University Library.
"Late shift." Essie muttered irritably. "Still don't see why we have to do it." She looked around, there were three people in the library, including herself. The students left early, she overheard their plans for a party and cleared up after them. Johl had left early, he had a date; she didn't expect anything to happen in the next half hour.
Her datapad opened at HNN; previously she didn't want to know about the war but meeting Captain Maze reignited her interest in current politics and she was keeping up with it.
Nat heard rumours that HNN was no longer independent, seized by the Grand Army of the Republic and used as propaganda for the War. It was feasible, so she wasn't sure what to believe now.
Her eyes flicked along the screen. Holocams followed the action. Patriotic voiceovers giving vivid descriptions of the battle. Jedis Skywalker and Kenobi, always seemed to be in the thick of it. The troopers wore helmets and she assumed they looked like the Captain; she still cringed at calling him Private. There were never many Clones on Coruscant, except for the Coruscant Guard who took over some security work from CSF and police droids.
In the Outer Rim, troops fought against overwhelming numbers of droids and were winning the battle against the Separatists, who wanted to secede from the Republic. Those battles took centre stage, and it was a little unreal until recently, when it reached nearer home.
Four explosions damaged the Coruscant Central Court building, Coruscant Court of Appeals building, and the Senate Overflow Offices. She had heard them.
The Library security was upgraded again and the Coruscant Guard made more rounds
She had not seen the Captain since she showed him around and wondered if he was out there, in the Outer Rim, fighting.
Tapping quickly, she accessed the records. He'd been but not when she was here, probably avoiding her. She scrolled through the items he'd accessed, the upgraded IT system made it easier to check on Requests made and fulfilled, and who had which text — still.
"I'd love to know what he thought, assuming he comes back." She was talking to herself, with no one else around. The items he withdrew were all on subjects she had taken her degree in - Galactic Political History – and her major interest.
With the library empty and silent, she pulled up her half finished thesis, pointlessly editing the first few chapters— again. This wasn't going to get finished any time soon, although she supposed if she had a little bit of extra time she could work on it. She moved to her notes, looking around there was still no one else in, so she started writing, becoming immersed in her arguments on the evidence she researched.
"Ma'am!" a gravelly voice emerged from behind her.
She dropped the stylus she had been flipping around her fingers, a habit she had when thinking. It wasn't very often someone surprised her, she normally sensed when anyone came near but only Sol and Nat knew she could do that. She felt the flutter in her stomach, a little like fear, but put this down to being startled and turned to see the Captain.
"Hello." She said brightly "Long time no see. How have you been?" giving him one of her biggest smiles.
She was surprised at the genuine pleasure she felt on seeing him make use of the Library facilities but before he replied, she continued.
"How did you find the articles on the Separatist Crisis?"
He bent down to pick up her stylus and when he stood up, his left eyebrow was raised.
"You dropped this."
"Thank you." she took her stylus back, "I'm interested in that area myself."
She'd checked on what he had taken out, Maze wasn't sure if that was good or not.
"I've been fine. Thank you." So that was why she would have been able to easily find anything for him. She used them herself. "And the Articles, very interesting."
"Good. Any particular part?"
He thought all of it was interesting. "It would appear the background to the War is as long and complicated, as you said."
"Exactly!" She exclaimed.
He smiled at her enthusiasm; a different woman to the pedant he first encountered.
"I'd like to go further back."
"Definitely. As far back as the Trade Federation blockade of Naboo? Even further?" she asked.
"Naboo? Yes." he recalled some of the Republic history from Kamino, highly sanitised as he assumed it was.
"Come on. I'll show you some of the more obscure texts and the original ones, I found."
He followed her, watching as she set up a terminal, then found the documents. I think you'll find these interesting." He felt her thigh nudge him, as her shoulder fit closely next to his; they had to sit close to enable both to see the screen at the same time.
"There you are." She stopped at this particular document. "See that's the point that Palpatine saw his chance, not that he hadn't been working up to it."
Report on the Battle of Naboo and subsequent vote of no confidence against Chancellor Valorum.
"I've already read this."
"This one or the one on the Holonet?"
"The Holonet."
"Try this one." She leant back, arms crossed, watching his reaction.
His eyes flicked down the screen; there was so much more detail in here. It put a whole different nuance on the crisis. He leaned forward.
