Nat's Gym

510 days ABG

Nat took a long drink of his water and watched Maze and Essie; Maze was a good man but there was something different about him and he couldn't put his finger on it. Essie laughed. She had never laughed much before, it was good to hear and see. Maze came across as a grumpy so and so, until he got to know you. Nat followed him to the changing rooms after he swung Del around making him giggle. He was good for the youngling too.

"Good workout?"

"Yeah, not bad." Maze pulled off his top.

"Nasty scar. New?" Nat nodded to the slightly red, healing, puckered scar on his chest. He didn't have many, so it was noticeable.

"A skirmish on the lower levels."

"Need to know basis?"

Maze thought for a minute, bearing in mind Nat's history.

"Slavers targeting clones. We got them."

Nat's hand went to his shoulder.

"Schutta! Anytime you need help. Let me know. You're part of this family now."

"Thanks Nat…."

"Did they get any?"

"No. They were targeting the 501st, a bit out of their reach if you ask me." Maze smiled at the thought of anyone trying to get to them, notwithstanding Rex and Skywalker. "But we've checked and they're all accounted for. He'd spoken to Rex personally, his ears still ringing from the curses Rex used. Very inventive. Just showed how many planets he had visited.

"The Guard's put out a warning, especially for the shinies."

"Shinies?"

"Inexperienced troopers."

Nat nodded.

"I'll put up a warning notice in the café."

"Thanks."

"You okay? Nothing else?"

"No fine. I'll see you next time. Del wants some ice cream. Be a first time for me too." He put a hand on Nat's shoulder this time, "Thanks Nat. I appreciate it."

He watched, as he walked out. Nat shook his head there was still something else going on he was sure of it.

.

ARCA Barracks

545 days ABG

General Zey had been at the Jedi Council all day, after a less than satisfactory meeting with Camas, regarding the information Skirata provided. The knowledge had plagued him for weeks and nobody could give him a satisfactory answer.

What would happen to clone soldiers wanting to leave the army after the war?

Are there hit squads for dissenting ARCs?

He had been passed from Department to Department all proving to be elusive and non committal. He had his bets on Isard but no hard evidence to back it up.

What was worse nobody he spoke to seemed to care.

He had not been able to get a response from Janyne either, she was deep undercover, on Raxus, he thought.

The more he thought about the clones, the more uncertain he became about the war and that shouldn't happen. He felt like a puppet in the grand scheme of things, unable to get out.

The revelation there was Sith involvement, on Coruscant, not just Dooku, had been revealed at the Council meeting. It would have been prudent to have been told earlier, all they had said was the Dark side pervades Coruscant. He knew that, he felt it everyday. He seethed inwardly and needed to ground himself otherwise he would be heading that way himself. He walked through Coruscant back to the Barracks.

Zey found himself at the University Library; as he walked past, he detoured unsure why at first but he needed to try and put everything into some kind of perspective but not at the Temple Archives, there were too many memories there.

He walked into the Library.

It was peaceful, surprisingly so, with people studying, concentrating. It was no longer peaceful at the Temple; too many memories with friends lost, and more. He looked around for Ms Devro; he hadn't been here since that day. There was just a droid cleaner carefully humming its way along the wooden floor.

"Ah!" He felt her presence. Before she had been afraid, now she was troubled but he didn't think it was him; although she may have sensed him. He drew back in the Force, as she turned the corner and stood, looking straight at him.

"Ms Devro. Good to see you. I wonder if you could direct me to the Military history section?"

"Of course, this way." He followed her to the far corner near the Archives.

"We moved it. There's not much interest in the history of war when an actual war is taking place and yet…."

"It should be required reading."

"Exactly!"

The room was empty.

"I'd like to thank you again for helping Captain Maze."

He sensed affection and more, at the mention of the Captain's name. He was right.

"It was no problem."

"And the pastries."

"My parents. They like to do their bit."

"It is very much appreciated."

"I'll tell them."

"Thank you."

She turned away, then back again. "If you need any help. Let me know."

He nodded.

.

Zey's Office.

Zey switched off the internal recording devices in his office, after the admin droid had left, with its pile of his flimzi notes ready for destruction. He placed a mobile privacy device on his desk and felt Maze observing him.

"The death squads mentioned by Skirata…." He started to say.

