Enceri

Alina's Shop.

"Su'cuy gar! Essi'ika. Me'vaar ti gar?"

"Jate!"

"Su'cuy gar Del'ika! Me'vaar ti gar?"

"Jate Ali'ika!"

She reached behind the counter and pulled out the jar of fruit lollies.

"Have you been working hard?"

Del looked up at Essie, remembering what he had done a few days ago.

"He has recently." She confirmed, smiling.

"That's two then. One for being my favourite boy and the other for working hard."

Essie opened her mouth to ask a question but Alina interrupted her, "Don't say anything about Kom'rk. He's not contacted me since Maze set me up on that hunt with him."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It was interesting."

"So something did happen?" Essie moved closer, "I'm all ears!"

"I don't kiss and tell."

That was enough for Essie, there was no pushing Kom'rk. He would do things in his own sweet time, as would Alina but she was adamant, and had told Maze as much, even though they would be perfect for each other.

"We need new boots."

"All of you?"

"All of us."

"Including Maze?"

"Especially Maze. He may need to be surgically removed from the ones he's wearing."

"Where is he?"

"Gone for a drink."

"Ah yes. Those two are in town. Sull's okay. Got himself a girl on the other side but Spar. I just can't warm to him."

"Anybody else?"

"We've had a few white jobs come through on odd days but nothing more. I think they're still finding pieces of the squad that went missing up north. They found the speeder on the road to Keldabe but no bodies. Word is a 'rogue Strill' had them."

Essie smiled.

"And now there's a bounty on the strill but nobody's taken it yet." Alina replied laughing.

.

Maze walked into the old bar; he had not been close to Spar before he went awol but he worked with Sull during the war and wanted to keep his contacts open. An Alpha would always be good covering you, if needed, and they also might have Intel the Nulls missed, or rather from a different perspective.

They were sitting in the corner, exactly where he would have sat. The years of training ran deep, dictating your moves. Their heads didn't appear to move but they had seen him. Spar had his helmet off and sported a long scraggly beard and almost as long hair; he looked as if he had lost weight. Maze assumed Sull looked similar to himself and that was why he kept his helmet on and nursed a bottle of beer. Maze no longer sported a regulation cut, it was a little longer, curlier, which he still wasn't sure of but Essie like it.

"Su'cuy gar! Ner vod!" He held out his arm; Sull stood and grasped it firmly.

"Su'cuy gar! It's been a while. Good to see you." He pushed a chair out with his foot. Maze took it and sat.

"So to what do we owe this honour?"

"I'm leaving Mandalore—permanently."

.

Essie watched as Wad'e walked out of the shop.

"Is he still after Reau?"

"Yes and she's still after whoever slotted Priest, although folks are getting bored with that particular song."

Alina pulled some steps out and reached up to the shelves to get hides of leather down.

"She and Wad'e have the occasional run in. But it will escalate one day. And he will have backup when it happens." She slid down the steps with practised ease.

"Are they safe up north?"

"Of course you are — wait!"Alina's head whipped around, "You said they. Are you going somewhere?"

"I've decided. We're leaving with Maze."

"So that was all the whispering with Wad'e was about."

"I just wanted him to know how much I appreciate what he gave me. I'll keep in contact with him about various things. He knows a lot more than some of the databases."

"He's a good man to have in your corner." Concluded Alina.

"Will you do me a favour?" Asked Essie.

"Sure!"

"Look after Kom'rk. I worry about him."

Alina rolled her eyes, then looked back at Essie. "You do, don't you?"

"Yes."

"Does Maze know?"

"Know what?" Maze asked, as he walked in after Wad'e.

"Hey lass! Look who I found. He was with some reprobates in a bar. You need to keep a closer eye on him. Stop him wandering!"

"I'm not a bloody Akk hound."

"I'm sorry I…." Alina continued.

Maze raised an eyebrow as Wad'e watched the convoluted conversation.

"That I worry about Kom'rk?" Asked Essie.

