Chapter Nine: Storm Surge

1081 days ABG

Kalinda let out a curse when she saw that the way Traxis and the children had gone was blocked by chunks of rock too thick for any saber to cut through, and another after she realized that there was no time to coax the Force and create a new path through the rubble. Blast...we'll have to double back. She indicated her intention to Honi and the two women began to hurry down the corridor, the sound of their footsteps muffled by both the alarm and the explosions that were growing louder and more frequent. Something's really wrong...Crest knows better than to set those dets off before we're all clear. Worry for the bald clone flared within her, but Kali pushed it to the side in order to deal with the present.

As she recalled the building plans, she thought that perhaps there was an adjacent passage that might lead to an exit and she came to an abrupt halt. This wall is durasteel...it must be one of the main supports. If that's the case, then we might be in luck.

"Master?" Even through the piercing klaxon, Honi's voice was doubtful as she watched Kali run her hands along the wall. "What are you..."

Kalinda's saber ignited with a hiss, the glowing yellow beam a comfort in the darkness. Taking a moment to reach out with the Force to get a sense of the next room – free of enemies – she plunged the blade through the wall, watching with satisfaction as the saber's touch caused the kerf of durasteel to peel back like the skin of a glowing, orange fruit. Carefully, Kalinda made her way through, taking another moment to ensure that the new corridor was still safe. Once she was satisfied, she glanced back at her former Padawan. "Don't burn yourself on the sides."

"I'm not a youngling, you know," Honi muttered as she stepped through the makeshift doorway and into the next hall, identical to the one they'd just come from. "Where are we going?" They stood in the middle of an empty corridor; Kali closed her eyes and reach into the Force again, trying to determine the best way out of the facility. Everything around her was shaking and she could feel the air growing uncomfortably warm.

Except to the left. That feels different. And if my memory of the plans are correct, that should lead us near an exit as well. Her eyes snapped open. "This way." As they began to run, she glanced at her old apprentice. "Doesn't this remind you of that mission to Caldera?"

"Oh yes. That was about as much fun, even though there were fewer explosions."

The Force did not let them down; soon they had reached another door that opened onto the plateau of rock on which the facility was situated. After checking to make sure that no one was pursuing them, the Jedi slipped through the door and began to race across the rocky ground, the wail of the alarm fading away as they moved. The air outside was frigid and in constant motion, a stark contrast to the stuffy heat of the facility; just as they were both clear of the building, the grumbling sounds of explosions grew even stronger and Kali realized that the entire thing was getting ready to collapse. "We have to get to the ship so we can rescue the others."

Honi glanced around, her mouth dropping open once her eyes fell on a sight behind them, beneath the facility. "Look..." She pointed to a white-armored figure that appeared to be testing a cable of some kind strung across the chasm below. Clustered around him were the clone cadets and Zara's pale-blue form. "That's your trustworthy clone? He's going to get them all killed!"

Gritting her teeth, Kali all but shoved her former apprentice to the direction of the ship. "Get the Wayfarer and search for the others. I'll help Trax with the kids. Pick us up as soon as you have them." Without waiting for a reply she rushed to the edge of the chasm, ignoring the pounding fury of her heart as she reached the place where he'd sent the cable. She gripped the slender length of durasteel: it was secure and she knew that it would hold them. Traxis had spotted her and appeared to be speaking into his comm. Kali shook her head and cupped her hands to her mouth, letting the Force carry her words to him. "I'm here to help, Trax. Send them across."

I only hope we have enough time.

Every day I learn something new...today's lesson is that shabla Kaminoans are a lot heavier than they look. Creon was still out cold and Milo found that he was hard-pressed to drag the aiwha-bait's dead weight to relative safety. If you can call it that when it sounds like the entire mountain is falling down around us.

He glanced at Weave, who was still clutching the clone boy as though his life depended on it. "Help me."

Though his brother hesitated, he made his way over to Milo after a moment, keeping the boy in one arm while he bent over Creon's unconscious form to tug at his limbs. They began to pull the Kaminoan away from the facility, perhaps going twenty meters when they heard a much closer explosion than before. Milo looked up and felt his heart skid to a halt beneath his armor as he watched the entrance from which they'd just come erupt into flames. At that point he might have shouted the captain's name, but he really couldn't be sure. Weave grunted something and dropped Creon into a pile of rubble; the Kaminoan's pale skin had become coated with soot and dirt.