"Yes sir?" He felt hope rise in Maze.

"Despite numerous conversations with numerous people, no one can provide me with a satisfactory answer as to whether they exist and if they do, who they report to? Who gives them their orders? And what will happen to the clo….to yourselves after the war ends. If you no longer wish to fight."

He felt that hope, in his aide, slowly subside.

"I'm sorry."

"Thank you for checking Sir. I am afraid I drew a similar blank, although the rumours indicate there are certain squads tasked to undertake that role; who exactly they are and who they report to is not easy to untangle."

Zey felt the Captain slowly returning to the blank soldier he originally met and he wanted to do something to stop that.

"Captain—Maze, anything you tell me in this room will not go further. Is there anything you want to know— or tell me."

Zey watched his aide; he thought he knew him, how he reacts but…

"No sir." Maze stood straighter.

"Maze, if you ever find you wish to pursue an alternative career, let me know—privately, mind. I'm sure I could acquire some resources to help you... relocate."

"Yes sir. Thank you sir." Maze saluted, turned and left the office.

He stalked down the corridor; several commandos saluted him but he couldn't tell you who they were. His mind was still going over all the possible permutations and they all resulted in the same outcome—he could not risk it.

He had hoped.

But he could not risk them.

He had come to his decision.

.

Tualin Oola.

Essie looked up from wiping the table, eyes fixed on the door, waiting, moments later Maze walked in, just as she expected. He pulled his helmet off laying it on one of the tables. He stood, not striding into the cafe as he normally did.

Something was wrong.

"You always time it just right, lad. We've got a few things that Sol can't sell tomorrow. Out of date. They're still edible though and the caf's on." Nat turned to get a mug as Maze walked towards them.

"I need to talk to you." He looked at Essie.

"Of course." She replied, confused, as she could feel his apprehension and something else she couldn't quite identify; he was hiding something.

Nat watched Essie and Maze, who had visibly aged in the short time he had known him; he had a bad feeling about this and his lekku stiffened in worry. Sol, seeing that, linked her arm through his.

"What's wrong with Maze?" She whispered.

"Don't know love, perhaps he's being deployed off world. To the Outer Rim, somewhere."

"We'll leave you to talk." She said, as she pulled her grumbling husband away.

"No! You all need to know this." Maze raised his voice.

They stopped mid step and turned back to face him.

"It affects all of you." His face deadly serious, "I've learned something. I've known about it for a few weeks but refused to believe it. Thought there may be…But then something happened…to a…..someone I grew up with."

"Maze?" Essie stepped forward, hating seeing him hurt like this. It was totally out of character. He was normally so strong, so composed. This must be someone he was really close to.

"Who? Net?" She asked, immediately assuming it to be the brother Alpha introduced her to and who she liked.

"No. Another brother, another Alpha….."

Now she was worried, she could sense something more. Her stomach churned.

"I need to explain." He stood in front of her, picking up her hands. "I won't have a long life. We know that." He looked at Essie and a smile tugged at his mouth, "We discussed it. But what if I survive the war, when it ends. What is the Republic going to do with men like me? Not just a hundred, but thousands."

He glanced at Nat, who nodded.

"Are they going to put you back into stasis?" Essie asked, her first thought, after he explained about his first few months before going to Qiilura.

He shook his head in reply.

"I thought….I talked with Nat," Essie looked at Nat, "we talked. A way out for me, for when we were given citizen's rights but that's not going to happen for ARCs."

"You could go anywhere, outer rim, do anything." Interrupted Sol, "We could help you couldn't we Nat?" She turned to her husband.

"Let the lad finish," he said quietly, before pulling her closer to him. He had an idea of what he was going to say and it wasn't what they had agreed. The Hutts disposed of their gladiators who were no longer of any use, who couldn't fight. They fed them to the Rancor. Nat was hating this Republic war more and more. He liked the lad. He made Essie happy, happier than she had been in a long time. He was family.

"They'll send our own brothers after us, if we cause trouble, if we dissent." He started his halting explanation. "They already have, if we desert. There's been a few. There's no Court Martial, no mitigating circumstances. Just Assassination Squads who put us down like Akk dogs."

"Just like the Hutts." Nat muttered.

"But your brothers, surely they'd refuse, wouldn't they?" Asked Essie; she couldn't understand how they could do that.

