Canderous
We arrived at Dxun without incident, and all of us staggered to our respective beds, utterly exhausted. Jennet was practically asleep on her feet as we had stumbled through the dark jungle to the camp. It had been nearly 36 hours since any of us had slept. We had paused only long enough to assure the guards that we were unhurt (at least now I was) and to have them alert the Elders of our return. I was so tired I didn't remember undressing and falling into bed.
When I woke, it was late morning. I had slept almost twelve hours and was ferociously hungry. Jennet was stirring next to me, and opened her eyes, blinking sleepily.
"Good morning, cyar'ika," I said, kissing her the rest of the way awake.
"Morning," she mumbled, with a glance at the clock. She kissed me back. Her stomach growled noisily and she grimaced.
We were both too hungry to linger in bed. Quickly showering and throwing on clothes, we made our way to the mess hall, where Lorna and her kitchen crew were cheerfully feeding the last of the diners. Visas and Jarxel were seated at the high table, chatting quietly. Ladria was talking to Elder Evana, Atton beside her, Disciple on his other side. Megari was seated near them, but not speaking to anyone, a half eaten plate of food in front of her. Danni was playing with some kitchen utensils in a corner. Her mother was watching carefully. She was clearly uneasy being among Mandoa. Bao Dur emerged from somewhere, and she looked calmer when she saw the big Zabrek.
Jennet and I took our seats at the high table and ate our breakfast, joining Visas and Jarxel. After taking the edge off my hunger, I turned to my second.
"If we're going to bring all the Mandoa survivors to Dxun, there's a lot that needs to be done," I said without preamble.
Jarxel nodded. "Agreed. We'll need sleeping quarters, for one. More 'freshers, and the mess hall will have to be enlarged considerably. We'll also need to build a few airstrips, docking areas, more hangers and repair shops."
"How many will come, do you think?" Jennet asked curiously.
"Well, we know of close to 6,000," I said consideringly, "including the colony the Elders were in. No group is more than 800 or so. I've been in contact personally with the leader of each. The plan has been for everyone to stay where they were until we could find a place for all of us to gather and rebuild. Well, we've found a place; now it's down to logistics. When it's time, all of them will come."
Jennet whistled through her teeth. "That's sixty times what is currently living on Dxun. It's not going to be easy."
"Exactly," Jarxel said.
Visas said quietly, "It would seem easiest to bring a group at a time, use that manpower to prepare for the next, and so on."
Jarxel nodded approvingly. "That's what I've thought. We can't sustain six thousand as we are, even if we could get them all here. The problem is, even doing it in stages, we don't have the ships to get a large group to Dxun at once. None of the colonies have more than a few ships, and we don't have any but the shuttle. Some individuals here have personal ships, but none bigger than the Ebon Hawk. Even packing theirs and ours to capacity, it could take weeks to get just one group here."
Ladria, Elder Evana, Atton and Disciple had joined us and were looking interested.
"If you had the supplies, and transport, how long would it take to build enough housing and amenities to sustain the survivors?" Ladria asked.
I looked at her, calculating in my head. "A few weeks if we're talking barracks, bathhouses, kitchens, and workstations. Six months to a year for more permanent housing."
Bao Dur had joined the table. "With a team of good engineers, and the right equipment, we could cut that considerably," he said thoughtfully.
"True," I answered. "But our biggest problem is financing it. I have a several accounts, and by most standards, I would be considered moderately wealthy. Working for the Exchange paid exceptionally well, and I don't spend much. But even my credits can't cover the cost. The colonies can contribute, according to the leaders. We've run the numbers, and we're still very short of enough credits to purchase enough supplies to build. Even with the raw materials the colonies will be bringing."
"Perhaps the Republic could help," Ladria said thoughtfully. "If you promised a few thousand seasoned and well trained soldiers in the fight against the Sith, in exchange they could provide transport and building supplies."
"That could work," I said slowly. "But who in the galaxy would listen to that sort of deal?"
Ladria looked at me, amused. "You're a Hero of the Republic. And you know several others personally. Can't you think of anyone you could start negotiations with?"
Light dawned. "Carth Onasi," I said. "Bastila Shan, too, if she's still alive."
"Last I heard, she was," Ladria said quietly. "Where she is, I have no idea, but I bet Admiral Onasi might know."
"The Jedi may be severely depleted," Jennet observed. "but the Republic relies on them. If Bastila vouches for you, and Ladria, and Carth Onasi, the Chancellor would listen. The Republic needs all the help it can get."
"There wouldn't be any problems promising the troops," Jarxel said positively. "Most of us would jump at the chance to fight again. The only real problem would be convincing enough to stay behind to actually have enough manpower to build."
"If this is to work," I said carefully, "I would need to lead the Mandoa personally in battle."
"True," Jarxel mused. "It would be necessary on many levels. It would be the best assurance to our soldiers that this is what is best for us as a whole, and it would reassure the Republic of our intentions."
"So we fight for a while, come home, and finish rebuilding. Necessary evil." Jennet said.
"Not we, Wildcat. Me." I said.
Her eyes narrowed. "Like hell you'd go without me."
"I need you here," I said firmly. "There's nothing I'd like better than to have you with me, but someone needs to supervise the rebuild while I'm gone. Once we're proved Mates and married, you would be Regent in my place."
