Only moments later they had scaled the walls, slipping by the guards in the cover of the dark night on Kashyyk.
Then, they had split up.
Now Brook's heart pounded in his chest. Whatever his template had done for fun, crawling through tight spaces was not one of them.
Vau had chosen the crates on one part of the part to go through.
"Sloppy work" he had rumbled, before kneeling down and squeezing into a small, tight space between the crates. It was pitch black, only a very dim light at the end of the tunnel visible.
Brook groaned, but followed him suit.
"Move your shebs you di'kut!" Vau snapped.
Being in the close proximity of Valon Vau was one of the last things he wanted. Being close to Valon Vau while the lives of his brothers depended on him was something he wanted even less.
SO he tried to think of else.
"Why these teams?" He asked Vau.
"I mean," he continued. "Sev is hurt and for send him out why with Scorch, why not with Boss" Brook groaned slightly, nearly stuck between two crates, He bend forward, noting moved, Brook twisted for-and Backwards, durasteel scraping on his beskar
Somehow he managed to squeeze through the space sideways.
Vau managed to actually wait for the younger Spaarti.
"Scorch and Sev have a weir symbiosis. Both are psychopaths, but they hold each other together. Sev reacts to command, he would not have survived me otherwise, but Sev answers better to Scorch."
The older mando squeezed further ahead, muttering into the com about 'Delta getting sloppy' and 'taking too long', but than he went on.
"Boss and Fixer work well together, but Scorch and Sev need each other-and you will do better on the ship, not that you haven't improved, but Delta just has more experience."
From all Brook had heard and experienced so far, it was rare for Vau to even allude that he was aware of other people's feelings. That the older Mando outright said it was, in Skirata's words:'A reason to bring out the real fine booze.'
'I propably should feel honoured.' Brrok sighed as he squeezed a few hands further through the tunnel.
Wookies roared, Brook could see the light of fire being elected by some buildings behind the port.
How could someone so ruthless, so cold could make people do that for him.
"Scorch here. Nearly in position." Came through the speaker.
"boos speaking. Nearing position." Called the leader of delta squad and suddenly Brook knew that it didn't matter how he did it, it only mattered that redid it.
Vau crouched in front of some containers, having just enough space for his broad shoulders. Brook felt slightly claustrophobic as his paldrons scraped across the rough surface. Some many-legged creature native to Kashyyk landed on Brook's helmet, then slid across his visor. Brook shuddered, very glad that he was inside his shell.
Vau couldn't turn around in the narrow space, couldn't even turn his head completely.
"We are in position."
"Ready when you are." Comed Scorch.
"Boss?" Sev asked. there was silence, just gut wrenching, heart squeezing silence. Brook awaited the hand that reached through down and grabbed him by the neck, dragged him out of hiding.
It was irrational, if they came they would come either from the from or the back, and the would come with blasters charging.
Still, he couldn't shake the feeling.
Finally:"Boss here, Fixer and I are in position," and Brook gave a deep sigh.
He gripped the deece tighter, insanely glad for the feeling of the weapon. It was comfort, it was safety.
Vau nodded and shifted his weight to the balls of his feet.
"We wait for the big bang." He informed Brook. "Ad than we run. you get to the ship, I run to the cockpit and you cover the rest of them."
Brook swallowed. "Doesn't that make us..." he started.
"The one without the cover? Damn straight." Brook could almost the feral grin in his voice. Somehow he could understand where the clones of delta had gotten that insanity from, not everything could stem from the abuse they had suffered.
Than, the world blew into pieces, went up into a cacophony of blinding light and deafening sound and heat.
Vau charged forward.
Brook follow. There were scream, high-pitched yelling, full of panic. Brook followed Vau,, stuck to his heals.
The ramp lowered with a mechanic whine.
Vau stormed forward, loosing no speed.
Brook hit the deck, hit the floor with his knees, shoved a crate next to the exit, threw himself down sides it.
His deece propped up he switched of the light in the ship. The only light came from the flames outside. Vau must have called in a bucket load of debts to get the Wookies to do hat. Brook mused.
And tan, Blaster shots.
Scorch jumped over the wall to their right.. Sev followed suit. Brook swerved to the right.
The Imperials.
Weak parts of the armour are the seams.'Fixer's voice sounded in his head.
Brook squeezed the trigger. Both men fell.
Boss and Fixer ran up the gateway. Fixer hit the deck besides Brook, ducking down behind the cover.
"Sargent, we are in!"
"Now all that's left are Scorch and Fixer." Murmured Brook.
"And here they come!" Boss yelled.
Yellow and red painted armour sped around the corner. Imperial guards poured in from around them.
this time three clones answered the attack.
"Start the engines Sargent!" Scorch yelled. Sev was lagging behind him,, Brook registered. Something about his right leg wasn't right. "We've got incoming!"
"I know." Sarge snapped. "To your right you waste of katarn armour. To your right."
Fixer turned around, knocked Brook's aim off.
"What is it? More information!" He yelled, just as he saw it. "Rocket! He got shields! We need a grenade!"