He shook his head, "We're bred to be loyal to the Republic and they use it against us."

"We could still help, all of us could go. Nat still has friends." Essie tried again, her voice wavered, her heart pounding, her head throbbed.

"And anybody near to them." He let out a breath; Essie had never felt him like he was now.

"I need to stay away from you, from all of you. So nobody knows. If anything happens. They won't come after you."

"No." The word was out of Essie's mouth before she could stop it.

Now he moved closer to her, hands on her shoulders. Her hair was escaping her bun again; Maze gently pulled it away from her eyes and tucked it behind her ear. Del was watching them both, he was very quiet, no babbling, he sensed something was happening.

"You need to think of Del. Protect him. I don't want to be the cause of any hurt to any of you." His forehead dropped gently down to hers. "You mean too much to me. All of you but you Essie, I…." he was thinking how to phrase this; it was harder than he thought it would be. "I could not forgive myself if anything happened to you, or Del, because of me. Because of what we had."

"Maze no! We'll work something out. I'll wait, till this war's over, when we know for certain." Essie hooked her fingers around his chest plate, her knuckles going white, "We have to."

He shook his head before pulling her to him; holding her, imprinting the feeling to memory.

"Thank you." He whispered, then peeled her hands away, clasping them in his for a few seconds. He retrieved a Com unit from his pouch.

At that moment, Essie felt as if the whole galaxy was crushing her, she could not move.

"If you're in trouble. Call me." He held it out to her.

She shook her head, refusing to take it; Nat stepped in and took it.

Essie felt Sol wrap an arm around her, as Maze went to look at Del in his stroller, he gently ruffled his hair. Then he went to Sol, who hugged him and Nat, who grabbed his hand. No one said a word. Essie couldn't help the tears in eyes threatening to overflow and she couldn't move. Maze straightened up and left. He couldn't look back.

He wished she had said she hated him; it would be easier for all of them if she hated him.

"Nat." Sol was the first to recover, "Go after him." Nat shot out of the shop and finally caught up with him along the walkway. He grabbed Maze by the shoulder and turned him around.

"Lad. I know you're worried, I can protect them. I have some friends…"

Maze put his hand on Nat's chest, shaking his head.

"These troopers are death squads trained to take out ARC troopers, Nat. Specially trained, lethally effective. They work in twos. You wouldn't be taking on one trooper but two."

"Maze?"

"You and I can't be there 24/7 and it's not fair on Del. A life like that, continually having to be on guard."

"Maze…"

"No! You can't change my mind. It's for the best."

"I know lad. I just thought I'd try. You're stubborn." He had not thought out what to say next but it only needed a few words. "If you need anything from us, anything. Don't hesitate. You know where we are. I mean it."

"Thanks Nat. It's been an honour." He held his hand out, looking at the scarred Twi'lek. "I know you'll look after them, keep them safe."

Nat shook his hand, clasping his other over it.

Finally he let go.

With that Maze disappeared into the crowd.

.

ARCA Barracks

As Maze entered the Barracks, there was wetness on his face. His helmet was malfunctioning, it was the only explanation.

It was the only explanation he would accept. He strode through the Barracks, angry that he had been forced to do that but it was the only way. The only way to keep them all safe. Just keep away from them. He couldn't contemplate anything else despite what Zey said.

Tavo had tried; he'd found his details but none of the Seppies that had supposedly killed him. They wouldn't have missed an opportunity like that for propaganda purposes. One of the GAR Elite killed by them. But neither had it been widely known that Tavo had been taken out by one of our own. So not a deterrent, yet.

Sull had tried and N11 had produced his ID tally but that didn't match up with Intel from Gaftikar and Skirata's information.

Net had disappeared and a handful of others.

Then the lack of anything substantial from the GAR or the Republic to repudiate it.

His General's words played over in his head.

"Maze, if you ever find you wish to pursue an alternative career, let me know-privately, mind. I'm sure I could acquire some resources to help you... relocate."

Zey didn't have to say that. He didn't have to promise that. He shouldn't have been put in that position. He was a good man.

"Hey Cap! You okay? You ignored me." Jab asked, caf in one hand, pastry in the other.

"Bucket malfunction." Maze replied, "I'll see to it in the morning."

"I can look at it now, sir, if you want. Tech's are a bit busy."