"Yes I do. She worries about a lot of people, including you." Finished Maze.

Alina grinned "I'm fine but it's appreciated. Will you all be okay?

"We've done our homework."

"Then Good Luck." She wrapped Essie in a Beskar smashing hug.

.

Kyrimorut.

They stood in front of Kal having said their goodbyes to the others; this was the final one.

"You've always got a home here, if it doesn't work out."

Maze tensed knowing it was directed mainly at Essie, who smiled and nodded.

"I'll miss Del'ika." Kal continued.

"Thank you Kal." Essie leaned in to hug him. "For everything." He returned it. He liked the woman. She was good for Maze. She had smoothed his rough edges but he wished Kom'rk could have found someone—anyone. He wasn't so worried about the others but Kom'rk seemed to distance himself, even from Alina, who was a good match but he had to keep out of that he'd been warned by the others.

"Here you are, lad." He handed a data disk to Maze. Maze didn't take it but just looked at in his hand.

"What is it?" He asked warily.

"Your back pay and pension, plus compensation for injuries in the line of duty."

Maze handed it back and crossed his arms.

"I don't need it. I can manage just fine. Sergeant." His face set, showing he meant what he was saying.

"It's yours, you earned it."

"It's not from the Republic, or the Empire; it's your money."

"You've got a family now, that takes money." Kal persisted.

There was a moment of hesitation when it looked as if Maze changed his mind, then he tensed up again.

"No thank you. We're fine."

Kal looked at Essie, who nodded. He saw how they looked at each other and especially Maze when she wasn't aware of him. His eyes followed her everywhere, as if there was no one else in the room, or even in the galaxy. That could be a problem unless it was reciprocated; in this case it was.

They were fine. The clones continued to amaze him in their life and partner choices. He shook his head as he followed them to their ship.

"Essie! Come here!" He shouted, still not finished.

Essie returned to him and he dragged her into another hug. "I mean it. There's always a place for you here. If you need it." He whispered.

"I don't think I ever will."

"No, I don't think you will."

A small group gathered, as Maze put what few belongings they had on the ship.

"Kom'rk!" She smiled as she walked towards him, he stood apart from the others.

"Essie!"

"I thought you weren't coming to say good bye."

"I wouldn't do that to you."

He couldn't help staring at her. This woman who had changed how he thought of himself.

"Good."

He moved closer; the rest of the people had disappeared from his sight he saw only her.

"Find someone. When you're ready." She said.

"I'm ready now."

She smiled at him.

"Then go find someone. Don't wait. You're not meant to be alone."

"I know."

They were nearly touching now.

"I found someone—once."

"Who?" She was curious, and worried; he had shown no interest in anyone that she knew of.

"Alina?"

He shook his head. "A different planet, a different time. She's gone now."

"The war?"

He nodded. As curious as she was, it was his story to tell and she sensed he wasn't ready.

"Don't be a stranger."

"I won't."

He stepped forward, and pulled her into a tight hug, watching Maze bristle. He looked up and grinned. Maze shook his head.

"We mean it. You're always welcome. Where we have a home you will have one. Del misses you as well."

Kom'rk looked over to Maze who nodded before returning his gaze to Essie who now stood smiling. He walked her over to Maze and held out his arm to him.

"See you soon, ner vod. Look after them."

"Always, ner vod."

Kom'rk raised an eyebrow, that was the first time Maze had actually called him my brother, using Mando. He pulled him into an arm grasp, their faces nearly meeting, there was a grin on Maze's face still.

"Like Ess said, you're always welcome if it gets too much here." He glanced at Kal before holding out a hand to Essie. It was time to leave.

They walked up the ramp, Del scampering next to them before turning to wave at the people outside.

The ramp closed shut.

"That's it then!" Said Maze.

"Yes. That's it." Confirmed Essie.

Maze started the engines and the ship rose slowly before heading into the atmosphere.

.

