Pantora
New Order - day 311
Hela walked up behind Zur, he was checking the horizon again, "Any sign?" She asked, reaching around to hand him a freshly brewed caf.
"No! The clones have been doing a check and there's been a few spice gangs floating around, taking advantage of the uncertainty with the Empire but they've been quiet over the last few days."
"It's expanding isn't it, the Empire? Going to more and more planets."
Zur raised an eyebrow.
"I do watch the Holonet you know."
"Oh that's what you do with Gregor is it?"
She ignored the inference, she enjoyed talking to Gregor; he had a different take on things.
"It would be very boring just talking to you and Echo doesn't like me; he avoids me when he's here. He thinks I'm a distraction and dangerous for them."
"You are!"
"Thanks." She replied flatly and looked out at the horizon. She was surprised anyone could actually get here without being seen. It was just miles and miles of meal grain growing, tended by droids. Any speeder would stand out and be seen immediately.
"Then we should leave. Shouldn't we?" She continued.
"We should, and I'm working on it but where?"
"I'm no help with that, perhaps Gregor…."
"As far away as possible from the Core," he interrupted her, "and no planets aligned to the Republic Empire or Separatists."
"And how many of those are left?"
"There's Hutt Space."
"Oh great! Tattooine? With all that sand. Anakin hated it."
"And well known."
"Speeder!" Hela instinctively ducked away from the window, Zur couldn't hear anything but she had exceptional hearing for a human. Now he heard it, he took up a position by the door.
"It sounds like Gregor's" she whispered.
Zur put his finger to his lips.
"Delivery!" A clone voice shouted.
Hela smiled, it was Gregor, relieved, she slipped back into the kitchen to get him a Caf.
He piled their supplies on the table but there wasn't as much as normal. Hela watched as he emptied the box.
"This has just come through." He handed her a datapad.
She read the news report from Naboo— 'a shuttle crashed into one of the Gungan lakes. There is not expected to be any survivors, no escape pods were seen and it broke up on impact. It is anticipated due to a technical problem, as it was an older model. There are ongoing investigations. Condolences have been sent to the families of Hela Nim and Captain Zur Dahthrar of the ISB.'
She frowned at the ongoing investigations comment. They had hoped it would be finalised by now.
"Not what you wanted to see?"
"No! I don't like the part with ongoing investigations."
I assume they won't find any bodies?" Asked Gregor.
"No but then they shouldn't. We picked that lake for a reason. There's enough bottom feeders in there, that if anything is in there long enough there are no remains."
"So we wait and see?"
"Yes. What have you brought?" she tried to peer into his box
Gregor laughed and moved closer, showing her the food packets.
.
Zur watched them closely, while they chatted and prepped dinner; Gregor had that easy way with him especially around Hela.
He could be dangerous in more ways than one.
After dinner the two sat outside drinking their caf. He should join them but he had things to check.
He had nothing against Gregor, he told himself, he appeared to be a good man helping them. Going above and beyond. A little like Mayday but he wasn't Mayday.
He pulled up his datapad and studied the list of planets they could reasonably get to and where there was no Imperial presence.
.
Hela let out a long sigh; the air was pleasant here and it was a warm evening but not too hot, with a gentle breeze. The meal she and Gregor had cooked together was especially tasty and Gregor ate a lot of it. They sat on a couple of steps just outside the back door.
"You okay?" asked Gregor, seeing her shoulders no longer tight and hunched, and the tiny frown on her face gone; she had relaxed a little.
"Yes. I like it here. If it wasn't for the Empire—"
"— it would be perfect."
"Almost."
"Ah!"
It's unfortunate that we have to leave."
"It is." He let that reply hang for a few seconds, "As a soldier, I never stayed anywhere very long except for Abafar and you would not want to stay there voluntarily for any length of time. A grubby little place. Food wasn't good either, even for a clone."
He turned to look at Zur still hunched over his datapad, "I don't think he likes me."
