Malevolent Arc
Naboo
All things considered, the landing wasn't as bad as it could have been. The female pilot moved toward the cockpit to assist the rumpled man in landing the heavily over-loaded transport. At some point the timbre of the hyperdrive changed. Knaps frowned for an instant then shouted out. "Secure all! Secure all!" He grabbed an unconscious clone and clung to the ship's cargo nets even as his voice cut through the ambient noise of the hold as the low rumble of the engine became a screeching whine. Every clone there seemed to grab onto each other, onto the webbing and holding straps around the cargo hold, onto more-wounded men. The wounded medic grimaced as he reached for the two on the anti-grav lift but Sergeant Jester was there as well, one arm reaching around the men and gripping the edge of the lift while the other hooked into one of the braces of the ship.
Over the intercomm came the female pilot's voice echoing Knap's cry. "Secure all! Secure all! Losing gravity." The wounded medic sat where he'd been standing, curling as much as possible to guard his head. Gus and another clone with a leg injury each reached out an arm and pulled him into their huddle. Chopper was moving in the cargo hold, helping move wounded into huddles of men protecting, as much as possible, their heads and each other. When gravity went out he glanced around quickly as he was curling his arms over his head; he appeared to be the only one unsecured and weightlessly rising. Then the acceleration of the ship slammed him against a metal pillar. No damage; Chopper let his armor take the brunt of the impact but another instant and planetary gravity flung him down and he landed badly, twisting his ankle. His brothers grabbed him then and that was good because ship's gravity returned and ship's down wasn't planetary down.
As they disembarked, Chopper with one arm over Jester's shoulder, the female pilot joined them, rubbing her shoulder. The rumpled, rough pilot grabbed and shook Chopper's hand before he could object, then declared he would need to stay with his ship, assessing damage. The dark-haired woman watched him go. "I'm Ashwaeen Athualla, but after a landing like that, you can call me Ash."
Chopper could hobble but not much else. While Jester talked with Ash, his bucket in his fist and a half-grin on his lips, Chopper reported to Captain Rex and Sergeant Coric, explaining Jester's dead armor. Rex had put them with one of the information tents, near the Naboo government official tent, sending the coordinates and an overview map of the site. Chopper sighed at the distance. Getting to grid 32 besh was going to hurt.
"Climb on up, Chopper," said Knaps tapping the surface of the lift absently from the female pilot's other side. Chopper gave him no argument as Jester helped him onto Knap's reclaimed anti-grav lift, letting his throbbing ankle rest.
Jester wasn't about to leave Pilot Athualla, Ash to her friends, to thirty thousand or so troopers even if most of them were wounded. Knaps decided to stay at the information tent with them; Ash probably was the cause of that decision as well. Although, as Knaps pointed out, where else would he go? It wasn't as though he was assigned to any company.
Captain Rex was right. Naboo was a nice place. The grassy plains, bordered on one side by a line of foothills and on the other by a wide, slow-moving river had soft, luxuriant green grass and a gentle incline. There was a light breeze and the temperature was mild. Some long-eared Gungans were welcoming the troopers at the river, showing the less-wounded clones how to swim and fish and enjoy the waterway. Others were helping the wounded or setting up the temporary tents. The mixed laughter of Gungans and clone troopers drifted on the air. Life was more appreciated after coming so close to death.
The information tent was three-sided and not quite square with a few carpets on the ground. Sergeant-medic Coric was there with an older Gungan and a Naboo human doctor and after listening a few moments Chopper realized this was Gungan territory temporarily loaned to some senator for the GAR's use. Of course there were the wounded and Coric's responses were preoccupied with thoughts of medical logistics. After listening a few moments, Knaps volunteered his lift to Coric for medical service and Coric had rushed off with it quickly, telling Chopper through the helmet link that not all the landings had been as graceful as theirs.
After using one of the comm. Units on loan to check in with a wounded sergeant of the 41st Elite, Gus decided to stay with his old squadmates for the time. He sat on one of the thick carpets with a heavy sigh then glanced up to see Chopper looking at him through the helmet's visor. "What, Chopper?"
"I don't know, Gus, but after an emergency evacuation I wouldn't tell Captain Rex I was doing something."
Gus frowned then his face relaxed and he nodded. "That's attitude. I can see that." He again reached for one of the loaned comm units at the information tent. "Sergeant Feral sir, Gus here again. It just occurred to me that I might be needed and shouldn't have made the assumption I was free from duty simply because I was wounded. Everyone is wounded and I'm at least mobile. I can report for duty immediately from sector grid 32 besh." He paused and Chopper saw him blink twice then his face relaxed. "Thank you, sir. I'll assist the 501st here."