"Morning is fine."

Jab watched his favourite ARC walk down the corridor to his quarters knowing something was wrong. Maze never passed up the chance to have a jab at him. He chuckled at his own pun before following the distracted ARC at a distance. The man stood at the doors of his quarters for a long time, as if considering something, before he finally went into his quarters.

"Gem." He said into his com. "Captain Maze says there's something wrong with his bucket. Can you check and get back to me?"

Jab listened to the reply.

"I know it's Fekking late but I think….. I just need you to check now, or you won't get that pastry I promised you."

He waited again.

"No problem, vod. Thanks."

He listened again.

"What? 'Course I have to blackmail you at this time of night. It's what you do all day."

He strode down the corridor towards Maze quarters; he'd seen soldiers like this before but that was usually after a battle, after the loss of a brother. Something had happened and he hazarded a guess it was to do with Essie. He stopped off at his quarters, found the small bottle and two glasses in his locker, then headed back towards Maze quarters.

Jab pressed the buzzer, Maze ignored it. He overrode the lock and let himself in.

"Get out!"

"No. Tech says there is nothing wrong with your HUD."

He met Maze's glare. He'd heard the rumours, ARC's were being taken out if they went missing or decided they didn't want to fight any more but nobody confirmed it or said it out loud.

Things were said in med bay that weren't said anywhere else.

Fek, we don't have a choice. Then he thought of Freyu and Essie.

Maze's friend was MIA, Ne'tra; Jab had treated him with Bacta after the 'slave incident'. He seemed a good brother, if a bit like some of the Commando's. Full of Mando Bantha shit but he wouldn't hold that against him. Then Sull, misery guts, had been taken out, although he shouldn't speak ill of the dead. You could not like everyone.

He liked Maze.

He liked Essie, she treated him well. He liked the pastries she arranged for him.

"Are Essie and Del both okay?"

"Yes!" Maze barked.

Kriff, the man was uptight.

Jab placed the bottle on his desk and the two glasses. "Sometimes you need a drink but you should never drink alone." He sat down, opened the bottle and poured the dark brown liquid into the two glasses filling them nearly to the top.

"Essie and Del okay?"

"You've already asked that."

"I know but I'm not happy with your answer."

Maze grunted.

"What have you done?"

"Nothing that I shouldn't have done months ago. Saved everybody …." He couldn't finish, simply remembering her face as he left but it was for the best. Mereel had found them. Other covert Ops soldiers could. He needed to keep away, his mind was made up on that. It was the only way. He couldn't be there all the time to protect them. He trusted Nat but he couldn't be there all the time and although Essie could easily protect herself, the Covert Ops troopers worked in twos. She wouldn't be able to cope with two and protect Del at the same time.

It was his only option.

He could see no other way.

"Captain? Are you okay?"

Maze glared at Jab before knocking back the shot, slamming the glass back on his desk.

"You got me worried." Jab commented.

"Don't bloody well know why." Retorted Maze.

Jab shook his head; he took a guess, might get a fist in the face for it.

"Is it Essie?"

Maze nodded. "It's over. It's for the best. Safer for them both, for them all."

Jab poured out another shot for him, before he sipped his own.

Maze knocked the second one back. It burnt his throat, he could barely swallow it after what had happened. He knew he had hurt her, hurt them all. It was the last thing he wanted to do but he needed to keep them safe and if staying away from them was the price to pay then that's what he had to do.

He pushed his empty glass in front of Jab.

.

Tualin Oola

Essie sat at one of the tables in the courtyard they had to take overflow from the main cafe. What said, came out of the blue. He gave no indication. She had not sensed it, any of it. Then what he was saying about soldiers being shot for deserting. It wasn't unheard of but there was usually a trial.

A trial—she had never heard of any clones having a trial.

It confirmed the Clones have no rights.

Essie felt Sol sit down, her arm slipping across her shoulder and pulled her closer.

"How are you doing?"

"Could be better!" Replied Essie trying to put a brave face on it.

"He obviously loves you."

"Loved!" Essie corrected her.

"Oh no love, sometimes loving someone is more about walking away than being there all the time."

Essie shook her head.

"He's done this for you and Del, and me and Nat. Don't think badly of him."

Essie sniffled, she wasn't.

"Are you staying tonight?"

"No, I need to get home."

.