"Could someone else be appointed?" Jennet asked, very carefully. I could see her temper rising, and sent her a thought that it had nothing to do trying to keep her safe. She relaxed a little, but was still unconvinced.
"Possibly. But it would be better if either the Mandalore or my Mate was in charge."
"I'm an asset in battle, and if the combined battle ecstasy works with our link, that could be invaluable. Does it center on the Mandalore?" Jennet asked.
"It usually centers on the best fighter present," I said slowly. "Often that's the Mandalore, yes."
"So my presence could be a definite contribution."
"Yes," I said. "But we don't know that for sure."
"Well, one of our tests is to prove that. I know very little of building things, but I know a hell of a lot about fighting. I should be where I'm most useful," Jennet said, not quite smugly.
"You may have a point," I said gruffly. "Why don't we see what the test says, and we can discuss the logistics then?"
She gave me a swift suspicious look, but agreed.
"I could start drawing up blueprints," Bao Dur offered. "If you let me know what sort structures you need, that is. That would give us the baseline for materials needed, as well. Do you have records of what the other colonies could provide?"
"Yeah, they're all in the databanks. You could link to the Ebon Hawk too, if you wanted," I said, pleased he was offering to help. I've seen the man build things out of seemingly thin air and could think of no one better to head up the project. "Would you consider staying with us, at least long enough for the actual building to start? We're a handy people, but short on the engineering genius department."
"It would be my pleasure," Bao Dur said sincerely. "I expect the Jedi will want help with rebuilding the conclave at Dantooine as well, if they choose to keep their headquarters there. But I could easily juggle both projects; with that one, it's mostly clean up and rebuild. Yours would be a real challenge; I'd love to be a part of it."
We spent the day discussing plans, with various parts of the population wandering in and out, offering opinions. We decided that the best plan was to build six to eight apartment-style complexes. There would be at least four that could house two to four people – they would be comfortable enough, and individuals that didn't mind a roommate over a barracks situation could live there, or childless couples. One or two to house families; another for those in higher positions that lived alone. The barracks could remain, both as bed space for soldiers and guest quarters; several rooms could be walled off in that building, and still leave room for on-duty personnel.
We'd need a space port, and several more hangers, at least one more machine shop, and an infirmary. Bao Dur was positively excited with the prospect of designing and building what was needed. When we'd exhausted our creativity for the day, I took him aside.
"I have something I'd like you to see," I said seriously.
"Sure," the big Iridonian said instantly. "Where?"
"It's downloaded on the computer, come on." Jennet had wandered away to work out and after, meditate. I was glad; this was a surprise.
Bao Dur and I went to my quarters and I downloaded the plans I'd discussed with the builder on Onderon, just before I got snatched.
"They're a good start, I think," I said as the Zabrek studied the blueprints I'd had drawn up. "But I want a little more personalization; this was a basic floor plan. I want to add a gym, a landing strip, and a receiving hall."
"You're right, it is a good start. The landing strip takes space, but it's easy enough to build. You could have a private hanger behind the house. I'd say a good-sized gym could be incorporated easily enough here," he pointed to a spot on the plans, "And if you simply reduce the size the front door, and add a room the length of the front, you could have a great combination receiving and feast hall, separated from the family quarters with soundproofed walls and holo windows so it seems less cavelike. It would add about a third again the floor space, but that front hall wouldn't be part of the regular living space."
"I like it," I said. "Don't tell Jennet, this is her wedding present. How soon do you think we could build? This is my private project, paid by me, and I have the means to start right away, if we can."
"We could do that, sure. You'd have to clear out a few acres first, of course. That would require some heavier equipment than you have here, but something could be arranged on Onderon, I'd bet. I'd say you'd be living in it in a few months. Have you picked out a site yet?"
"I checked with the architect on Onderon to see if land movers can be rented; he said they could, pretty reasonably. And yeah, I picked a place. Want to see it?" I couldn't help but have a note of pride in my voice; I'd seen this spot ages ago and thought it would be a great place to build. Of course, I hadn't met Jennet then. I was sure she'd love it, but wanted Bao Dur to make sure it was suitable for what I had in mind.
"Absolutely," the Iridonian agreed.
"Well, gear up, it's a short distance from the camp, but you never know what will wander by. No point getting our legs chewed off."
He chuckled, and agreed to meet me at the gates. Kelborn and Xarga came along. I was getting used to having an escort, not that I liked it any better than when Jarxel started it. That he was right about protocol was beside the point.
I led the three of them through the jungle, after telling Jennet I was off to scout for a building site. It was true, after all, and I carefully kept the particulars buried so I didn't have to block her. She was one sharp lady and that would alert her something was up. Reaching the spot I had marked in my mind months ago, I halted our little party and swept an arm at the scenery.
"What do you think?" I asked.
Bao Dur whistled in appreciation. There was a small lake, bordered with outcroppings of rock. A large flat area was to the East; there were trees and thick vegetation everywhere but I had walked those few acres myself and knew it wouldn't need much leveling. The spot was enclosed on three sides by high hills of stone interspersed with plant life, and across the lake was a natural waterfall, sending up a churning spray and making rainbow glints in the sun. It was scenic, accessible, and defensible.
"This will work," Bao Dur said. "And Jennet will love it."
"I know," I said smugly.