"I knew all that, Palpatine came to power on Valorum's demise."
"Exactly." She tapped a few keys. "But then look at this."
A list of Senate Bills, and their dates, and proposers scrolled past; his eyes flicked down the document.
"So he proposed very few Bills?"
"Yes, and then his voting patterns. See. There was no consistency on the subjects he voted for. It was simply gave the impression he was supporting various Senators, whilst actually gaining the support of many in return. Very clever."
Maze hadn't believed what she said at first but the evidence seemed to indicate that. He would wait to make his evaluation, as far as he could see no laws had been broken and Palpatine had played the democratic game.
"Palpatine manipulated himself into power."
"Of course. They all do, but this is only a Theory based on the evidence so far, and that evidence can be interpreted in several ways. Nothing in politics should ever be accepted at face value."
"I'll download this to your account." She tapped a few keys.
"Is there anything else?"
"Only the Separatist Crisis, which you've already read about."
"Which started exactly when?"
"It depends on which historian you read but I think the nearest date you could put on it would be eleven standard years before the Battle of Geonosis when the Galactic Senate first granted the Trade Federation the right to arm its ships, in return for Trade Route taxation. Then Nute Gunray assumes full control over the Trade Federation in the aftermath of the disastrous Eriadu Trade Summit."
The Captain looked a little perplexed.
"Shortly after that was the vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorun and the Battle of Naboo. Which you have there."
"I'd like to be able to read more documents relating to these and discuss it with someone." He looked straight at her.
She put her hands to either side palms out.
"Well, Captain, do I call you Captain or Maze? Your luck is in because Galactic Political History is my speciality." She paused. "I have a little free time left tonight, take a seat. Would you like a caf? It's only 'Instajava', I'm afraid."
His face relaxed, a little. "Sounds good." He paused, "Estafania…"
"Oh no no no, call me Essie." she interrupted, "everyone calls me Essie." she held her right hand out to him and looked up at him.
"Maze." He grabbed her proffered forearm in a weird handshake. This wasn't the training Fett gave on females, he advised on avoiding seduction or undertaking it but he would go with the flow for now.
Caf was caf, 'Instajava' was fine, it had its place. They continued their discussion until closing time.
He followed her around the library on her final rounds, continuing to talk.
"The students often leave papers lying around but I've cleared those away. Just need to check the terminals." She checked each one, "and security." She walked towards the double doors.
"You have to check outside? Alone?"
"Yes."
"Unbelievable." He muttered, "I'll check the perimeter." five minutes later and he was happy all was secure; then she locked up with her biometric lock. The one that prevented him breaking in.
They stood in the shadows of the building, the last rays of Coruscant's artificial sunset still lighting up the sky.
"I have to go." She fidgeted. "I enjoyed our discussion."
The Captain put his helmet on, he could see how people were looking at them, "So did I, most enlightening."
"Perhaps we could look at some different aspects, if you're able to get away again." She added.
"I'm sure I will and I look forward to that …..Essie."
"So do I….I'll see you soon, Maze."
She watched as he turned and walked quickly away. Now she had to run to catch the EasyRide Train; she hadn't felt this excited in—well, she couldn't remember when.
.
There were few weeks when he didn't come to the Library and she looked forward to his visits. He talked through the issues he found in his reading, when he wanted to check on his understanding of them.
She found it refreshing. Most of the time when she talked about her work, her interests, she could see people's eyes glaze over. Not Maze.
"You have an impressive understanding of some of the most difficult and obscure concepts, and at a level above most undergraduates." He nodded.
"So Palpatine? Think about it. All these additional measures in the name of security, are eroding the citizen's rights?"
He grunted.
She sensed he was unhappy about that area. She changed subject, slightly.
"Palpatine's rise to power from an inconsequential Senator to Supreme Chancellor in one easy step. Do you think the Jedi had anything to do with that?"
Maze gave her a long hard stare as if trying to decide whether he trusted her or not and then replied.
"The Jedi were peacekeepers at that time, and kept out of politics."
"Did they?"
She had the most annoying habit of taking what he said, asking a simple question, forcing him to rethink his whole stance.
They talked, argued, agreed to disagree, especially on Palpatine for another hour or so, until she glanced at her chrono.