"Zur doesn't like many people."
"Except you."
"Except me. And sometimes, I can't understand why because I haven't been very good to him in the past, took him for granted a lot of the time and we argued—a lot. But he does. And I trust him with my life."
She omitted the part about letting him live with her, unsure why.
"And you?"
"I would do anything for him."
Gregor moved slightly away from her, "So you're a couple now?"
"Oh no! Nothing like that," she smiled, "he's more likely to prefer you in that respect."
"So more like family— brother and sister."
"Yes I suppose so."
Gregor relaxed, moving closer to her.
"And you trust him even with this ISB connection?"
"Yes. Do you think I'm an idiot for that?"
"That's up to you. You know him."
"Yes. I know he's lied to me but at the same time he's protected me and looked after me, for years. Sometimes he was all I had."
"Occasionally life gives us strange bedfellows."
Hela watched him, he seemed to be remembering someone or something.
"It does." She shivered, the temperature had dropped.
"You warm enough?"
"It is getting a little cold now."
He held out a hand and pulled her up, she stepped closer to him, their bodies touching; he'd been watching her since Coruscant, and he liked what he saw.
Her head dropped, to look away from him; he waited, it felt like an eternity but then she finally looked back at him, through her lashes. When he didn't let her go, a blush coloured her cheeks and she almost glowed but held his gaze.
He'd heard brothers talk about breasts and bottoms but when a woman looked at you, as Hela she did now, it did things to his insides and there was no going back. Acting on instinct, one for some reason not removed by the Kaminoans, he made his move, tilting her head further by the chin and he looked into those eyes, and made the connection.
Hela watched Gregor, his eyes were bright and she couldn't look away; their bodies were pressed together and she could feel the hard planes of his muscles pushing against her. The logical side of her brain told her she should stop this before it got out of control. It wasn't right but she felt exhilarated and breathless with anticipation, just by his look.
Gregor held her by the chin and moved in to kiss her.
She let him.
His mouth moved with practice ease against hers; it had been months since she'd been kissed and he was good. It reignited feelings she had kept under guard since the Empire rose and she responded, opening her mouth at the touch of his tongue along her lips. He pulled her closer and she didn't resist, twisting them both around, so her back was pressed against the outside wall of the house
Out of Zur's sight.
His knee pushed between her legs, again she didn't stop him, melding to him, his arms reaching all the way around her, as she pulled his shirt from his trousers to reach his skin.
Her hands slid slowly up his back feeling every hard muscle, and numerous raised scars.
They moved together, lost in each other, in the moment.
Then it ended, as quickly as it began.
The logical parts of both their brains took over and they both pulled apart; he ran his fingers through her hair, as they stood, bodies still touching. He couldn't decipher the expression on her face.
"Wrong time. Wrong place!" he said, gently, it wasn't a question but a statement.
"Wrong woman. Sorry."
She was.
"Story of my life." He didn't hold it against her. It was what it was.
They disentangled themselves and Gregor tucked his shirt back in his trousers.
Hela bit her bottom lip as she looked into the dining room; Zur was still hunched over his datapad. She spoke, "As much as I like it here. We need to move on but where?"
Gregor took the hint, "We'll have a look."
He gave her another quick kiss, "The clones we retrieve are able to give us the latest Intel on Imperial movements but you should definitely steer clear of Balmorra."
"The industrial planet with the clone prison?"
"Yeah! High level of Imperial activity in that sector."
"Zur mentioned Ord Mantell but I was at the Republic Base a few times so I wasn't sure if people would recognise me."
"If you were on Base and you didn't spend time on the planet, you should be okay." he advised, "I spent a couple of months there on a mission. It's okay. Didn't do much sightseeing."
"I'd better move."
She slipped out of his grasp.
.
Gregor brewed another caf; he could still taste her on his lips and the smell of her hair lingered in his nostrils; he savoured it. Females always smelt so different, intoxicating, when you found the right one. He understood why the Commander had been with her and hoped they found each other.
