From Wolffe's POV.

79's

I follow Bly and Gree into 79's; it hasn't been open long. Following some shenanigan's with the Null's, more of us were allowed Leave on Triple Zero and it was decided somewhere for clones was necessary. General Plo was highly in favour of the leave; not so much the bar. I look around. It's got droids servers but looks good; I wasn't expecting it to look so good. Someone has spent credits here. It was about time.

I see Bly stop and stare at a table, he's found his ARC, Alpha 27. He's a good lad, Bly says, even though he's older than us by four months. I push the memories of crashing seas, white walls, flash training, simulations and long dead brothers out of my head and concentrate on the crowd in front of me. Natborns as well.

My brothers raise their glasses and I hear cheers; it amazes me that they have that much regard for us, their brothers, who, with the aid of the Jedi, send them to their deaths.

Their loyalty is humbling.

I follow Gree and Bly to the table; I see two Alphas, one surlier than the other and a Natborn female. Good looking. Pert breasts. Wavy hair. A dress that shows everything off but not too flashy. Not a woman you have to pay for by the hour, or the touch. She's here freely. I wonder which one of the Alpha's she's with? It's difficult to see. Neither are giving anything away.

At Bly's request, I drag some chairs from unsuspecting brothers, and push them towards the table, then sit down next to the female. I pull my helmet off and inhale. Bly was right about females, they do smell differently.

"Ma'am." I acknowledge her.

"Essie." She replies.

"Ma'am?" I didn't expect her to give me a name to be used; I probably look as if she speaks a language I don't understand.

"My name's Essie, not Ma'am." I try not to smile, it's a pleasant surprise from some of the natborns I've met. She's staring at my eye. Kriffing Ventress.

"I'm sorry if my scar offends you." I say, but I'm not.

"I have no problem with scars, my father has a lot."

Her father is or was a fighter or soldier, if he has scars.

I watch her as she looks over to Alpha 26 — Maze — she's trying to catch his eye. It's Maze she's with or wants to be. I watch, as she watches them talking to Bly. She's trying to work out who's in charge. Then she's worked it out, Commander Bly. I wonder if she's going to be a problem. She's watching us all closely.

Now she realises she's stuck with me, taciturn Wolffe, the distraction.

"Excuse me. I'll get some more drinks." She offers, sliding out from beside me. I watch the way she walks, athletic. She beckons the droid over. It is distracting, I applaud Bly and Gree's self control with their female Jedi. She's ordering more bottles. I watch as she walks to the fresher, the back of her dress dipping to a tantalising level just this side of revealing too much; I imprint her image and moves to memory, just in case the next mission is a long one.

I empty the glass of whiskey put in front of me earlier. It was going to be an interesting night.

.

Essie stood watching one of the big screens; Wrestling, one of the latest bouts and she had been intending to stay in and watch it. She winced as the favourite hit the floor, a move he normally extracted himself from easily. She returned to the booth.

"You like the wrestling Ma'am?" Asked Wolfe, as she sat, still watching whilst the other clones talked.

"Yes, and it's Essie. But there's something odd about this bout. The Sandman should have got out of that hold easily."

"Do you think it's fixed?" He watched her analyse the moves.

"Doubt it, he's known to be anti fixing. Or he's been drugged. Or they're making him fight when he's injured. It's not unheard of."

She turned to him and fixed him with cool grey eyes.

"Do you enjoy the wrestling Commander?"

"Oh we clones like a good fight, ma'am. Watching or taking part."

She gave up trying to get him call her Essie.

Maze and Ne'tra were in a discussion with Commander Bly, their three heads close together.

"Another drink, Ma'am?" Wolfe asked, he was talkative now and held the gin bottle ready. Essie nodded, still watching the wrestling with an occasional eye on Maze.

The Sandman tapped out.

"I can't believe he lost!"

"Who ma'am?"

"The Sandman. He should have walked that bout." She took a gulp of her drink and turned to say something to Maze but the other clones were still in a huddle discussing something that she couldn't quite hear but she felt something. They weren't closed off any more. They were ready. Prepared.

"Commander Wolfe, what's going on?"

"I think we're relocating to see some real live wrestling."

"Oh, Good!"

.

The Boiler Room.

The Works District

Maze stuck close to her, she felt him lean over. They sat at an out of the way table but could still see the ring; the ceiling was obscured slightly with the haze from smoked spice. If you breathed in too deeply you'd get high. A Rodian offered death sticks, for a price. The bouts hadn't started yet but security was prominent, then I suppose you needed it here. Especially if they found you were betting illegally, reducing the takings for the House.

She wasn't naïve; she'd lived on Coruscant all her life. There were worse clubs than this, Nat had showed them to her, part of her 'education' to prepare her for the big bad Galaxy.