"Oh! I didn't realise the time. I need to get home. It's so good to talk with you."
"I could walk you home and we could talk on the way, if its not too far." Maze offered.
"No it's fine. I use the EasyRide Train." She replied.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes positive. Here's that list you wanted." She was obviously in a rush putting items away and pulling her coat on. "I'll see you soon. Just need to close."
She stood waiting for him to leave.
"Thank you again….Essie." He said, picking up the list.
.
Essie sat on the EasyRide, thinking, Maze was causing to her re-examine her stance on some theories and she wished she could have stayed longer with him. She enjoyed their discussions.
I might ask him to look over my Thesis, what there is of it.
No one sat next to her, even though the train was nearly full. It was her stop next. The journey had taken no time as she was lost in thought about Maze; she rushed to see her son, he was growing fast.
"Hi, It's only me." She announced herself.
Sol came out of the back carrying Del.
"He's really tired but wanted to stay up for you." Essie pulled her son into her arms. Being a mother had been the last thing on her mind but once she found out she was pregnant she didn't contemplate not having him, even though his Father didn't know about him and she had not put his name on the registration. What happened with him was a mistake. She realised that when she told him and he instructed her to "get rid of it."
That was never going to happen; luckily her son looks more like her own Father each day.
Her son fell asleep on her lap as she ate the sandwich Sol prepared for her.
"I was talking to Dex again last night, 'bout clones." Nat announced, "The Jedi didn't know about them until Master Kenobi found them. After Dex told him where to look for the Cloning Planet."
"And why would he do that?"
"Dexter Jettster has been around and knew Kenobi from years back. They keep in touch. The General still goes for breakfast there sometimes when he's on Coruscant."
Both Sol and Essie rolled their eyes.
"He's even taken one of the Clones in with him. One of the Commanders. Apparently he ate the equivalent of two breakfasts. They couldn't work out where he put it. Even I can't eat two of Dex's breakfasts."
"Captain Maze likes his caf and when we get one, he always has a cake." Commented Essie, gently rocking her son.
Both Nat and Sol stared at her.
"What?" she asked.
"You have caf with this Captain?"
"Yes, why not. He's doing some research for his General?
"Who's a Jedi." The implication was there, be careful of Jedi.
"They're not interested in me any longer. I'm too old."
"You don't know, they lost a lot of Jedi at Geonosis. Be careful." Nat was worried.
"I will."
She dismissed his comments; he was overprotective, as usual.
.
Zey took his time coming down from the council chambers; he normally descended them at a run to get some exercise. Master Windu was more uptight than normal, the Battle of Hypori affected everyone. Zey was thankful Ki-Adi-Mundi, Shaak Ti, Aayla Secura, and K'Kruhk survived. It felt as if they were being picked off one by one. He tentatively probed the Force for Janyne, found her well and immediately felt better.
He had a new objective, a Kaleesh cyborg, General Grievous, was revealed as the Supreme Commander of the Droid Armies; he had to be found and neutralised. He struck and disappeared. Struck and disappeared. This was a priority now.
"One life will save millions."
It had come to that.
Zey thought Skywalker being knighted had caused as much a disturbance as Grievous, for Master Windu; he had always had a problem with the Chosen One Prophecy and had disagreed vehemently with Qui Gon Jinn. Zey had not been privy to that being off world at the time but Janyne brought him up to speed. He always felt calmer, when he thought of her, which was frequently these days.
He needed to ground himself, away from the Temple and decided to walk. He hid his light saber, packed his datapad and wandered into the masses of Coruscant.
He ought to hurry but he just wandered, letting the random thoughts and feelings of the populace hit him. He had done this before and it wasn't always comfortable; you often learned from the projections of others, especially towards the Jedi. There were mixed feelings towards them but he felt, no the Force told him it was something he needed to do.
These were the people he was here to help, or would have been, in an earlier life. He shook that off; that was hovering near to a crisis of conscience and he couldn't afford that.
He walked along, looking like any other mid aged human male, letting the passersby feelings flow over him. Some had none, or weren't projecting enough. There were fears and hopes. Some— he made a note of them —had illegal intentions towards something or someone. He evaded the pickpockets, advising them through the force to find another job. He occasionally sent a Force nudge to prevent others completing their actions; he wasn't as practised as Kenobi was at that art. He'd heard Skywalker was just as good, but he hoped what he did was enough. He was pragmatic enough to know it wouldn't help in every case.
