Unnamed Planetoid

Outer Rim

Vau watched as the small freighter slowly reduced altitude in a controlled, Textbook landing.

"Maze." He deduced, Jetii were never textbook pilots, not from what he had seen and Maze was always textbook, until Order 66.

He stood in the damp, grey, morning, rain drizzling down, leaving a damp sheen on his armour.

Eventually the ramp lowered and three figures walked down, one more than he expected. Zey, Maze and another clone. Vau looked closer— the ex-stormtrooper.

He had been surprised when the Jetii had responded to his request. Vau didn't normally try to analyse why people did something unless it helped him do what he needed to do.

But then guilt was a difficult emotion, one that could be manipulated and Vau had no qualms about doing that. He had done worse in his life.

Guilt— destructive in all senses of the word. He had not yet rid himself of it totally, which was why he was here and he had used it on the Jetii.

Now it would be interesting to see if he lives up to it.

Zey walked up to him, grey hair still long but tied back; he was looking stronger, still lean and nowhere near as imposing as he used to be but with a new strength about him and a sense of purpose.

"Where is he?" He asked.

"An abandoned Republic outpost, a couple of clicks away. Restrained at the moment."

"Alone?"

"Of course."

"Who is he?"

"Rampart!"

Zey raised an eyebrow; Coric had been following what was happening with his brothers and their decommissioning. Rampart had been a big part of that and he had worked for him. Zey had spoken to both him and Maze about it. If there was anything they could do to help the other clones, they would.

"And you want details of any missing Commandos from him?"

"Yes."

"Why me?"

"I'm betting most Imperials aren't trained to resist Force users, on the basis—"

"That there shouldn't be any of us left?" Finished Zey.

"Exactly! So are you up for this?" Vau was still unsure if he had made the right choice.

Zey looked over Vau's shoulder.

"Etain did something like this for you once, didn't she?"

Vau returned the stare with narrowed eyes, "I thought my mental blocks were better than that."

"They are but Bardan and I talked about her. They were close and he still feels her loss, and the child's. He blames himself."

Guilt again, "Quite so. Yes she did help me break a man but the way she described it, it was more that the man broke himself. She just planted the seed."

"Very clever. Sophisticated. She always thought herself weak in the Force almost destined to go to the Agri Corps. She was wrong."

"I had great respect for Et'ika. For what she did."

Zey looked at him, there was still no change in the Force aura surrounding him. He truly had exceptional shields.

"I always found the members of the Agricorps to be some of the more rounded Jedi and very hard workers." Commented Zey. He stared in the general direction of the outpost.

Vau followed his line of sight; he could probably find Rampart using the Force alone.

Zey closed his eyes for a few seconds, "You're right. His shields are weak."

"Are you sure you're ready for this, for what it takes?"

"Yes. These are strange times and I have probably done far worse in the bigger scheme of things."

"You're not afraid of falling to the Dark Side."

"Perhaps I've already been touched by that, more than I would care to think about but I'm more likely to be called grey now, after what I've done recently."

"And you can reconcile yourself to that." Vau asked, fascinated that he could. Although he had always known Zey was pragmatic, it was his nature but this need to atone for everything was something new to Vau.

"I have to, don't I?"

Vau wasn't sure about that, not everyone had that sensibility. He didn't, well perhaps he did but only for a select few and he wasn't going to admit that to anyone.

"This Empire is going to get worse before it gets better. This is just the beginning and not many have realised what's happening yet and when they do it'll be too late."

"All for one man's thirst for power." Confirmed Zey.

"It always is."

"What exactly do you need from him?"

"Information about the Ex-Republic Commandos, where they are or anything that he can give you to help me find them."

"This is dangerous for him, you know that?"

Vau didn't answer, he adjusted his Beskad.

"I'm dangerous for him, you mean."

"So have you tried your normal methods?" Zey had an idea of what they were but he had never asked or looked too closely at the results when Vau had been with SOB.

"I've softened him up, but that was never going to fully work with him. He was, a true believer, perhaps still is."

"I need to get inside his head?" Zey asked, his voice quiet.