He sensed the Falleen behind him and tensed, then felt the blade on his jugular. Nice move.
"Zur! Want a caf? There's plenty." He asked, jovially, not moving.
"You don't touch her again!" Zur warned.
The Commando in him had to argue, "What if she wants me to?"
"She doesn't but you've had your eyes on her from the beginning."
"Hela's a good looking woman, has a good figure and a mind of her own. A man could do worse."
'You won't do anything, she's vulnerable."
She had already decided herself what she wanted and he would abide by that.
Gregor smiled, "Agreed! As you say, I won't do anything."
The blade was removed, "Good. Because I like you." Finished Zur.
Gregor laughed, and put his hands on his hips, "So you want to kiss me as well?"
Zur frowned at him; he could usually sense when someone was attracted to him. There had been no indication.
"It's those pheromones, they're so strong." Gregor leaned towards him, eyes narrowed.
"But I'm not—"
Gregor grinned, "I know." he moved back.
"I'll take the first watch." Zur offered, scowling.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Can't sleep."
.
Hela watched Gregor as he drove away, the memory of last night's kiss still with her together with a heavy dose plus of guilt, although nothing more had happened, as he had said wrong time, wrong place.
The clones had a ship for them; Zur was showering and the house was quiet. Too quiet. She sat on the step and closed her eyes, letting the warmth of the sun's rays relax her, listening to the sound of insects buzzing. It was too relaxing, so much so she could feel her mind drifting.
A crashing noise brought her back, she had dozed off; she sat upright, alert.
"Zur? Are you okay?" She asked, walking back into the small house, "Hey! What are you doing here?"
She'd said it before realising it was a stupid question; there were three armed beings standing in the sitting room and the door hanging off its hinges.
"Motty! Sort out the speeder." Shouted the one in front, "We'll deal with her."
Motty grumbled about missing all the fun, on the way out.
There was no way she could fight them, so she turned and ran towards the kitchen but it was too late; she hadn't moved more than a few yards, when the breath was knocked from her, as she was tackled to the floor. She scrambled kicking at him to get away, her foot connected with something but she didn't look.
Her hands scrabbled at the floor, as she was pulled backwards, but she could get no purchase and he grabbed her hair, pulling her head back then cracked it against the floor. It went black for what she thought was a few seconds but she didn't know how long and her stomach rebelled. Then she was dragged upright, strong arms pinning hers to her sides in a vice; she could barely breathe.
Gasping to get air, she could see Zur standing, pointing his blaster. For no reason at all, she thought it odd that he only had shorts on and she could only see through one eye now. She had thought there were others in the house, more than one but she couldn't see or hear them now.
"Let her go!" Zur demanded.
"No way. You shoot me. Her throat gets slit."
She felt the burning from the cut of the knife, puncturing her skin.
Zur's hand was steady, blaster held firm.
"Motty! Motty!" The Pantoran shouted to one of his comrades, "Get back in here now."
It was quiet.
There was no sign of Motty.
She watched Zur, his eyes never moved from her captor.
She trusted him. He would get her out of this.
.
Gregor stopped the speeder after the other one had passed him at speed; there were three male occupants and from what he glimpsed, they were not dressed as workmen to service the Farming Droids or machinery. They wore city clothes.
Something wasn't right.
He activated the speeder com, "Echo? Any service patrols due today?"
The reply was quick.
"No? Okay, Thanks brother. I may be delayed."
He turned the speeder around, " No, I'll manage. See ya later." He pressed the throttle hard and raced back towards the property.
It was a long straight road and he stopped the speeder within sprinting distance of the small house, hid and checked it with his binocs.
"Bastards!" He muttered, the speeder that had passed him was parked outside the house, with one lone Pantoran unloading equipment. He zoomed in and could see the Spice Runners logo on his jacket.
