Imperial City

Admiral Rampart summoned the Commandos for his project to a meeting and invited Ryssa to observe; he was introducing himself to them. She watched from the sidelines. All the Commandos looked the same now, the armour they wore was identical, no markings were allowed. She studied the group, eyes flicking across the men sitting there, a mixture of Alpha's, RC's and ARC's. That was going to make it interesting for Rampart, if he thought they were all the same. She searched the sea of faces looking for any man she knew, it was difficult. She couldn't see Niner or Darman there; she wasn't even sure what had happened to Delta, or Maze.

The Admiral knew how to influence men; he was charismatic, and he knew it. He stood in front of one, acknowledging and countering his arguments, probably an Alpha. She could see some of the men being drawn in by him and these were hardened soldiers; perhaps they needed someone to listen and believe in them. She had not expected to see this side of him and continued to stand at the back observing. She almost believed what he was saying herself, possibly that was why he had requested she attend.

Her comlink pinged, a request for her to meet with Cahu, another secondment. She left for her office immediately and looked towards Rampart before she moved away, his head nodding in recognition, before she left.

.

Dr Cahu's office was pristine as usual.

"Good to see you again, Doctor Baey, Caf?"

Ryssa nodded and sat after Cahu, motioned her to do so.

"Just a little catch up."

"Is everything okay?"

"Oh yes, excellent."Cahu sipped her caf. "Lord Vader was content with your report. He said it was….adequate."

"Adequate?" Ryssa breathed out slowly, in relief.

"He's not given to superlatives." She brushed a non existent speck of dirt from her desk, "but that does bring me onto the main reason for this short meeting." She picked up her datapad, "Admiral Tarkin is hosting a Soiree in a few days, nothing formal but everyone involved with Rampart's project is expected to be there."

"I…."

"Expected, as in, ordered to attend. Tarkin wants to meet the team."

Ryssa swallowed.

"I know you're not much on mixing socially."

Damn! It's been noticed.

"But you can take service to the extreme and there are still people you need to know, to impress. People the Emperor still has to win around. It's early days for the Empire and your mother's name still impresses certain people. Tarkin wants to be sure of the team."

Ryssa dampened down her urge to run, anywhere.

"Here's the invitation."

Her Com pinged.

She left her caf untouched.

.

"Niner, ner vod!"

"What the Fek?" The voice had appeared from nowhere. A Null. Not Ordo, not Jaing. Definitely not Mereel. More gravelly.

"It's A'den here, ner vod."

"You know when to pick your moments. It's not really convenient, we're just having a briefing on a mission. From the big man himself." He felt himself whisper despite still having his bucket on.

"Sorry, ner vod. I need to know if you've seen her."

Niner was tempted to be awkward; Gaftikar still grated. He thought for a few seconds, then relented.

"Not to talk to, she was on Vader's destroyer for a time. But they're back now."

"Fek!"

"If I see her, you'll be the first to know, ner vod." He blinked to check his other feeds. "Has Ordo said anything?"

"Darman?"

"Yes. Don't bother him with any of this. Still not sure how he'd react?"

"Understood. K'oyacyi!"

The feed went to static.

.

Kyrimorut, Mandalore

"Feeling better?" Jaing took the Com from A'den's hand, he was still clutching it almost a minute after the call ended.

"A little."

"So we know where she is. Imperial Med Centre. Just need Niner to make contact with her, then we can arrange an extraction."

"Do we know who this Vader is?"

"There's not much on him. What I can find indicates he's the Emperor's right hand man. Ruthless and carries a red blade."

"Sith?"

Jaing shrugged

A'den's breathing became a little more difficult for a several seconds. He needed to talk to her himself.

.

Imperial Medical Centre

The work remained as mundane as it had ever been in the GAR clinic, compared to the work she had been doing on the medical frigates and RIMSOOs. There was the occasional Commando come with injuries that couldn't be totally dealt with where they happened or during the return journey. She assumed that was because the armour they had been given was a higher grade, which was about time, if it saved clone lives then she was all for it. But there was no way she could escape by being here, the planet was on virtual lockdown. If she was away from Imperial City, she may stand a better chance of getting away.

EmDee her only companion for the majority of the time, in the med bay and he had developed a sarcastic turn of phrase, with a more pronounced Coruscanti accent. There were days when she worked with other medical staff, who were all human. Those days were difficult, as they all wanted to be friends. Friends told each other things, private things; she couldn't do that. She couldn't have friends it was too dangerous. This day wasn't one of those days and a call came through to her medical bay for a med droid in the barracks, which was unusual, unless it was a training injury.