For a moment they stood and stared while they caught their breath. Finally Milo shook his head. "I'm going back."

"Mi..." A hand on his arm tried to hold him in place.

The younger clone shook his head. "I'm not leaving them. Stay here with the boy and Creon...I think you're far enough away." Without waiting for his brother to reply he began to race back to the building, ignoring the heat that began to lap against his armor as he approached. It may not be so tough where the body-glove peeks out, but if our kits will protect us from open space for a brief time, they'll keep the others safe in there. I hope.

There was smoke and fire licking the threshold before him. Milo leaped through without hesitation.

Zara had never considered herself to be afraid of heights, but she found that it was difficult not to think about falling when one's legs were suspended over what looked like a blank and massive chasm. Part of her wanted to shut her eyes, but the logical, Jedi-portion of her brain urged her to remain calm and focused, and to keep her gaze ahead. Behind her, she could feel No-Name's agitation as clearly as if it were her own, for all that he was silent. Across the empty air she could make out a dark-haired figure – Kalinda Halcyon – standing as if transfixed, hands raised. Then she felt it: the gentle press of the Force against her body, cushioning her and No-Name and making it easier to move. She heard his exclamation of wonder and smiled inwardly despite everything else.

The length of durasteel wire looked too slender to be able to support both of them, but she knew better. Traxis had made everyone remove their belts and use them to slide over the top of the wire after he'd ensured that the cable's hold was strong enough to carry their weight. But it was still an incredibly risky venture, and they all knew it.

Which was why, when the Jedi appeared, relief had coursed through Zara as surely as the harsh wind that seemed to desire nothing more than to rip her loose from her place on the cable, despite her earlier attempts to steady herself and No-Name with the Force. The moment her boots touched solid ground she exhaled and turned to help the cadet, who seemed torn between staring at the adult Jedi, making sure that the next group of his brothers were getting across okay and...well...her. She pulled him to the side, watching as Master Halcyon nodded to her once before placing her focus on the next set of boys – Keo and Finn – both of whom had taken almost eagerly to setting their lives in the hands of the Jedi.

No-Name glanced at Zara. "Wow. Will you be able to do that one day?"

Master Tallis has spoken of Master Halcyon with nothing but respect. She watched the Jedi Knight and sighed. "If I'm very, very lucky."

After Weave watched his brother race back into the building, he looked at the somnolent boy and shuddered at the sight of the intricate wires that criss-crossed over his arm. Is that what he would have done to me, next? His gaze turned to Creon's rock-battered form, still out cold, and he felt a thrill of anger pierce him as he watched the rise and fall of the Kaminoan's thin chest.

I can get by, he realized. It's been hard, but I know that I can deal with it – somehow. But this kid? The other kids? How will they be affected by all this? Will they ever be able to have a normal life? He was not even aware that he'd drawn his blaster until he was aiming it at the Kaminoan's head. After what he did to them, Creon doesn't deserve to live. His finger rested on the trigger even as the boy shifted in his arms.

"Don't worry, adiik," Weave said in a low voice. "He won't hurt you any more."

But something stilled his hand, some quiet feeling that he'd almost forgotten in the wake of his own misery of the past months. Not that I haven't killed before, but this would be cold-blooded murder. He could feel the steady heartbeat of the modified boy, even through his armor, and wondered at his own actions. Am I any better than Creon if I kill him like this? He looked up at the facility, glowing umber against the darkness of the mountain. I should just leave him to rot on this rock. He deserves to die, but I don't want to be a murderer. I don't want to be a monster, too.

However, despite his brain's logic, the hand on the trigger of his deece was eager for the Kaminoan's blood. It was an unsettling feeling. His finger twitched and his eyes narrowed; with the implant he could see just how extensive was the bruising on Creon's body, and catch the weak pulse that was beating from his heart.

"I can't do it." He did not realize he'd spoken aloud until the boy shifted again, as if in response to the words. Weave looked down at his face – so familiar – and thought that he looked peaceful.

