he was grateful for that. Even still, it was hard for him to come to. Now his head was pounding and he slowly raised a hand to rub his temples.
"Kriff..." He mumbled, also still feeling the aching pain in his torso. A constant reminder of what had happened.
"My thoughts exactly." The feminine voice quickly jerked him to a state of alertness and he shifted his gaze to find Sereva sitting beside his bed.
"Admiral?" He quietly wondered. She smiled a little.
"Hey, soldier. How're you feeling?" She wondered, leaning forward a tad.
"Terrible, to be honest." Wraith groaned, adjust his head and closing his eyes again.
"I can imagine." Sereva mused. A rather awkward silence ensued as Wraith calculated if whether he should speak next or wait for her.
"We... We haven't properly spoken since... not since Aliston Nor." He finally said.
"Yeah. Guess we've both been pretty busy." Sereva agreed, readily jumping on his point of conversation.
"How... H-How are you doing?" Wraith asked. Sereva shrugged.
"I'm alright. Just feel a little run off my feet some days." She answered.
"I know the feeling." Wraith replied with a slight nod. Another silence, Sereva figured it was her turn to break it.
"I... heard about what happened. On Orron." She quietly revealed. Wraith did not react to her words, remaining motionless in bed. "And I'm... I'm sorry." Her surprising act of offering condolences stirred Wraith, but the instant she brought up that event he was filled with renewed grief.
"I wish I'd died right then and there." He whispered. Sereva understood him entirely, staying silent as Wraith fell quiet, each horrible second of the moment he was stabbed replaying in his mind over and over again. Her hand came to gently rest on his shoulder as he continued. "We had an argument and we were on the outs and... a-and now this... She doesn't love me... not anymore." He babbled "I-I don't mean to dump this on you, s-surely you-"
"Wraith," the way she softly spoke his name, yet with such sincerity gave him pause, "can I tell you something?" He slowly nodded, wondering what she intended to tell him. He didn't realize she was about to reveal something very personal and open herself up in a very vulnerable way.
"When I was at the academy, there were a lot of guys that hit on me. Some of them were nice, some of them... well, they just leered. But there was this one guy I liked. Turns out, he liked me too. We were a thing for a little while and... then I overheard him bragging to his buddies. Turns out he just wanted to get with me... basically, because he could. He didn't really like me." The Twi'lek told him. "I felt betrayed, I felt hurt." It was one of the worst ways to get stabbed in the back, to be double crossed by someone close to your heart. Wraith had no idea Sereva had been through such a thing. The sudden revelation seemed to explain several things to him and was able to account for some of Sereva's actions. The Lethan Twi'lek fell quiet as she recalled her own traumatic memories, one of her lekku draping over her shoulder. Rubbing his shoulder in a comfortable manner, she added, "Trust me when I say, I know what you're going through."
"I... I d-didn't know." Wraith stammered as dozens of conclusions suddenly filled his thoughts. Surely Sereva deserved so much better than that, surely she deserved someone who could treat her like royalty, to show her the respect she was due. Then he realized how callous his own actions were and put two and two together. "Oh kriff... I-I'm sorry I-"
"No. It's okay, you have nothing to apologize for." Sereva interjected. "But I get it, I get what you're going through. So, if you need someone else to talk to, someone who gets it, I'm here." She offered. This was the moment where, as Scipio put it, things would end either positively or negatively. His response determined how she would proceed. Sereva dearly hoped the little extra step on her part would give Wraith an opportunity to connect and reach out. Hopefully she had motivated him to some degree.
"Thank you." He replied, whispering the two best words she could've hoped to hear.
Elsewhere...
Around a holotable, several prominent figures in the Republic's war effort met to discuss recent events and the sudden surge in Separatist activity.
"In two days the Separatists have taken Felucia and Saleucami, with dozens of other worlds falling to them in similar amounts of time." Chancellor Palpatine's holorender was saying. "This is a full-scale assault, they are truly sending everything they have against us."
"Problem is, it's working." Anakin mused. "Those new super-soldiers messed us up pretty good on Orron. We lost too many men to them, a lot of good men too." He sombrely added.
"Tha fact that they made mor' a' 'em is cause enough fo' concern." Corsair's holorender chimed in. "If ten a' 'em could make kriffin' mincemeat outta yor boys, imagine if they stahted crankin' out mor'."
"For someone who didn't bother to help us out, you're awfully concerned about this." Anakin jabbed with a frown. "You conveniently decided to leave us the instant things got hard."
"'S also bloody convenient how ya forgot ta mention Wraith's a kriffin' Force-sensitive!" Corsair shot back. "This sure as hell is gonna cost ya extra... not ta mention I'm doublin' our fee fo' every othah soldiah we bring in." He stated, levelling a finger at Palpatine. "Me an' my crew need time an' intel ta figah this new lot out. We ain't goin' in unprepared."
"Unfortunately, time may not necessarily be on your side, Corsair." Mace stated, intervening before a bigger argument could break out. "At the rate the Separatists are moving, they'll have complete control over the Outer Rim in a manner of weeks, if not days."
"Which is why we must act quickly, Master Windu." Thrawn's holorender agreed. "We should pare down this problem by a question of variables and then eliminate them one by one as we can." He calmly suggested. "We know there are Subjugator-class heavy cruisers as well as new super-soldiers at work. What are their weaknesses and how can we dispose of them?"
"If they've learned from the Malevolence, then our last trick won't work." Anakin said.
"A very real possibility, Master Skywalker." Thrawn concurred. "However, there are other ways to bring down a ship, regardless of its size." He added.
"While you lot worry 'bout that, I'll get on this supah-soldiah infestation ya got goin' on." Corsair announced.
"As will I. I'm going to call in Xur Eon, I think we need a dose of his abilities right now." Mace explained. Anakin nodded in agreement.
"Good idea. In the meanwhile, we need to figure out what the Separatists haven't hit yet and bolster our forces there. Maybe we can buy ourselves some time before the control the Outer Rim completely."
"Is that wise?" Obi-Wan questioned. "At the rate the Separatists are dominating our other forces, adding more to any one defence just seems like a waste of resources. They'd chew through them and that'd be the end of it."
"I admit, it's not perfect. But we have to do something." Anakin replied, knowing that, until something presented itself, they didn't have a whole lot of good ideas.
But then, Cody had something to offer.
"Generals, sirs, if I may," he began, catching their attention, "I'm gonna go call on some super-soldiers of our own for the next time we run into a crew of them again." Everyone looked bewildered by his statement.
"We have some? Who are they?" Rex wondered, not sure who Cody was referring to.
"Of course we do; they're Clone Force Ninety-Nine!" Cody responded.
