Cave system, Ryloth
The unauthorised clinics ran for three nights straight and the lack of sleep was catching up with her. There had been a lot of babies and children in this last one, most of them with problems due to lack of nourishing food. She stretched out her back, without the proper equipment bending over to examine took its toll on it.
"None tomorrow. Some of the Imps are getting too curious." Said Gobi. "Here drink this." He pushed a small flask at her, same as the one Howzer currently held to his mouth; he had come to take her back in the blacked out helmet, as usual. She took a long pull, and coughed as soon as it hit the back of her throat.
Moonshine.
"Bit rough." She squeaked, then pausing. "I'll get you the supplements tomorrow to distribute." It was a few more seconds before she could speak normally.
"Good." Gobi gave her one of his rare grins and held out the helmet. Howzer carefully placed it on her. Looking at where she was, what she wore, onlookers would say she was crazy, courting danger and yet she felt safer in these caves with these two, than she did in the Main Garrison. Howzer turned her around then took her arm, just as he had the other nights. She trusted him.
The warm blast of air hit her, indicating the end of the cave system; it never really cooled down not until you got into the desert regions, so they said. But they had stopped walking or stumbling in her case.
"Howzer?" Her helmet was pulled off, his already gone. The moonlight lit up the entry to the caves; previously, he had never taken her helmet off before they reached the garrison. It was a clear night, a dramatic red against the mountains in the background and the moonlight highlighted his scars.
"I'd just like to thank you for what you've done. You didn't have to. These people…..they've suffered so much. And now, just as they're free. I'm just not sure what to make of the Empire, or Rampart…..."
"I know. This isn't where I'd imagined myself to be, once the war ended."
He produced his flask and offered it again. She took a smaller drink this time and swallowed quicker. He took another quick one himself.
"You know these people well, don't you?"
"Like I told you, I lived and fought with them for three years."
"There's more though?"
Howzer sighed, she had a way with her. He shook his head.
"How's the refinery coming along?" She changed tack, "Gobi didn't seem very happy with it, despite providing work for the people."
"It'll be finished soon. Can't say we've had much input in it, apart from supplying guards when required."
"Guards?"
"Yeah. Some, like Gobi, don't trust the Empire. There were a few attacks to start off with. It's difficult going from fighting with them against the Separatists to almost being on the opposite side."
He took another pull and put the stopper on.
"Most of the people are just tired of fighting. Then when Rampart is here….it gets tense. He brings a squad of Commandos, although they're not needed, we can handle most things."
Her ears had pricked up at the word Commandos.
"Commandos here?"
"Yeah. A new squad led by a clone but the rest are natborns. One of Rampart's changes."
So they had noticed.
"I've been meaning to ask you. You mentioned Order 37, I couldn't find it…"
He tensed at her question.
"We won't have to use it."
"Are you sure? It was never envisaged that Order 66 would have to be used. Presumably they're there for a reason. So what is it?"
"Order 37 ….deals with using a large number of civilian hostages to force the capture of an individual. Suppressing the local civilian populations, mass civilian arrests and civic lockdowns, and then issuing an ultimatum. If they don't turn over the individual then…, all the arrestees are executed."
Ryssa shivered, suddenly feeling cold. That could have happened on Raxus.
"There's more… the bodies of the executed are not released to family members. All HoloNet communication to be shut down immediately and comm silence maintained for a month so that COMPNOR can control information outflow. No accounts of what happened are to be disseminated, as they can be 'detrimental to control of surrounding systems. Proof of body disposal to be documented to pass on'.
He had obviously repeated parts of the Order from memory.
Most clones, the ones she knew, would baulk at that. Howzer had gone silent.
"But you are worried that it may actually come to that, with Cham and Gobi?"
He nodded.
She couldn't imagine him doing it. She had to do those examinations for the chips and soon.
Ryssa felt her back touch the wall, she hadn't noticed how close he'd got, until his lips hit hers, his arms surrounded her, his mouth moving against hers, the taste of the moonshine still on his lips and she kissed him back, lost in memories. It had felt such a long time since anyone had touched her like this, even though it wasn't but she still missed it. Then just as quickly he pulled away and they were back at the cave entrance.
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay, no harm done. It was nice."
"Hah." He laughed, "that's one way to put a man down…..it….was….nice." He drew the words out.