"You shouldn't be here you know." He whispered.

"Why not?"

"The Commanders are itching for a fight."

"Fight? Is that why you all ditched your armour and left it with those poor troopers standing in the alley?"

He didn't answer.

She had already sensed something more was happening but couldn't put her finger on it; the clones were all closed off again. She readily agreed to accompany them when Wolffe said they were going to see some live wrestling. But hadn't expected it to be The Boiler Room.

Nat would be furious.

"Bly has something in mind. That's why there's three of them."

"And you two."

"And two Alphas."

"But they're Commanders."

"And?"

"Surely they should set…" she tailed off, not sure what she wanted to say.

"An example?"

"Yes. I suppose so."

"Essie —You can take the Clone out of the fight but not the fight out of the Clone."

She took a sip of the gin, thankful it was diluted with some juice because otherwise it would only be useful for cleaning blasters or her oven.

.

Essie was watching the ring, as Maze leaned over to his brothers, normally a loner, this felt real.

"They're here. You still want in Maze? No problem if you don't. You have your woman to look after."

"I'm in. She's not my woman."

Bly side eyed Ne'tra, nodding to Wolffe.

"So the plan?" Asked Maze.

"This—The Boiler Room. A wrestling venue run by the Hutts, under Ziro. He's using twi'lek slaves. I don't like that."

The clones looked at each other. None of them did.

"I thought we were working with the Hutts now." Maze asked.

"Ziro's trying to take over Jabba's business. Whilst I have time for neither, we're playing nicely with Jabba at the moment. That doesn't mean we have to play nicely with all of them."

"Most natborns can't tell us apart. Besides I can't imagine any of the Jedi being too upset about Ziro." Gree added, a smirk plastered on his face. "Master Luminara won't be."

"Nor will Master Plo," added Wolfe.

"How did we get this info?" Asked Maze. He wanted to say they were on his turf but technically they were on Fox's and there was always Republic Intelligence, to consider whatever you thought of them.

"Fox."

Maze nodded, he felt there was more to this but the thought of actually doing some real fighting again had his blood up.

Essie looked up as the bell for the first round rang and the combatants entered the ring. They had no protection of any kind. Most freestylers, if they were working under the Rules, wore headgear. This was going to be a blood bath. The venue wasn't full but it wasn't empty and there was almost one to one servers and security.

She noted the Servers, they were young, very young—too young and they had collars on; seeing that made her angry.

Wolfe returned from his wandering; he whispered something into Bly's ear, who nodded then he sat next to her.

"Wolfe?" She knew something was happening.

"If anything goes down. Get out and around to the alley. The Troopers there are mine— Wolfpack. They'll look after you."

She was about to say she didn't need looking after, when she felt a hand on her shoulder, "Hey I know you don't I?"

Emotions were running high in this place, she could feel them. The nausea started to rise, she hadn't had that reaction in years, but she was struggling to block all the emotions.

"No I don't think so." She tried to smile, at the man, swaying in front of her, blocking her view. She could feel the clones getting edgy now.

"Oh yeah. I remember that dress and how it comes off. Nice and slow. Piece by piece."

"No. You're mistaken."

"Hey bitch. I know you. Lap dancer. Blue Flamingo and if I say the dress comes off, it comes off — now."

He lunged at her.

Just as she grabbed his thumb to twist and jab at him, Wolfe had his hand around his throat.

"When the lady says no she means no." he growled.

He hadn't moved out of his chair.

The human was going purple; then she heard Bly. "Put him down Wolffe, it's on."

He let go, the human spluttered on his way.

The clones moved quickly, splitting up, some taking Security with them. Suddenly she was alone.

She could see them, Wolffe and Maze distracting Security, whilst Bly, Gree and Ne'tra targeted the slaves, the children.

"They're releasing them." She murmured, watching the mayhem in front of her. It was getting chaotic, fights breaking out, patrons desperately trying to leave and security trying to get to the clones, who were herding the slaves out of a side door to the alley. Then she saw them, young twins, with slave collars, crouching against the ring. She needed to get them to the side door; they were protecting each other.

Pushing against the crowd, she was soon kneeling next to them, "Come with me." she said in Ryl. They didn't move, too scared, but Security did and now there was a large human towering over her. She stood up facing him; he was going to try something but she wasn't sure what —yet.

He moved straight for her neck and grabbed, tight; she had a short time before losing consciousness. Ducking down, she twisted out of his grip. Steadying herself to face him, she kicked upwards. A pointed shoe in an unsuspecting groin area, normally worked but this time not. He grabbed her, twisting and she was on the floor; she scrambled on her back.

"Nice try bitch."