"How long till we get there?" Essie asked. It had been a number of life changing months since she had been on a ship and she had forgotten how boring it was. She fidgeted, the seats were uncomfortable; she pushed her hands in her pockets, she was wearing trousers having decided to forego the armour for the first meeting and introductions. She was not sure how they would take it.

She pushed her hand down in her pocket, feeling some objects at the bottom; she couldn't remember leaving anything in them. Pulling them slowly out she nearly gasped at the sight of the high value credits sitting in her hand.

"Several hours. Then I'll show you what I've been working on."

She sat staring at them unable to comprehend the sheer numbers on them.

"Are you alright?"

"I…I found these."

She held them out to him.

"Skirata!" he muttered, "he must have slipped them into your pocket when he was being all 'huggy'."

She wrapped her fingers around them, "Why?"

"He can't take no for an answer."

"But this amount is huge. Is this what he offered you?"

"Something like that."

"I didn't know you earned that much."

"Put it back in your pocket. You lost a lot when we left. Keep it for Del, or when we need it."

"Are you sure? You refused it."

"I may have been a little hasty. My stubborn streak."

Essie didn't need telling twice to put the money away. Where she was going was unknown to her and credits in this galaxy were always useful.

"So how long now?"

"A few hours."

"That long?"

"It is in wild space."

She gazed at the swirls of hyperspace filling the cockpit screen and tapped her foot impatiently.

"And what do you mean, show me what you've been working on?" She finally asked, remembering what he said before.

"I'm not just a pretty face."

She chuckled.

"You've always been more than just a pretty face to me." She leaned across and kissed him on the cheek.

"I know."

They both turned as they heard Del snoring behind them, he had finally succumbed to sleep and they tried not to laugh at the snuffling noises he was making.

"So what have you been working on?" She tried again.

"A surprise."

"What is it?"

"A surprise — you'll have to wait."

Essie crossed her arms and grumbled something.

"What was that?"

"I hate surprises!"

"Now you tell me."

"So what is it?"

"Still a surprise. You'll have to wait."

Essie leaned back, and smiled, looking forward to this surprise. She couldn't imagine what it could be.

.

Essie saw the tall older man with grey hair, standing next to Zey, as soon as she walked down the ramp, and felt him, felt them, all of them. It was like the comforting warmth from a fire, when you had been out in the cold on Kyrimorut.

He walked towards her, his hand held out.

"Estefania, Essie I'm told. I'm Djinn. It's good to finally meet you. I've heard a great deal about you."

She frowned looking at Zey.

"From Maze." He corrected her thoughts.

She glanced back at him but he was securing the ship.

"We have a lot to discuss but that can happen later once you've settled in. Come along, you can also meet everyone later but I think Maze has something to show you first. He's been very busy when he's been here."

She turned back to Maze, who was now holding Del's hand and walking towards them.

"And this is Del?" asked Djinn, dropping down to his haunches.

"Yes sir."

"I'm Djinn. Pleased to meet you."

Del stared at him with wide eyes.

A very interesting young boy.

"This way." Djinn turned and indicated the way.

They followed him.

Past the huge ship, the Wookie Gunner.

Past the scattered habitation pods around the ship.

On to a small village with the remains of buildings, most looked like ruins.

Djinn stopped, "I'll let Maze take you further."

Maze took over, "This was abandoned when we first came here. We weren't sure why but then some of the others found the old dormant volcano. As far as they could see it had not erupted in hundreds of years."

"Is it safe?"

"Yes. Perfectly. The tests show it's dormant."

He nodded to several people who were working on some of the small houses.

"We're gradually repairing each of the houses so they can be lived in. They're not perfect but they're well built from local stone. They've been here centuries."

He finally stopped.

"Here. This is it."

She stared at the small stone cottage. It looked tidier than the others. It had actual windows and no trees growing through the roof.

"What is it?" She knew it was a stupid question but she didn't dare begin to hope.

"Mammy!" Del said exasperated, "It's a house."

