Chancellor Palpatine's Office.
The Chancellor sat behind his desk the facade of the benevolent elderly gentleman had been dropped for this meeting; it wasn't required. His inner circle knew his plans, if not his fully Sith credentials.
"Someone knows. I feel it. And I know someone single minded is looking for information about the new clone army."
He scanned the assembled company. His chosen ones.
"It's not a secret I could have hidden, not an operation that big, but I didn't need to. Beings believe what you tell never check, they never ask, they never think. Tell them the state is menaced by quadrillions of battle droids, and they will not count. Tell them you can save them, and they will never ask from what, from whom? Just say tyranny, oppression, vague bogeymen that require no analysis. Never specify. Then they look the other way when reality is right in front of them. It's a conjuring trick. The key is distraction, getting them to watch your other hand. Only single-minded beings don't join in the shared illusion, and keep watching you too closely."
There was unspoken agreement in the room.
"Single-minded beings are dangerous. And they either work for me, or they don't work at all."[1]
He leaned forward.
"I want them found." His voice changed; it was now the one they obeyed without question, the one with an underlying menace that shivers up your spine, literally.
"Isard." He leaned back again, his hands steepled. "The Mandalorians and Special Operations Branch. I feel some of the members are…. wayward, out of control. Find them. Ensure they are working for me and not themselves, otherwise…."
The Chancellor swivelled his chair, turning to look out of the transparisteel window as if the words he needed to utter were too distasteful for them to see him speak them. "remove them."
"Yes sir!"
"Discreetly mind. I have plans for Mandalore." The benevolent voice was back.
Isard nodded and left the room.
The Chancellor turned to those remaining.
"Now the Senators." He turned his gaze on one of his most trusted advisor's, "Sate?"
The human male, they were all human, other than Mas Ammada, looked around the room; most of the Chancellor's inner circle who were not force users were fully human.
"We have another to add to the list. He's gaining support but if anything happens to him it will be forgotten in a few days —Den Skeenah, Chandrila."
He looked around at the nodding heads; it was no surprise to them.
"We're also keeping an eye on the media, namely Hirib Bassot, HNE Facing Facts. Not hugely popular but another one gaining an audience. We have a long list." He smiled, "And the appropriate plans in place. It only needs one word in most cases."
The Chancellor nodded.
"Thank you, gentlemen. That's all for now. My next meeting is with the Jedi, so if you'll excuse me. I need to prepare."
He turned back to look through the transparisteel windows.
With that, they knew they were dismissed.
.
Coruscant Guard HQ
Republic Executive Building.
590 days ABG
"So Fox! What's this all about? I've got escort duty this afternoon for Mothma….."
It wasn't Fox at his desk.
"Sir!" Stone came to attention and saluted sharply, when he recognised who was there —Isard.
"At ease Commander. The Marshall Commander has taken a break, so that we can talk in peace."
Isard studied the clone in front of him, already a trained shock trooper, who had proved his loyalty. The shadow troopers on Gaftikar had failed him. The Commandos who took them out were trained by Mandalorians. He needed a different approach for this. A differently trained clone.
"Sir?" Stone didn't like Nat borns interfering with Guard business, even one as high ranking as the one making himself at home in Fox's chair in front of him, as if he already owned it.
Fox had made that chair, that position, his own.
"It's come to our attention that there may be some sections who do not have the best interests of the Republic at heart, and have undue influence over some of your brothers in arms."
"All clones are loyal to the Republic Sir. It's what we were bred for."
Isard knew differently.
"Now Commander, we both know that's not strictly true, isn't it. Only a few months ago, a clone trooper from the 501st, was found to be in league with the Separatists."
"Yes sir!" Slick! He'd been sent back to Kamino to identify what was wrong with him. Stone pitied him.
"The Chancellor hushed that up. He didn't want the Reputation of the GAR, and you and your brothers, tainted by that one episode and now he wants to stop anything further happening that may result in questions asked about the loyalty of you and your brave comrades in arms."
Stone wasn't stupid enough to believe that, especially as they wouldn't take action on the slavers but he was here to obey orders. Some he knew he probably wouldn't like.
"Sir?"
"Your trainer on Kamino?"
"Sir?"
"Mandalorian or Corellian?"
"Corellian, sir. Is that a problem?"
"No Commander. It's ideal."
'What are your orders…sir?" The sir was a split second too late, he would have to watch that. He put his best blank face on.
.