She hesitated, and he made his move; he grabbed her neck, double handed. She hooked his arms, pulled down, but he was too strong; she used her feet and legs pushing at his hips unbalancing him. One, two, three kicks to the face and he finally slowed down. Twisting her hips up, locked her thighs behind his head, the dress ripped— shit— she really liked that dress, then she pulled his arm across his throat, through her legs. Locking her ankles, she squeezed tight; he was going nowhere. All those leg exercises, made for hard quads. She pulled his head closer. He was struggling but she could do this all night. She'd been trained since she was eight to defend herself. She squeezed tighter.

"Essie!" She looked to the side, now Wolffe calls her by her name. "He's out. I've got these two. Let's go."

Part of her wanted to squeeze tighter, to finish him off but there wasn't time. She dropped down and let him roll off to one side. Wolffe pulled her up.

"Maze is waiting for you." They ran for the side door, as sirens blared, whipping around the corner into the ally. The clones were standing with the slaves, all young Twi'leks, their collars being removed, making the final adjustments to their armour, as a gunship pulled up. Someone bundled her on and it pulled away.

It happened so fast; she heard Maze say drop us at 79's or nearby, as his arm slid around her waist, holding her steady, she couldn't reach the hand holds the other clones had grasped. There was an odd look on his face, so close she feel his breath on her cheek.

"I have a few questions for you." She hissed.

"Later."

.

Rax avoided the police droids, as he pulled up and she climbed in. The two ARCs waiting; Maze still looked unhappy. She leaned back as the taxi pulled off.

"You alright gel?"

"Yes, tired. No stamina any more. I'm getting old."

Rax didn't laugh; it looked more than a normal night out.

"Nat's?"

"Yes, please." She leaned back, her eardrums still buzzing from the music and she ached everywhere. She held her dress together and had lost her wrap; at some point her shoe heel had broken, and now she was wondering about Maze, in the gunship, how he looked at her and held her. It was like two different men.

"You sure you're okay?"

"Yes." she insisted.

"Heard there was a brawl. At The Boiler Room. The Guard were called." he persisted.

"Yes?"

"And you were there?"

"Yes."

"I thought so, saw you get out of the gunship. Must've been a big one. Corrie Guard and droids from all over the city. What started it?"

He weaved expertly through the traffic.

"Slaves. Just don't tell Nat please. You know what he's like."

"Are you sure you're okay. Nothing happened to you did it?"

"No."

"You sure you're alright?"

She nodded and leaned back.

.

Tualin Oola

Del was sitting in his high chair eating, he was watching his mother. Essie was nursing her caf, and herself, after the force that was an angry Nat, had torn several strips off her off for putting herself in danger. He was waiting as she walked in the door last night. He was right, she had Del to think of and she needed to get back in training. One day there would be only one person left to protect him.

Her com buzzed.

"Maze?"

"You alright?" A voice, more gravelly than normal, asked.

"Yes. You asked me last night. A few bruises, aches and pains. What happened after I left?"

"The slaves?"

"Yes."

"Taken to safe houses by Bly and the CG."

Silence. Maze never used unnecessary words.

"Was I supposed to be there?"

"No. It wasn't supposed to go down last night but they were moving them. But you were there. Then it was decided, Wolffe was to look after you. He was originally going to be a distraction."

"He did."

There was another silence.

"Look after me."

"I'm sorry."

"If Bly had asked me to help. I would have said yes."

Silence.

"Ne'tra?"

"Prepping for Felucia."

Silence.

"I don't blame you. I could have said no."

"You didn't have all the Intel."

Silence.

"See you soon?"

"Yes…Essie."

The com went dead.

She hoped so.

.

ARCA Barracks

Advisor Ops Room

Maze picked up his com. It was Essie's number. He realised he had been a little terse with her earlier, perhaps being a Natborn she needed more from him. He wasn't sure he had it to give but it wasn't her fault that he was being kept out of whatever Skirata and the Nulls were doing. They couldn't keep him out forever.

"Maze we need to talk." Nat's voice. "Rock Gym. Tomorrow. 20:00."

Nat was going to kill him; it was the only explanation, well he could try.

He observed the Advisers, each linked to their squads, monitoring the missions, outside forces, political situation on the ground and in Coruscant. Even the Fekking weather and what viruses were running around that area. Anything and everything that could affect the missions.

It was fully manned and they were all doing their jobs. He heard the door and turned to see Skirata enter, a quick glance showed him some of Skirata's squads were in the field.

"Captain."

"Sergeant."

"Good job here."

"Yeah."

Maze couldn't stay in this room with that man without wanting to deck him, at the moment, and that was unprofessional.

.

Rock Gym

The gym didn't smell the same. It smelt of females. It sounded of females, a lot of females. He walked around the corner.

