Author's note: Thanks everyone for the feedback so far! I'm afraid the action has slowed down a bit, but don't worry, we still have the wedding battles to go. Just six more days til the wedding!
As always, please read and review, if so inclined.
Always, LJ
The next day was slightly more interesting, for me at least, but they did drag on. Carth and Canderous did most of the talking, and it was almost like watching bartering in a market square. Eight straight hours of logistics and supplies and training schedules and they finally hammered out a workable plan. Clearing the jungle and building the community would begin in a month, with the first exodus to Dxun following in four. Canderous and Jarxel would begin selecting and training troops then, (or as Jarxel put it, whipping their sorry asses into remembering what it was to be an army again) while the remaining Mandoa would assist Republic engineers with finishing construction, under Bao Dur's direction. Second wave will be brought three months after that. If all went well, all the known Mandoa will be moved to Dxun in eight months. The Mandalore will leave with his troops in nine months, to serve for a duration of at least one year.
We broke it off for the day, agreeing to meet yet again tomorrow to refine details on both agreements. I felt wrung out; I could feel Canderous did too, although both he and Carth looked perfectly relaxed. Carth strode off to borrow the shuttle to pick up Mission from Onderon. I headed off to go workout, Canderous and Jarxel with me, and to meditate after.
I'd gotten up early this morning to lead another class and had promised another tomorrow. Carth was continuing to join these classes and was improving impressively. I had scanned him a couple of days ago and found that he was extraordinarily Force sensitive for not being Jedi; possibly strong enough to be trained. I debated talking to him about it, but figured Revan had probably told him at some point; he didn't need any advice from me. The rest of the class were also doing well and I was proud of their progress.
The last two days in camp, outside the negotiations, had been spent with the Mandalorians and Republic soldiers drilling with and against each other, Kelborn leading our men, Quarn leading his. Kelborn reported that there was a lot of enthusiasm between the two groups, and the energy dampeners were invaluable for practice without causing permanent injury. Canderous was pleased to note the progress, as was I. Armies have a very efficient rumor mill, according to Canderous, and these soldiers' endorsement will make it all the easier for us to integrate when the time comes.
Continuing negotiations were scheduled for the next morning, breaking off early afternoon. Canderous and I had finished working out, and he headed off to take Kelborn's report of the day's activities. With tomorrow's schedule in mind, I went looking for Atton.
I found him in the mess hall, playing Pazzak with a poor unsuspecting Republic soldier. I didn't care for the game, as I've said, but I had enough unwanted strategy in my head about it to know that Atton was good enough to go professional if he wanted to. I hoped the man he was playing knew his limits.
Waiting politely for the game to end, Atton caught my eye and gave a small nod of acknowledgement. I nodded back. In short order, the soldier sighed, tossed Atton's winnings at him and left. Atton turned to me, grinning.
"That was a good match," he said conversationally. "And don't worry; I didn't clean the guy out."
"Glad to hear it," I said cheerfully. "Got a minute?"
"For you, always," Atton said with a wink. "I'm thinking you want to give Canderous his wedding gift tomorrow."
"How did you know?" I asked, surprised.
"There's a reason you don't like Pazzak," he said, smiling wider. "What you think is usually on your face."
"I can keep secrets," I protested.
"Sure, when it matters," Atton said easily. "But you don't naturally hide what's on your mind, unlike us sneakier types. On the other hand, you've hidden that you're Force sensitive your whole life, so you've got more than a nodding acquaintance with deception. Makes things interesting when someone's trying to get a handle. But here," he waved, encompassing the camp in general, "you're at home, where you don't need to hide. So it's easier to read you."
"You're an astute observer," I said admiringly.
"I watch," Atton said simply. "And listen. So, you want me to go fetch the Phoenix, yes?"
"Yeah," I said, grinning. "But I don't have the slightest clue where to park her, since the Ebon Hawk is in the hanger, the transport is where it usually sits, and the shuttles are outside the main gates."
"The battlefield is big enough," Atton pointed out. "I can fetch her from the docks, and orbit until you comm me. The only drawback is I don't get to see Canderous' face when I bring her in."
"That's regrettable," I agreed. "But it'd be so much more dramatic if I haul him over there, wondering what the hell is up, and she lands in front of him."
"A woman after my own heart," Atton grinned. "Canderous doesn't like surprises much. This will be fun."
"Oh, come on, he does too," I protested. "Just not ones that involve getting him, me, or his men killed."
"Well, he is marrying you," Atton said judiciously. "That does tend to support the idea that he doesn't mind the odd surprise."
"Gee, thanks," I said sardonically.
"What time would you like to spring this on him?" he asked.