ARCA Barracks
600 days ABG
Maze sat in his room and put his helmet on. He should have done this weeks ago, as he activated his HUD and blinked to scroll through his files, finding the personal ones, the encrypted ones; the ones no one else could access.
He blinked again; the scrambled images morphed into clarity. There were a lot more than he remembered. He blinked, scrolling through them all, staying longer on some remembering where they were taken, what happened. It brought up his feelings at the time. This was proving more difficult than he thought.
He stopped on one, an image of her holding Del, they were both smiling at him. He couldn't remember when he took that one or even why. He hesitated, tempted to request a print, then moved his eye to the side and blinked down, "Select all," he chose.
He blinked again, "Delete!" He watched as the images were deleted one by one.
Yes he should have done this weeks ago.
If anything happened there would be nothing to trace him directly to Essie.
He rose from the desk, satisfied with his actions. Checking his chrono he had a Meeting with the General in ten and needed to get the up to date figures for him.
.
Senate Building
Administrative Annexe
Essie looked at the doors, still unable to believe she was here. Everything had happened so fast, the message, the request to attend an interview and offer of a research job. The Senator wasted no time.
It took her mind off Maze. They had been together less than six months and yet she still thought of him, wondering what he was doing. She had asked Jab a few times and he always said 'fine' but she didn't want to put him in an awkward position, so stopped.
Her head told her to stop hoping, to move on but she couldn't—not yet. Perhaps when the war finished.
This new job should help, then there were the bonuses. More credits, less hours, although she had to be a little more flexible, may be more late nights, and free childcare. You could not refuse that. He even allowed her to start later today, so she could settle Del in at the nursery, which he had, running to look at the toys, without a second glance. That hurt. Nat and Sol were so busy now, they couldn't look after him. It was good because he was with other young children. She had never had that much interaction when she was young.
The doors shucked open and she clutched her ID ready for the Security droid. It scanned her card and face.
"Good morning Ms Devro. Have a good day!" The gate opened.
She walked along the wide corridor trying to remember the way, having only been here once, for the interview.
"Fourth lift. 39th floor. Turn left. At the end." She muttered to herself.
"Can I help you Ms Devro? Who are you visiting?" The clone voice came from the Coruscant Guard standing next to the lift.
She frowned.
"Commander Stone. But call me Stone!"
"Oh Hello!" She smiled. Remembering the demonstration and earlier the stabbing.
"Good morning!"
"I need Senator Skeenah's office. I'm working for him from today."
"I'll show you. Hop in!" He held the lift doors open and followed her in.
They stood in silence, except for the nondescript music playing in the background; she tried not to stare at him, looking at the walls and door.
"Irritating isn't it." Stone commented before he hit the control panel, twice, in quick succession, with the side of his fist. The music stopped.
"That's better."
"Yes much." She agreed, smiling.
He turned towards her,
"So Senator Skeenah, eh? We'll probably run into each other then. I'm in charge of the Diplomatic Escort Group, among other things."
He sounded a lot like Maze, not such a low voice though but similar accent, softened slightly. She heard some Coruscanti there.
"I'm going to be his researcher. Getting facts ready for speeches, for his constituency work and whatever else he needs."
She still didn't know all her duties but leaving the library felt good, felt right.
"Sounds good." The lift came to a stop and the doors swished open. "Well, this is the 39th. It's just down there." He pointed along the corridor, holding the doors as she left the lift. "Like I said. I'll probably see you around. Have a good day."
She walked along in the direction he pointed, looking for the Senator's Offices. She stood hand poised ready to press the button, a sudden wave of apprehension hit her; shaking it off, she pressed it and the admin droid answered, she wasn't expecting that.
"Ms Devro!" announced the droid.
"Ah, Essie. On time. Come in, come in." Senator Skeenah appeared at the far end of the room.
"I wasn't expecting an admin droid." She walked in, watching the droid busy itself
'Everyone is allocated one but they just do the basics. She was down when you came last time." He picked up a datapad, "I'll have to leave you with Rik, I've got a meeting to attend. He'll get you settled in." And with that he swept out of the door.
"Don't worry. He's always like that. Caf?"
"Please."
Rik always seemed to be here but she was unsure of his role at the moment.
"I'll show you where everything is."
"Thanks."
"Help yourself to as much caf and water as you want." He waved his hand towards the small kitchenette. "We're pretty informal when there's just us, but if we have a visit from anyone, it can get a bit more formal. I'll get you up to speed on that when you've settled in."