Vau scrutinised the former Jedi.

"Are you getting cold feet now? Because the Empire is treating the Clones worse than you or the Jedi ever did and they are doing it deliberately, to a plan."

"No." He straightened up, "I'm ready."

"The Inquisitor that attacked the Nulls wife, they got inside her head. They were doing something like this weren't they?"

"Yes."

"And Bardan has made people forget."

"For a little while, yes."

"So are you ready to rip his mind apart?"

"It may not come to that, it shouldn't— he should give up the information willingly."

"I don't mind how it does." Vau swung his Beskad around and sheathed it. "But I can put him out of his misery, if I think he deserves it." He gestured with his hand, "After you!"

.

The speeder ride only took minutes before the three Mandalorians and a civilian reached the abandoned buildings; it looked to be a warehouse but with alterations. Vau had been busy. It looked dilapidated on the outside but inside it was robust. There were several rooms off the main one.

"Fresher, bunks, kitchen and brig." He pointed out the various rooms, assuming Maze and his brother would be hungry.

Zey looked straight at the building that housed Rampart.

"Is he comfortable?"

"Probably not."

He had that far away look on his face, which Vau recognised him accessing the Force. He had seen similar looks on both Et'ika and Bard'ika. After Galidraan and Kamino, working with Jetii, was the last thing he expected to be doing.

.

Coric made the caf, Maze was checking the perimeter, Zey was standing looking at a door. He still wasn't sure what to make of Zey. He was odd for a Jedi, although he now insisted he wasn't one and the Jedi Order was extinct.

The rooms were rudimentary and rations basic but he had stayed in worse.

Seeing Vau had brought back memories that he was trying to keep down.

"You alright lad?"

Maze's voice cut into his thoughts, he swung around, "Yes! Why?"

"Because I was standing here for a full minute and you were oblivious to me."

"Sorry, Sir." Coric practically came to attention.

"We're not in the army now but you still have to remain vigilant. Is it Rampart or Vau that's caused this?"

Coric pinched his nose. He had listened to Zey saying they ought to talk about whatever troubled them but Coric wished he could just forget it here because it felt too personal to talk to him about Ryssa, about how he felt. Surely he couldn't understand, the Jedi didn't get attached, so they said, how could he understand. He still wasn't sure how that had worked out for Skywalker.

"Is it the Null's woman?"

Coric stared at the caf.

"Tell me. I'm no expert, I'll grant you that but it may help."

"I wonder if I should have pushed her harder to stay with me."

"Looks like she made the decision for you. If you'd have pushed you might have pushed her away and incurred the wrath of A'den, which I am told is impressive, despite his normally pleasant demeanour."

"I feel as if I just gave up on her and I never give up."

"That's the 501st talking but you're free now. You can give up if it's what's best for you, or for someone else."

"It is best for her and the baby." Coric conceded, "But I shall never forget her."

"Not asking you to. Just remember the good times. Tuck them away for safekeeping."

He clasped Coric's shoulder, "Now lad, let's drink that caf and put the galaxy to rights. It's got to be easier than trying to understand females. Try not to touch 'em myself."

Coric grinned, he had been with Maze in some bars, minus Zey of course, and he had often left with a female on each arm. Coric thought of the Null, Mereel, he had nothing on Maze.

"Zey's going in soon. We'll be with Vau on watch."

"Copy that." Coric replied automatically.

.

Keldabe Garrison

"Sir!" Niner stood to attention in front of the flickering hologram of his commanding officer.

"I've reviewed the intel and spoken to Intelligence, who've been feeding it through to Rede. Mandalore isn't top of their list of priorities at the moment but as you're in the vicinity, they want it checked out."

"So we're good to go?"

"Yes. Lord Vader would be most interested if there were any Jedi there."

There was disdain in Melusar's voice.

Not gonna happen.

"Yes sir."

"Can I leave you to do what you do best?" Asked Melusar, seemingly distracted despite him being the one that initiated this search.

"Yes sir but we'll go dark, until we've made contact."

He watched his commanding officer, he was distracted, looking at something on his datapad. Not his normal self.