The crowds thinned, as he walked towards the University Buildings; once again he was guided by the Force and headed there. It had been a month or so since he was here last and his interest had been piqued. Maze was less uptight than normal, settling into his job as Aide, despite his continued need to be out fighting. Zey knew that was his breeding but he was invaluable and Zey would be loath to lose him.
Jusik was shaping up but he sensed there was something missing for him.
Zey looked up, the University Library was a magnificent building, almost a thousand years old, as old as the peace that had recently been shattered. He walked in knowing it would be peaceful, like the Temple but without the Force.
He had forgotten about Ms Devro.
.
"So Captain, what about some Military History now? A little diversion."
"I'm at work,…. Essie."
"Just a quick break then?"
"Okay."
She tapped in some details. "My favourite, I learned about this when I was at school from a particular teacher and it piqued my interest in history and politics. Your armour reminds me of him."
"My armour's based on Mandalorian armour."
"Oh….. Well look here."
An biography filled the screen "Jace Malcolm."
She watched as the Captain read through.
'Jace Malcom a Human Male Republic trooper, served in the Special Forces of the Republic Military during the Great Galactic War and Cold War, and as the military's Supreme Commander during the Galactic War.'
"There's an image of him." She leaned over and pressed another key. An image of the man in red and white armour came up; it looked like his. He studied him closely; he was scarred, a fighter. He went back to the history, continuing to read. He fought for thirty years.
Well, I'm not going to last that long. He thought.
"And?"
Essie picked on the tone in his voice.
"I thought you'd be interested, he fought with Jedi."
The chair scraped as he rose. "I need to go. I only came here to study politics."
"I'm sorry, if I …..misinterpreted…."
"That's fine. I have to go."
"Oh..oh..okay. Erm. If you need anything just let me know."
She watched him walk out, not knowing what had upset him. She looked back at the screen. She only wanted to share what had made her interested in the subject; she enjoyed his company and thought he enjoyed hers.
.
Zey sensed someone was upset and it wasn't Captain Maze stalking towards him. He was he usual closed off self.
"Ah, Captain. Is everything okay?"
"Yes sir. Just finished."
"I'll update you back at the Baracks."
.
ARCA Barracks
"So the Seppies have got themselves a cyborg general to match their droids and you want one of my boys, or more, to track him down."
Skirata sat there as usual, in his Bantha hide jacket, as if he owned the room, even if it was the General's office. Captain Ordo sitting compliant beside him. Maze never took his eyes off the other clone, watching his every move. He knew what the Nulls thought of him. He didn't care.
"Captain Maze and myself, have reviewed the records of your Nulls and Lieutenants Kom'rk and Jaing seem to fit the bill best."
"They could all do it. I know, I trained them all with Jango's blessing." Skirata retorted
Maze hated it when he threw that in the General's face; he very rarely brought Jango Fett up. He was in the past but Skirata couldn't let it go, especially after Camas brought him back. The General never retaliated and Maze thought he knew why; he needed Skirata to control the Nulls, they were rogue at best but they were skilled despite being distracted by other things.
Talking of distractions, he kept thinking of how he left Essie. He had been rude.
Skirata stood, "We'll get them recalled from the droid factories. If you send the details to Captain Ordo, he can get them reassigned. Is that okay Captain?"
"Yes, Sargeant."
Maze almost laughed at the charade, he had just witnessed but played into it by sending the details to Ordo. The lieutenants could be anywhere. Skirata was watching him.
"Captain, could you send me the details of the Advisors who are allocated to my squads?"
"Why?" Maze knew he was pushing Ordo's buttons, questioning Skirata like that; Ordo's fist clenched and unclenched by his side.
The General and Skirata both watched the two ARCs, when General Jusik came in and broke the stand off.
"If you don't mind Captain, I like to keep in touch with my squads and don't want to tread on any toes."
Maze took a breath, and taking into account his General's look, "Of course Sergeant, I'll notify the Advisors what you'll be doing."
General Jusik had been watching them all, it didn't take a Force sensitive to feel what was in the room.
"Latest information from R and D, and procurement. There's a few new items we can make good use of gentlemen."
.