"Well, there's another meeting in the morning, but we've all agreed to knock off early; if there's anything left to work out, we'll have another one the next day. So I'm thinking 1400," I said thoughtfully. "It'll give us time to have lunch, or if the meeting runs a little long, Lorna will feed us during."
"How are the negotiations going?" Atton asked curiously.
"Well enough," I said. "Apparently I'm a general now. Or will be, I guess."
He whistled through his teeth. "I can't say I'm all that surprised."
"You, too?" I said dryly. "No one is surprised but me, it seems."
"That's the nice thing about you, kid," he said, nudging my elbow with his. "You really don't see yourself that way. Refreshing. Most of us have a way overblown idea of our own importance."
"And you'd know nothing about that," I teased, nudging back.
"No," he said, suddenly serious. I saw a shadow in his eyes, for just a nanosecond. He blinked, and I was left wondering if it had really been there. "I know just how unimportant I am."
He was cheerful again, and we sorted out details of my surprise for tomorrow. He promised to ask Bao Dur if he wanted to tag along with Megari and Danni, and I agreed I'd drag Canderous to the battlefield at the appropriate time. I had an idea for that, and took Tagren, who had been tagging after, er, guarding me with Dax, aside after I had left Atton. I gave him instructions for the next day, and he grinned widely.
"Absolutely, my Lady," he said almost gleefully. "It's worth the pounding I get for the look on his face. He hates surprises, you know."
"I'll take the hit," I promised, smiling. "He can't blame you for following orders, can he?"
"Watch him," Tagren said dryly.
"So, out of curiosity, who in camp doesn't know what I'm giving Canderous for a wedding gift?" I asked, thinking of the military rumor mill.
"With luck, the Mandalore," Dax answered promptly. "I'm pretty sure everyone else does."
"Do you think he already knows?" I asked suspiciously.
"We've all tried hard not to let on, Lady," Dax assured me. "And he hasn't asked anyone, as far as I know. I think he realizes you want to surprise him."
"Good," I said, relieved. Then I thought of something. "Does everyone know what he's giving me?"
"That, my Lady," Tagren said seriously, "is not worth the pounding I'll get."
"I'm not asking what it is," I said, laughing. "But you answered my question."
My bodyguards grinned back, but I could see their relief that I wasn't going to press the issue. As we turned to head back toward my quarters, I saw Canderous striding toward me.
"There you are," he said with some asperity. "Mission should be here any minute."
"Oh hell, I'd forgotten," I said apologetically. "Sorry."
"It's all right, Wildcat, we have time I think," Canderous rumbled. "Carth commed a few minutes ago that he was landing soon."
We hurried to the main gates, Dax and Tagren on our heels. The rest of the honor guard were assembled already, and we took our places. I saw Ladria, Disciple, Atton, and Mira there as well. As I looked around, I saw Bao Dur with his twin shadows of Megari and Danni strolling up, Visas not far behind, talking to Jarxel, who split off with a friendly gesture as he approached us. Visas drifted over to Ladria, and the two women chatted quietly, Atton nodding with them.
The gates opened, and a young Twi'lik woman walked in, arm and arm with Carth on one side and a young man who looked remarkably like him on the other; I assumed this was Dustil. A little behind these three was an older dark skinned man in Jedi robes, 'saber at his side, and with him a young Jedi woman, not much older than me, with a cool expression and straight-backed, just short of arrogant stature. I felt Canderous stiffen slightly.
Who is that? I asked silently as the group approached.
Before he could answer me, Mission squealed loudly and launched herself at Canderous, who caught her by reflex and suffered an enthusiastic hug and loud kiss on the cheek.
"Canderous!" she said with irresistible enthusiasm. "It's soooooo good to see you! And you're the Mandalore now, just like Revan said you'd be," she gushed.
Canderous managed to pry her gently off and sat her back from him to look her over. "Mission," he rumbled. "You're all grown up. You look good, kid. I hear you're getting married," he added with a nod at Carth's son. He offered a hand to him. "Dustil, thanks for coming."
Dustil shook it with a smile and his father's easy charm. "Wouldn't miss it. You saved my ass back on Korriban."
"It seemed to be worth saving," Canderous grinned.
Mission turned her considerable charm and enthusiasm on me. "You must be Jennet," she said warmly, and to my surprise hugged me. I hugged her back, enchanted. "Dad has said so much about you I feel like I know you already. Is it true you killed a Hutt? And survived being on both the Exchange and the Hutt's hit list? How did you meet Canderous? I bet it wasn't romantic. Are you really his Mate?"
"Um," I said, not sure what to answer first. "Yes, yes, in a cantina after I killed about a dozen mercs, well, actually in an alley after I woke up, so no it wasn't, and yes. And welcome, I've been looking forward to meeting you."