"Agreed!"

"Is there anything else I should know, Sir?"

"I know you're not exactly a fan of force users but there appear to be a lot more around the galaxy with red blades searching for Jedi. I think we need to show them you don't have to have a laser sword to be able to find and kill them."

That's more like it.

"Yes sir!"

"Let me know the outcome. Dismiss."

The hologram disappeared.

Niner let out a sigh and rolled his shoulders; Darman had had a bad night last night and he wasn't sure where he stood with Rede, still. They had never yet broached the subject of desertion with him.

Perhaps it was time.

.

"So, what did Melusar say, Sarge?" Rede asked, as soon as Niner came back into the squad room; his eagerness palpable.

"We're good to go, once we've got a plan. We need to try and make contact with some of our old Sargeants if they're here."

He lied with ease.

"How do we do that?"

He and Darman exchanged a minute glance.

"I'll see if I can find any old com codes." Darman muttered, keeping up the pretence.

"Will they still work?" Asked Rede, putting down his blaster, he was cleaning it thoroughly, as did all the troopers. It was their lifeline.

"Don't know." Replied Niner, desperately trying to slow him down, to give himself time to think, "They may have some relay system, so it could take a few days. Then we would need to set up a meeting point; weigh up who to meet. They won't want us to just stroll up to them and say 'Su'cuy gar'."

"They'll be suspicious— they're Mandalorians." Reiterated Darman, "That's why they were chosen to train us. They were the best of the best. They taught us how to survive."

Rede nodded, "Survive to fight again and get better."

"Yeah." Darman agreed with him, sarcastically.

.

Darman lay in his bunk, hands behind his head, staring at the underneath of the bunk above him. It was empty. It was just the three of them now and they were getting close to his son. He could almost feel him now.

He shook himself.

He used to feel that way sometimes, like Et'ika was standing next to him and putting her hand on his shoulder but that couldn't be. Kad was only a child, unless he was very strong in the Force and that meant the Empire would be coming after him. Then there were all the other Force users there. They would have been shining like beacon to these—Inquisitors. He'd already had a brush with Sa Cuis, he was sure the shabuir sensed him.

He knew it now, they would be coming after his son.

His son.

His and Etain's.

It physically hurt when he thought about her.

He couldn't let them get him but how to protect him.

He had to think of a way to get him away from Kal'buir.

Niner watched his brother; he knew that look now. Darman was thinking about Etain. Niner couldn't imagine that loss. The nearest he could imagine was losing his squad again. This time there was something different about Darman.

Niner rubbed his hand down his face, feeling the wrinkles at the side of his eyes, crows feet, Kal'buir had called them. He had had them all the years Niner had known him from when he first trained him on Kamino. He had watched them deepen over the years.

I'm Shab'la tired. He thought, too tired for all this. Too many plates to juggle but hopefully it will be over soon.

He needed to sleep but there were too many thoughts running around his head.

He turned over on his side and faced the wall.

.

Kyrimorut

"I feel fine." Muttered Ryssa, as she let Mij take yet more blood, "Why so much?" She asked, as she bent her arm back at the elbow to stop the bleeding.

"Because I only have the basics for checking on pregnant ladies here. We only catered for clones. And I want to make sure everything is okay." He looked up at A'den staring intently at him.

"She's fine. But —"

"But what?" The Null interrupted.

"Den!" Ryssa said warningly.

"I need to do a scan to check the baby's growth and — how your previous pelvic injury healed." He watched for any reaction, "Tann would like to be here while I do it. Is that okay?"

"Yes. Of course."

"It's like the Fekking Keldabe market place around here." A'den muttered.

"Den!"

"Okay. Okay." He shrugged, placated somewhat and reached for her hand. Ryssa squeezed it back.

Mij saw the underlying anger that could still bubble up from this particular Null. It could take you by surprise sometimes, if you were unwary. Something or nothing could precipitate it.

"Is she coming now?" Asked Ryssa.

"She'll be here in a few minutes."

"Good. I trust her and you. I know I'm in good hands with both of you. Aren't I Den?"