Knaps was sitting on the ground finishing off a muja fruit. He sighed, a lonely sound that was echoed by Gus lying on the grass under the shade of the material. Chopper was sitting in the sunlight with his helmet covering his face, his boot and leg armor off as Jester finished wrapping up the swollen ankle in typical clone trooper efficiency. Pilot Ashwaeen sat cross-legged on the slight incline looking outward, over the valley now filled with clone troopers. She had said to call her Ash. Chopper doubted he would be calling her anything.
"It's hard to imagine so many men looking alike all in one place." She was shorter than the troopers, though not as short as Commander Tano, with green eyes and chin-length dark, curly hair. She was lean, like most pilots, and there was a firm strength in her walk and a few soft lines around her eyes. She wasn't young, perhaps in her mid-thirties. "I don't think any of us knew you were clones; simply GAR troopers." She paused for a moment. "It simply boggles my mind to see this." She paused and turned her face back to the men with a smile; "so many wonderful, attractive men". She glanced at Knaps and Chopper then Jester with a soft smile; "So many heroes."
When Chopper pulled off his helmet he kept his head down and his scars turned toward the side of the tapestry forming a wall of the tent. He didn't want his ugliness to jinx Sergeant Jester's chances with the pilot. She was graceful and intelligent and seemed to be kind. She had volunteered to transport men from Kaliida Medical and she had found the mess tent for them, returning with her arms laden with water bulbs, fresh fruit and a type of fried-dough hand pastry filled with some meat and vegetables. Good food for hungry troopers and far tastier than rations.
"No matter where we are, our face is the most common one around." Knaps answered inspecting the inside of the pastry he'd just bitten. "We're more astounded with this place. It's beautiful. Not too cold, not too hot." He brushed his hand against the ground combing his fingers through the lush grass. "The plants aren't poisonous or even prickly. There's both land and water. The gravity is normal light. It's a beautiful place." But he was looking at her.
"You can hear how much we're enjoying it," put in Jester as he finished Chopper's ankle and turned toward her, gesturing outward with an arm as if presenting her with the vision. He shifted between her and Chopper but he sat very close to her, not quite touching.
The rule was the woman touched first. Chopper knew that. They all knew that. Every humanoid planet had that rule; among people of equal status, the woman controlled the courtship. The woman touched first. Some planets and peoples even had it codified into civil and criminal law.
Knaps took a long look at Gus, lying on the ground with an arm over his eyes, and Chopper, his head down and carefully inspecting Jester's helmet, then, realizing they wouldn't be sitting next to Ashwaeen, pulled himself backwards to her side with his strong arms. Chopper notice that after his gracefulness in low-gravity, Knaps seemed clumsy on land. Knaps was aware of it and, until he faced her, his jaw was clenched tight in some form of anger or pain. But when he looked at her, he smiled and his face was relaxed.
Both Ash and Jester were side by side looking outward while Knaps, his back to the meadow, was facing Ashwaeen, one large hand almost touching her drawn-up foot tucked on her knee. She turned her head and smiled at him.
"Let's go to the river, Ash," invited Jester as he gracefully stood in front of her, "while it's still warm."
She laughed. "Oh, it will stay warm until way past dark." But she offered her hand and Jester helped her up from the ground with a grin.
"I'd come but swimming is a bit beyond me these days." Knaps smiled raising a hand to wave them off. The smile faded into yearning as soon as Jester and Ash were out of sight.
They returned to the tent after evening mess; Ash laughing and running her fingers through her wet curls, while Jester, wearing only his dark body suit, carried most of his armor. His face was a portrait of relaxed pleasure. Chopper, Gus, and Knaps were deeply involved in a game of sabacc.
"Come and join us," called Gus though his welcoming wave was cut short as a spasm caused his arm to come around his ribs.
"What are the stakes? My credits have to go to recover my ship." Ash looked over to where the pot should be.
Knaps and Gus laughed. Chopper glanced down at his hand avoiding her look as much as inspecting his cards.
"Clones don't have credits." Knaps said, smiling up into her face.
"Right now we're playing for planets in the Chommell system," Gus rubbed the side of his ribs. He was winning, but his stamina wouldn't last much longer. "In honor of being here."