"You or me." EmDee asked, Ryssa glared at it.

"I'll go, I need the exercise." She said, volunteering before it set off.

"You said it." He deadpanned, as if a droid could do that. She glared, as she left, swearing that his vocabulator continually upgraded itself, its speech pattern was becoming more human. The more she spent time with EmDee the more she appreciated her Mother's genius. Then there was the wheezing beep noises it made, as she left the room. She poked her head back.

"Any more comments and I'll do a frontal lobotomy on you. I've done one before." It wheezed even louder as she left.

At least she was talking to her droid now and not just herself.

The call had not said the reason why a medic was needed, she picked up a medical bag and made her way through the maze of corridors to the training room. A crowd of Stormtroopers, in their training kit, milled around. They parted as she approached and was pointed in the direction of the corner. The patient stood learning against the wall.

"Training accident, ma'am." The sergeant sounded exasperated, an older Kamino clone. "Sparring."

"Ma'am." the storm trooper tried to salute but his arm wasn't having it.

"Looks like a dislocation." She scanned the area, "Yes, total dislocation."

"Do I get bacta?" he smiled.

There were a few sniggers from the older clones.

"Perhaps in a while but we have to do something first."

"What's that?" he looked so naive.

"Well we can either do this in Med bay or here?"

"Here's fine, ma'am."

More sniggers from the audience; she gave them her best glare. "Could I have a couple of volunteers?"

Two stepped forward, again older scarred clones.

"Are you going to hurt him Ma'am?" the voice was low

"Probably."

"Good."

"Why?"

"Maybe then he'll stop smiling. He's a clumsy di'kut and someone told him to keep smiling."

She shook her head.

"You two know the drill, hold him."

She watched until she saw they had a good hold on him and nodded; she found the joint, then probing and feeling around, she found just the place, then she twisted and pulled. She heard and felt the click as it slotted back into place.

He didn't yelp or scream but grunted and developed a good sheen of sweat; she was beginning to think these new clones didn't even know how to scream.

"Now the bacta, soldier."

He wasn't smiling any more.

.

A few days later and she saw them, three Commandos heading straight for her. She stopped, braced herself, expecting her time to be up. One stopped directly in front of her, barring her way, "Ma'am, IC 1309."

Niner.

In the meantime, he had obviously said something to Darman, who grabbed hold of the other Commando, turned and left.

She had never had many dealings with Niner, A'den said he was straight as a dye, too straight for his own good sometimes and she knew that they had had one or two disagreements, especially on Gaftikar, before Fi, that felt a lifetime ago.

"Is there somewhere private we can go?"

"Not sure what you mean?"

"Private - no surveillance." He whispered.

She nodded; she knew most of the med bays were bugged, as was hers, but that could be got around. She grabbed his arm.

"Walk with me." She ordered.

"Yes, Ma'am."

She walked as fast as she could and he kept up easily. Anyone questioning them it was just a check up on his injury.

"Ignore my droid. It's not personal."

"What…..?" He started to ask and then realised what she had been saying. "No, but this is personal, for you."

"Me?"

Niner wished he hadn't promised this, it was just another action he had to coordinate, to keep from Darman, to keep from Melusar, to keep him and Darman and now this Doctor, Ryssa, safe. Safe for his brother. They entered her Medbay.

"Ah! IC1309 ready for your check up?" The droid spoke as he entered. It whirred and beeped, "Protocols in place."

"It's secure now." She explained. Another little trick of EmDee's. She kept learning more and more of what he could do.

He hesitated before removing his helmet, altered the settings and offered it to her; she looked scared and he hoped A'den and Kal were right about her, because at this moment he was still not sure if she was going to take it from him or sound the alarm. He realised grimly that he was ready to slot her, grab Darman and run, if it all went to haran. You could never trust a Mongrel and he didn't know her as well as Kal and his brother.

She took the helmet.

He relaxed a little.

She put it on her head and he saw her chest shudder.

He relaxed a little more and stood near the door, even though he couldn't hear what was being said, it felt as if he was intruding to stand and watch.

But he still didn't trust the droid and eyed it suspiciously.

.

"Ner?"

"Den? Is it really you?" She heard her own voice break at his name.

