Hey y'all,

Sorry this has taken so long. Work has been eating up most of my time to write, but I will try to update more regularly.

Thanks Mandowriter for your helpful advice.

Ciao!

Arcus came and collected everyone from the barracks, including the Anubas much to Bloodbath's chagrin, and drove North, towards the Coruscant shopping district.

It didn't take them long to find a parking spot away from the crowds. Arcus led them through the chaos that made up the shopping district and into a small building called Dex's Diner.

The moment they stepped inside a wave of delicious smells bombarded them. "Something smells good," Bloodbath said as he sniffed the air, his taste buds began watering.

"While I'll be, Jennel Arcus!" A loud, but friendly voice called out to their right. They turned and saw a large Besalisk moving towards them. The clones tensed up slightly, but relaxed as Arcus called back in an equally friendly tone.

"Dexter Jettster, it's been a long time," he said with a huge smile spread across his face.

"Almost two years if I recall correctly, how have you been?" He said as he pulled Arcus into a bear hug.

"If you let me go I'll tell you," Arcus wheezed out.

When Dexter finally put Arcus down Canon Squad and Arsenal became a little worried when he leaned against a nearby table, breathing heavily.

"You can have the table over in the corner, I'll grab some menus and be back to take your orders, then we can talk," he said and walked away.

"He seems like a nice guy," Arsenal said, sliding into the booth next to Rever so that she was on the end, Nolan and Ves sat on the floor next to her.

"He is, this Diner is very popular with some of the Jedi, including General Kenobi," Arcus said.

Within minutes Dexter had returned with the menus, he handed them out and grabbed a chair, reversing it before sitting.

"How's it been as a General of the Republic?" Dexter asked with a small laugh.

Arcus smiled before answering. "It's been stressful, I'm doing my best to look after my men but the Council thinks I'm getting too attached to them," Arcus said.

"That's not necessarily a bad thing, attachment would keep you focused and show the men that you care," Dexter replied. Canon Squad noticed how he said "men" rather than "clones".

"So, you going to introduce me to your friends?" Dexter said, breaking the momentary silence.

"Forgive me, Dex, this is Rever, Bloodbath, Ramik, Des, Arsenal, and the two Anubas are Nolan and Ves," Arcus said.

"Pleased to make all of your acquaintances," he said. "Now, what would you like to order? The Nerf Steak with Gravy is today's special, order anything you want, it's on the house."

"That's not necessary, Dex, I'm more than happy to..." he trailed off as Dex waived two of his hands around.

"It's on the house, Jennel, nothing you can say will make me change my mind," he said. Dexter took their orders and moved towards the kitchen, bellowing orders as he went.

The group talked with Dexter well into the night. Arsenal answered questions about her past and declared that she was still going to find Sladner, a cause that was heavily supported by Canon Squad. She noticed Arcus becoming more fidgety as time passed.

/Do you notice that Arcus is acting strange?/" she signed to Rever. He nodded. /It's almost as if he's waiting for something/" he signed back.

A few moments later Arcus suddenly stood. "I'm going to get some air," he said and moved towards the door, the bell ringing as he left.

Arsenal and Rever looked at each other before getting up. "We need some air too," Arsenal said. The rest of the squad nodded, then went back to eating and talking with Dexter.

The two of them exited the Diner, Nolan and Ves bounding after them. "Where do you think he went?" Arsenal asked. Rever shrugged. /We don't even know why he left/ he signed back.

Arsenal snapped her fingers, catching the Anubas' attention. "Nolan, Ves, find Arcus," she said before adding. "K'uur." The two Anubas turned and sniffed the ground for a few seconds before Ves chuffed and pointed his nose towards a nearby alley.

Arsenal came over and stroked Ves between the ears. "Good boy, follow," she ordered and the two Anubas started down the alley silently. "They've got his scent," she said and started after them with Rever right behind her.

The followed Nolan and Ves for almost fifteen minutes before they suddenly stopped and crouched. /It seems as if they've found Arcus/" Rever signed. Arsenal nodded and moved forward again, this time more carefully.

They looked around the corner of the building they were hiding behind. They saw Arcus standing under a lamp, pacing nervously and looking at his chrono. Suddenly a figure darted out from another alley and threw their arms around his neck.

Rever tensed up and reached for the knife Arsenal had lent him. She grabbed his arm, /wait/ she signed. The figure was a girl of about seventeen, her hair was long, brown and was pulled into a loose braid that hung over one shoulder.

They watched as Arcus hugged the girl back. They held on for a few minutes before he released her and began talking. Because of the silence their voices carried so that Arsenal and Rever could hear bits and pieces of the conversation. "...Roberta here?" Arcus asked, the girl nodded before answering. "She's around somewhere, you know her, can't ditch her training..." They laughed at that.

/It doesn't look like she's a threat/ Arsenal signed and Rever nodded.

"Who are you and what are you doing here?!" A voice suddenly called out from behind them.

Rever and Arsenal whipped around, each bringing their blades up. A woman was standing there with a blaster pointed at them. The Anubas began growling.

Rever waisted no time. He lunged at the woman and knocked the blaster from her grip. She cursed and thrust her arm forward, Rever barley twisted out of the way as a wrist blade thrust out. The Anubas began moving towards the skirmish, but stopped when Arsenal held up a hand, she didn't want them to get hurt.

Arsenal attempted to circle around behind the woman, but she threw a kick at Arsenal's stomach. Arsenal just managed to avoid the full force of the kick, but still caught a glancing blow just below her ribs.

Arsenal recoiled slightly and that gave the woman just enough time to launch a knife-hand strike at Arsenal's throat.

This time it connected solidly and Arsenal fell to the ground, gasping for air. Rever, seeing Arsenal fall, renewed his attack with more force. He kicked the woman in the ribs and had just gotten her into a headlock when someone yelled.

"CHECK!" Arcus shouted out. Rever froze at the phrase that had been drilled into him since he was a baby. Arcus came running over with the girl following behind. "Rever! Release her!"

Rever dropped the woman who quickly stood and moved to stand next to Arcus. "What are you doing here?!" Arcus demanded.

/I could ask you the same thing/ Rever signed. He walked over to Arsenal and helped her up. She was clutching her throat and, when Rever gently pulled her hands away, he could see a bad bruise forming.

He turned to face the trio before him and crossed his arms, his stance clearly demanding an explanation. Nolan and Ves walked over to Arsenal, whining and nuzzling her.

"What are you guys doing here?" Arcus asked.

/I think you're the one who owes us an explanation/ Rever signed, clearly angry at the damage caused to Arsenal's throat.

"I can't understand you, Rever," Arcus said.

Rever huffed and pointed first at the girl then at the woman. "Oh, I'm guessing you want an explanation, right?" Arcus asked.

Rever nodded, supporting Arsenal as she struggled to breathe.

"I don't know how to say this, but..." he trailed off, weighing his words very carefully. "Rever, Arsenal, this is Railyn... my sister."

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