"If you play for imaginary stakes, make 'em big and worthwhile imaginary stakes." Jester grinned and sat next to Knaps, letting Ash take the empty slot between him and Gus. "It's pretty easy. You simply name a planet and if no one else has claimed it but someone else knows it, then it's yours. If you can't name a planet," he shrugged.
"No stakes," she finished for him, nodding as she sat next to Jester, her hand resting, just for a moment, on his thigh. "Ok, I'm in."
"Uh," Chopper mumbled and bit his lip. Jester had put her sitting directly across from him. With only five people in the small circle of players she'd see his scars, but still, directly across from him was too blatant.
"Chopper's a little self-conscious about his scars." Knaps said from next to him and Chopper's head jerked up to glare at him angrily.
If Sergeant Jester had said that, he'd be pounding him into the ground. If Gus had spoken those words, Chopper would have waited until he healed to pound him into the ground. It wouldn't be right to do that with Knaps. Knaps grinned and his eyes said he'd known and taken advantage of that. Moreover, that, from his point of view, anyplace else was better for Ash to sit than between Jester and Gus.
Ash looked up at Chopper's face and he froze, his stare barely grazing her cheek bone. Gus, next to him, had gripped his wrist in a lock and Chopper knew he couldn't run away, not with his ankle.
"They do look like they were painful." Ash tilted her head and let her eyes travel over Chopper's scars. He tried to shrink, to pull into himself, to harden against mocking laughter. "I can see why you'd be a bit self-conscious," she smiled softly, "but after what we've been through, I think we're friends."
She was talking to him? Not at him? Not with Jester or Knaps? Friends? He sullenly looked down at the grass next to the rug they were seated on and cleared his throat as he considered that word, 'friends'.
"I'd feel better if," he began in a low rumble then stopped as he brows lowered in thought. Was this a favor? Could you ask a civilian a favor like you'd ask another brother? Rex had said a favor was like a gift, but did that apply to civilians? Would she care about a trooper's feelings? His feelings? Is that what her calling them 'friends' had meant?
"If what?" Ash's voice was warm, sympathetic, questioning. There was no hard edge to it. He raised his eyes to her lips. Maybe she wasn't planning on laughing. He had helped save her life.
"If you'd sit where you can't see them." He stared down at the ground, at his bandaged ankle, at her feet.
"Sure." She stood and walked around the little circle of men; her fingers grazing Jester's shoulders, touching Knaps – to his sudden delight – on his shoulder until she was next to Chopper; next to his good side. He swallowed. He hadn't meant for her to sit next to him.
Both Jester and Knaps eyed him with a little jealousy and amusement as they shifted to make room for Ash at her chosen seat.
"Is this good?" She smiled at him. Knaps obviously thought so, she was now sitting between him and Chopper; her arm momentarily against his as she sat. He slipped his hand behind her back for a moment to help stabilize her; not that she had needed help.
Equally, Jester's expression said he disagreed but he only nodded, watching Chopper.
Chopper nodded also, suppressing a tremor. She couldn't see his scars from there so it was good in that way. Still, she was sitting calmly almost knee to knee. "So, what planets have been claimed?" She tilted her face slightly toward Chopper. "There are over 300,000 of them, you know."
"I have most of the Karlinus system." Chopper stared straight ahead, "as well as Moth and Widow."
Gus grinned. "I have the rest of the Naboo system and most of Kreeling except TJ903, Kasathic and Parisudee."
"I'm losing," Knaps dealt the cards. "T'Arsanj, Pelqua and a tiny portion of Lofquar."
Ash laughed. "I feel amazingly rich, playing with planets and systems." Then she bent her head to the cards Knaps had dealt her and named her stake. "Pelpont."
Gus nodded. "No one has it, I know it. It's good." All the troopers memorized that planet for the next time they played; the more they played, the richer they became in knowledge.
They played into the night. Gus withdrew from the game, watched for a few minutes before falling asleep where he had been laying. Ash covered a large yawn with her slim fingers. "This is my last hand." She smiled at them. "Can I sleep here in the tent with you?"
There was a flurry of agreement from Jester and Knapps. Even Chopper had nodded his head slowly as he piled the cards then set them square. He froze and shut his eyes as she set one hand on Knaps' shoulder and one on his as she stood then walked out the tent, declaring her intent to find a portable refresher. Jester stood and followed, giving them only a huff of breath, not even offering an excuse, not knowing what to say.
Chopper felt a hand on his arm. His eyes opened.
"What's the matter, Chopper?" It was Knaps.
"She touched me." His voice was small and quiet.
