Hello everyone!
Just to let you know, I one hundred percent plan on posting next Thursday, but it is also the day I graduate, so there is a chance I don't get to it. If I don't, know that I will post on that Friday.
4thwallbreak: Yeah, it's a fun dynamic. They really don't like each other. And they don't go mostly because right now the Rebellion is mostly under wraps and Padme is on Coruscant, which is heavily defended and the center of the Empire. They need more time for a plan or a stronger force. Or something else. Bail is definitely part of the Rebellion, and as are Senator Chuchi and Mon Mothma. And a few others I haven't decided yet.
I would suggest reading the mission briefing from the last chapter, just as a refresher.
Mando'a translations at the end!
ABSOLVED: CHAPTER 18
"It's time." Saxon announced a few hours later.
Ahsoka felt uncomfortable leading the four Death Watch members onto her ship. At least Maul was staying behind.
"Does this piece of junk even have boarding capabilities?"
The Mandalorian who had spoken was a tall woman, towering over her companions.
"Used to not, but we fixed that." Ahsoka said.
She started the Twilight up while Rex checked the sensors.
"The target is on schedule." Rex announced.
Echo scomped into the Twilight's transceiver, his eyes narrowing with either pain or concentration.
"I've got their sensors jammed." He said. "But it should only last fifteen minutes."
"Right." Ahsoka said. "Let's get going."
She glanced up out of the viewport to see the hulking ship coming into view.
"Keep those sensors down, Echo." She said.
She could see the port she was aiming for. Her hands were steady as she guided the ships so that the ports were kissing. A green indicator flashed to life and Ahsoka gave a sigh of relief.
"Okay, we're docked." She said. "Let's go."
Alarms were already blaring as they stepped onto the dimly lit ship. Without a word, the four Death Watch members pushed past Ahsoka and darted down the hallway.
The sound of guards' footsteps were coming from the other way.
"Echo, Rex, Fives, get to the main terminal." Ahsoka said. "Let us know when you get the controls transferred."
Rex's helmet turned towards her and Ahsoka received what could only be described as a mental kiss. It was a swift burst of affection and concern. Ahsoka did her best to reciprocate the feeling. Then Rex, Fives, and Echo were gone.
"Let's go." Ahsoka said to her remaining troops.
"Commander Tano?"
Ahsoka's heart stopped at the sound of a clone's voice coming from one of the nearby cells.
Ahsoka couldn't help but run to the cell, looking inside the dark, red tinted room. A ragged looking clone was sitting on the floor, clearly bruised and battered even through the laser shielded door.
"Axel?" She asked.
The 327th ARC trooper gave a tired grin.
"I still don't get how you and General Secura remember us all."
"How many of you are there?" Ahsoka demanded. "What happened?"
"Commander, they're almost here!" Jesse said.
Ahsoka cursed to herself.
"Hold on, Axel." She said. "We'll take care of the guards."
"None of them are clones." Axel said. "I think they got worried our brothers would eventually turn against them because of us."
That was a relief. She didn't have to worry about the Death Watch slaughtering any vod'e.
"Rex, none of the guards are clones." Ahsoka relayed into her comm.
"Copy that." Rex said.
White figures turned the corner. Ahsoka ignited her lightsabers as her men began to fire. Instinct made Ahsoka's heart wrench at the sound of the plasteel clattering against the floor. But it wasn't vod'e dying at her men's hands. Ahsoka focused on keeping the enemies' blaster bolts away from her men. She was glad to be able to have the precision of her lightsabers and not her electrostaffs. Flashes of red and green lit the hallway, leaving scorches against the metal walls. The prisoners called out with the voices of clones. Axel wasn't alone.
"Commander, I'm at the control console." Echo's voice came through the comm. "Sir they've called for backup. They'll be here in twenty minutes."
"Is that enough time?" Ahsoka asked.
Echo paused.
"For the mission, yes." He said. "I've already almost finished transferring control. But sir, they have access to a database of all the prisoners of the Empire."
"Then get it!" Ahsoka said, batting away two more bolts.
They careened back to their owners.
"I don't know how long it'll take." Echo admitted. "And if I download it all, I'll be out of commission."
"Get what you can. Rex, Fives, can you handle him?"
"Of course." Fives said.
"Keep me updated." Ahsoka said.
"Yes, sir."
The stream of troopers was petering out. Ahsoka quickly counted the bodies. Only fifteen. There were fifty wardens.
"There are over thirty missing wardens." Ahsoka said into her comm. "And we still haven't encountered any of the crew."
"We've eliminated thirteen of the crew." Rex said. "And four wardens."
"Our section is clear." Saxon said. "We're preparing the explosives."
"We need a change of plans." Ahsoka said. "There are-"
The ship rocked, making her men stumble.