He indicated a rather large well equipped workstation.
"Your desk. You should be able to access most republic databases from your terminal. You've passed the vetting and security process otherwise you wouldn't be here."
Essie nodded.
"Here you are." He handed her a mug. "I'll let you get settled in then there are a few subjects Den wants you to start on."
An admin droid whirred in the background.
"That's ADA. She…we call her she, deals with appointments and his diary. Paying bills etc."
ADA dipped her head towards Essie.
"She'll also deal with your diary."
"Diary?"
"Yes, sometimes you may have to accompany Den if there's going to be questions on the subject you've researched."
"To the Senate floor?" She asked incredulously.
"Yes." He smiled, "You are okay with that?"
"Y-Yes, sure. It'll keep me on my toes." This was getting better and better.
"And the Clone Rights Meetings."
"Yes. Fine."
"Once you've settled in, here's the topics to research." He dropped a data chip on her desk.
She nodded, sitting down, ready to get to work.
.
Tualin Oola
Later that day.
"So— how did it go?" Sol asked as soon as she walked through the door.
"Great. Loved it. Just what I always wanted but I am tired. And so is Del." her son was in his stroller, head lolled to one side and snoring gently.
"I'll get you something to eat. You have a rest then Nat can take you home."
Essie agreed, she was tired, but a satisfied. She grabbed a caf and sat down. Del was still fast asleep.
Sol hummed as she prepared the food; as much as she liked Maze, it was good to see Essie happy again. Perhaps she could move on now.
.
Coruscant Guard HQ
Republic Executive Building.
"Are we all clear on the new procedures?" Fox demanded.
"Yes sir!" His officers chorused, they were continually upgrading security due to threats against the Chancellor and then individual Senators.
"Dismiss!"
He closed his eyes, scrubbed his hand up his face and over through his hair. He needed a shave and a trim but these last few days had been interminable. They had tightened up Security all around but that hadn't gone down well with the civilians, even if it had been passed by the Senators.
He opened his eyes, Stone stood there, bucket off. He closed the door.
"Will I need a drink after this Stone?"
"Don't know, sir."
"I've had enough Sirs for the past few days, Stone. Sit!"
Stone sat and placed his bucket on the floor beside him.
"Isard!"
Fox flicked a switch on his desk. The longer he stayed in this role, the more paranoid he became.
"I assume this is hypothetical?"
Stone blinked slowly, Fox was changing. They all were. This role was not what they were trained for, prepared for but they adapted.
"Yes."
"Continue." He reached into his drawer and pulled out two shot glasses and poured a thumb into each. The feelings from last night were fast fading; it had been the first time he had been able to be with….her, in a while and he treasured it. He was true to himself with her. He was so paranoid now, he could barely think her name, lest it give them away.
"Hypothetically being asked to get close to a certain branch of our brothers."
"To what end."
"Checking their loyalty."
"All clones are loyal." He pushed a shot glass towards his brother.
"Hypothetically—some are more loyal than others." Stone took his shot, studied it before downing it in one.
Fox's eyes narrowed.
"Is this something I should be worried about, hypothetically?"
"If it were to happen, it would not be this close to home but someone we have an understanding with."
Fox nodded.
"Corellian trainers could be discussed."
"Trainers eh?"
Fox had a mixture of both and he knew who he preferred, who would help him survive.
"Of course all this is hypothetical because all clones are loyal to the Republic but I trust your judgement."
"Yes Sir." Replied Stone.
Fox flicked the switch off.
"To the Republic!" he toasted.
Stone reciprocated, "The Republic!" And downed his second one.
Fox leaned back, the alcohol taking the edge off his day.
"So seeing anyone now?" Knowing full well his Commander was not one to spend too long with one female. He appeared to like the chase more than the fruits of his labour, whereas Fox was finding the longer he spent with the object of his affections the more satisfying it was.
He shrugged, one side of his lips turning up in a smile.
Fox knew the look.
"I knew it! You have someone in mind."
Stone shrugged again; he was playing this one close to his chest.
"So where does she work? Which club do we have to keep an eye on?"
"She's not like that."
Fox tilted his head, "Come on spill the beans!"
"SAB - a researcher."
Fox leaned forward, this could get a little too close to home.
"Which Senator?"
"Skeenah."
"Clone rights?"
"Huh, huh!"
Fox breathed out, "Just be careful."
Stone slammed his glass back down on the table, "Always am. You know me but thanks for the advice, brother. All of it."