"And why not, Chopper? It was just a soft, touch of her hand on your shoulder. It allows you to flirt." Knaps looked over Chopper's troubled visage. "Not that you've done any of that."
"I've got scars, Knaps." He gestured at his face. "The reason they discussed a clean wipe. Burn and sharp, twisted metal and blaster and explosion." He frowned. "Women," Chopper's voice was devoid of inflection, "don't like scars."
Gus jerked from a sound sleep; grabbing his ribs as movement caused pain to roll across his body. He looked around, lost for a moment then licked his lips. "I thought…" he began; glanced at Knaps then looked at Chopper. "I thought I heard the sergeant talking to you."
"Maybe you did, Gus," admitted Chopper. Slick had been the first to say that. Women don't like scars, Chopper old boy. He'd been friendly at first, sympathetic. Women just don't like scars, Chopper. Then harder, scornful, as though it was Chopper's fault. Women don't like scars. Chopper had believed him then. But now, how could Slick be believed? About anything?
Knaps pursed his lips and sucked his breath in as his eyes narrowed. He waited as Gus lay back and drifted again to sleep; watched as Chopper thought, his fingers lightly touching the scars on the side of his face. "Many women don't like scars, Chopper," he nodded his agreement. "But I don't think Ash is one of them or rather, I don't think scars bother her as much as other things. I don't think scars or something like this," He gestured to the empty space of his legs, "matter to other people as much as so many other things."
"Then invite her down to the river. If she doesn't mind scars she'll go with you." Chopper snorted, but something in his mind claimed what Knaps had just said. Scars don't matter as much as other things.
Knaps shook his head and touched the end of a stump with his fingers. "You invite her. If she goes that closes the debate on scars."
Chopper grunted. Naked? In front of a woman? He couldn't even remove his shirt for sparring with Coric or Kix or Jester or Caber.
"I'd need help." Knaps explained, "something or someone to carry me." He shook his head. "Maybe if I got to know her better it wouldn't hurt to ask. But at the moment? Competing with Jester for every smile, every touch. Maybe even a kiss?" He shook his head again. "It would demolish my pride to be carried in front her. She'd see my weakness before my strengths." He shook his head again. "No. I'll flirt with her here; in front of you all because I have no mobility." He touched his shoulder lightly; where her fingers had last touched him. He glanced down, pain on his face. "It'll be a good memory to have back on Kaliida Station." Bowing his head, Knaps pushed himself backwards to another rug then lay on his side
Chopper curled up in the corner of the tent, the scarred side of his face on his arm. Knaps was right; it would be a good memory.
The next morning, Chopper was the first to wake. He turned back to view the others. Sergeant-medic Coric had come in sometime late and was curled in a tight ball around his helmet, his head relaxed on his arm. He'd obviously been checking on Gus; two fingers were still wrapped around Gus's wrist, checking his pulse.
Jester had sprawled near the middle of the tent between Chopper and the others. Chopper wondered if that had been a conscious decision. Jester's armor was a neat bundle at his feet and Ash was next to him, her back in the curl of Jester's side. Chopper sat a bit higher as he stretched out stiff muscles, glad he'd been dreamless.
Ash had her back against Jester's side, but her dark head rested on Knaps chest, and his arm curled around her shoulders. His face was buried in her hair and he was turned toward her, his other hand resting lightly on her hip. Waking up like that would be a good memory for him to take back to Kaliida.
The last sleeping body in the tent opened his eyes even as Chopper glanced at him. Rex was bemused and raised an eyebrow at Chopper.
Know anything about this, trooper? That look seemed to say.
Chopper looked back. Who? Me, sir? No sir, never sir. Innocent of any knowledge whatsoever, sir.
The captain smiled and slowly reached an arm behind his head as he closed his eyes again.
By the time the sun rose fully, Sergeant Jester had donned his armor and he, Sergeant-medic Coric and Ash had gone to the mess for breakfast bringing back bulbs of juice and water as well as eggs wrapped in flatbread sprinkled with vegetables and a spicy green sauce. They were finishing the remnants even as a familiar figure strode to the tent in that quick, ground-covering Jedi walk.
"Rex!" It was General Skywalker followed by Commander Tano and a pretty, dark-haired woman; all three sweat-stained and weary-eyed but with restrained exuberance. Chopper and Sergeant Jester stood quickly, Chopper wincing as he pulled on his helmet, indicating battle readiness; a lie in his case. Gus and Rex rose more slowly, with help from Coric.