"Saxon!" Ahsoka snapped.
"We have our men." Saxon said shortly. "Get out so Lord Maul can destroy the evidence."
"Negative!" Ahsoka said. "The other prisoners are our allies!"
The ship rocked again.
"Maul!" Ahsoka said, changing the frequency. "Cease fire, the plan needs to change!"
"Lady Tano," Maul drawled. "My team reports that there are reinforcements coming in. We must destroy the remainder of the ship."
"You said that you don't have experience with tactics!" Ahsoka said. "You said you would defer to me and I am saying to cease fire!"
It was silent. Ahsoka gripped her lightsaber hilt, knuckles white.
"I defer to you, Lady Tano." Maul said. He sounded faintly amused but Ahsoka was so relieved she didn't care. "They arrive in ten minutes."
Ahsoka clicked off the comm, her mind whirling.
"Axel, how many of you are there?" She demanded.
"If they didn't kill anyone, around two hundred." Axel said. "We're what's left of the chipless 327th."
Too many to just take on the Twilight. Ahsoka had been afraid of that. They had minutes before the reinforcements arrived.
Luckily, it was impossible to follow a ship after it had jumped into hyperspace. And they just so happened to be on a ship with a hyperdrive.
"Maul, we're heading out." Ahsoka said into her comm. "You know how to reach us. It went well enough today, I guess we can work together in the future."
"Oh?" Maul sounded highly amused.
"Yeah. Good luck getting out of here." Ahsoka said, then switched frequencies. "Echo, activate the hyperdrive!"
"Yes, sir!"
Ahsoka had rarely felt so relieved to feel a ship jolt into hyperspace beneath her.
"Do we know where we're headed?" She asked.
"Somewhere out of the way." Echo said. He sounded odd, like he had to concentrate hard to speak. "Dungeon ships like this stay out of sight unless they need to resupply."
Echo barely heard Commander Tano's reply. His mind was full to bursting as he knelt, hand to his head and scomped into the system.
Item06:facility:"Cage";status:active;location:Naboo:warden:chaincode3923072350923-
"Echo!" Someone was calling to him. "They're coming, we need to go!"
Go?
234098723452783942837523098423;guards=300;guard0:chaincode260937403975023974203947234-
Echo couldn't go. He needed the information. But- but-
Hyperdrive=active;
He needed to keep it that way.
"Echo!"
More sounds washed over Echo.
guard1:chaincode506982634982379592083402985049823-
Something touched his physical form, a rough hand.
"No!" Another voice shouted. "If you kill him or physically remove him, it'll damage the system and that data!"
The responses were drowned out by data.
2340928340269445;guard37:chaincode72837420394870293840296823-
Something struck Echo in the face. The pain was only a slight distraction from the downloading information.
"Don't you dare touch him!"
Fives-
395827396913;guard142:6509743744846234223872309572347345376442524372245236346343235673463753425353267;guard143:346098161985720367203875293570239672068720358069720629372602-
Ahsoka, Tup and Jesse slowed their step as they reached the door to the bridge. Rex had told her in a too calm voice that he, Fives, and Echo had been captured. Ahsoka could now hear chatter from the imperials.
"What's the plan?" Tup muttered as.
Ahsoka paused, remembering the scene Rex had shown her. It was a precarious situation. With so many blasters pointed at Rex, Fives, and Echo, there was little chance an ambush would result in no one getting shot.
"I'm going to hold them." Ahsoka said. "You won't have much time. Focus on Rex's and Fives' guards."
Tup and Jesse nodded. Ahsoka took a deep breath and called the Force to her. This would be another overwhelming effort. It wouldn't kill her, but it would cripple her for a while. They had one shot at this.
"Now." Ahsoka muttered.
Tup hit the door panel and it slid open. Before any of the Imperials could move, Ahsoka had wrapped chains forged from the Force around them. She could feel blood already begin to leak from her nose and her muscles felt like she was being crushed by an enormous weight. Her stomach revolted, begging her to let it expel its contents. Ahsoka held firm as Jesse and Tup dove in, executing the frozen Imperials. Ahsoka was able to release the bodies one by one as they slumped over. Still, after only a few seconds, blood was streaming from her nose and eyes, the injection spot from so long ago felt like it was being stabbed by a lightsaber, and her montrals were ringing with a sharp noise. Tup and Jesse had only managed to get through half of the enemy before Ahsoka was forced to let go. But Rex and Fives had taken up blasters and were firing at the remaining Imperials.
Ahsoka fell to her hands and knees to vomit. She tried to sit up, but her limbs felt locked into the position. It was all she could do to clench her fists and listen to the blaster fire. Her entire body tensed as she heard a clone cry out. Though it was realistically only a few seconds, they stretched out as she was forced to do nothing.