"I didn't mean to…." then she noticed his eyes drawn down; she was wearing civvies and her gold chain had come free. She quickly tried to push it back but his hand was there first.
She watched his reaction as he picked up the ring, read the inscription and the tag.
"A brother?"
She nodded. They shouldn't be having this conversation it was dangerous for both of them.
"I should have known."
"Why?"
"Your manner around us and the Mandoa. You were too comfortable around us, not like the other Imperials, aloof, disdain…." He paused looking at the ring again. "Who is he?"
"Does it matter?"
"No— Is he dead?"
Shaking her head, "My husband, as far as I know, is alive. The tag is from my friend, more like a brother. He died….because of me."
"I'm sorry…... So why are you here now?"
If I tell him and he isn't the man I thought, then that's the end.
"Why are you?"
"I have no choice."
"Everyone has a choice."
"So you?" He pressed his question.
"I got stuck after Order 66. I was on Coruscant, was supposed to leave but got pulled in on the night of Order 66 and then it was locked down tighter than a drum. And now….now I just don't know how to get out."
That was it she'd basically told him she was looking to desert and would have already done so given the chance.
"Your husband?"
"I don't know where he is."
Both stood silent, until Howzer broke it.
"Let's get back."
.
Imperial Garrison
Med Bay
Ryloth
"You sure this will work?" She asked EmDee, as he completed the last few adjustments.
"By elimination, this is the only component that can affect the chip. It would be easier if I had a chip to check it with or someone to check it on."
"Well that's not possible."
"I understand and I would not like to damage any of your friends."
"They're not my friends."
"Captain Howzer?"
"Well, yes…..perhaps he is a friend."
EmDee wheezed in reply.
She studied the medical histories of the clones who were due in; it was a list of the normal injuries sustained in war. None had prosthetics, there were a few head injuries. She noted those, wanting to take special care with them.
"Ah, Captain Howzer." Em Dee greeted the clone as he entered, Ryssa was so engrossed in identifying any potential problems, she hadn't even heard the door.
"EmDee." He greeted the droid back. "So what was so important to pull me away from drills?"
"What we were discussing the other day…"
Howzer automatically looked around.
"It's okay." Ryssa was going out on a limb now, "EmDee has put a privacy shield in place. No one can hear or see us."
"Droids." He growled.
Ryssa smiled, he sounded so much like every other trooper when he said that. He raised his eyebrows at her.
"Clones always sound the same when they say that."
He nodded, grinning.
Ryssa became serious again. "We may have a way to mitigate the effects of the chips on your men."
He stared at her, for several long seconds, silently processing that information.
"May have?"
"Well, EmDee has isolated the only component that could affect the chip but by a process of elimination. We know exactly what every other component does to the body."
He raised a sceptical eyebrow.
"Come here, we'll show you."
They gathered around the 'Kaminoan Scanner', as EmDee pointed out the various components detailing the function of each. He explained.
"We know exactly what all these will do, they are standard components in many other pieces of equipment." One of his digits changed into a pointer with a small light on it, as he highlighted each component. "That leaves this one, which still activates when the scanner is switched on. It focuses on the right temporal area, when the patient is in the scanner." He produced a hologram of a clone lying under the machine.
"EmDee has adjusted the frequency of the component, so that it's reversed. In theory that will reverse or at least reduce the potency of the chips."
"Will it work?"
"We don't know."
"Will it injure my men?"
Ryssa and EmDee exchanged a glance.
"We don't know."
Howzer paced up and down the room, his right fist clenching and unclenching. He hadn't spoken to his men about the chips, so they didn't know about them yet, although there were rumours.
"Do it! So long as it doesn't injure them, if it works it works, if it doesn't they've lost nothing. I'll let you have the list."
Ryssa nodded, "We'll monitor carefully, if theres any indication its affecting them adversely. We'll stop immediately."
"Thank you." he paused, "There's something else." He hesitated again, he'd gone behind her back just as he was making decisions for his men. "I know someone who can probably get you off planet but it will have to be soon. Things are ramping up."
"Can I ask who?"
He shook his head. "Too dangerous."
"If they need money, I haven't got much."
"It's more a thank you for what you've already done, with the clinics."
"Okay."