"Yes, sir." Rex's reply was formal as he came to attention and the men, following his example, came to attention as well though they weren't sure why. General Skywalker was never formal, even less so Commander Tano. Chopper could see her fingers itch and the soft frown on her face as she ached to grab her men and inspect them for injuries. Even so, she was subdued as well. The captain had his helmet in his hand, otherwise he'd tell them why.
It was Ash who clued them in as she also rose from her seated position on the rugs.
"Senator Amidala," Ash gave the woman a gracious bow which was returned. "It is a pleasure to meet you." She turned her head to the general. "General Skywalker, I've heard of your piloting skills. I am Ashwaeen Athualla at your service."
That would get to the general. He disdained praise on his leadership skills, negated comments about being Jedi; but piloting? That was his joy. Mention his piloting skills and his eyes lit up.
"Are you one of the volunteer pilots? I'm sure we owe you a great deal." His eyes did light up and he gave the pilot a delighted grin.
She smiled as she gestured to the troopers near her. "And I owe a great deal to another pilot and your troops. Chopper and Knaps were instrumental in getting almost half a hundred troopers out of my dead ship."
"Chopper's one of our best men," nodded Skywalker and Chopper memorized those words, memorized the moment: the tip of Rex's head in agreement, the fierce glow of pride in the commander, the glance of the senator in his direction. The general hadn't even had to think about those words, didn't even have to weigh whether or not they were appropriate. One of our best men.
"But Knaps is not in the 501st," continued Skywalker. "I don't know which of you," he glanced between Gus and Knaps. Chopper knew Knaps would be pleased not to be overlooked. If Chopper was afraid of being seen, Knaps was afraid of not being seen.
"I'm Knaps. Off of Kaliida Station. "You'll forgive me if I'm not as tall as my brothers." Knaps smiled at them hesitantly, wondering what the general might think or say or do about so obviously an unsuitable clone.
"Gus." Gus looked at Skywalker with a worried look on his face. "Now with the 41st Elite. I was with the 212th on Christophsis." Gus paused, wondering if this was enough. "Commander Cody debriefed me after the incident."
General Skywalker stood straighter, knowing why he recognized the injured trooper now, inspecting him for Slick's influence.
"How are you doing in your new company?"
Gus paused, neither wanting to answer truthfully or to lie. "It can be difficult; fitting into an established squad."
"Sometimes," Skywalker said softly. "It's easier when you give up expectations and ask for help."
"I'm learning that, General Skywalker, sir." Gus nodded.
The general nodded and turned to the senator. "Senator Padme Amidala, you remember Captain Rex of the 501st."
She nodded and brought both hands chest high, palms facing the captain. "It is good to see you again Captain."
Rex flushed slightly at her greeting but smiled and brought his hands to touch hers; palm to palm, his big hands dwarfing her smaller ones. "Thank you, senator."
Inside his helmet, Chopper panicked. He couldn't do that – he couldn't hold out his scarred hands for her to touch; not even in gloves.
"Please, make yourselves comfortable," invited the senator. "I need to confer with Captain Typho about some of the ships for a few minutes, but I will be back." She turned to exit the tent and Chopper breathed his relief.
Rex gave a soft groan and his hands went to his ribs. The commander was beside him in a moment, her hands gently helping him as he wilted to the ground, sitting with his knees drawn up and his helmet at his side.
Coric helped Gus into a comfortable sitting position. "Commander, check the captain's ribs. If you feel like it, make him lie down. I was going to take him to the medical unit today." Coric glowered at the captain. "He did too much yesterday."
"There's still too much to do today, I can't just..." objected Rex as Ahsoka's hands on his shoulders guided him to the soft grass. "That's an order, Rex." Her voice came in stereo with the general's.
"That's an order, Rex. If not from the medic, then consider it from me." General Skywalker lowered himself to the ground. "I'll want a full report later, but for now, just give me an overview."
Rex gave into the inevitability of the medic and his commanders and sat. "I'll assume you've taken care of the Malevolence," he began and the general chuckled with a nod.
Jester sat and reached up to remove his helmet.
No, no. Jester, no. If you take yours off…. Chopper frowned inside his helmet, chewing his lip. If Jester removed his helmet, then he would attract more attention for having his on and when the civilian senator came back she would ask him why. She might take offense after she had invited informality. Chopper chewed at his lower lip in indecision.
"Here Ash, sit next to me," Knaps offered, touching the ground beside him. Jester, slightly behind him next to Gus, raised his eyebrows in question at her, his open hand gesturing to his side.
"I think I'll sit with Chopper." Ash smiled and moved next to Chopper, to his scarred side.