"It's for us." Explained Maze his eyes never leaving her.

She swallowed hard trying to stop the tears falling.

"Can we go in?" Asked Del, pulling at her hand.

Maze nodded and they walked forward, holding the door open for her.

It was sparsely furnished but clean. There was something to sit on, cook on and somewhere to store food.

"There's bedrooms and freshers upstairs." He added, as she was still taking in everything that was downstairs.

Del found the stairs and ran up them, shrieking in his excitement as only children could; they followed him. Essie was just as excited.

Their own home. All theirs.

He poked her head in the fresher. Small but functional.

"I have my own room." Del shouted, she followed his voice. His room had a bed, a desk and shelves. He was already jumping up and down on the bed, like a trampoline.

"Kad could come and stay." He said, "There's plenty of room."

Essie and Maze looked at each other but never said anything, that was a bridge they would have to cross later; she could feel how much he missed his friend.

Maze grabbed her hand and pulled her to another room. She looked around; it was big with a large window that looked out towards the dormant volcano, through a forest of trees.

"It's an old house built with traditional materials but anything we add on will have to be bolted on."

She walked around the bed, it was huge. She smiled to herself, thinking it must be a clone thing, wanting huge beds. Not that she was complaining. There was a door leading to another fresher, smaller but only for them.

"We don't want to be disturbed." Maze said. She felt he was nervous. She had not said anything yet about this room.

"I thought you could decorate it how you wanted—the colour." He added.

"It's beautiful. No one has ever made me a house before."

She collapsed into his arms crying.

"Ess? Are you okay?"

"You made us a house. A whole house. Of course I'm okay."

She kissed him so hard it hurt.

.

Essie picked up her datapad, pushing it into her bag; she was going to meet with Djinn. He had talked about some Force training for her. She resisted at first but was now coming around to the idea, especially after she had seen some of the others who had been trained by him and then there was what she could do for the settlement. She had an idea but wanted to put it to him, Zey and Kina Ha and the ex Republic spy. She was a surprise.

"Come on Del. It's time for school."

She didn't quite hear his reply but it sounded Mandalorian. He was getting a little bolshie as he got older.

"I thought you had made friends there." She shouted up to him.

"I have." He shouted down.

He finally came down the stairs, stomping on every step.

"When can Kad come and see us?"

"We'll have to talk to Kal and his Dad about that. He'll be busy getting to know him. He hadn't seen him in a long time."

"Awww!"

"So come on and make some new friends. I know you can, you're a lovely boy."

He stomped his foot, "Osik!"

"Del!" She said warningly.

"Kal'buir says it."

"You're not Kal'buir, so I don't want to hear it again. Okay."

Del looked at his mother and knew from the tone of her voice he was pushing too far.

"Your new friends could come over and play." She suggested. All she got was a grunt in reply, as he stomped out of the house.

She was dreading him becoming a teenager.

Maze had left already, he and Zey were planning something but he didn't say what. She waved at the other inhabitants as they were doing whatever they needed to do. She wasn't sure what everybody's responsibilities were yet.

They finally reached the little school set up in one of the habitation pods and Del skipped towards it and then turned, "Bye Mammy!" He shouted, as if nothing had happened, then walked in. It still felt as if he was too young to do any school work but he needed to attend; it would help him integrate.

She took a deep breath and headed for the ship.

.

Djinn listened and looked at her proposal. Hallena Devis, previously Republic Intelligence, also looked over it.

"We're in Wild Space as close as you can get to the Chiss Ascendancy. I think we need to monitor them. Then there is an unknown species that has ventured into what was Republic space in the recent past."

She pushed the datapad forward with the Intel the Nulls had provided, her additional research and some items that Wad'e had informed her of, "They shouldn't be a threat but there may be other threats that they know of and they must use Force users to navigate, so…."

"If they find us we could be a target?" Hallena replied.

"Yes. I'm good at sifting data, following leads down paths they shouldn't go. I think it's part of my Force thing."