"They will only be able to take you so far but then they can arrange another pick up for you. That might cost you though."
Now she was conflicted.
Leave and find A'den or…. Stay to try and alter the clones chips, which she didn't know yet if it worked.
"Tell them I'll go."
He nodded.
.
Kyrimorut, Mandalore
A'den was impressed with Qail, she got her head down to work on her antidote to get some form of revenge that he understood and he agreed with that. Mij and Vau had liberated the equipment for her and now A'den saw how Mij looked at her. If no one else could see it he could. The good doctor was falling, fast and hard.
All the information was in her head and she was a clever woman, who had nowhere else to go. He only hoped she didn't do a Ko Sai after this. He still wanted his life back.
He had come here to get away from the anger at the house. Not his this time, he needed to be calm. He had come to think of this place as his and Ryssa's and would be one of the first places he would show her. The mist was just coming down over the hills now. Still beautiful. He had to try and not think that it was totally unfair that Maze and Zey were here and his wife was not, and push that feeling into doing more to find her.
"May I?"
"Of course Mij."
Everyone asks if they can join me. Am I that bad?
"How are you doing?"
"Better."
"You sure?"
"Yes. Did Buir ask you to check on me?"
"No. L'leth."
"L'leth?"
"Yes, she's worried about you, especially now she's moved to Rav's."
"When?"
"Last night."
"Why? Has someone upset her?" He would sort them out if they had. L'leth was a sweet and kind girl, and volunteered to do may of the boring, mundane jobs that others tried to get out of, namely Jilka; he wasn't blind. If Corr was around she often left things undone and L'leth took them on.
"She wouldn't say why and Scout was being tight lipped about it as well. They spend a lot of time together when Scout isn't helping us. Scout loves Casey. He's a lovely lad."
He hadn't even known they were friends and he was supposed to be looking after L'leth, Ryssa would have wanted him to but he had sort of avoided Scout. He thought Jaing was interested in L'leth, so had backed off a little, so as not to intrude but that's not been happening. Yet he was sure he had caught L'leth looking at his brother, like women do sometimes. She had a far away look in her eyes, perhaps he was mistaken or his brother was a di'kut, probably the latter. He would have to talk to him.
"So you and Qail?"
"You don't miss much do you?"
"So?"
"She's a damn intelligent woman. Always been attracted to intelligent women."
A'den smiled, after the years Mij had been alone, he deserved some happiness. He hoped Qail would help him.
"Good place you've got here." Mij noted.
A'den nodded, he liked it.
They sat back.
.
Imperial Garrison, Ryloth
"You sure this will work?"
EmDee's servos made a grinding noise. She really must talk to him about these odd noises that he makes.
"You've asked me that before and the answer has not changed. Yes."
"So. Initial scan with my scanner, then thirty seconds under the Kaminoan machine."
"Correct."
"It won't hurt them?"
"There may be some discomfort."
"How much?"
"It's difficult to tell."
"Stupid thing to ask. Right the first one will be here in a couple of minutes."
Ryssa washed her hands, her palms had started to sweat and she was convinced something was going to go wrong. Rampart was on his way back and she needed to get as many done as possible, hoping she could get at least all the older ones done. Give them back some autonomy.
The door opened and Howzer appeared, "Everything ready?"
She nodded. They had discussed it and he agreed it should be done. He would take it from there but at least his squad and possibly some others would get a choice. The older ones first as their chips, were likely to be the most degraded and easily rectified. She hoped.
"Afterwards, any reports of any headaches, any odd feelings or urges…"
His left eyebrow raised.
"Not. Normal…..compulsions." She rephrased it, "and they report directly to me."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Right. We'll begin."
Howzer watched every man in his squad be checked, it looked uncomfortable but each one came out fine at the other end. Even the ones with previous head injuries.
"I'll arrange for the others, the newer ones, to start coming in."
The door swung open, Rampart entered. "Ah, there you are, Captain. The Senator's addressing the populace today, in the square and the Syndulla's will be there. We will need extra security. Doctor Baey, I'd like you to attend also."
Howzer stood waiting, when Rampart finally said, "Dismiss Captain."
Howzer reluctantly saluted, jammed on his helmet and left. Ryssa knew from his body language he was seething inside.
Rampart gave that small knowing smile that he had.