Scorch darted up to the ramp, first foot set on the metal
A yell sounded across the com. Sev had tripped, fell. Scorch turned on his heel, just as Vau yelled. "Get on Scorch! He will make it on his own!"
Scorch hesitated, froze.
So did Boss, so did Fixer, so did Brook.
"No." The said. No longer would they leave a brother.
Right until Scorch turned on his heel, charged the imperial with the rocket.
Shields were nice, as long as you were prepared for our enemy to come in hard and fast.
The imp was not.
Boss charged; Sev was already climbing on his feet.
Brook rose to one knee, laied down suppressing fire. Fixer growled, yelled through the com and than Boss and Sev limped aboard.
Vau lifted the ship, engines roaring.
Brook vaulted over the box, dropped to one knee and reached out.
Scorch reached up, gripped Brook's arm and Brock pulled his brother up.
The atmosphere shuddered around them, beams hit the hull. The lights flickered and Brook clamped a hand down on his brother's wrist. Holding on for dear life.
He was sure the Imperial guard would pluck them from the sky, yet, somehow, they made it into hyperspace.
It took time for Brook's breath to calm down. He staid where he was, only turned around with his back to the crate and pulled off his helmet
He sucked in a short breath, bit his lip,. His hands trembled and Scorch laid heavy hand n his knee.
"You alight A'dika?" He asked, his helmet too was already clipped to the belt and Brook saw Scorch's eyes roaming over his armour, searching for wounds.
Brook nodded shortly. "Yes.2 He squeezed out, the air seemed faintly thin. "I just feel a bit cold."
His brother clapped him on the shoulder, startled Brook . He was up on his knees as Scorch pulled him down again.
"Kuur Vod'ika." He said, strangely soothing for the commando and loosened Brook's backpack with efficient, well practised moves.
His brother pushed Brook on his back and stuffed the backpack under his legs, keeping them a bit elevated.
"Stay this way until you feel warmer." Scorch informed Brook before he pushed himself up. The demolitions expert wavered shortly, gripped the edge of the crate for support for a moment. Than he shook himself and made short way over too his brothers.
Vau dropped the ship out of hyperspace and jumped again.
Sometimes the jumps were long, sometimes they were short. After the third or fourth the engines switched off, lights powered down.
"A long drifts with minimum power to shake them of our trail." Fixer said, sounding happy.
Scorch shook his head, murmuring something about handbook crazy barve. As he continued to run his scanner over Sev's right arm, looking for injuries, the sound of metal on metal made them lift their heads. Vau had appeared in the entrance to the loading bay.
The squad and Brook froze, the memories of a distant afternoon fluttered through Brook's memories.
It had been after inner, Mereel had gently pressured Brook into drinking a few bottles of ale he had brought from his travels.
The sun wandered Brook's back as he settled on the sand of the lake, the scent of the glowing remnants of their fire tickling his nose.
It had been on this very evening that he had asked Delta about their sergeant and they had told him.
Brook knew what Vau had done, knew the story behind their fear of their Sargent and now he too felt the cold dread settling in his stomach.
What would the mando say?
"You," he growled, standing larger than life in the entrance in the dark red of the emergency lights.
"You group of brain-dead, useless waste of air!" He increased his volume until he was downright shouting. "Do you not remember anything I taught you?"
Delta was frozen to the spot, Brook barely dared to breath.
Vau was not done yet. "If you were still in the GAR..." He trailed off, suddenly bit his lip and looked away.
Sev , in the middle of the dead silence of space that had crept into the bay, erupted into a hard laughter, full of edges.
"Well, it's a good thing the GAR doesn't exist anymore" He said, a grin full of teeth showing up in the shadows.
Brook found himself snorting slightly. He dared a look towards Valon Vau and the man shook his head.
"I should deck you for that." He rumbled, than flashed an equally feral grin towards Sev.
"You better not make a comment like that again boy, because I am too damn gad to have you back in one piece to knock you out, but don't dare to think this will become daily occurrence."
And with that, Vau turned on his heels and strode back towards the cockpit.
The moment puzzled Brook What had gone on there? He wanted to ask, but something held him nack. He still stuck out like a spre thhumb most of the time, but other conversations had told him that these questions should not be asked now.
He no longer felt all that cold, he slowly pushed himself into a sitting position.
Scorch, again fussing over Sev, looked up shortly. "BEtter Brook?" He asked.
His younger brother nodded. "Yes, still shaky, but no longer that cold."
It wasn't far from the truth, but still he was chilly enough that when Boss pulled him towards the mess to make caf Brook was more than happy to follow orders.
A.N.:
So, two chapters in a week, faster than I thought it would go, but at the same time I'v got to warn you that exams are knocking on my door. (This time it really might be a while.)
At least they are off planet and safe.
Although, as some readers might suspect, there are quite a few things left to resolve and one or more things might raise their heads in the following chaüters.
As usual, I love to hear what you think, see you later!
P.S.: With this chapter, Finding Home is oficially the longest story I'v ever written. The word count might not be long, compared to many others here on , but I can't help, but be a teeny tiny bit proud of this :3