But she's seen them. She couldn't want to sit… Then he understood. If she sat there, then the senator couldn't. If she talked with Chopper he would turn his face to her and his scars would face the shadows. It was a friendly kindness and he gave a curt nod of thanks, removing his helmet as he sat cross-legged on the grass. She sat at a slight angle to him, her knee brushing his. Not that he could really talk to her. He didn't know what to say and swallowed. But she had touched him - twice now - permitting flirting.
As Rex gave Skywalker a shortened report, Jester and Knaps both gave Chopper quick, wry grins.
Senator Amidala returned and sat next to Skywalker who handed her a muja fruit. Chopper noticed he had peeled it for her first. She smiled as she took it, letting her fingers caress his and Chopper noticed that as well. She pulled apart the fruit and tore off a segment, handing it to the general. Then she tore another segment and gave it to the Commander Tano. A third segment went to Captain Rex.
Was this some Naboo ritual? Would he need to say or do something? He glanced at Ash with his eyebrows up in near-panicked question. She merely smiled and gave an infinitesimal shake of her head as her hand reached down and lightly touched his wrist. Senator Amidala handed Coric three segments and he pass one each to Gus and Jester. She reached out her hand, holding three segments in her fingers, to Chopper, slightly closer to her than Knaps or Ash.
Holding his breath and forcing his fingers not to tremble, Chopper took the segments not touching her. He was wearing his gloves, but that was ok, so had Coric and the captain. She had looked, smiling, into the eyes of the others, but Chopper couldn't look into her eyes. He hoped it wouldn't cause trouble.
He knew when she noticed his scars; her fingers twitched briefly but that was all. Maybe scars didn't bother the people of Naboo. He handed a segment to Ash and to Knaps. Maybe scars weren't as terrible to some people as other things might be. Chopper nodded to himself. Betrayal would certainly be far worse than mere scars.
They ate the segments of muja, the juice flowing down their throats. Nothing was said or done but in their silence it seemed a solemn and profound ceremonial moment.
There was more discussion about the Malevolence and Kaliida Station, how the battle had gone. Chopper and Ash listened to it instead of pretending to have their own conversation. It hadn't been too bad. Ash had mostly talked and Chopper responding with a nod or noise that meant he was listening as he kept his eyes down. She'd grown up in a shipping family, had delivered her first independent cargo as a youngling. Her family was large; rich in ships, skills, stories and love; less so in credits. She had two children, but no husband. He had learned she could name over 100,000 planets in the Chommell alone, another 50,000 in other systems. Learning that had prompted his only comment. "You'd be rich in a clone trooper's game of sabacc." She had chuckled and gently touched his armored arm. He froze at the touch, again not knowing how to respond.
Chopper turned his attention back to the general and captain who were talking with the senator, but open to the comments of Ash and the troopers in the tent. Kaliida Station had lost about half of its ships. Returning the clones to the station would take longer than transporting them to Naboo had taken, perhaps several days. The more severely wounded would be transported first and returned to bacta tanks. Captain Rex, Sergeant Jester and Knaps made sounds of amusements; Sergeant-medic Coric and Gus grinned broadly. Chopper merely observed.
"We like it here, Senator. There will no complaints from anyone about staying, only about leaving." Rex reached around himself, feeling his ribs. "I don't think I'm so wounded that I'll be leaving in the next day or so." He glared at Coric from the corner of his eyes, daring him.
Ash quickly discussed her ship; about getting a tug to tow it in and repair the systems, quickly, before it hit some other ship or went into a spiraling, disintegrating orbit around the planet. She was from a shipping family, but her volunteering had been considered a private matter. Still, she had connections and offered to help coordinate repair, salvage and clean up for the non-GAR transports. Skywalker nodded. "Maybe even some of the GAR transports. There was a lot of damage to ships and it might be more efficient to evaluate and repair or salvage them here than transport back to the GAR shipyards. I'll talk with Admiral Yularen." Chopper could see Ash was pleased.
Throughout the day, people came and left the tent. General Skywalker and Commander Tano left with the Senator. Chopper, Gus and Knaps took messages, made decisions and gave directions. Sergeant-medic Coric roped Sergeant Jester into helping get the captain to the medical tent then, as one of the unwounded, into helping at the medical tent. Knaps didn't even try to hide his smirk. But Ash left only moments later to meet the tow for her ship and discuss repairs. Jester came back, loaded down with lunch and Knaps gave him the bad news.
"We'll probably never see her again," breathed Jester in dismay.