It ended and within moments Rex was kneeling at her side.
"Are the others okay?" Ahsoka managed as Rex helped her sit up and lean into his shoulder.
"Tup got hit in the foot, but he's okay. Jesse's taking a look." Rex said. He retrieved a cloth from his belt and began gently wiping the blood from her face. "Fives is taking care of Echo. Can you stand?"
His voice didn't betray how worried he was about her condition.
"I think so." Ahsoka said.
Rex carefully helped her up and she managed to take some of her own weight,
"Get me to Echo." She told Rex.
Rex helped her through the blaster riddled room to where Fives was stooped next to Echo. There was a bruise on Echo's cheek. Fives glanced up as they approached.
"I think he can hear us." He said. "He's just not responding."
Ahsoka reached for Echo's mind. She was hit with a thundering storm of information racing through his head. Ahsoka found Echo's self, shoved into the corners of his own mind.
Echo, return the information from the database to the ship's computer. Ahsoka told him. We'll be able to take the ship back to base. We don't need you to download it.
She got the faintest of acknowledgements back. Slowly Echo's eyes focused and he looked over at Ahsoka.
"It's all in the ship's computer." He said. "It was too much for me to make much sense of, but I think the Empire has been imprisoning clones."
"We know." Ahsoka said. "There were some here. Were there locations?"
Echo frowned, brow furrowing.
"I think so." He said slowly. He gestured to a terminal. "You can start the research if you want."
"We can leave that to Tech." Ahsoka said.
Echo heaved a sigh.
"He won't do it." He said. "It doesn't have any information on Omega, I already checked. He's- well, he's refused to do much of anything that doesn't have to do with finding her."
"I don't understand. What is he doing?" Ahsoka asked. "What more can he do?"
"He stays up for days, trying to crack the high security Imperial databases." Echo said with a shake of his head.
"I thought we'd determined that it wasn't feasible to get through." Ahsoka said.
She had thought she had known what Omega's kidnapping had done to the Bad Batch, but it was apparently worse than she had thought. The Empire had quickly developed one of the tightest cyber security networks any of them had seen in a matter of months.
Echo nodded.
"He's working himself into the ground." He said. "But- he won't listen to any of us."
"Will Hunter make him stop if it goes too far?" Ahsoka asked.
Echo shrugged.
"I hope he will." He said. "Anyway, I can get started on this in a bit."
"Okay, but don't strain yourself." Ahsoka said. "Rex, get me to Kix. I want to see if-"
"'Soka." Rex said in a quiet voice. "I can check in on Kix. Please, just rest for a while."
Ahsoka did feel like she'd been run over by a speeder.
"Okay." She said.
Rex gave her a small smile before helping her to her feet again.
"Kriff, she must really love you, Rex." Fives said as they moved away. "She never listens when anyone tells her to rest."
Rex had managed to find a set of quarters for the wardens and helped Ahsoka to one of the cots.
"You should have the injured sent here too." She told him as she lay down.
"Good plan." He said, and then hesitated. "Ahsoka, this was a success, but what do you think about Maul? Can we trust him?"
Ahsoka thought for a moment.
"I don't know if trust is the right word." She said slowly. "But- when I asked him to not blow up the ship, he didn't. I don't know what it means. I don't think I'll ever trust him, but I think we can rely on him."
Rex nodded and then gave her a light kiss.
"I'd better get going." He said. "What did you need from Kix?"
General Aayla and Bly were waiting for them as the first shuttles from the dungeon ship landed on Yavin. Rex and Ahsoka watched as General Aayla hugged and Bly pressed his forehead to every trooper they could get their hands on.
"General, I know you've been worried about your men, but they need to get to the medbay." Kix was telling General Aayla.
"They won't have time for me." Ahsoka murmured to Rex.
"They'll make time." Rex replied.
"That's what I don't want." Ahsoka said. "Please, I just want to go to our room."
Rex hesitated. He was more worried than he was letting on. It had happened again on the ship. Ahsoka had made an overwhelming effort in the Force and then their bond had shut down. It had returned by now, but it still had frightened Rex. Maybe he'd be able to bring it up to her if they were alone.
"Rex!" Kix called. "Take her to the med bay. Now."
Ahsoka swore under her breath but Rex was relieved. It was out of his hands now.
It was slow going. Ahsoka was exhausted, but if she was physically able to walk, she would. The med bay was buzzing with activity when they arrived. Despite the chaos, Hackjob spotted Rex and Ahsoka quickly.
"I'm assuming you got hurt sacrificing yourselves." He said. "Which one of you was it?"
"Ahsoka." Rex said before she could say anything. "But listen, Hack, this is a matter for Kix."
Hackjob raised an eyebrow.