"Cyar'ika, I'm sorry about the bridge." He paused, waiting for a reply, none came, "How are you holding up?"

"I'm okay, so far…... It was you in the freighter, wasn't it? I could see you from the bridge. You did the right thing. It was a mess. I got knocked over in the riot. Then Niner And they put me on a LAATi…. it's still locked down tight here.

She heard a sharp intake of breath at the other end.

"It didn't feel right."

"It was the right thing for you to do and I'm glad."

"What do you mean?" His voice had become a little hard.

"At least one of us escaped." She was struggling to keep her composure now. "Den, I love you…. I miss you."

Suddenly her cheeks felt wet inside the helmet.

"We'll get you out, we're working on it. Niner will keep in contact with you."

"Okay. I just keep remembering what you said about being undercover and try and use that. But it's hard."

There was small huff at the other end.

"Is everyone safe? Kal? Kad? Your brothers? L'leth? Bessany?"

"Recovering and getting there."

"Good…...Den?…" she knew he wouldn't like what she was going to say "..if you can't get me out, remember, I will always love you, no matter what."

He heard the stifled sob at the other end. "Don't be daft, of course we'll get you out."

An icon flashed in the corner of her sight as Niner came back towards her.

"You have to go." Advised A'den, "Ni kar'tayli gar darasuum." Then static. Nothing. She felt the helmet move off and wiped under her eyes with the backs of her hands.

"Freshers?" Niner nodded to the corner of the Medbay, it's layout the same as others; he really didn't have any experience in dealing with emotional females, so he was being practical.

She nodded moving quickly away from him; a few seconds later, he heard water running and splashing then there was a beep at the door. The droid answered it.

IC - 1136 and TK - 70558 good to see you. IC - 1309, The sergeant, is fit and well."

Ryssa emerged having splashed her face. Darman ignored her and Rede saluted.

"Just doing a follow up with the Sargeant here. His back." There had to be some reason he was actually in her medbay.

"All clear Sargeant. Finally." She held out her hand "Good to see you." Niner shook it. "Thank you, Doctor."

"EmDee? Who's next?"

"I'll check Ma'am."

They weren't secure any more.

Niner now knew why A'den had been uncharacteristically sympathetic and let Darman call Etain from Gaftikar plus he picked up on the cues from the droid. It's voice had changed, as had the Doctor's. There was something different about it. Not that he liked droids, especially odd ones.

"Ma'am." He saluted, the others followed suit then exited.

Rede had watched them all very closely; Darman ignored them.

.

Imperial City, Senate District

The Former Republic Executive Building, had been an imposing structure at the centre of the Republic hierarchy, it was still imposing, even now. She pulled her jacket down trying to make her uniform look half decent and tried not to scratch her neck, where it itched. Assuming this meeting was official, she had worn her uniform but with the skirt and high black boots, rather than the totally unflattering trousers but it still wasn't comfortable. As soon as she entered the Ceremonial Office at the Chancellors old suite, she thought it was a mistake, the majority of the 'guests' were in civilian clothes.

The large transparisteel window had been replaced after the Jedi attack, the red decor that Palpatine had apparently favoured was gone and it had been reorganised but it was still palatial and numerous people were milling around. A server droid offered her a drink, she chose the non alcoholic Meiluran fruit cordial; the last thing she needed was alcohol, she needed to keep as cool head as possible, even though she was warm and uncomfortable in her uniform. She could understand why some had foregone wearing it. She spotted Rampart and Cahu talking, when an older man joined them. He looked familiar, gaunt with grey receding hair —Tarkin.

They were all in their uniform, including a few others.

She edged towards the window, pretending to admire the view, what was left of it.

"Ah. There she is." she heard Rampart's voice in the distance then felt a hand on her shoulder. She jumped slightly.

"Doctor Baey, or do you prefer Captain?" Rampart checked. It was the first time he had done that, or even spoke directly to her since the interview.

"Doctor, please."

"Let me introduce you to Admiral Tarkin, or should I say Grand Moff Tarkin now."

She prepared to face Tarkin himself; she had never envisaged being this close to him. He was well known, had risen through the ranks during the Clone Wars. There had been rumours thar he was close to the Chancellor and it looked like they were true.

I'm an Imperial. She reminded herself.

She turned to him with a smile on her face.

"So pleased to finally meet you Admiral, or should I say Moff."

She held out her hand, after watching her mother do this for years, she knew exactly what to do.