Knaps gave a mournful sigh. "I've got some good memories when I return to Kaliida." Jester nodded his agreement. Chopper didn't nod, but he also had good memories.
After lunch Jester returned to assist Coric and there were fewer messages and people. People seemed to relax more; lazy in the heat of midday.
When Ash returned in the late afternoon, Knaps gave her a big grin and, when she sat next to him, added a hug and soft, tentative kiss on her cheek. She didn't move away but began talking about the damage and costs to her ship. The general had introduced her to Admiral Yularen and they'd discuss contracts for repair; she'd presented the basics to her family and they were preparing estimates for the admiral's approval. While she spoke, it seemed only natural for Knaps to reach his arm around her. He closed his eyes with a smile as she leaned into him.
"I'll still have to win the Naboo and Kreeling systems to pay for my personal repairs." She grinned. That was the hint to pull out the cards and Chopper dealt them out, adding Jester when he arrived slightly later. This time Ash sat between Knaps and Jester; it didn't bother Chopper that she was across from him now. She'd seen his scars and it seemed ok.
General Skywalker appeared with his padawan and Captain Rex, out of armor, the edges of support binding under the material of his shirt. The senator was with them talking to a large, broad-shouldered man with an eye-patch who walked along-side of her. He nodded thoughtfully and asked her a question or two. At her directions he saluted and left her side before they had reached the tent. Chopper had looked hard at the man, staring as he walked off. It seemed Naboo didn't mind scars.
Rex sat with a low groan waving away the offer to be dealt in the game.
Skywalker, Commander Tano and Senator Amidala left the tent together, returning with dinner causing a double take around the tent.
"It's not often I'm served by a famous general, a distinguished senator and a Jedi padawan," smiled Ash, the only one not stuttering, trying to come to attention or to become invisible as the superior officers served the troopers. She moved her gaze around the sabacc group. "I definitely like playing with planets; it leads to interesting events."
Dinner was good, the company excellent. Chopper said nothing, but he was reasonably relaxed, even in the presence of three women; or two women and a female youngling.
He watched them closely; trying to understand them, to see if they surreptitiously stared at his scars, if they found him more disgusting than his unmarked brothers. Ash handed him a bowl and he didn't tremble as her fingers touched his gloved hand. She sat between Jester and Knaps, but spoke mostly with Skywalker as they shared a common love. Their conversation quickly became detailed oriented and only Knaps seemed to be following it with comprehension. Senator Amidala was gracious to everyone there, even to him. She drew Captain Rex into a discussion on the relative usefulness of the captain's favorite hand weapon - a DC-17 hand blaster - in comparison with other blasters. She may have been a senator and a woman, but she knew weapons. Ahsoka was Ahsoka; making sure her men were comfortable; including in adoption by proximity, the wounded Gus. Gus had a shy smile at being included.
Chopper wondered if things would be different for him now; his arrogance had stemmed from Slick treating him as important, making him sergeant's second and teaching him that important people only gave orders, demanding from people beneath them in rank. Now, with the Senator as well as General Skywalker, he'd seen that important people served as well. He'd seen that even important people did whatever was needed.
As talk wore down in the aftermath of a good meal, General Skywalker and Senator Amidala were catching each other's eyes and asking or answering silent question; raised eyebrows on him as he looked at her, a tiny movement of her lips as she ducked her head and tilted it toward the general.
Serious flirting there, decided Chopper as he glanced at them occasionally. Maybe more? Then the senator turned from the general and asked a question of the troopers. She turned to face each man in turn for an opinion. Chopper didn't look at her eyes, but he mumbled something and, whatever he had said had been sufficient.
After a while, Jester stood. "I'm going down to the river. It's nice in the evening." He turned to Ash. "Would you like to go with me?" He reached his hand out in offering.
"Yes, Jester. I think I'd enjoy the coolness of the water." Her hand reached up and he pulled her up, turning to leave the tent. She followed him, her hand still in his.
"That sounds like a good idea." General Skywalker remarked to no one in particular, but he glanced at the senator with a smile. "May I escort you, my lady," he asked and held out his arm for her. She smiled and together they strode out of the tent.
Ahsoka glanced at them as they departed, a shadow of sad confusion in her eyes. Then she looked at Rex. His eyes were closed, but he must have felt her fingers twitch against his close-cropped hair.
"No, Ahsoka. I'd probably drown." He gave a weary sigh.