He pulled his bucket on and headed out.
He blinked to activate his com as he walked to his quarters.
"Maze. Are you free tonight?"
"Is Yoda a Jedi?" A gravelly voice replied.
"Meet me here—20:00." He sent coordinates.
.
Maze walked into the lower level bar. His civilian clothes matched what everyone else was wearing. He was getting more used to the thinner under armour he wore on these missions. He kept his helmet on; what looked to be flimsy and mainly decorative hosted a myriad of devices almost as good as his bucket but this was something that Jusik had left behind from his liaisons with Republic Intel, R and D.
"I'll miss that." He muttered to himself.
"Far corner left of the bar." The message came from Stone.
Maze turned towards that corner he had him and wandered through the tables heading towards him.
Stone rose as he neared him, poised; Maze couldn't quite work out what he was going to do, until he pulled him into an embrace.
"Make it look good, Maze, think of your girlfriend."
"Didn't think you cared." Growled Maze, before he reciprocated. To the outside they looked like lovers meeting. They pulled apart.
"A little too realistic—oh sorry it's your blaster." Joked Stone.
"Are you bloody on something? Too many stims?" Growled Maze. He didn't have time for this.
They sat and Stone activated a privacy shield. Two drinks were already on the table.
"Needed to make sure we didn't even get approached."
"So where tonight?"
"Nothing tonight. Just Intel."
He sipped his drink and pushed the other towards Maze.
"There's no easy way to say this."Stone started, "I've been approached to look into the loyalty of some of our brothers."
Maze picked up his drink and sipped never taking his eyes off Stone.
"Which brothers specifically?"
"Ones trained by Mandalorians."
"You're talking about the majority of the remaining Commandos, Alpha's and some of the newer cross trained ARC's." Most of SOB thought Maze, he bristled. "That's a lot of brothers you're accusing. We lost a great many at Geonosis and still do."
"I know." Agreed Stone. "This doesn't sit well with me."
"I should bloody hope not. So who requested this?"
"Isard!"
"Fuck!"
"Couldn't have said it better myself." Stone poured them another drink. "So now I'm in a predicament. Good soldiers obey orders."
"Good soldiers obey good orders." Amended Maze, "The question is." He continued, "have you put me in the same predicament?"
"I thought we could just discuss a few Mandalorians."
"Such as?"
"Skirata, Vau, Bralor?"
"They're mercenaries, Damn good soldiers but mercenaries all the same. I can't say I like them but I respect their expertise."
"That's what I'd already heard. Anything else?"
"I'd rather they were on our side and not the Seps."
"All you're doing Maze is confirming what I've heard."
"You weren't trained by a Mandalorian?"
"No. Corellian. Mercenary. Started out at Corsec but then said he felt too restrained by the rules. He did love his Corellian Blood stripes."
Maze raised an eyebrow, he knew about the Jaig Eyes.
"It was awarded for courage, Corellians believed that anyone can be brave in the heat of the moment, but true heroism came when they knew that doing the right thing would hurt but did it anyway."
Maze nodded.
"He had both."
"Both?"
"There are two classes of Bloodstripes. The second class was represented by yellow piping; the first class was represented by red piping, and were almost always awarded posthumously."
"Of course, he had disappeared for more than ten years so…"
"Never had much to do with the corellians." muttered Maze.
"Yeah. You were kept apart from the rest of us."
"All Commandos were –Do you think there was anything in it?"
Stone shrugged, "A little bit late now. Then he mentioned Slick."
"Ah! Outside influences?" Maze questioned, he hazarded a guess what would be the next one.
"The girlfriend, Ms Devro?"
Maze was right.
"Gone." He didn't really want to discuss the whys and wherefores.
"Oh! Sorry!" Although Stone had expected that.
"Was for the best. And before you say anything I know the father of her son is a Seppie but she has nothing to do with him. And Skirata's boy took out his cousin. So that's where their loyalty lies."
It was the most he'd said in weeks.
"Are you sure about her?"
"She's been checked by the best and Giddean Perrive is back on Jabiim, where he belongs."
Stone watched him for a few seconds before he emptied his glass.
"Come on then. We have some insurgents to find." he deactivated the privacy screen.
"What? You said.."
"You need to burn off that excess sexual energy."
"Bloody Coruscant Guard." muttered Maze, as he followed him.
.
[1] Karen Traviss Star Wars Republic Commando:Order 66 p224