Canderous, Carth, and Dustil looked from me to Mission, exchanged significant looks and collectively shrugged.
"Gods," Jarxel interjected with feeling. "There's two of them. Does she fight too?"
Mission and I looked at each other and started to giggle.
"Only if I have to," Mission said brightly. "But give me a computer and I'll make it cry for mercy."
"You must be Dustil," I said, smiling at Carth's son. "I'm so glad you could make it."
"Thank you for inviting me," Dustil said warmly. "Glad to be here." He kissed my hand instead of shaking it, and I was impressed with his manners.
"Welcome to Dxun," I said.
The other two guests were now in front of us, and I turned my attention to them.
"Jolee," Canderous said as he shook the man's hand firmly. "It's been a while. Good to see you."
"Wouldn't miss it," Jolee said, a hint of laughter in his voice. "I got as far as Onderon and was going to comm you to see if someone could shuttle me down, and ran into Mission and Dustil, here. So I hitched a ride with Carth. Quite a moon you have here, reminds me of Kashyyk."
"It's brighter, but yeah," Canderous agreed. "Not so many millennia old trees around, but the wildlife is about as friendly."
Jolee laughed delightedly. "Trust you to find a place to live that wants to kill you."
Canderous gave a grimace that passed as a smile and turned to me. "Wildcat, this is Jolee Bindo. If he gives you any lip, challenge him to a duel in the fight ring. He won't need a weapon. He'll just talk you to death; so you two ought to get along fine."
Jolee turned to me, his eyes warm and friendly. "Don't listen to him; he just didn't get enough hugs as a child. I'm impressed that someone as pretty and bright as you wants to marry this big grumbler." He clasped my hand between both his own and bowed. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Jax."
"Please," I said, liking this man immediately. "It's Jennet, and the pleasure's mine."
"Anyone that can understand Missionspeak has my admiration," Jolee said with a grin.
"Hey!" Mission protested, laughing.
The last guest had been watching the reunions with a remote expression, patiently waiting her turn. I had caught from Canderous by now who she was, so I was unsurprised when he turned to her with a formal air, and rumbled, "Bastila." He inclined his head and offered his hand. Somewhat to my surprise, she took it.
"Canderous," she said, just as formal.
"Welcome to Dxun," Canderous said politely enough. "Carth said you weren't going to come."
"I wasn't," she said stiffly. "But I admit I was curious to meet Jennet, and the Exile. And I thought it would be agreeable to reacquaint myself with old friends."
"Her name," I said, carefully calm, "is Ladria."
"Excuse me?" Bastila said, turning to me with a puzzled frown.
"She is not the Exile," I said through a gritted smile. "Her name is Ladria Windbreak. Master Ladria, to you. And I," I added sweetly, "am neither an idiot, nor a saint. Sorry to disappoint you."
"I…" there was a crack in the cool façade, and she caught herself. She drew herself up, and bowed to me formally. "I spoke without thought, and apologize. It is a failing of mine. I meant no insult."
Ladria, who had been watching quietly nearby, moved smoothly forward. "Bastila Shan," she said in her honey and steel voice, "It is an honor to meet you."
"And you, Master Ladria," Bastila bowed stiffly.
"Perhaps we can talk sometime about your mission with Canderous," Ladria said warmly. "Among other things."
"I would like that," Bastila said sincerely, unbending a little. She turned to me, her face a polite mask. "Thank you for the invitation. Congratulations on your upcoming marriage."
"Thank you," I said, equally polite. "Welcome to Dxun; I hope you enjoy your stay."
That woman, I said scathingly to Canderous, makes Zuka look like a friendly Gizka.
You get used to her, he chuckled back.
I'm not sure if I should be relieved or frightened by that.
Formal greetings accomplished, we broke up the gathering by announcing dinner. Canderous and I led the way, the rest of the party chatting behind us. Mission slipped her arm through mine, firing a thousand questions a minute at me, which I laughingly tried to answer as I sorted them out.
The Twi'lik leaned closer and said in a conspiratorial whisper, "Don't mind Bastila; she always did have a 'saber up her ass. She's all right once she gets to know you."
I managed to halt my burst of laughter to a low snigger. "Not once I get to know her?"
"She was worse than Canderous about that, in some ways," Mission murmured. "At least with him, you knew what he thought if you asked him. I pestered him to death back then; it's a wonder he didn't shove me out an airlock," she said with surprising insight and honesty. "But he wasn't mean, you know. He pretended he was, but I knew that he really wasn't. Bastila wasn't mean either, but so…well, I guess, prickly…and kind of formal you didn't know what was under it, or what she really thought. But she's all right, really."
"I'll take your word for it," I said dryly.