She ran her fingers over his forehead and he relaxed in some subliminal way. "That's ok, Rex. I can manage by myself if I must. I promise I won't drown. Or get munched on by giant, padawan-eating klacto-fish. Or touch something slimy." She gave a mock shudder. His eyes closed, Rex gave her a wry smile.
"May I accompany you, commander?" Coric asked. "It's been a hard day for me and I could use the relaxation. Just soaking in a pool of water talking with a friend sounds great."
Ahsoka smiled widely. She knew her men liked her, trusted her, and would follow her in battle. But none had ever called her 'friend' before. She and Coric left the tent, trying to decide who would handle anything 'slimy'.
The captain and Gus both looked asleep. Knaps was looking out the tent in the direction of the river, the direction Jester and Ash had taken, with a thoughtful expression.
He turned and pulled himself backwards to sit next to Chopper. They were both quiet; listening to the sound of an army of troopers, clones, brothers, merging with the sounds of the night on Naboo.
"She came back." Knaps voice was quiet but intense and Chopper turned toward him. "She came back and that would be out of her way. She'd already gone home to work out the repairs. She probably spent most of the day getting her flyer back on the ground and talking with family about a contract with the GAR."
Chopper simply listened as he looked out over the landscape, seeing lights begin to twinkle in the sky, a moon rising over the hills and the voices of a few troopers as they began singing; songs of war, of brotherhood and, ultimately, songs of loss.
"She was home." This time Knaps emphasized the words by punching his open hand lightly. "And she decided that coming back here to play sabacc with some clones was better than anything else she could do today." Knaps turned to Chopper, his face relaxed and his brown eyes sparkling.
"She sat next to you." Chopper's own voice was low as well, only partially to not wake the captain and Gus. "She let you kiss her, put your arm around her." It was a forbidden thought he was considering. "You like her?"
Knaps nodded. "Yes. Not just because she's female either."
"I know," said Chopper. "I can see her attractions. She's intelligent, kind, honest." He raised his hand to run the back of a finger against one of the scars on his face. "I think she likes you too; she moved closer after you kissed her."
"She's with Jester." Knaps glanced toward the river.
"Because he asked and it was a good idea. But Jester lacks something you have."
"What? A repulse-lift to get around?" Knaps voice was tinged with sarcasm.
"Choice," murmured Chopper quietly. "Jester is with the 212th. And tomorrow or the next day or so, he'll be heading back to the Resolute with the captain and Skywalker and me and the commander. He'll have good memories of Naboo, but he won't – can't – stay."
"I'll be heading back to Kaliida." Knaps said but his voice was questioning.
"Do you have to return?" There was the forbidden thought. Desertion. But Knaps wasn't in a company. He couldn't desert something to which he no longer belonged.
"No." Knaps word was lost on the breeze, but he repeated it. "No." He glanced into Chopper's face but Chopper gazed over the sea of soldiers. "Officially, I've been reconditioned and terminated."
"Then get Ash alone sometime later tonight and present her with your situation, talk to her. Maybe she'll say no and you've lost nothing. Maybe she'll say yes."
Knaps threw his hands in the air. "How do I ask someone who is a civilian, a citizen, a woman, something like that?"
"The way you told me you asked not to be reconditioned." Knaps had a blank look on his face so Chopper continued. "Yesterday, when we were transferring men to the freighter, you told me you begged." He lifted one shoulder in a slight shrug. "If that's what it takes…"
"I'll have no pride," Knaps whispered. "I'll have nothing to offer her."
Chopper shrugged. "It's your decision. At the moment you have the choice of going back to Kaliida or finding a life here on Naboo. You're the only man out of thirty thousand troopers here with two options."
"I don't know, Chopper. What if she says yes and I get tired of living on a planet with gravity." He glanced down, touched his fanned-out fingers to each amputated stump. "It's hard."
Chopper's lips twisted up at the corners and he finally turned to look at his brother. "Knaps, she's a pilot. She's a freighter pilot from a shipping family. Exactly how much time do you think she spends planet side compared to how much time she spends in space? In null gravity?"
That shocked Knaps into silence and he said nothing more to Chopper. By the time Jester and Ash returned from the river, Knaps had clumsily moved one of the rugs outside the tent and was waiting far enough from the tent to not be overheard. Chopper leaned back on the slight incline of the ground. The last thing he was aware of before drifting to sleep was Knaps' voice calling to Ash, enticing her to listen.
If there's no hope for me; at least hope exists.
Here ends the Malevolence arc... coming up next? New roommates for Chopper.
As usual, enjoy, enjoy, enjoy and remember to review.