Then he heard the unmistakable whine of the Wayfarer, a moment later feeling the brush of displaced air at his back as the ship hovered beside him, about two meters from the ground. He turned; he could just barely make out the red-haired Jedi in the cockpit, frowning at him as though he were the bad guy. She lifted her hand in a gesture that clearly meant come on. Weave looked at Creon again but turned away, making the short leap to the lowered ramp with ease.

The moment he was on board she began shouting at him. "Where are the others?"

"Still inside." He moved to the helm and pointed at the entrance to the facility. "There..." They both winced as another blossom of flame sprouted from the building.

General Tallis gritted her teeth as she scanned the area. "There's no sign of them." She began to maneuver the ship away, causing Weave to gape at her in shock.

"What are you doing?" He clutched at the clone boy as if he were a lifeline.

But the Jedi didn't spare him a glance. "Saving the others. Set the child down in your room for now."

Weave was gripped with helpless anger; stepping forward, he grasped the edge of her chair with his free hand. "And the captain? Milo? Crest? You're just going to leave them?"

The red-haired Jedi closed her eyes once, but shook her head. "I have to help who I know can be helped. Right now the others need us." The ship had made its way back around and Weave could see a cluster of children beside Kalinda while Traxis and another, smaller figure slipped across the canyon on a slender cable. "Are you deaf? Set the boy down and help your brothers." Even as she spoke the harsh words he saw her eyes fall on the cadet and thought for a moment that he detected grief within her gaze.

Helpless. Helpless. Stonewall, Crest and Milo. Weave felt like his throat was choking with ashes but he did as she said, sinking into the familiar ease of following orders when thinking became too painful. Minutes later, when the boy was in his bunk, he stood at the ramp and helped the others inside. Kalinda was last and when she met his eyes he realized that somehow she knew about Stonewall and his brothers.

He expected sorrow. He expected anger.

What he did not expect was a gleam of ferocity that he had never seen in her before as she called to the other Jedi. "Go back." Something in her voice that made Weave think that there was nothing able to stand in her way, and for a moment he almost pitied the fire, the mountain, and anything else that would dare come between the dark-haired woman and those she loved. General Tallis obeyed her former master and the ship returned to the front of the building within moments.

But there was only fire.

After they'd managed to avoid the worst of the collapse, Stonewall was peripherally aware of the pain in his body as he divided his attention between Crest, finding a way out of the maze that was this place, and using the Force as much as he could without rendering himself unconscious. It was hot, so hot all around them, even through the armor; breathing was hard, as it only brought searing heat into his lungs along with what little oxygen the fire had not consumed, and he wondered if his suit was even working properly at this point. Everything hurts, especially my legs. And my arms. How hot does plastoid get before it starts to melt? The only comfort was the Force guiding his steps and providing a bit of direction through the firestorm.

Crest was slipping in and out of consciousness, which was not conducive to making an efficient exit, but Stonewall was hard-pressed to worry about such details at the moment. His only thought was to keep moving, even if it meant dragging his brother, though it had thankfully not yet come to that. At some point he'd ignited the lightsaber again, if only to provide a focus other than the flames around them; the blue beam of energy was a heartening sight through maelstrom of fire and smoke.

At one point they ran into a wall so he cut a way through it, realizing a moment later that he had no idea in which direction they were headed. Not good. I need to get a grip. We might be running in circles. If only I could think straight for one second...He coughed beneath his bucket and it dawned on him that his helmet was no longer filtering toxins from the air. Really not good. Crest sagged at his side, his feet dragging against the floor.

And then the Force whispered in his ear, alerting him to a new presence. Milo. He came back for us. Stonewall teetered between worry and gratitude, but decided to sort out the emotions later as he was too dizzy to even form the simplest speech. Milo slipped under Crest's other shoulder and pointed in the direction from which he'd come, indicating the way out.

In the back of his mind, as they stumbled, Stonewall was pleased that the Force had guided him towards the exit after all.