"The Twi'leks…..you have been treating them, unauthorised." He walked around the Kaminoan scanner.
Ryssa's eyes followed him.
"But you have still scanned all the clones?"
"Yes. The older one's first, just as you requested. I've just completed Captain Howzer's Squad. We were discussing the results."
"And?"
"It worked perfectly."
"Good. I will pass that on."
He walked back in front of her. She waited, he was difficult to read.
"Your small unauthorised medical interventions, may prove to be to our advantage on this planet. They will have shown that the Empire is not uncaring."
"Yes, sir." She didn't dare move but she hoped the Twi'leks and Howzer remembered that wasn't why she did it.
.
Rampart sat at his desk everything was coming to fruition, the refinery was on target. The clones were being brought up to spec. Howzer was stubborn though and not just on the armour. But the good Doctor, he hoped he was wrong. He lifted his Com.
"ES-02. I need you to keep an eye on Doctor Baey."
"No nothing like that. She's not adhering to protocols. Pity. She has so much to offer. Report any deviations direct to me."
He stood for a few seconds, "So much potential. We shall see."
.
Capitol Building, Lessu
Ryloth
Ryssa stood to one side. She had tried to get hold of Howzer and speak to him privately, to tell him that he wasn't her intention to do the clinics just to put the Empire in a good light. This was the first time she had seen him since the examinations on the clones. He was talking to the Syndulla's. He was right when he said everything was a little tense, especially with Rampart, if Order 37 was brought into play.
The Senator was going to give his speech in a few minutes and she had managed to keep her distance from him this time. The meeting prior to this had been in a smaller room and she could still feel where his hands went. She noticed that Eleni kept her distance from him or Cham stood between them; she had initially thought it was because he was the General but now it was probably more to protect Taa.
Howzer finally came to her, standing at ease next to her.
"Howzer? I didn't do the clinics to put the Empire in a good light. You do know that?" She whispered.
"I know."
His eyes were everywhere, watching everyone.
"I should have warned you about… Taa."
"Yeah." She muttered, "any more and I know a thing or two you can do to genitals, involving a laser scalpel."
"I'll bet." He smirked, "It's a go. Your way off planet."
"Really?"
"Yes — couple of days."
"What about you?"
"I'll be fine. I've got my brothers.— Cham!"
He moved away to talk to the General before they went onto the balcony. She squinted in the bright sunlight and stopped at the rear. Taa came out and stood next to her.
"The Admiral explained about your clinic, ingenious. Perhaps we could discuss something similar but under the auspices of the Orn Free Taa clinic."
Ryssa jumped and let out a short squeak, when his podgy fingers pinched her behind, as he moved forward to make his speech.
Discuss fekking clinic more like castrate him!
She moved back to the rear of the balcony to listen to the speeches. First the Senator, then a shout went up for Cham and he went forward, as charismatic as ever.
.
Kyrimorut
Mandalore
A'den was itching to go with his brothers and Ny, now they had finally sorted out the pick up with Niner and Dar; he should be with them. He knew Ryssa wasn't there anymore but he just wanted to be with them, to get back to something he actually understood. A comfort zone. He watched as the Cornucopia lifted off.
Ny was a good friend. He nodded to Levet who was just coming back after having been for a run by the looks of it. He was heading to the make shift gym they had built. They had to work at keeping in shape now they weren't on missions, besides he didn't want to be flabby for Ryssa when she finally returned. He'd never had much to do with Commander Tactful, he would go and catch up with him.
"Maybe I'll join Levet, do a bit of sparring." He mused, after his spat with Ordo had cleared the air, he definitely felt more confident that he would see her. They just need to take one step at a time and once this extraction was over he could implement his plan to find her and Sev. There was still Sev.
"A'den? There you are?" Jilka trotted up next to him. "How are you? I was worried after the fight. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
"I hope you don't blame me." Her arm snaked around his bicep, "It was only what I overheard them say."
He tried to step away but she was attached to him like a limpet and followed his steps.
"I thought we could go for a walk."
He eventually extricated his arm; he wasn't entirely sure what she was up to but he didn't know her well and there was something about her.
"I've just arranged to do a bit of sparring with Levet, perhaps another time." He removed her hand and headed to the makeshift gym at a trot.
A/N: I will probably revert to posting once a week from next week. A lot of editing to do.