Nat stood there, arms on hips, lekku straight down.

Maze could take him; He'd got youth and training on his side and Nat had no element of surprise. It would be one on one. He'd have to watch those lekku though. Didn't know you could do that with them.

"This way. Don't want you disturbing the ladies, they're wary of males, with good reason."

Maze wasn't quite sure what he meant by that, although he knew he looked intimidating in his armour.

"Their self defence class finishes soon."

He followed Nat around the corner, to a small room.

"There's some old training clothes there, if you want to change. Should fit."

He pointed to a pile of civvies clothes that had seen better days.

"They're clean."

Maze didn't move.

"What's this about?"

"Need to get to know you better and you need to get to know Essie better."

Maze pulled his helmet off, "The other night…."

"I understand a good night was had by all." Nat said, as he saw Maze's fading bruises.

This was not the reception he expected, he'd play along, because he said he needed to know Essie better, and after seeing what she did that night. He did. He grabbed the clothes and pulled off his armour. Finally dressed, he walked to the main gym room. It wasn't big, old school, none of these fancy machines that measured everything for you. Well worn basic weights, barbells, racks, dumbbells and mats. You needed to know your own body. The gym was quieter now, the females had left. Now all he could hear was the thud of bodies hitting a mat. Someone was sparring.

He stood at the door watching.

"Free style wrestling." He murmured. Then he saw who.

Thud! Her opponent hit the floor after a perfect take down. Now she was pressing down, hard and her Pantoran opponent tapped out. Weight wise they looked well matched. He moved back, unsure why, but watching from a distance. They circled each other again.

He winced as Essie hit the floor, her opponent had spotted a weakness and used it. But it looked like she wasn't done yet, using her legs to swivel her opponent round, so she was not able to get a good purchase. Then she saw him, hesitated and it was over. Her opponent took control and pressed her advantage. Essie was flat on her back pressed to the floor; she tried but the hold was perfect and she couldn't get any purchase. She tapped out. Her opponent pulled her up.

"You lost concentration. Wouldn't have been able to do that a few years ago," said the Pantoran, similar colouring and tattoos to Senator Chuchi but larger.

"I was distracted."

"Hmm. I can see why." Her eyes went to Maze, "Going to introduce me?" The woman punched her shoulder, "No. I can see not. Good call. Take care."

The Pantoran strode out giving a last long lingering look at Maze, who was walking towards Essie.

"You're full of bloody surprises aren't you?"

She shrugged.

"You could have taken her. You had the upper hand."

"Gah!" Essie took her helmet off and wiped her face, "I'm out of practice and not been training for a while."

He nearly mentioned Del but it was up to her to speak about him, when she was ready.

"Training?" She asked.

"Why not." He walked towards the free weights. He could do with burning some frustration off, then he spotted the old fashioned punchbag and veered off towards it.

She stood behind it and held it.

"Gloves?" She asked.

He shrugged a negative.

"Bad day?" She asked after he hit it, taking her off her feet; she planted her feet more firmly on the ground, changing her centre of gravity.

"Yep!" He punched again, her feet still lifted off the ground a few inches. "I'll tell you about him one day."

"Look forward to it." She smiled at him and adjusted her hold on the bag and leaning into it. He hit it again, she still felt her heels leave the floor when his fist hit the bag.

"You okay doing this?" He asked poking his head around it.

"Yeah. No problem." even though she was already aching from her training and short sparring session. "You'd better get some gloves."

This time he nodded, it was an old battered bag.

"You need these too. Come here."

He watched her face, as she wrapped his hands, carefully pulling the wraps tight enough, after straightening them. He saw the look she gave the scars already there, hesitating before continuing.

"Training." he felt the need to say.

She nodded.

Maze couldn't explain this feeling he had. He pulled his gloves on.

She was feeling battered; he had gone on far longer than anyone she knew and that included Nat. She had been doing this for Nat for years, until she went to University. Finally he stopped, sweat glistening and pulled his gloves off.

"I'm having a quick shower. You continue." Essie headed off for the changing rooms.

Maze was just lifting the barbell, when he heard Nat came back, recognising his steps; he waited for him to stop.

"Got something to show you. Follow me."

Intrigued, Maze followed the Twi'lek, who led him to a small office. The walls were covered in images and Maze could see who was in them.

"Essie." He said

"Yes. She was junior champion. She was clever, intellectually and I couldn't help with that but this was one thing I could teach her. It started off as self defence but then she took to it. Could've gone further but she wanted to go to University. She couldn't do both and do 'em both justice."

Maze could see the pride in his face, as he showed the images.

There was a lot more to Essie than met the eye.

Bloody Devro.

.