As if seeking revenge for their intrusion, the fire became more ravenous; Stonewall could feel it licking up his legs and gnawing through his armor. It was growing harder and harder to walk, which made him wonder if the floor was melting beneath his feet; after a few minutes of nothing but smoke and heat, only his brothers' presences in the Force and his own pain let him know that he was still alive.

Not for much longer, I think. The realization was not a blaster-bolt. It was a shadow slipping over his mind, a cloud moving across the sun.

But it was not to be. At once he felt her, warm in a way that was wholly different from the searing flames and he realized that he and his brothers were ensconced in a bubble of Force-energy that Kali was wielding like most Jedi did their sabers. He felt her protection like an embrace, felt her presence in his thoughts as surely as if she were by his side.

And then she was.

Hang on, Stone. It'll be okay. She sounded calm and he allowed himself to relax a little bit now that she was there. When she took his free hand and began to guide him towards the exit, he focused on the dark tangle of her hair, noting that the edges of her braid were singed and smoldering. His hand lifted to snuff the bits of fire that had reached her, but she turned and gave him a chiding look, incongruous amidst the smoke and flames. Not now, Stone.

Right. He tried to smile but his face hurt. Her hand squeezed his as she lead them to the exit, to the open air, which was when he stumbled to the ground and slipped into unconsciousness; the last thing he heard was the mountain crumpling in on itself behind them.

Once they were free of the facility, Kali nearly fell under Stone's weight as he passed out, Crest and Milo not far behind him, the latter coughing from the smoke. She called to Traxis and Weave, who were waiting to help her, along with the boys, all of whom had become fonts of sheer determination when they saw their injured brothers. Honi kept the ship close enough but it was still not easy to move three unconscious, grown men from the rocky ground onto the ramp of the Wayfarer, even with the help of the Force. The moment the last of the clones was inside, Kali called out to the helm. "Honi...get us out of here." She thought that her own voice sounded very small when laid against the dying mountainside.

Weave had a hypospray out to dull what pain he could while the boys and Traxis dragged the injured men to the interior of the vessel. "Creon...?" From the lowered ramp they both looked down, the wind tearing at them as the ship lifted away. The ground below had transformed into seething rock and Kali watched as the pale body of the Kaminoan was engulfed in the press of mountain. She reached out with the Force.

Nothing.

When she murmured the word, Weave smiled.

Zara's voice came from the ship's interior. "Master Tallis says that you need to come inside now. We're about to reach atmo."

"Come on." Kali touched Weave's arm and they made their way back up the ramp, which began to shut behind them, the hydraulics hissing as the hatch sealed.

Inside it was barely-controlled chaos. From her place at the helm, Honi was shouting to the cadets to set the clones on the sleeping pallets in the common area and they were scrambling to follow her orders. Traxis caught Kalinda's eyes but she looked at Weave. "Help Honi. Trax; you're with me at the helm."

The scarred clone nodded. Kali approached the helm and slid into the seat that Honi had abandoned once she'd heard the dark-haired Jedi's words. The ship tilted for a moment but Kali righted it immediately, glad to have something else to focus on besides the overwhelming pain and fear that she'd felt from Stone and his brothers. Part of her wanted to talk to the cadets she'd been so fixated on for the past months, but now wasn't the time. She glanced around and noticed that Zara was standing near Traxis, agitation on her face.

"How are you with comlinks? I need to contact the Republic ship Infinity immediately; we need help. Should be the last transmission that was made." She sensed relief from the girl at having a task as she began to enter the necessary codes. "Trax, flip on our distress beacon, please." Just in case.

Zara cleared her throat and tried to speak in the calmest, most Jedi-like tone she could manage, given the circumstances. "Infinity, this is the Republic vessel-" she froze and looked up at Traxis, who whispered the name of their ship. "-Wayfarer, requesting assistance." She said the phrase a few times, her voice growing more confident with each repetition. Behind her she could hear her master and the other clone working over the injured troopers.

It felt like it took hours, but finally she received a reply. "Republic vessel Wayfarer, this is the Wookiee Gunner; we've been asked by the Infinity to monitor your channels." The voice was male but that was all she could make out over the comm.

The Wookiee Gunner? I've never heard of that ship. "Master Halcyon, do you know them?" The dark-haired Jedi nodded; her jaw was tight. Zara swallowed as she glanced at the navacomputer and gave their position.