"Why they have to advertise, I don't know." he muttered to himself as he slung his DC15A rifle from his back to his shoulder.
He leaned against the tree, years of training told him the estimated length of the shot. He watched the leaves on the trees which told him the wind speed, it was a quiet day. He knew the current humidity, how much it would dissipate the blaster bolt. He calculated the shot and was ready to fire. He brought the rifle down to his shoulder, looked through the scope and took aim.
Gregor slowed his breathing and heart rate; he had done this on numerous missions. He waited for the Pantoran's head to bob up again.
The hint of movement.
He pulled the trigger.
Gregor was satisfied when he saw the explosion of red mist, replacing the Pantoran's head. The body dropped. He never know what hit him.
Gregor raced to the house, unable to use the speeder, he needed the element of surprise.
He stepped down over the remains of the man he'd shot, flattened himself against the wall listening to what was being said inside. He only heard two voices. He ducked around quickly.
"Shab!" He whispered, one of the gang had hold of Hela and Zur was pointing a blaster at them.
The door was open, he crept in; the Pantoran was intent on his victim and the blaster pointed at him.
Gregor lunged, grabbing the Pantoran's wrist, breaking it and pulling the knife away ant the same time pushing a blaster at his head.
"I don't think so!" He growled at the man.
Hela dropped away.
The idiot tried to fight him but he was outmatched in every way.
Gregor got bored ducking and grabbed him in headlock, then he twisted his head sharply, the crack of his neck splitting rang through the house. He let him drop to the floor.
It was then he noticed the remaining spice runner on the floor, his face a bloody mess, a gurgling sound coming from him.
Gregor crouched and checked his pulse; he was alive— just.
Looking up he saw Zur holding Hela, she was shaking. He nodded and took her into the kitchen. Blood was spilling over his hand from the wound in her neck.
Gregor put his blaster to the Pantoran's head and finished him off. Then walked nonchalantly into the kitchen.
"It was merciful." He explained to Zur, who had seen what he did, "He'd be taking all his meals through a straw for the rest of his life, if he survived. Who—?"
"She kicked him in the face."
Gregor looked down at the blood spattered bright blue shiny boots Hela wore.
"Might need to clean the boots. I'll do it."
He bent to undo the laces, while Zur checked her wound.
.
Hela sat next to Gregor in the speeder on the way back into town and he enjoyed the proximity to her; he could smell her again, despite the blindfold. He wished he didn't have to use it on them but it was safer for all concerned. She had washed her hair fresh this morning, he heard her in the shower, singing. It was some kind of nonsense, he couldn't hear any words, just the melody.
He wished he'd seen her at those concerts but he had been on Abafar; he touched the side of his head where the chip should be but for some reason had disintegrated.
He'd find a recording and watch it; there was probably one floating around somewhere deep in the Holonet.
The traffic and buildings increased in number. He slowed slightly, wanting to prolong the drive for a little longer, "You can take the blindfolds off now."
He glanced, the bruise at the side of her head still looked painful, as did the cut on her neck, despite the Bacta bandage; she was lucky, if it had been much deeper…... Eventually they pulled into the Spaceport and the new ship.
He helped her get out, holding her hand longer than strictly necessary but it didn't feel awkward; she squeezed his hand back.
"Thank you. For everything." She whispered, smiling.
"Any time." he replied.
Wrong time and wrong place.
He felt Zur's eyes on them both and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek then watched as the two unlikely companions walked to their new ship.
Hela waved as she turned before entering the ship and then the ramp closed and she was gone.
Gregor watched the ship take off; he didn't kid himself any longer. If it had been offered he would have taken her and enjoyed her; he had aways been vulnerable to a good looking female with a brain. Now he wasn't sure who was more vulnerable, her or him. He knew he wasn't the man he used to be, he rubbed his head. The war had made certain of that. But now he had another mission— save as many brothers as he could.
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A/N: more Gregor.😀