"This is a navy meeting and the Admiral is perfectly correct," he looked her up and down, "as is the uniform. A good choice, my dear." His arm snaked around her, his hand pressed slightly in the dip of her back. "Walk with me."

She moved along with him.

"I see you like the Meiluran Cordial, a favourite of mine too. Let me introduce you to a few people."

He moved effortlessly through the crowd, it parted to let him walk through and more people entered the room, some in uniform, some not.

"Ah Krennic. So glad to see that you could make it."

The sandy haired young man turned immediately, "Moff Tarkin." He nodded.

"It appears my promotion has leaked earlier than both myself and the Emperor anticipated."

Krennic looked around, "Is the Emperor not gracing us with his presence tonight?"

"Not tonight Krennic, he has much to do himself."

He turned towards her.

"This is Doctor Baey, a member of Rampart's Team."

Krennic turned to her, nodding, "And what is your speciality?"

"Medicine." She replied succinctly, watching Tarkin out of the corner of her eye.

"Now Krennic, no poaching. My dear," his hand went to her back again and they moved away, "Krennic is always on the look out for people for his little project." Although his voice appeared soft and gentle, there was an underlying steel there, "however, you're lucky he has no need of medical personnel at the moment. Now the most important person in the room, and who has been dying to meet you." He propelled her gently but firmly through the crowd towards a middle aged woman with light brown hair, peppered with hints of grey. Exquisitely made up and surrounded by young men, "Thalassa, my dear, here she is."

The men parted to let the brown haired woman rise and move through them, "At last." Ryssa's hands were grasped warmly, "my dear it's so good to finally see you again."

Ryssa was perplexed, she could not remember ever seeing this woman before.

"Thalassa Tarkin. I knew your mother. We came to your apartment often. To her parties. She was so intelligent and gifted, and a beauty. It was such a loss." She studied Ryssa, "You look so much like her. Around the eyes. And Wilhuf tells me you are just as gifted."

"I'm sorry….." Ryssa managed to get out.

"Tch. Tch. No matter." her perfectly manicured hand waved in front of her, "You were tiny, a youngling and your mother never let you stay up for her parties. Quite right too. They could get a little exuberant, even though I say so myself."

She moved closer.

"We were so upset when we heard about her death. It must have been so difficult for you. And you being with her at the time." The accent was Coruscanti but with a hint of outer rim, just as Tarkin's. "Then Wilhuff explained to me what you did during the war, working with those poor wounded clones. So brave."

"It was nothing." Ryssa tried to say.

"Tch. people always say that. Now come with me. I'll give you the details of who is important and who is not. It's the least I can do." Her arm linked through Ryssa's and they toured the room.

She leaned into her.

"Now, first, your uniform. It's uncomfortable, it itches. I can see that. Go here. They're the best. Have several made up."

Ryssa's Com pinged. The name of the most expensive military tailor in Imperial City pinged up.

"I won't be able to afford…." The words had left her mouth before she thought.

"Give him my name and this." Another message came to her Com. "The same with the boots. Wilhuf finds the Imperial issue ones so uncomfortable. If you have any problems try these." Yet another ping.

"Thank you, Ma'am."

"Thalassa. Call me Thalassa."

Ryssa could feel the eyes of many in the room on her.

"Let's tour the room." And they moved.

So much for keeping a low profile.

.

Wilhuf Tarkin was pleased with the meeting; these soirees put people at ease, off guard. He preferred that. He had weeded out the wheat from the Chaff as the saying on Eriadu went. Krennic was his usual obsessive self, couldn't see the big picture but he got things done and the Stardust Project, hugely ambitious as it was, was well under way, apart from the raw materials but now they had a whole galaxy to raid. Rampart had War Mantle under control and that would soon be up and running. ISB was operational, and Admiral Yularen had been a good choice.

He undid his jacket and walked into his wife's room. She would still be up. In somethings, she was predictable. She was a perfect match for him, the perfect alliance.

He kissed her proffered cheek. She always looked immaculate.

"So Dearest. What did you think?"

"The Baey girl. Intelligent but definitely hiding something."

"They all are, Dearest. But, until the time comes that their secrets make them a danger to the Empire, we will continue to make use of them."

"Of course."

He took his jacket to their dressing room and hung it up, changing into a less formal one.

"Going out Dear?"

"Yes Dearest. I won't be back tonight."

"Someone new?"

He shook his head.

"Take care."

"I always do."