Moments later the Wookiee Gunner replied. "Stand by, Wayfarer. Continue on your heading...we're about an hour away."

"Please hurry...we have wounded." Zara thought that her own voice sounded more like a squeak and she winced.

But whomever she was speaking with didn't seem to notice; his tone was reassuring in a way that reminded her of Master Yoda, even though it sounded more Human. "I know, child. We'll be there as soon as we can. The Force is with you." The transmission ended.

There was a pause before Traxis cleared his throat. "Why don't you go to the conservator and get some water for the others?" He looked at her in the reflection of the viewport and she nodded gratefully.

As she headed to the rear of the ship, careful to keep her eyes away from the injured, she heard Master Halcyon's voice, barely a whisper. "Thanks, Trax."

Traxis wasn't a healer. He had little patience for other living beings, which was definitely not the best trait with wounded. In the reflection of the viewport he could see General Tallis and Weave working over the others: the clones' armor had been peeled off and carried out of the way by one of the lads and they were currently cutting out portions of his brothers' body-gloves, revealing the places where the plastoid had not proved an effective deterrent against the fire. Trying not to grimace, Trax could make out seared flesh on the limbs of the captain and Crest, which seemed to be where the worst of the damage had occurred.

Milo looked to be in better shape, from what he could tell – which wasn't much – but he was still unconscious. Hopefully just from the drugs they've given him.

"Thank you, Commander Zara," one of the lads spoke up as she handed him a glass of water and Traxis let out a breath.

Good girl.

Beside him, Kalinda caught his eye again. "I didn't know you were so good with younglings, Trax." Her tone suggested that she was as anxious as him to not think about what was happening behind them.

"The lads were easy," he said with a shrug. "Wasn't that long ago I was one of them, I guess, though it feels like a lifetime, now. The girl..." He frowned. "The commander, I mean. Well, everyone needs something to focus on during times like this, don't they? And she seems like..." Like a feather would knock her over.

Kalinda nodded. "I know." She paused and her eyes flicked towards the viewport before her, catching the reflection of what was happening behind them, and he saw her go even more pale.

Traxis cleared his throat. "The boys seem to be okay, though they'll need baths and some proper food before they'll look Human again." He had noted how shaggy their hair was and the filthy tunics that they were each wearing. Anger pierced him at the thought of their treatment by Creon, and he let it surface because it was better than thinking about the condition of his squad-mates.

Again, she nodded; the movement was jolted. "We'll get them sorted out soon, Trax." After a moment her hands tightened on the helm and she seemed to gather her strength before looking back. "What's going on, Honi?"

It was Weave who answered. "Milo's okay, Kalinda. He's a bit roughed up – tried to breathe a little too much smoke – but fine otherwise. Crest and the captain..."

Kalinda's hands were white on the helm as General Tallis broke in. "Stable, for now, but they need bacta tanks." She sounded exhausted.

Sometimes it seems like the Force isn't good for much. Traxis tried not to frown, as his life had been saved many times by the strange energy, but at the moment his patience with the mystical was stretched thin.

But then Kalinda spoke and he could hear the fear in her words, which made him a little ashamed of his annoyance. "Can either of us help?"

Tallis paused. "No, Master. The Force has done all it can for them right now. Are we rendezvousing with the Infinity?"

"The Wookiee Gunner, sir," Traxis replied, as Kalinda didn't look like she could speak at the moment. "They should meet us within an hour." He swallowed and shot the Jedi beside him a look, but direced his words at the Healer. "Will it be enough time?"

"It will have to be, won't it?" The red-haired Jedi's voice did not sound at all confident and Traxis' fists balled.

I know...I know...another cliffhanger! And Order 66 hasn't even happened yet! :P

FYI: The Wookiee Gunner is a ship from Karen Traviss' novel, No Prisoners; if you're familiar with it, you can guess who's coming to rescue our interpid heroes.

Those of you who've reviewed, I am forever in your debt. It means so much to know that you are enjoying this!

[shameless plug] Tune in tomorrow for a new Misadventure of Shadow Squad! Woo!