"All right." He said. Rex thought he sounded hurt. "I'll tell him when I see him."
He directed them to an empty cot. Ahsoka sank down with a sigh. Rex settled his hand on her back, gently rubbing up and down.
They watched the medics hurry around helping the men of the 327th. There was an anomaly among them: Hapa, the Nautolan nurse. Rex was pleased to see her working as hard as the clone medics. She truly was an asset, as Ahsoka had predicted. She didn't seem to notice the stares she was receiving from her patients.
Kix eventually came in and immediately located Rex and Ahsoka.
"I'm worried about you, Commander." Kix said. "One day you're not gonna recover."
"You don't know that for sure." Ahsoka said evenly. "But on a related note, we can't continue relying on you to treat me. Why don't you train some of the other medics, in case there are more urgent cases that need you."
"Like Hackjob." Rex said.
Kix frowned. He was protective of his patients, especially Ahsoka. He only trusted himself to treat her symptoms. But Ahsoka was right. Kix couldn't always put Ahsoka above clones that were potentially more injured.
Kix finally gave a nod and disappeared from the bedside. He returned moments later followed by Hackjob and Hapa.
"Hello, Captain, Commander." Hapa said with a shy smile.
"Hapa here is one of our best medics and she's not likely to be in battle any time soon." Kix said. "She'll be your on base medic. Hackjob will be a backup."
Kix began showing the other two medics his treatment for Ahsoka's condition. First he reapplied the pain reliever. Rex could feel Ahsoka relax. Then Kix ran his usual scans before moving to the injection site. Rex winced at the black veins there.
"See, you can feel the veins have hardened around the injection point."
Kix had guided Hapa's hand to Ahsoka's arm. Rex raised his eyebrow as Hapa's tentacles darkened.
"We've found out that bacta treats it pretty well at this point." Kix said nonchalantly, as if his pupil hadn't changed color at his touch.
He finished the scans and began pointing out what they were looking for.
"She's okay now, but immediately after the event, all of her nerve endings will be activated."
"You never told me that." Ahsoka said.
"I'd thought you'd be able to feel it." Kix said dryly. "Anyway, she's probably feeling residual pain, but you have to make sure that the nerve endings have stopped firing."
He double checked his scans before putting his tools away.
"That's it!' Kix said. "And then she makes me leave."
"That's just you." Hackjob said. "My company is better."
"No, because I want all three of you to go do your job." Ahsoka said. "Now."
"Yes, sir." Kix said. "But stay where you are."
He nodded to the others. They left and Rex and Ahsoka were alone. Rex slipped his hand into hers.
"How are you feeling?" He asked quietly.
"Mostly tired." Ahsoka said. "I don't understand why I have to stay here though. I can rest just as well in our quarters."
"I'd rather be safe, 'Soka." Rex said. "You've never had to watch yourself turn grey after your heart stopped.".
Ahsoka reached up and touched his face.
"You worry too much my Captain."
"You've given me plenty to worry about." Rex said. "Especially when our bond stops working."
"What?"
Ahsoka tried to sit up but Rex put a hand on her shoulder.
"What are you talking about?" She asked. "Has it stopped working for you? How long has it been happening?"
"It doesn't happen often and it always comes back." He assured her. "But when you use too much of the Force, when it makes you like this, I can't feel you."
Ahsoka looked at him with confused eyes.
"Anakin would have said something if it had happened to him." She said slowly. "Obi Wan and Plo too."
"So it only happens to me." Rex said.
"It- probably has to do with the fact that you're not Force sensitive." Ahsoka said. "But- why does it happen at all?"
Rex shook his head.
"I don't know." He said. "But- it's concerning."
Ahsoka nodded.
"I'll talk to Anakin about it." She said. "I'm sorry for frightening you."
"You didn't know." Rex said. "And let's be honest. You shouldn't stop saving the day because of me."
Ahsoka had removed his gauntlet and was massaging his hand. Rex held back a sigh of relief as she did so.
"I can still be careful and give you a warning." Ahsoka said.
"It would be much appreciated." Rex said.
He pulled her hand to his lips. It would be a relief to be warned. But still, there was the deep fear that he felt at the aftermath of her heroism. What if one day she didn't recover? What would he do if he lost her? The very idea made the darkness in his mind stir.
Mando'a:
vod'e: brothers
Yaaaay the 327th troopers are not dead! I realized that it'd be fun to have them be here. The Death Watch did not know they were here, and neither did they care.
I like the idea of Echo taking in so much information that he can't function as a people anymore.
Geez, I felt like I'd have more to say but the chapter feels pretty self explanatory.
Oh yeah! Hapa is back! The non-clone rebels have been here, they've just been hanging around getting trained.
All right, that should be all!
Stay safe, remember to review, and have a great week!