Hallena and Djinn exchanged a glance.

"It's a good proposal. We can set something up. We have other people who are also gifted sifters but I hope you'd reconsider my offer and undertake some Force training, it may help with this as well."

"I've been thinking on that and yes, I need to do some training."

"Good. We'll start tomorrow."

She took a deep breath, that was quick but hadn't been as bad as she thought it would be.

.

Essie opened her eyes slowly; it was still dark, then she heard it. Del— he was having a nightmare. Maze murmured he was waking as well. She untangled her legs from his and slid out of the bed, feeling for her robe. She knew it was somewhere on the floor where she dropped it; Maze was as attentive as ever in that respect. He handed it to her.

"You check what the problem is and I'll get him some warm milk." He only pulled on his shorts, despite the fact it was chilly at night and padded downstairs. She slipped her feet into her indoor shoes and headed to her son's bedroom.

He was tossing and turning still asleep, sweat glistened on his face and his bedclothes were on the floor.

She sat carefully next to him trying not to disturb him and speaking gently said, "Del! It's Mammy. Wake up." She could actually feel his distress but couldn't understand what was causing it. She touched his shoulder.

"Del!" She tried again. This time he sat bolt upright.

"Mammy?"

"I'm here." She pulled him into an embrace, "It's okay. You're safe."

She sat on the bed holding him as he shivered and pulled his bedclothes back around him

"We're safe. We're all safe now." She added thinking he was having nightmares from when they were on the run.

"It's Kad. Something's wrong."

"Is he okay?" Maze asked as he came in with the mug of warmed milk, "I've put some honey in it." He handed it over and sat next to his adopted son, "Was it a bad dream? I often had them when I was a cadet."

Del sniffled and took a drink.

She moved Maze away from him.

"He said there's something wrong with Kad." She spoke softly, trying not to upset her son again.

"Kad? How?"

"I don't know. But he's adamant and says it wasn't a dream. Something to do with his father."

"Darman?"

"Let's just get him back to bed and asleep. Check it out tomorrow."

.

The light was shining through the window the next time Essie woke, disturbed by Maze's comlink. He sat up and took the call, it was audio only they were too far out for a holosignal.

He beckoned her to move closer to him to hear the call.

"Su'cuy gar, Essie." Kom'rk's voice was tense with stress, "It's a bit fraught here. Sorry to disturb you so soon."

"Anytime." She replied worried, "Are you having to bug out already?"

"No it's not that." He paused before continuing, "Omega finally deserted but brought one of the new clones with them. The trouble was he was a true believer in the Empire."

"Believed?" Asked Maze.

"Yes, he was going to turn us in. All of us. Jaing found him trying to access our database, which meant everyone would be at risk, including you."

"What happened?"

"Kal'buir shot him. Niner's injured and Darman has left with Kad. We need Maze's help to look for him— without Zey or you or anyone from the Gunner. Dar's got a thing about the Jedi."

"Kom'rk. I don't know what to say."

"We just need to find Dar and Kad. I'll be there in three hours. I'm already on my way.

Maze gave her a look, which said I won't go if you say no.

Essie nodded.

"See you soon ner vod." He finished.

Essie wrapped her arms around Maze and held on tight.

.

He picked up Del, hugging him tight and his arm wrapped around her waist, she leaned into him.

"You look after your mother." Maze told his son; Del nodded seriously.

Maze turned to her, "I have to go; we knew this life was not going to be easy." He said. He had no illusions about the current state of the galaxy and this information about Darman just emphasised it.

"I know." Neither had she now, "but we're together and that's what matters." She replied, leaning her head on his shoulder. "Del has both of us, Zey and the people here. Kad has Darman but he should have Kal and the rest of his family around him. Especially Bard'ika. He needs him. I can't begin to think what Darman was thinking of when he left."

Maze pulled her closer for one last time before he went to help in the search for Darman and Kad.

The End