The Null nodded, Mij thought something else was niggling him.

"Tann!" Ryssa exclaimed, "I'm glad you're here."

"I like to keep an eye on my patients. How are you feeling?"

"Good. What have you been doing? I've not seen much of you."

"Here and there, helping out with Kad and Mij, of course."

She lay patiently as they scanned, watching A'den hovering across the room.

"Any pain here?" Mij pressed hard against her pelvic region.

"No."

Tann laid her hands on her now rounded stomach and smiled.

"That's a happy baby in there, healthy."

Tann and he stared hard at the images, "The scans back that up and it looks as if the fractures from the past have healed well but I'd like to keep an eye on that."

"If that changes?" Asked A'den, suddenly appeared at her side.

"We'll be ready."

.

"Ryssa okay?" Asked Jaing as his brother dropped onto the chair next to him.

"Yes. I've let her sleep in this morning. She was up and down like a whore's drawers last night. The baby was moving and she was going to the 'fresher all the time." Explained A'den.

"Kept you awake then?"

"Yes but I'm fine."

"I expect no less."

"She needed to sleep."

"L'leth struggles to sleep because of the pain. It helps if I rub her back."

"Have you two finally moved in together?"

"Mostly."

"That's not an answer."

"We need more room for Casey."

"We're all going to need more room soon. Wife's and girlfriends hadn't been factored in when Buir thought of all this." A'den conceded.

Jaing nodded and checked his display, frowning for a moment before pressing a button and it cleared.

"Did the examination go well?"

"Yes. No problems, they're both well."

Jaing slapped him around the back, none too gently, "That's good. You have nothing to worry about. I'll tell L'leth. She always asks because Ryssa never admits to feeling ill to her. I think she doesn't want her to worry."

A'den nodded, he did feel more settled after the examination yesterday but, "The shaking hasn't stopped or even reduced any. It may be permanent. She has strength in her arms and hands but….."

"Still shaking?"

"Yes."

Their eyes flicked over to the flashing light on the board in front of them, they looked at each other. A'den activated his com.

"Ordo! Buir! You need to get here now."

Jaing opened up the com to take the call, the ID was one they had been waiting for. They had not heard from it for a while, the Empire was cracking down.

"Niner?"

He listened, "Ner vod, it's good to hear your voice. Where have you been? We were worried."

.

Clearing Just Outside of Keldabe

The three Aratech bikes pulled up to halt in the clearing, moving together. The Stormtroopers on them were dressed in black armour. They scanned their surrounding area. They should have been far enough away from the main route, not to be disturbed.

Two of them pulled off their helmets. The head of the other moved around, still scanning the surrounding area, until satisfied, he too removed his helmet.

"Clones?" Olar muttered to himself, he could see them from his hiding place. He was in his dugout, almost a click from the clearing. He had been out getting target practice and practising his camouflage techniques. It helped as his armour wasn't painted; he hadn't decided on a colour yet but one thing he did know was that he wanted to join Fenn Shysa but he had to be the best to do that and doing his chores for his mother wouldn't get him there.

He watched them; he knew about the clones, what Jango Fett had done, giving his DNA to be used to produce an army for the Republic and now that army was fighting for the Empire or being used by them, depending on your point of view. His family had discussed it often at dinners, usually ending in a disagreement; he couldn't understand why these clones would still fight. Some hadn't; he had seen a few. They didn't normally remove their helmets.

He zoomed in on the Imperial Commandos, trying to lipread what they were saying.

"Why have we stopped Sarge?" Asked Rede, finally pulling off his helmet. His scan only revealed the local varied wildlife.

"We have a decision to make."

Darman's face was blank but Niner was worried, he didn't want to think about what he might have to do next.

"You have a decision to make." Darman said, looking at Rede, "We've made ours."

Rede was confused.

"Sarge? I thought we were looking for Jedi?"

"We're following up your Intel but the people we're going to see are Mandalorian and they don't like the Empire."

"They're traitors then."

"They didn't like the Republic either. Mandalore was never part of the Republic."

Rede's mind was retrieving every bit of information he had ever read about Mandalorians.